Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup
A comforting bowl of creamy potato soup with sharp cheddar, garlic, and fresh herbs, perfect for chilly days.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil and butter Use 3 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter for variation.
- 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 (or half-and-half)
- 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 (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- pinch cayenne pepper or smoked paprika (optional)
Optional Garnishes
- Cooked crumbled bacon Optional garnish.
- Extra shredded cheddar cheese Optional garnish.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt Optional garnish.
- More fresh chives or parsley Optional garnish.
- Croutons Optional garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Peel and chop the Yukon Gold potatoes into uniform ½-inch cubes. Rinse under cold water and set aside.
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter (or olive oil/butter mix).
Cooking
- Once melted, add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed onion and garlic, stirring for about 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the broth while scraping the bottom of the pot to ensure a smooth mixture.
- Add the potato cubes, stirring well, then bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Remove half the soup and blend until smooth, then return to the pot.
- Decrease heat and slowly stir in milk and cream, allowing it to heat through for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and gradually add the cheese, stirring until melted.
- Season with salt, pepper, and optional spices.
Serving
- Serve hot, garnished with crumbled bacon, extra cheese, sour cream, fresh herbs, and croutons as desired.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider roasting the garlic before adding it to the soup. You can customize the herbs based on your preference. Serve with a side of warm, toasted bread for a more filling meal.