Creamy Potato Soup Recipe: Quick, Cozy, and Full of Flavor

Creamy potato soup feels rich and cozy with crispy bacon and silky broth. It cooks in about 25-30 minutes. You make it simply and quickly. You will want it on chilly nights.

Why You’ll Love Creamy Potato Soup

This creamy potato soup brings warm, savory comfort to the table. It blends tender gold potatoes with a silky mix of milk and heavy cream for a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Also, crispy bacon and a touch of ancho chili powder add smoky depth and a gentle heat. So the soup tastes hearty but not heavy, and you can serve it for weeknight dinners or a relaxed weekend lunch.

Comfort Food at Its Best

This soup gives you familiar, soothing flavors. Potatoes become soft and slightly chunky while the broth stays creamy. Then sour cream and cheddar bring tang and sharpness, and bacon adds crunch and salt. Also, the aroma of butter and onion will make the kitchen feel homey.

Perfect for Any Season

In cooler months this creamy potato soup warms you from the inside. Meanwhile, in spring or fall you can serve smaller bowls as a starter. Also, you can adjust the ancho chili powder from 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon to shift the flavor. Finally, leftovers reheat well for a quick meal.

Key Ingredients for Creamy Potato Soup

This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients you likely have on hand. Gold potatoes, onion, garlic, butter, flour, chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, sour cream, and bacon form the base. Also, salt, pepper, and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder add balance. For more ideas, check more soup recipes that pair well with this bowl.

Essential Ingredients You Need

Use 2 1/2 pounds of gold potatoes peeled and diced into pieces no larger than 1 inch for even cooking. Also include 4 cups chicken broth, 2 cups milk, 2/3 cup heavy cream, 3 tablespoons butter, 1/3 cup flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon ground pepper. Cook six strips of bacon until crispy, reserve the fat, and then add the bacon back at the end for texture.

Optional Toppings to Elevate Your Soup

Top your bowl with shredded cheddar, chopped chives, a spoonful of sour cream, and extra bacon bits for crunch. Also, a pinch more ancho chili powder lightly dusted on top deepens the smoky note. Finally, small additions like extra cheese or herbs let you personalize each serving.

Tips for the Perfect Creamy Potato Soup

Follow a few simple steps to get the ideal texture and flavor every time. Also, keep your potato pieces uniform and do not overblend the bacon. Next, start with 1/4 teaspoon of ancho chili powder, then adjust slowly as you taste. Then simmer gently for about 15 minutes after adding sour cream and bacon to meld flavors.

Cutting Potatoes for Even Cooking

Cut potatoes into uniform pieces no larger than 1 inch for consistent tenderness. Also, smaller pieces cook faster and soften in about 10 minutes once boiling. So you avoid undercooked chunks and get evenly tender bites in every spoonful.

Achieving the Right Creamy Texture

Puree about half the soup for a silky base and leave the rest chunky for body. Also, use an immersion blender or carefully puree in a countertop blender in batches. Then return the puree to the pot and stir in sour cream and reserved bacon for balanced creaminess and texture.

Adjusting Spice Levels with Ancho Chili Powder

Start with 1/4 teaspoon of ancho chili powder and taste before adding more. Also, the flavor is smoky and mild, so a little goes a long way. Then increase to 1/2 teaspoon only if you prefer a stronger warm note. Finally, add pepper and salt at the end to balance the spice.

How to Make Creamy Potato Soup

This method keeps steps clear and practical. Also, you will move from bacon to simmer to blending with minimal fuss. Next, follow the instructions below for a classic finish that highlights each ingredient.

Step-by-Step Instructions

In a large Dutch oven, cook six strips of bacon over medium heat until crispy and browned, then remove and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot. Next, add 3 tablespoons butter and the chopped medium yellow onion; cook until the onions are soft, about 3-5 minutes. Then stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Also, sprinkle 1/3 cup all-purpose flour over the mixture and stir until combined to form a light roux.

Then add the diced 2 1/2 pounds gold potatoes, 4 cups chicken broth, 2 cups milk, 2/3 cup heavy cream, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon ground pepper, and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder. Next bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Also, lower heat and carefully transfer about half the soup to a blender, puree until smooth, or use an immersion blender. Then return the pureed soup to the pot and stir in 2/3 cup sour cream and the reserved bacon pieces. Finally simmer for 15 minutes and serve topped with cheddar, chives, or extra sour cream.

Recommended Kitchen Equipment

You will need a large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot for even heat distribution. Also, have an immersion blender or countertop blender handy for pureeing half the soup. Finally, a good chef’s knife and a sturdy cutting board make uniform potato pieces easy to achieve.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Store leftovers properly to keep flavor and texture. Also, cool the soup slightly before transferring to an airtight container. Next, refrigerate and use within a few days for best quality. Finally, avoid freezing if you want to keep the original creamy texture.

Best Practices for Storage

Place cooled soup in airtight containers and refrigerate promptly. Also, label the container with the date and use within 3-4 days. Then reheat only the portion you need to keep the rest fresh.

How to Reheat Without Sacrificing Flavor

Gently reheat over low to medium heat, stirring often so the dairy does not separate. Also, add a splash of milk if the soup thickens too much during storage. Finally, finish with a sprinkle of fresh chives and reserved bacon to revive textures and aromas.

FAQ

Below are common questions about this creamy potato soup and practical answers to help you adapt the recipe. Also, these tips draw from the ingredient list and cooking steps above to keep results reliable.

Can I Make This Soup Vegetarian?

Yes, you can make this recipe vegetarian by omitting the bacon and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Also, keep the butter, milk, cream, and sour cream for the rich texture. Then add smoked paprika if you want a hint of smoky flavor without meat.

How Can I Make This Soup Dairy-Free?

To make a dairy-free version, swap milk and heavy cream for full-bodied plant milks and replace sour cream with a dairy-free alternative. Also, use olive oil instead of butter. Then note that texture will change slightly, so blend a bit more of the soup for a creamier mouthfeel.

What Can I Use Instead of Bacon?

If you want no pork, try crispy smoked tempeh or sautéed mushrooms for savory bite and texture. Also, toasted breadcrumbs or roasted nuts add crunch. Then finish with a sprinkle of smoked paprika to mimic smoky notes without bacon.

Final Thoughts

This creamy potato soup wins on comfort, speed, and simple ingredients. Also, it combines silky broth, tender potatoes, tangy sour cream, and crispy bacon for a balanced bowl. Next, the ancho chili powder gives subtle warmth, and you can tweak it to taste. Finally, try the recipe when you want something comforting and quick, and remember that leftover bowls reheat beautifully for easy meals.

For more inspiration and related ideas, see our Pinterest collection at Elly’s recipes on Pinterest.