The Ultimate Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup: A Comforting Bowl of Perfection
Discover the heartwarming delight of a rich and creamy Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup, a recipe that brings the essence of your favorite loaded baked potato right into a cozy bowl. Crafted with tender red and gold baby potatoes, their nutrient-rich skins left on, this soup is meticulously cooked in the Instant Pot alongside aromatic celery, savory bacon, and a generous blend of cheeses. It’s an effortless culinary creation designed to warm you from the inside out, delivering a profound sense of comfort that tastes like it has simmered for hours, yet comes together in a fraction of the time.
Embrace Soup Season with This Unforgettable Instant Pot Recipe
For many, the cooler months signal the glorious return of “soup season.” While I confess to enjoying a hearty bowl year-round, there’s something uniquely special about savoring a warm, comforting soup when the air turns crisp. And what better way to kick off this beloved season than with an outstanding Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup? This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, decadent dish with surprising speed and ease thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. It’s the perfect antidote to chilly evenings and busy schedules, promising a wholesome and delicious meal that feels like a labor of love.
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The Enduring Appeal of Potatoes: From Side Dish to Star
Potatoes hold a special place in many households, mine included. Growing up, a meal often felt incomplete without the comforting presence of potatoes. They are the quintessential comfort food, versatile enough to be a simple side dish or the star of a hearty entree. There’s an undeniable satisfaction in a perfectly cooked potato, and on many busy nights, a loaded baked potato alone makes for a perfectly satisfying dinner. This beloved tuber provides a fulfilling and wholesome base for countless meals, and its incredible adaptability makes it a staple in kitchens around the world.
This Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup captures all the beloved elements of a classic loaded baked potato, transforming them into a silky, spoonable delight. Instead of a starchy russet, we opt for a vibrant mix of red and gold baby potatoes, which hold their shape beautifully and contribute a richer flavor. Crucially, we leave the skins on! Not only does this add a lovely rustic texture, but potato skins are also packed with fiber and essential vitamins, making this soup even more nourishing. The result is a soup that’s not just delicious, but also provides a comforting dose of healthy goodness.
What Makes a Potato “Loaded”?
The concept of a “loaded” potato is simple: take a humble potato and adorn it with an array of irresistible toppings that elevate it to a main course. Here’s a quick look at the classic components:
- Russet potato (the traditional choice for baking)
- Butter
- Sour cream
- Bacon
- Cheese
- Green onions (scallions)
Our Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup draws direct inspiration from these beloved ingredients, incorporating them seamlessly into a rich, creamy base. We’ve maintained the core flavors of potatoes, crispy bacon, melted cheese, luscious butter, and tangy sour cream. To add another layer of flavor and texture, we’ve also included chopped celery, which contributes a wonderful aromatic depth to the soup, and a touch of cream cheese for an extra velvety finish. A robust chicken stock forms the foundation, bringing all these elements together into a harmonious and incredibly satisfying bowl. Each spoonful is a symphony of flavors and textures, reminiscent of your favorite hearty meal but with the ease of a one-pot dish.
Unlock Culinary Convenience with the Instant Pot
Perhaps you’re among those who think, “I don’t need an Instant Pot,” or “It’s just another kitchen gadget.” But for those who own one, the Instant Pot is nothing short of a culinary game-changer. This isn’t just a pressure cooker; it’s a multi-functional kitchen workhorse that streamlines cooking, making wholesome meals accessible even on the busiest days. If you already have one, you understand its profound convenience and versatility. You might even find yourself wanting another for different uses or as a backup!
Beyond its renowned pressure cooking capabilities, did you know the Instant Pot can also slow cook, functioning perfectly as a Crock-Pot alternative for those days you want to set it and forget it? It excels as a rice cooker, delivering perfectly fluffy grains every time, and can even be used for sautéing to build incredible flavor before pressure cooking. Craving dessert? You can bake cheesecakes, cakes, and other delightful treats directly in your Instant Pot. Imagine cooking a succulent pot roast in under an hour, or transforming tough cuts of meat into tender perfection in a fraction of the traditional time. Soups, like this incredible Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup, become effortlessly easy, simmering to rich perfection without constant stirring or long hours over the stove.
The Instant Pot is more than just a kitchen appliance; it’s an investment in efficiency and healthy eating. It empowers you to whip up nutritious, homemade meals quickly, often preventing the temptation of drive-thru dinners or expensive takeout. For anyone with a demanding schedule, this appliance is a true lifesaver, ensuring that good food is always within reach. Whether it’s for yourself, a busy family member, or a friend who loves to cook, an Instant Pot makes an invaluable gift that keeps on giving. It’s a tool that pays for itself in saved time, delicious meals, and reduced stress in the kitchen.
A Love Affair with Soup: Past, Present, and Future Instant Pot Creations
Everyone has their ultimate comfort soup, and for me, while potato soup holds a cherished second place, Homemade Chicken Noodle reigns supreme. I’ve always prepared it on the stovetop, just as my mother taught me, a tradition filled with nostalgia. However, the culinary world is evolving, and my eldest daughter, a busy hairstylist who works incredibly long hours, has embraced the Instant Pot lifestyle. She absolutely adores her Instant Pot because it allows her to prepare wholesome, homemade meals in a fraction of the time, keeping her away from the drive-thru lines and ensuring she eats well despite her demanding schedule.
She’s made me promise that my next Instant Pot soup recipe will be my famous Homemade Chicken Soup, and I can’t wait to adapt it for the pressure cooker! So, definitely stay tuned for that, as it promises to be a game-changer for quick, comforting meals. And after that? Get ready for the Instant Pot version of my beloved Cream of Reuben Soup! The possibilities with this incredible appliance are truly endless, and I’m excited to continue exploring new ways to bring comforting, easy meals to your table.
While you’re experimenting with Instant Pot soups, I also highly recommend trying these two fantastic recipes from my friend, Lisa: Instant Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup and Instant Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. They are both incredibly flavorful and exemplify the convenience of pressure cooking.
Now that we’ve delved into the wonders of the Instant Pot and the irresistible allure of comforting soups, are you ready to dive into the recipe? Let’s get cooking and bring this amazing Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup to your table! 
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Print Recipe
Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 3 pounds baby gold and red potatoes cubed with skins left on
- 2 cups celery chopped
- 3 Tablespoons shallots minced
- 1 1/2 quarts chicken stock
- 5 Tablespoons butter
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 8 ounce container sour cream
- 4 ounce cream cheese
- 1 4.3 ounce package Real Bacon bits
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup tops of green onions sliced (scallions)
Instructions
- In your 6 quart Instant Pot, add your cubed potatoes (skins on), chopped celery, and minced shallots. Pour chicken stock over the potatoes until they are just covered.
- Seal the Instant Pot lid and set the cooker to the “Soup” or “Manual” setting for 10 minutes on high pressure.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick release by turning the steam release valve to the venting position. When all steam has dissipated and the float valve drops, open the pot and remove the lid, keeping the “Keep Warm” function active.
- Using a potato masher, gently mash the potatoes and celery inside the pot until they reach your desired consistency – whether you prefer a chunkier or smoother soup.
- Stir in the butter, sour cream, cream cheese, most of the shredded cheddar cheese, and most of the bacon bits. Reserve some cheese and bacon for garnishing individual bowls. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the cheese is melted and creamy.
- Taste the soup and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
- Ladle the hot, creamy soup into individual bowls. Garnish each serving with the reserved shredded cheese, bacon bits, and sliced green onions (scallions) for that authentic loaded potato flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy!