Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients

4 baking potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds) 
2/3 cup all-purpose flour (about 3 ounces) 
6 cups 2% reduced-fat milk 
1 cup (4 ounces) reduced-fat shredded extrasharp cheddar cheese, divided  
1 teaspoon salt 
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
1 cup reduced-fat sour cream  
3/4 cup chopped green onions, divided 
6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled  
Cracked black pepper (optional)
 
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 400°.
  2. Pierce potatoes with a fork; bake at 400° for 1 hour or until tender. Cool. Peel potatoes; coarsely mash.
  3. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Place flour in a large Dutch oven; gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly (about 8 minutes). Add mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup cheese, salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, stirring until cheese melts. Remove from heat.
  4. Stir in sour cream and 1/2 cup onions. Cook over low heat 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated (do not boil). Ladle 1 1/2 cups soup into each of 8 bowls. Sprinkle each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons cheese, 1 1/2 teaspoons onions, and about 1 tablespoon bacon. Garnish with cracked pepper, if desired.
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