Old-Fashioned Potato Soup Recipe
This rich and creamy old-fashioned potato soup brings classic comfort food to your table. With crispy bacon, tender russet potatoes, savory onions, and a touch of nutmeg, it’s blended to smooth perfection and finished with sharp cheddar cheese for a delightful, hearty meal.
- Author: Nethan
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Meats
Vegetables
- 3–4 large peeled and diced russet potatoes
- 1 medium chopped yellow onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
Dairy & Fats
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cups milk
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (preferably freshly grated from an 8-ounce block)
Liquids & Broth
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fry bacon: In a soup pot or Dutch oven, fry the sliced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set aside on paper towels to drain.
- Melt butter and sauté aromatics: Add one tablespoon of unsalted butter to the bacon drippings in the pot. Once melted, add the diced potatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, sugar, and nutmeg. Sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently to soften the vegetables and release their flavors.
- Deglaze and simmer: Pour in the vegetable broth and milk to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are very tender.
- Add cheese and blend: Stir in two-thirds of the shredded cheddar cheese. Using an immersion blender, carefully blend the soup directly in the pot until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Serve with garnishes: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, topping each with the remaining cheddar cheese and crispy bacon bits. Optionally, garnish with sliced scallions for added texture and flavor. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For best results, grate your own sharp cheddar cheese rather than using pre-shredded varieties to avoid fillers and ensure a creamier texture.
- Russet potatoes are ideal due to their starchy texture, but Yukon Gold potatoes can be substituted if desired. Avoid waxy potatoes like new or fingerling potatoes.
- You do not need to peel potatoes if preferred; just be sure to wash them thoroughly to keep skins clean and flavorful.
- This soup stores well refrigerated for up to 3 days but does not freeze well due to the dairy content.
- To add extra crunch and freshness, sprinkle sliced scallions on top before serving.
Keywords: potato soup, old fashioned potato soup, creamy potato soup, bacon potato soup, comfort food, autumn soup, homemade soup, cheesy potato soup