Creamy Potato Soup

Photo from Thinkstock

INGREDIENTS
10 medium potatoes, cubed
14 slices of bacon, sliced into 1/2" to 3/4" slices
1 small sweet onion, finely diced
1 8-oz. package cream cheese ( at room temperature & sliced)
1 cup unsalted butter
4 cups 1% milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup flour
salt and pepper
3 cups potato water (from boiling potatoes)

DIRECTIONS
Place cubed potatoes in a large pot and cover them with water. Add salt for flavoring and bring to a boil. Cook until tender and remove the 3 cups of potato water to a separate bowl. Drain remaining water off potatoes.

While potatoes are boiling, cook bacon until golden brown. Reserve some of the drippings, add the onions, and cook until transparent.

In large saucepan, melt butter, and with a whisk stir in 1 cup of flour slowly to incorporate. Slowly add 2 cups milk into the roux mixture, making sure to stir constantly to avoid lumps. Slowly add sliced cream cheese to mixture, stirring until well blended. Add 1 cup milk, along with 1/2 cup sour cream, and incorporate into mixture. Slowly add up to 3 cups of reserved potato water. Sauce should be the consistency of a medium-thick gravy. Salt and pepper sauce to desired taste.

Mix together bacon, potatoes, onions, and cream sauce to serve. If there are leftovers, add extra water or milk when re-heating to achieve desired consistency. Makes approximately 14 servings.