Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup

Why Make This Recipe

Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup is perfect for cozy nights or gatherings with friends and family. This soup is loaded with flavors from the cheddar cheese, garlic, and fresh herbs, making it a delightful comfort food. It’s creamy, warm, and filling, which makes it a great choice for a satisfying meal. Plus, it uses simple ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen.

How to Make Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 2.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter OR 3 tablespoons olive oil + 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 5-6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika (optional)
• Cooked crumbled bacon (optional)
• Extra shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional)
• More fresh chives or parsley (optional)
• Croutons (optional)

Directions

1. Peel and cube the potatoes into ½-inch pieces, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
2. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter (or olive oil and butter). Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously.
5. Gradually whisk in the broth, bringing it to a simmer. Stir in potato cubes and cook covered for 15-20 minutes until tender.
6. Blend half the soup to create a creamy texture, then return to the pot.
7. Reduce heat and slowly stir in milk and cream, add fresh herbs, and heat gently for 5 minutes.
8. Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Serve hot, garnished with optional toppings.

How to Serve Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup

You can serve this soup hot in bowls. Consider adding croutons, extra shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream for added flavor. Fresh herbs like chives or parsley also make great garnishes. Pair it with crusty bread or a simple salad for a complete meal.

How to Store Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup

To store the soup, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to freeze it, make sure to store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. When reheating, add a little milk to return the creaminess.

Tips to Make Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup

• For a richer flavor, use a combination of butter and olive oil.
• Don’t skip blending part of the soup; this gives it a nice creamy texture.
• Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste, adding more herbs or spices if you prefer.
• For a lighter version, you can omit the heavy cream.

Variation

You can customize this soup by adding different vegetables like carrots or celery. For a spicier kick, consider adding diced jalapeños or hot sauce. If you want a vegetarian option, simply skip the bacon and use vegetable broth.

FAQs

1. Can I use other types of cheese?
Yes, you can substitute with cheese like gouda or Monterey jack for a different flavor.

2. Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, this soup can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer. Just remember to reheat it gently.

3. Is it possible to make this soup dairy-free?
Yes, you can use dairy-free alternatives like almond milk and nutritional yeast for a cheese flavor instead of cheddar cheese.

Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup

A creamy and flavorful potato soup loaded with cheddar cheese, garlic, and fresh herbs, perfect for cozy nights or gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter OR 3 tablespoons olive oil + 1 tablespoon butter For a varied flavor.
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 5-6 cloves garlic, minced Adjust according to preference.
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cups whole milk Use dairy-free alternatives if needed.
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional) For a richer soup.
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded Substitutable with other cheese types.

Herbs and Spices

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika (optional)

Optional Toppings

• Cooked crumbled bacon (optional)
• Extra shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional)
• More fresh chives or parsley (optional)
• Croutons (optional)

Method

 

Preparation

1. Peel and cube the potatoes into ½-inch pieces, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
2. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter (or olive oil and butter).
3. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
4. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously.

Cooking

1. Gradually whisk in the broth, bringing it to a simmer.
2. Stir in potato cubes and cook covered for 15-20 minutes until tender.
3. Blend half the soup to create a creamy texture, then return to the pot.
4. Reduce heat and slowly stir in milk and cream, add fresh herbs, and heat gently for 5 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese until melted.
6. Season with salt and pepper.

Serving

1. Serve hot, garnished with optional toppings like croutons, extra shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use a combination of butter and olive oil. Don't skip blending part of the soup; this gives it a nice creamy texture. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste. For a lighter version, omit the heavy cream.