Hearty Potato Bacon Soup with Beans is topped with cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Homemade bacon and bean soup is so much better than canned.
My husband loves bacon and bean soup combined with creamy potato soup. We usually make it with canned soups but decided to try a homemade version. This potato bacon soup with beans is now our favorite way to make it!
Start by cooking 8 slices of bacon and reserve two tablespoons of the bacon grease. You can find our favorite method for cooking bacon here: How To Cook Bacon In The Oven. Crumble the bacon and divide it into two equal portions and set them aside. Put the bacon grease and butter in a large pot over medium heat.
Can I use pre-cooked bacon in this soup?
Yes, just heat it in the microwave until it is cooked to your preference. You won’t be able to save the bacon grease though so you will want to substitute an additional 2 tablespoons of butter to use in its place.
Next, add the diced carrots and minced onions to the grease.
Then sauté the onions and carrots for 2-3 minutes over medium heat until softened.
After that, add the flour, salt and black pepper.
Cook while stirring for 2 minutes. The ingredients will clump together.
Now pour in the water and whole milk. Cook and stir until the flour is dissolved.
Add the diced potatoes and half of the crumbled bacon you prepared (reserve the remaining bacon for garnish.) Bring the soup to a boil, stirring occasionally. Then, reduce heat to low and simmer for 12 minutes or until the potatoes are soft. Stir from time to time.
Would it work to add more veggies to this soup?
When making this potato bacon soup with beans we were going for a copycat of the canned soup so we kept it pretty basic. But the great thing about soups is that they are very adaptable. You can definitely add more veggies! Try adding corn, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Stir in the tomato paste and white beans. The tomato paste adds flavor and gives the soup that classic “bean with bacon” soup color.
Cook for 5-7 minutes, until heated through. Stirring periodically. Then, remove from heat.
Top the bowls of creamy potato bacon soup with shredded cheddar cheese and bacon bits. The crispy crumbled bacon contrasts just right with the texture of the beans and potatoes.
Which other toppings would work?
The sky is the limit when it comes to soup toppings! We love saltines or you can make homemade crackers with this recipe. Other toppings include croutons, sliced green onions, sour cream, and french fried onions.
What goes with potato bacon soup with beans?
If you want to serve potato bacon soup with beans as the main dish, you can prepare a veggie tray as the appetizer. For side dishes, try a salad and dinner rolls, breadsticks, or cornbread. And for dessert serve chocolate covered strawberries like the soup restaurant we love or check out any of the dessert recipes on our website.
Looking for more soup recipes? Try these next:
And Bacon Cheeseburger Soup is really easy to make and is perfect for those cold winter evenings!
Don’t miss this Italian Sausage Soup recipe for a creamy, comforting soup with noodles that is full of flavor and perfect for a family dinner this time of year.
Another great one to try is this Slow Cooker Ham and Cheese Soup Put it in the crockpot in the morning on a busy weekday for an easy dinner.
This Slow Cooker Taco Soup recipe is so easy to make and so flavorful. Just brown the meat, put everything in the crockpot to cook, and then just stir! Serve with corn chips. Serve for a family dinner or at potlucks and parties.
Potato Bacon Soup with Beans
Hearty Potato Bacon Soup with Beans is topped with cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Homemade bacon and bean soup is so much better than canned.
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon
- 2 tbsp bacon grease
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp diced carrots
- 2 tbsp minced onions
- 4 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp coarse ground black pepper
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups diced potatoes
- 15.5 oz can white beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook and crumble the bacon, reserving two tablespoons of bacon grease.
- Heat the bacon grease and butter in a large pot over medium temperature. Add the diced carrots and onions. Saute for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the flour, salt, and black pepper. Cook while stirring for 2 minutes. The mixture will clump together.
- Pour in the water and whole milk. Stir until the flour is dissolved.
- Add the diced potatoes and half of the crumbled bacon (reserve the remaining bacon for garnish). Bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes until the potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
- Add the white beans and tomato paste. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until heated through, stirring periodically.
- Top bowls of soup with shredded cheddar cheese and reserved crumbled bacon.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 382Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 1021mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 5gSugar: 6gProtein: 17g
Nutrition data is calculated automatically by Nutritionix and isn't always accurate. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual’s dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual. You are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to your health.
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