Loaded Baked Potato Chowder

By debbreck

Ingredients

• 3 baking potatoes (about 2 1/2 lb.)
• 3 1/2 cups milk, divided
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 2-3 green onions with tops (1/4 cup sliced)
• 4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
• 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• Optional toppings such as additional bacon, steamed broccoli florets, sour cream

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

Slice potatoes in half lengthwise, place in covered dish. Pour 1/2 cup milk over the potatoes. Microwave, covered, on HIGH for 11 minutes. Remove dish from microwave. Move center potatoes to ends of dish and out potatoes to center. Cover; microwave on HIGH 8-11 minutes or until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Remove dish from microwave. Coarsely mash potatoes.

Meanwhile, whisk cream cheese until smooth in separate bowl. Slowly add remaining 3 cups of milk, whisking until smooth. Add cream cheese mixture and butter to potato dish. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 3-5 minutes or until mixture is hot. Slice green onions.

Carefully remove dish from microwave. Grate cheddar cheese over chowder; add green onions, bacon, salt and pepper and mix until cheese is melted.

Serve with toppings if desired.