Tony Roma's Baked Potato Soup

Aaron and I LOVE their soup! So i was super excited when i found a recipe that tastes just like it!!!!!!!

Ingredients:
2 medium potatoes (about 2 cups chopped)
3 Tbsp butter
1 cup diced white onion
2 Tbsp flour
4 cups chicken stock
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups instant mashed potatoes (like pearls, or flakes)
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp basil
1/8 tsp thyme
1 cup half and half

Garnish-
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
2 green onions, chopped

Bake potatoes and cool. Prepare soup by melting butter in a large saucepan, and saute the onion until light brown. Add the flour to the onions and stir to make a roux. Add stock, water, mashed potatoes, and spices to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out contents with a large spoon. Discard skin. Chopped baked potato to make chunks. Add chopped baked potato and half and half to the saucepan, bring soup back to a boil then reduce heat and simmer the soup for another 15 minutes, or until it is thick.
Add garnish, and enjoy!
Serves 6-8