This copycat Outback loaded baked potato soup recipe is comforting and delicious! Loaded with tender potatoes, bacon, and cheese in a velvety broth. Easily whip this soup up in one pot and serve topped with crispy bacon and warm crusty bread! Just like the restaurant version, this is loaded with cheesy, salty flavor that the whole family will love.
This soup is perfect during fall or winter, tender potatoes and salty bacon combined in a cheesy broth make this a warm and heaty meal. Cozy up with other One Pot favorites like One-Pot Lasagna Soup, Black Bean Soup, Lentil Chili! Garnish your bowl of soup with shaved or shredded cheese, fresh sliced chives or green onion, crispy bacon bits, sour cream, and some fresh cracked black pepper.
Find my other Soup Recipes here for more recipe inspiration! Serve this soup with a simple lettuce salad or some warm garlic knots.
Highlights Of The Copycat Soup
- One pot: make clean up a breeze with this one-pot soup that comes together in no time. Everything combines together in a Dutch oven and simmers until combined. This can also be made in a crockpot or pressure cooker/Instant Pot.
- Family favorite: kids and adults love this dish, it’s cheesy and full of tender potatoes that are lightly mashed and mixed with heavy cream and sour cream. All your favorite parts of a baked potato in soup form! Serve alongside crusty bread for dipping and sprinkle with a little shredded cheese!
- Fun topping ideas: top this soup with crispy bacon pieces, fresh chives, extra cheese, and sour cream or Greek yogurt. Any of your favorite baked potato toppings go great on this soup, crispy hash browns are a game changing topping if you’ve never tried it! The extra potato is great but the crispy, salty texture is the perfect addition.
- Budget friendly: potatoes can be very affordable and they are filling which can stretch a long way. The flavorful broth takes this dish a long way. This recipe is made with simple ingredients, many you probably have on hand, making this a budget friendly option compared to the restaurant version.
Copycat Outback Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe
This cheesy soup has a delicious golden brown color and plenty of flavor and texture. This at home recipe is great for outback steakhouse fans, as you can make this easy soup in the comfort of your own home for a fraction of the price! I love mine with crispy bacon and a little dollop of sour cream on top and a little bit of shredded cheese to make it even more creamy.
If you’re looking for some other hearty soups try this Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup, Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup, or this One-Pot Tortellini Soup!
Ingredient List & Substitution
- Olive oil: extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil can all be substitutes. Unsalted butter works as well.
- Bacon: any kind of bacon will work for this recipe, it adds a bit of texture and salt to the soup, it also pairs well with the mild potatoes. Cook up some extra bacon bits for a topping if desired.
- Onion: red onion, white onion, or yellow onion can work in the recipe, omit onion if you prefer. Shallots are also a good option.
- Garlic: use as much garlic as you want! I like fresh garlic minced fine but jarred garlic or garlic paste will also work if needed.
- Vegetable Broth: any broth or stock of choice can used. Beef broth, chicken broth, vegetable broth, or use homemade stock or bone broth. In a pinch use water and chicken bouillon powder.
- Fresh Potatoes: I like to use yellow potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes for the recipe. Russet potatoes can get a bit more mushy but they are an option. Peel potatoes or leave the skin on, that is a personal preference.
- Heavy cream: heavy whipping cream, whole milk, 2% milk, or a non-dairy milk will all work to add a touch of creaminess to this soup.
- Sour cream: this adds even more richness to the broth, Greek yogurt can work as well. Sour cream is a good topping as well, the coolness adds a nice touch.
- Cheese: shredded cheddar cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese are my two favorites in this dish. Pepper jack cheese or Colby jack are other good options, I like the shred my own cheese, I find it melts into my soup easier without getting clumpy.
- Toppings: bacon bits, fresh chives, sliced green onion tops, sour cream, and extra shredded cheese are great toppings. Crispy baguette or croutons are also a good addition.
How To Make Baked Potato Soup
Let’s talk a little about how to make this Copycat Outback Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Quick overview:
- Sauté bacon, onion and garlic. Season.
- Add in potatoes and stock, cover, and simmer.
- Once potatoes are tender, add in cream, sour cream, and cheese. Combine.
- Once cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!
- Start by prepping your fresh ingredients. Dice bacon, cube potatoes, diced onion and garlic. If shredding your cheese by hand, do this now!
2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high heat. Once warm, add in diced bacon, sauté until bacon starts to get crispy. At this point, reserve some bacon if you’d like to use it as a garnish. If there is an excess amount of bacon grease, remove it from the pan.
