Anytime I make a potato soup recipe, I’m instantly taken back to my days of waitressing at various steakhouses in my 20s—probably because I ate a cup of potato soup at least four times a week before, after or during my shift. It wasn’t just an affordable option for a college student (like these other budget-friendly soup recipes), it was a filling and tasty one too.

This easy potato soup recipe is just like one you’d find on a steakhouse menu. Its rich and velvety base is loaded with cubes of tender potato, pieces of salty bacon, a healthy dose of melty cheese and a final flourish of green onions for color. Once you learn how to make this potato soup, it will become your go-to comfort food dinner anytime the weather is chilly or you’re feeling a little under the weather.

Potato Soup Ingredients

• Bacon: Smoky and salty bacon infuses this recipe for potato soup with tons of umami flavor. Here are the best bacon brands to mix in.
• Potatoes: You can use just about any type of potato for the homemade potato soup recipe, depending on the taste, texture and consistency you are hoping to achieve. For chunky potato soups like this one, a red or white waxy potato is best. They’re lower in starch so they hold their shape well throughout the cooking process. For a creamy, pureed potato soup recipe, opt for russets. Their high starch content and low moisture allow them to break down easily and puree super smooth. For the best of both worlds, Yukon Gold potatoes are what you want. They have more moisture than russets, so they’re ideal if you want a potato that will mash easily to thicken the soup while leaving the rest in chunks for texture.
• Aromatics: Like many other homemade soups, a simple combination of carrots and chopped onion makes a base and gives the easy potato soup some depth.
• Herbs and spices: Parsley provides freshness and color, celery seed lends savoriness and black pepper adds a little bite. Add the salt to taste, depending on how much you like.
• Chicken broth: You can use homemade chicken broth if you have some, or buy your favorite chicken broth brand from the store.
• Flour: Working with the potatoes, the flour thickens the soup. Here are some of our other favorite ways to thicken sauces, which will also work to thicken soups.
• Milk: Use 2% milk to add richness and creaminess to this recipe for potato soup.
• Velveeta: If you don’t have Velveeta, cheddar or Colby Jack are good substitutes.
• Green onions: Crisp green onions add a light onion flavor that complements the creaminess.

Taste of Home