Panera Bread Potato Soup

With all this talk of fall, it has me craving soups and one of my favs, of course, is Potato Soup. We all know that Panera knows how to do soup, which is why I think we can all enjoy this copy cat recipe- minus the bread bowl!

PREP TIME: 5 Minutes

COOK TIME: 25 Minutes

SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS:

1 Quart Chicken Broth
8 large potatoes, scrubbed, peeled, diced
1/2 white onion, chopped (check your freezer section)
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
4 ounces cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons chives
2 tablespoons of real bacon bits

In a medium sized pot, add cubed potatoes with chicken broth. (you can add water to make sure liquid covers potatoes) Cook potatoes in stock over medium heat for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

In a large pot, heat butter over medium heat until it melts. Add in onions and saute until the onions are translucent. Spring flour over the butter, and cook for a minute or two. The butter and flour mixture should become fragrant. Add in the potatoes and chicken broth in 1 cup increments and stir until soup mixture is well blended. Continue to add all of the potatoes and broth.

Add in the cream cheese, stir until it has melted. Add salt, black pepper, chives and bacon bits.

If desired, you can garnish with paprika, red pepper, shredded cheese, bacon bits and/or sour cream.

And....there you have it!

Pretty easy, right!

I would like to note that I AM NOT A CHEF, by any means. I actually can make some great soup...but besides baking, that is about it! But, this is tried and tested and it a HIT.

Happy Souping!