Hashbrown Potato Soup

No peeling and cutting potatoes for this soup recipe - the work is done for you!

New soup recipes are a little far and few between now that I have been making them every week for years. We do a lot of repeats. We do a lot of similar recipes. I have never made a soup with hashbrowns before and I was definitely intrigued. I love the shredded carrots that get sauteed. It reminds me a little of a chowder and with a milk-based soup with cheese melted into it, I really like to put a little hot sauce into it. It just does a little something something to it.

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What you need:

• 6 to 8 slices bacon, chopped
• 4 carrots, peeled and shredded
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 Tbsp. all purpose flour
• 30 oz. frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. ground black pepper 
• 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp. Herbes de Provence mixture (chervil, parsley, tarragon, chives - or similar mix)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Hot sauce to taste
• Chopped chives for garnish
• Bacon bits for garnish

Directions:

1. In a large stockpot, cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve 2 Tbsp. bacon grease in pot and discard the rest (or save it in a jar for eggs!).
2. Saute carrots and onions until onions are softened and almost translucent and carrots soften and begin to brown. Reserve 3 Tbsp. for garnish.
3. Sprinkle flour over the top. Mix well and cook for about 30 seconds.
4. Add chicken broth, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and Herbes de Provence.
5. Add hashbrowns and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook until potatoes are tender.
6. Add heavy cream and milk. Cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Turn off heat and stir in cheese until it melts. Add hot sauce to taste.
8. Serve garnished with chives, bacon, and sauteed carrots.

Recipe from The Cookie Rookie

Potato soups are just the best and I know this Houston's Baked Potato Soup from Copykat looks like a great potato soup recipe. I love potato soup but I have found myself absolutely adoring this Mexican Street Corn Soup so much.