Description
A creamy and comforting potato soup with sharp cheddar cheese and aromatic herbs, perfect for warming up on chilly days.
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed into ½-inch pieces
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, or 3 tablespoons olive oil plus 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1.5 cups)
- 5-6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for richer flavor)
- ½ 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 ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- A pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika
- Optional: Cooked crumbled bacon, extra shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, more fresh herbs, or croutons
Instructions
- Peel and cube the Yukon Gold potatoes into half-inch pieces, then rinse under cold water.
- In a large pot, heat unsalted butter (or olive oil and butter) over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the broth, scraping the bottom for flavorful bits.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and add the rinsed potato cubes.
- Cover and cook on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are very tender, stirring occasionally.
- Blend half of the soup until smooth, then return it to the pot.
- Lower the heat and stir in the whole milk and heavy cream (if using) for about 5 minutes.
- Add the fresh herbs and stir to combine.
- Gradually mix in the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until melted, then season with salt, pepper, and cayenne or smoked paprika.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with optional toppings.
Notes
For a smoother melt, always use freshly shredded cheese. Experiment with herbs to find your favorite flavor combinations.
