Loaded Potato Soup with Garlic Bread Soft Pretzels: Cozy Comfort in Every Bite

The Ultimate Fall-Weather Combo You Didn’t Know You Needed

There’s comfort food, and then there’s this: a steaming bowl of loaded potato soup—creamy, cheesy, and packed with crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and all the fixings—served with freshly baked garlic bread soft pretzels that are buttery, golden, and soft as clouds. It’s the kind of cozy combo that makes you want to throw on fuzzy socks, cancel plans, and just lean into the warm, savory goodness of it all. The soup is rich and thick with layers of flavor, while the garlic pretzels soak up every spoonful like a dream. This recipe brings restaurant-level comfort right to your kitchen and makes a full, soul-satisfying meal with zero fancy ingredients.

Ingredients

For the Loaded Potato Soup: 6 slices thick-cut bacon (chopped), 1 small yellow onion (diced), 3 garlic cloves (minced), 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 4 cups chicken broth, 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 5 medium russet potatoes (peeled and diced), 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp smoked paprika, 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup sour cream, optional toppings: extra bacon, shredded cheese, green onions, chives, sour cream

For the Garlic Bread Soft Pretzels: 1½ cups warm water (about 110°F), 2¼ tsp active dry yeast, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp salt, 4½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted), ¼ cup baking soda (for boiling), 6 cups water (for boiling), 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for brushing), 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley, optional: shredded mozzarella or Parmesan for topping

Instructions

To make the soup, cook chopped bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot. Add diced onion and sauté until soft, then stir in minced garlic. Add butter and melt completely, then sprinkle in flour and whisk for 2–3 minutes to create a roux. Slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking constantly, followed by milk and cream. Bring to a simmer. Add diced potatoes, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender. Mash some of the potatoes with a potato masher or blend briefly with an immersion blender to create a thicker texture. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add the bacon back in or reserve it for topping.

To make the pretzels, combine warm water, yeast, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. Add salt, melted butter, and flour, then mix and knead for 7–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Bring 6 cups of water and baking soda to a boil. Punch down the dough, divide into 8–10 pieces, roll into ropes, and form into pretzel shapes. Boil each pretzel for 30 seconds, transfer to baking sheets, and brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with garlic powder and parsley, add cheese if desired, and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden. Brush with more butter right out of the oven.

Serving Suggestion

Spoon the hot soup into bowls and top with crispy bacon, shredded cheese, green onions, or sour cream. Serve with a warm garlic pretzel for dipping, soaking, or tearing and dunking into the creamy potato base. The textures of thick soup and soft, salty pretzel are made for each other.

Optional Add-Ons & Variations

Add diced cooked ham, shredded chicken, or roasted corn to the soup. Use different cheeses like pepper jack, gouda, or Colby. Top pretzels with everything bagel seasoning, chili flakes, or stuff them with cheese before baking for a melty surprise. Use leftover soup as a dip for pretzel bites or tear the pretzels into pieces for croutons.

Final Thoughts

This loaded potato soup and garlic bread soft pretzel combo is the ultimate comfort food experience. Rich, creamy, cheesy soup meets fluffy, buttery pretzels for the kind of homemade meal that feels like a warm hug. Perfect for cozy nights in, family dinners, or when you just need something satisfying and nostalgic.