3. To the pan add in diced onion and garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender and fragrant. Season with salt and pepper.
4. To the pot add in the diced potatoes and vegetable stock. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook for 25-30 minutes over medium heat or until potatoes are fork tender. If desired, use a potato masher or a wooden spoon to mash some of the potatoes pieces to create a thicker soup.
5. Add in cream, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Heat, stirring often until cheese is melted and the broth is thick. Serve topped with extra chopped bacon, sour cream, and cheese.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Copycat Panera Mexican Style Street Corn Chowder (another fan favorite!)
- Panera Bread Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup (great slow cooker recipe)
- Instant Pot Turkey and Bean Chili Recipe
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup
- Hearty One-Pot Lentil Chili (easy vegan/vegetarian recipe)
Tools I Use For The Creamy Soup
This one-pot recipe uses just a few dishes, but these are my go-to staples that I recommend in most of my soup and chili recipes. If you’re not sure where to begin with kitchen staples, these are a few good ones to start with!
- Le Creuset 5 1/2-Qt. Dutch Oven – enamel cast iron is great for even heat and this pot is large enough so nothing boils over. My go to pot for soups, stews, chilis, roasts, and more! I have had my collection of Le Creuset for years and it is still in great condition!
- Wooden Spoons – perfect for sautéing and mixing, and great for not scratching your pans. Remember to deep clean your wooden utensils once a month!
- Pairing knife: I love these boxwood kitchen knives by Pallares Solsona, the carbon steel stays sharp for a while and I just love the look and design.
Recipe FAQs
What is Copycat Outback Steakhouse Loaded Potato Soup Recipe made of?
Made with bacon, onions, garlic, potatoes, cream, cheese, and sour cream. This soup is simple and flavorful, it can easily be customized with additional ingredients.
How long can I keep leftover soup?
Leftover baked potato soup can be cooled and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Or store leftovers in the freezer for 1 month.
What should I serve with my baked potato soup?
Baked potato soup goes great with a light lettuce salad like this easy Firebirds Wood Fired Grill BLT Salad Recipe or Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette! A crusty sourdough or ciabatta are great for dipping or try these Air Fryer New York Frozen Garlic Knots Recipe
How to make baked potato soup thicker?
If your soup is too thin, you can let is simmer longer to see if that helps it thicken. Adding extra shredded cheese or mashing the cooked potatoes can also help. If neither of these work, a slurry can be made with cornstarch and water and stirred into the soup.
What are good toppings for the baked potato soup?
Bacon bits, shredded cheese, sliced green onions, chives, crispy hash browns, fresh cracked black pepper. and sour cream or Greek yogurt are all great toppings ideas.
More Comforting Soup Recipes
Like this copycat baked potato soup, try these other delicious soups perfect for the chilly fall and winter months!
- Copycat Panera Mexican Style Street Corn Chowder – with fresh sweet corn, green chiles, potatoes, and bacon this soup is loaded with flavor and spice!
- Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup Recipe with Cauliflower – one of my favorite instant pot recipes! With a slight tang from the beer and loaded with cheese, this is great for game day!
- The Best Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe – similar to Olive Gardens gnocchi soup this has tender chicken, veggies, and gnocchi in a creamy broth.
- Instant Pot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup Recipe – if you like buffalo chicken dip, you’ll love this soup!
If you are looking for more copycat recipes the entire family will love, try some of these fan favorites like Chicken Tortilla Soup, Chopped Salad Recipe, Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe, or Panda Express Air Fryer Orange Chicken!
Copycat Outback Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 5-6 slices Uncooked bacon, diced
- 1 medium Yellow or white onion, finely diced
- 3-4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Kosher salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- 5-6 small Yellow potatoes, diced, peeled, if desired
- 32 oz. Vegetable broth
- 1 cup Heavy cream or milk
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chives, bacon, and shredded cheese for garnish
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once warm, add in bacon*. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until crispy, add in minced garlic and onion. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes until tender and fragrant. Season with salt and pepper.
- Keeping the heat on medium-high, add in the potatoes, and vegetable stock, Stir to combine and cover. Simmer for 25-30 minutes, until potatoes are fork tender. If desired, gently mash some of the potatoes in the soup to create a thicker texture.
- Once potatoes are cooked, add in heavy cream, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Simmer for another 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve with bacon crumbles and fresh chives.
- Leftover soup will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Notes
Nutrition
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