This easy cheesy potato soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food! For an extra treat, you can even go for a loaded potato soup version, using all of your favorite loaded potato toppings!
In my mind, there’s only one thing that sounds better than potato soup in the fall and winter. And that’s cheesy potato soup. I’ll tell you right now, this recipe does not skimp on the cheese. You could almost call it potato-y cheese soup!
When preparing this, I was in the mood for mega comfort food, so I went all out. There are several ways to lighten up the recipe if that’s your preference. You can cut back on the calories and fat in several places.
This soup includes a whopping 7 ounces of cheddar cheese. For added richness I sautéed the vegetables in a bit of bacon fat and also garnished the soup with bacon, but you can easily use olive oil or butter, omitting the bacon entirely for a tasty vegetarian soup.
How do you make a Loaded Cheesy Potato Soup?
This soup can easily be modified into a loaded potato soup! Here are a few of my favorite additional toppings to add, which you can mix and match depending on personal preference:
- Sour cream
- Chives (green onions would also work)
- Bacon
- Cheeses: shredded cheddar and/or Monterey jack
How do you reheat Cheese Soup?
It’s important to note that cheese will separate and develop a gritty texture if you heat it up too quickly over high heat. Low and slow is key, while stirring constantly to ensure that the soup heats evenly. I recommend not going above medium low. A heavy bottom saucepan also really helps.
Looking for more Cheesy Recipes? You may also like my Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Pasta, Cheesy Baked Jalapeño Popper Dip, and Cheesy Broccoli Bacon Quiche! I also love this Cheesy Lasagna Soup from Joanne at Fifteen Spatulas.
Cheesy Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil or bacon fat
- 1 large yellow onion, diced (approximately 3 cups)
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3 Russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable stock, preferably homemade
- 1 1/2 cups half-and-half or whole milk
- 7 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- Fresh ground black pepper
- Optional garnishes: fresh parsley and cooked, diced bacon (see notes for more options)
Instructions
- In a large dutch oven or heavy bottom pot, melt the olive oil or bacon fat over low heat and then add the onion, celery, carrot and garlic. Allow the vegetables to sweat for several minutes until soft.
- Add the potatoes and stir well. Allow the vegetables to cook for 5-10 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent the potatoes from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Add the stock, stir, and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat, cover (venting slightly), and allow the soup to simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Add the half-and-half, and then carefully ladle the soup into a blender. Puree the soup, in batches if necessary, and return the soup to the pot. Do not turn the heat back on (too much heat can cause cheese to separate). Stir in the cheese in batches until the soup is evenly combined. Add salt, pepper and cayenne. Taste; adjust seasoning if desired.
- Serve with optional garnishes. Reheat over low or medium-low heat to prevent the cheese from breaking.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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My favorite cookbook is my Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.
I love this soup :)
Better Homes and Gardens cookbooks
I can’t just pick one as my two most favorite cookbooks are Best of Bridge and Company’s coming.
I have a better homes and garden cookbook from the 80’s, it shows lots of lovin….
I love this recipe, and your gorgeous pictures! I’ve included it in a roundup of potato soup recipes on my blog. :)
There is no reason why cheese and potatoes shouldnt be in a soup.
Gorgeous and comforting.
Can u use hand blender instead of ladle the soup into the blender?
Oh absolutely, it will just change the texture a bit. I like immersion blenders for the convenience but they never get the soup quite as smooth.
That looks like the most comforting bowl of soup Jennifer. My husband Tom loves potato soup and add some cheese to it and he’s in!
I seriously love potato soup!! Looks so good!
Cheesy potato soup. Yep! :)
The shot captured my attention immediately. I’m not a potato soup person but this would definitely tempt me especially with the cheese in it. I really love how you used the browns around the soup so that the pictured simply popped!!
I love potato soup and this sounds incredible!
styled beautifully and looks absolutely delicious!