🥣 Mrs. Clay’s Creamy Homemade Potato Soup
Warm, comforting, and built on bacon and rich homemade ham broth
There’s nothing quite like a bowl of potato soup on a chilly evening. This recipe is creamy, smoky, and deeply flavorful thanks to layers of simple ingredients: crisp bacon, sautéed onions, tender potatoes, and a base of rich homemade ham broth. The cream cheese and cream of chicken soup make it velvety and satisfying — the kind of soup that warms everyone right down to their toes.
This is a cozy kitchen classic in our home, and I’m so happy to share it with you.
🥔 Ingredients
Base & Flavor
- 6–8 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, minced (recommended)
- 1 quart homemade ham broth (store-bought may be used, but homemade makes a world of difference)
Potatoes
- 4–6 cups diced potatoes (any variety; peeled or unpeeled)
Creamy Finish
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- Salt & pepper to taste
For Serving
- Crisp bacon crumbles
- Shredded cheddar or mozzarella (optional)
- Green onions or chives (optional)
🧅 A Note About the Onion
I prefer yellow onion for potato soup because it softens beautifully and melts into the broth, giving a gentle, cozy sweetness without overpowering the soup.
You can use a white onion if that’s what you have on hand, but yellow onion delivers the most classic potato-soup flavor.
🍳 Instructions
1. Crisp the Bacon
Set the Instant Pot to Sauté.
Cook chopped bacon until crisp.
Remove the bacon and set it aside for garnish, leaving all the drippings in the pot.
2. Sauté the Onions
Add the minced yellow onion into the bacon drippings.
Sauté until softened, scraping up all the golden brown bacon bits on the bottom of the pot — they add incredible flavor.
3. Add Broth & Potatoes
Pour in 1 quart of homemade ham broth.
Add the diced potatoes and give everything a gentle stir.
4. Pressure Cook
Seal the Instant Pot and cook on High Pressure for 7–10 minutes, depending on potato size.
Perform a quick release when done.
5. Stir in the Creamy Ingredients
Switch back to Sauté or Keep Warm.
Add:
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 block softened cream cheese
Temper the cream cheese with a ladle of hot broth so it melts smoothly when stirred in.
This step keeps your soup creamy and lump-free.
6. Season
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Your homemade broth likely contributes plenty of flavor, so season with a light hand.
7. Serve
Ladle hot soup into bowls and top with:
- Crisp bacon
- Shredded cheese
- Green onions
- A sprinkle of fresh pepper
Every spoonful is comforting and delicious.
💡 Tips & Variations
For a thicker soup:
Mash a few potatoes directly in the pot, or reduce broth slightly.
For extra richness:
Add ¼ cup heavy cream or half-and-half before serving.
For extra cheesy flavor:
Stir in a cup of shredded cheddar for a loaded-potato-style soup.
Flavor boosters:
Try adding a handful of diced ham, a dash of smoked paprika, or even onion tanglers as a crunchy topping.
Make-ahead friendly:
Leftovers thicken beautifully and reheat like a dream.
💛 A Cozy Note
This soup becomes extraordinary because of the thoughtful steps: crisping bacon, sautéing onions in the drippings, using homemade ham broth, and finishing with cream cheese for that velvety texture. It’s simple, rustic, and full of warmth — the kind of recipe that feels like home in a bowl.
