Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup
A comforting and creamy potato soup loaded with garlic, sharp cheddar cheese, and fragrant herbs, perfect for cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1 cup whole milk (or heavy cream for a richer soup)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or 1 tablespoon fresh parsley)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled (optional for a non-vegetarian version)
- Extra shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped
- Sour cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Peel and dice the potatoes into bite-sized cubes. Set aside.
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the diced potatoes to the pot and stir to combine with the onions and garlic. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- For a creamier soup, use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth while leaving some potato chunks for texture. Alternatively, transfer about half of the soup into a blender, blend until smooth, and return to the pot.
- Stir in the milk (or cream) and shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until the cheese has melted. Season with thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes.
- Ladle the soup into bowls. Top with crumbled bacon, extra shredded cheddar cheese, and fresh herbs. Optionally, add a dollop of sour cream for extra creaminess.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute half of the cream with vegetable broth. Use a mix of cheeses for a unique twist.