Loaded Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon
Simmer russet potatoes for a thick base in this Loaded Creamy Potato Soup. This post includes an ingredient role table and takes 45 min total.
Maxwell Reed
419+ recipes by Maxwell Reed – specializing in one-pan meals that genuinely save time.
About Me:
Meet Maxwell Reed
Maxwell's relationship with cooking started out of necessity, not passion. Ten years ago, as a newly married twenty-something with zero cooking skills, he relied heavily on takeout and boxed meals. That changed when his first kid arrived and he realized that frozen dinners every night wasn't sustainable—financially or nutritionally. What began as survival cooking evolved into genuine enthusiasm for creating meals his family actually wanted to eat.
Today, Maxwell is the weeknight dinner specialist at Go Kitchen Zone. He's the guy who understands that Wednesday at 6 PM isn't the time for a complicated French technique or a trip to three specialty stores. His recipes are born from real-life constraints: limited time, picky eaters, grocery store ingredients, and the universal question of "what's for dinner?" His specialty is making simple ingredients work hard—one-pan meals, sheet pan dinners, and strategic shortcuts that don't compromise on taste.
His Cooking Philosophy
- Dinner Shouldn't Be Stressful: If a recipe adds stress to your day instead of solving a problem, it's not worth making.
- Time Is Precious: Thirty minutes from start to table isn't just a goal—it's a requirement for busy families.
- Leftovers Are Strategy: The best meals are ones that work for dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow.
- Kids Will Surprise You: Don't underestimate what kids will eat. Flavor matters, even for little palates.
Background & Expertise
Maxwell doesn't have formal culinary training, which is exactly why his recipes work for home cooks. He learned by trial and error, burnt dinners, and countless "what can I make with chicken breasts?" searches. His expertise is in real-world cooking—the kind that happens between soccer practice and bedtime, with whatever's in the fridge and a hard deadline. He's particularly skilled at one-pan meals, quick marinades, and turning simple proteins into family favorites.
When he's not in the kitchen, Maxwell is coaching his kids' baseball team, attempting to maintain a backyard garden (with mixed results), or planning the family's next camping trip. He believes that cooking isn't about being perfect—it's about feeding the people you love without losing your mind in the process.
Connect with Maxwell:
Email:
My Latest recipes:
Creamy Chicken Sweet Potato Soup
Ready in 90 min, this Chicken Sweet Potato Soup is hearty. It includes the Why This Method Works section to help you get a savory sear on the chicken.
Creamy Potato Leek Soup for 4 Servings
Sauté leeks and blend Yukon Gold starches for a thick Creamy Potato Leek Soup. Check the why this recipe works section for tips, ready in 35 minutes.
Creamy Tuscan Soup in 30 Minutes
Includes a breakdown of what goes into the pot. This Creamy Tuscan Soup is for busy home cooks who need a rich, satisfying meal in half an hour.
Ultimate Potato Soup in 40 Minutes
Ultimate Potato Soup delivers a rich, chunky meal without the flour. See what each ingredient does in our guide. Ready in just 40 minutes.
Slow Cooker Potato Soup for 6 Servings
Yukon Gold potatoes, chicken broth, and garlic make this Slow Cooker Potato Soup. It includes a list of necessary ingredients and takes 370 minutes.
Potatoes for Potato Soup in 45 Minutes
A quick recipe overview helps you pick the right starch for a thick broth. Find the best Potatoes for Potato Soup for cooks wanting a hearty meal.
Crockpot Potato Soup for 8 Servings
Includes a breakdown of what each ingredient does. This Crockpot Potato Soup is for anyone needing a hearty, low-effort weeknight meal for the family.
Smoked Garlic Summer Sausage for 6
Smoked Garlic Summer Sausage with a bold garlic punch and snappy casing. It includes Quick Recipe Specs for precision. Ready in 16 hours and 30 minutes.
Sausage and Cheese Platter in 20 Minutes
A smoky, sharp Sausage and Cheese Platter keeps guests snacking. This recipe includes a straightforward assembly guide. Serve it at your next game day party.
