Creamy Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe
This creamy cheesy potato soup combines tender russet potatoes with sharp cheddar cheese and crispy bacon for a rich, comforting bowl of goodness. Perfectly balanced with sautéed onions and fresh chives, this hearty soup is simple to prepare and ideal for warming up any meal.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Soup Base
- 6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese and Garnish
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 slices bacon, diced
- Fresh chives for garnish
- Cook Bacon: In a large pot, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until it becomes crispy. Once done, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave the rendered bacon fat in the pot—it will add flavor to the soup base.
- Sauté Onions and Make Roux: Add the finely chopped onion to the pot with the bacon fat and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the butter until melted, then sprinkle the flour over the onions and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes to form a roux that will thicken the soup.
- Add Liquids and Potatoes: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and whole milk to prevent lumps. Once combined, add the diced russet potatoes. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Incorporate Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the soup. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each serving with the crispy bacon pieces and a sprinkle of fresh chives for added color and flavor.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, reduce the amount of milk or add a bit more flour when making the roux.
- You can substitute vegetarian bacon or omit bacon altogether for a vegetarian version, but adjust to your taste preferences.
- Russet potatoes are ideal for their starch content and creaminess when cooked.
- Fresh chives add a mild onion flavor and a pop of green color as garnish.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: Potato Soup, Cheesy Potato Soup, Bacon Potato Soup, Comfort Food, Creamy Soup, Quick Soup Recipe