Today, I’m sharing two warming potato soup recipes that are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for something light and nourishing or a truly hearty, comforting meal, I have you covered.
Both of these potato soup recipes use simple ingredients and clear steps, so you can easily make them in your kitchen. Let’s get cooking and find your new favorite soup!
Jump to Recipe:
Healthy Potato Soup for a Light Meal
This light potato soup is packed with good-for-you ingredients. It’s a warm and satisfying meal without being too heavy.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Potato Choice: Use Yukon Gold or red potatoes for a naturally creamy texture without needing heavy cream.
- Broth Base: Vegetable broth keeps this soup light and adds great flavor. Low-sodium options are best for controlling salt.
- Herb Freshness: Add fresh parsley or chives at the end for bright flavor and a pop of color.
What You Need
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
⏱️ Time: 30 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare Veggies
Chop your potatoes and onion into small, even pieces. Mince the garlic. This helps all the ingredients cook at the same rate for the best texture.
Step 2: Cook the Base
In a large pot, sauté the chopped onion over medium heat until it becomes soft and clear, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until you can smell it.
Step 3: Simmer the Soup
Add the diced potatoes and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer until the potatoes are very tender, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Carefully mash some of the potatoes directly in the pot with a fork or potato masher to thicken the soup to your liking. Stir in the milk, salt, and pepper. Heat through gently, then serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
📝 Final Note
This healthy potato soup stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat.
Comforting Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Get ready for a truly comforting bowl with this loaded baked potato soup. It brings all your favorite baked potato toppings into a warm, creamy soup.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Bake Your Potatoes: Baking the potatoes first gives them a richer, deeper potato flavor than just boiling them.
- Crispy Bacon: Cook your bacon until it’s extra crispy before crumbling it. This adds a wonderful crunchy texture to the soup.
- Cheese Please: Use a sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor that really stands out and makes the soup extra tasty.
What You Need
- 4 large russet potatoes, baked and scooped
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups milk
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions for garnish
⏱️ Time: 45 minutes🍽️ Yields: 6 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prep Potatoes and Bacon
Once your potatoes are baked and cooled slightly, carefully scoop out the flesh and set it aside. Cook the bacon until it’s crispy, then crumble it into small pieces. Remember to save some bacon for topping your soup later.
Step 2: Make the Soup Base
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, making a thick paste called a roux. Slowly whisk in the milk and broth until the mixture is smooth. Continue to cook, stirring, until it thickens slightly.
Step 3: Combine and Simmer
Add the scooped potato flesh to the soup base. Mash some of the potatoes directly in the pot with a potato masher or fork to create a thick, hearty texture. Stir in most of the crumbled bacon, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. Heat gently, stirring often, until the cheese melts and the soup is warm throughout.
Step 4: Serve It Loaded
Season your soup with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the warm soup into bowls and top generously with extra cheddar cheese, the remaining crumbled bacon, and fresh chopped green onions. Enjoy!
📝 Final Note
For an even creamier soup, you can blend a portion of the soup base with the potatoes before adding the cheese and bacon. This gives a super smooth finish.
