Description
Rich, creamy, and loaded with tender potatoes and melty cheddar, this one-pot soup is the ultimate cold-weather comfort. Garlic and herbs add depth, and you can keep it classic or load it with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or milk for lighter version)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings (Loaded Soup):
- Cooked bacon or turkey bacon crumbles
- Sliced green onions
- Extra shredded cheddar
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Fresh herbs
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add potatoes & broth: Stir in diced potatoes, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Pour in broth and bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 15–20 minutes, until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Blend (optional): For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to puree part or all of the pot; leave some chunks for a rustic texture.
- Finish creamy & cheesy: Stir in cream, then add shredded cheddar off the heat, mixing until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and add desired toppings.
Notes
- Best potatoes: Use russets for a naturally creamy texture.
- Cheese tip: Shred your own cheddar; pre-shredded can make the soup grainy.
- Heat control: Add cheese off the heat to prevent separating.
- Thickening options: Skip flour and mash some potatoes or use a cornstarch slurry.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk/broth. For freezing, omit cheese/cream and add after reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Cheddar Cheese Potato Soup, Potato and Cheddar Soup, Loaded Potato Soup, One Pot Soup, Hearty Soup Recipes, Cold Weather Soup