Sausage Board in 20 Minutes
Learn why this layout actually works for flavor balance. This Sausage Board is for those needing a Quick Sausage Platter that feeds a crowd in minutes.
Summer Sausage Charcuterie in 30 Minutes
Smoky and snappy Summer Sausage Charcuterie. It includes a breakdown of why this mix works to balance rich meats. Great for holiday parties.
Simple Summer Sausage Platter in 20 Minutes
Simple Summer Sausage Platter offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures, featuring a fresh selection of cheeses. Ready in just 20 minutes!
Summer Sausage Charcuterie Board for 11
Beef summer sausage, brie, and sharp cheddar make this Summer Sausage Charcuterie Board. Use our guide to putting it together for a party in 30 minutes.
One-Pan Cheesy Summer Sausage Skillet
Savory and gooey Cheesy Summer Sausage Skillet. This guide explains what each ingredient does to ensure a rich sear. Ideal for busy weeknight dinners.
Summer Sausage Veggie Foil Pack for 6
Seal ingredients in foil to create a Grilled Summer Sausage Veggie Foil Pack. This guide includes a grill vs oven method comparison and takes 35 min.
Summer Sausage Rice Skillet in 25 Minutes
Summer sausage, onion, and rice make this Summer Sausage Rice Skillet. It includes a breakdown of what each ingredient does and takes 25 minutes total.
Black Pepper Summer Sausage Dinner for 4
Yukon Gold potatoes, bell peppers, and onions make this Black Pepper Summer Sausage Dinner. Includes a guide on what each ingredient does in 40 minutes.
Easy Summer Sausage Pasta for 4 Servings
Ready in 30 min, this Easy Summer Sausage Pasta is smoky and creamy. Includes a table with ingredient roles to help you customize your dinner.
Sausage Peppers Skillet in 26 Minutes
Ready in 26 minutes, this Sausage Peppers Skillet is a weeknight win. Follow our detailed cooking steps to get charred peppers without overcooking.
Sheet Pan Summer Sausage and Veggies
Busy families love this Summer Sausage and Veggies. This Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner includes Quick Recipe Specs to help you get dinner on the table fast.
Foil Pack Summer Sausage for 4 Servings
Learn why this method creates perfectly charred meat and snap. This Foil Pack Summer Sausage is an ideal meal option for busy weeknight cooks.
Summer Sausage Skillet Dinner for 4
Looking for a hearty Summer Sausage Skillet Dinner? This one-pan meal is ready in 35 minutes and includes a section on twists and swaps for variety.
Spicy Venison Sausage for 20 Servings
Many homemade sausages end up crumbly. This Spicy Venison Sausage stays firm by keeping meat near freezing, detailed in our protein binding and texture guide.
Oven Baked Venison Summer Sausage: Meal Prep
Ready in 28h 30min, Oven Baked Venison Summer Sausage. Includes an ingredient role table to help you get the right snap and juiciness every time.
Venison Summer Sausage for 24 Servings
Want to make a savory Venison Summer Sausage? Keep the meat chilled and add pork fat; see the section Why the Fat Ratio Matters for a snappy result.
Oven Baked Summer Sausage: Party-Ready
Tangy and firm Oven Baked Summer Sausage with a mahogany color. This guide includes a curing method comparison table. Great for holiday appetizer platters.
Spicy Beef Summer Sausage Meal Prep
Lean ground beef, smoked paprika, and curing salt create this Spicy Beef Summer Sausage. Learn about customizing your sausage in 6h 30min total.
Garlic Beef Summer Sausage Make-Ahead
Garlic Beef Summer Sausage with a dense, snappy texture. This guide includes the making the sausage section. Ready in 18h 20min total time.
Baked Beef Summer Sausage: Party-Ready
This Baked Beef Summer Sausage uses a low-oven method. This beef summer sausage recipe includes a temperature chart for an old fashioned result. Party-ready.