Cheesy Potato Soup

My co-worker recently introduced me to Bob Evan's Cheesy Potato Soup.  It is delicious!  Our work recently moved and now we're right behind a Bob Evan's.  It's dangerous I tell ya!  One day, after eating Bob Evan's soup, she commented to me that I should try to replicate it.  Of course, I couldn't pass up that challenge!

The first time I made the soup, I was impressed with the flavor, the texture- not so much.  It was too grainy and mushy for me, but I solved that problem by waiting to add the potatoes until the very end.  Much better that way!  So here is my version of the dangerously addicting Bob Evan's Cheesy Potato soup!  (I did make one change, Bob Evan's doesn't put bacon in the soup, just on top, but I put it in the soup as well.)

Cheesy Potato Soup


Serves 4-6


You will need:
8 ounces bacon
3 pounds of potatoes (about 9 medium potatoes)
1 stick (8 Tablespoons) margarine
1/2 cup flour
4 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups chicken stock
1 pound Velveeta cheese, cubed (1/2 a box)
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

Garnish with:
shredded Cheddar cheese
bacon bits
chives
parsley

1.  Dice bacon and cook in a skillet until crispy.  Drain fat and set aside.

2.  Peel potatoes and dice into 1/2 inch cubes.  Boil for 10 minutes, drain and set aside.

3.  In a large pot, melt butter and add the flour, whisking constantly until the roux is smooth.

4.  Gradually add milk, heavy cream, and chicken stock, whisking constantly.

5.  When the sauce begins to thicken, add the cubed Velveeta.  Stir constantly until cheese is completely melted.

6.  Add the bacon, garlic powder, and Tabasco to the cheese mixture.  Lower heat and simmer, covered for 10 minutes, stirring  frequently.  The first time I made this, I had a burned layer at the bottom of my pan so please, stir frequently to avoid this!!!

7.  Add in potatoes and simmer for another 10 minutes.

8.  Garnish individual bowls of soup with cheddar cheese, bacon, chives, and parsley.

Note:  You can use frozen diced potatoes (hashbrowns) instead of fresh potatoes.  I skip boiling them and just add them to the hot pot of soup and simmer for 10 minutes.

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