Print

Creamy Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe

4.6 from 370 reviews

This Creamy Cheesy Potato Soup is a comforting and rich recipe featuring tender russet potatoes, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a smooth blend of chicken broth and whole milk. Perfect for a cozy meal, it combines the flavors of savory bacon and sharp cheese with the creamy texture of a classic potato soup.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

  • 6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 6 slices bacon, diced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cheese & Garnish

  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Fresh chives for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook Bacon: In a large pot over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until it is crispy. Once done, remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot for added flavor.
  2. Sauté Onions: Add the finely chopped onion to the pot with the bacon fat and sauté until the onions become translucent and soft, which releases their sweetness and builds the soup’s base flavor.
  3. Create Roux: Stir in the butter and all-purpose flour to the sautéed onions, cooking the mixture continuously for about 2 minutes to form a roux that will thicken the soup.
  4. Add Liquids and Potatoes: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and whole milk to the roux to avoid lumps. Add the diced potatoes to the pot and bring to a simmer. Let cook for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
  5. Melt Cheese and Season: Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the soup. Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  6. Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish generously with the crispy bacon pieces and fresh chives for added flavor and texture.

Notes

  • For a smoother texture, partially mash some of the potatoes in the soup before adding cheese.
  • You can substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth to make it suitable for vegetarians if you omit the bacon.
  • Use sharp or extra-sharp cheddar for a more intense cheese flavor.
  • If dairy-free is needed, substitute milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk, and omit or use a vegan cheese alternative.
  • Adjust thickness by adding more broth if the soup is too thick or cooking longer if too thin.

Keywords: creamy potato soup, cheesy potato soup, bacon potato soup, comforting soup recipe, cheddar cheese soup