*Loaded Potato Soup**

Ingredients:

– **Bacon**: 6 slices, chopped
– **Butter**: 1/4 cup (60g)
– **Onion**: 1 medium, diced
– **Garlic**: 2 cloves, minced
– **All-purpose flour**: 1/4 cup (30g)
– **Chicken broth**: 4 cups (1 liter)
– **Potatoes**: 4 large, peeled and diced
– **Heavy cream**: 1 cup (240ml)
– **Cheddar cheese**: 2 cups (200g), shredded
– **Sour cream**: 1/2 cup (120g)
– **Salt and pepper**: to taste
– **Green onions**: 1/4 cup, chopped (for garnish)
– **Additional shredded cheddar cheese**: for garnish

Instructions:

1. **Cook the Bacon:**
– In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon grease in the pot.

2. **Cook the Onion and Garlic:**
– Add the butter to the pot with the bacon grease. Once melted, add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
– Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

3. **Make the Soup Base:**
– Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture and stir well to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste.
– Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, making sure there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a boil.

4. **Add the Potatoes:**
– Add the diced potatoes to the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.

5. **Finish the Soup:**
– Once the potatoes are tender, use a potato masher to lightly mash some of the potatoes, leaving most chunks intact for texture.
– Stir in the heavy cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Cook until the cheese is melted and the soup is heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. **Serve:**
– Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the crispy bacon, additional shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions.
– Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers.

Enjoy your creamy, cheesy, and comforting Loaded Potato Soup! If you have any questions or need further recipes, feel free to ask.