If you’re craving a comforting, rich soup to warm up your day, look no further than this creamy potato soup.

With hearty vegetables, velvety broth, and a touch of creamy goodness, this soup is a classic favorite that can easily become a staple in your recipe rotation.

Whether you’re serving it as a cozy weeknight dinner or as part of a holiday spread, this potato soup is sure to impress.

Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make, so you can enjoy a satisfying homemade meal in no time.

Ingredients for Creamy Potato Soup

To get started, you’ll need some basic, wholesome ingredients that come together perfectly in this creamy potato soup. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:

Vegetables & Seasonings

1 ½ pounds (680g) potatoes, peeled and chopped (about 4 cups)
1 medium onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 medium carrots, chopped (about 1 cup)
2 stalks celery, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3-4 cloves)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary (or ¼ teaspoon dried)
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 bay leaf
Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Broth & Cream

3 tablespoons butter or olive oil
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken stock or vegetable broth
¼ cup cream, half and half, sour cream, or plain yogurt
1 cup (2 ounces) shredded cheese (optional, but highly recommended!)

Optional Toppings for Serving

Chopped chives or scallions
Sour cream
Crumbled cooked bacon
Fried shallots
Hot sauce (for a little extra kick)

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Having the right kitchen tools can make preparing your creamy potato soup a breeze. Here’s a list of what you’ll need to make sure everything goes smoothly:

Large Heavy-Bottomed Pot or Dutch Oven: A sturdy pot helps to evenly distribute heat, making it perfect for simmering your soup to perfection.
Sharp Knife: For chopping the vegetables and potatoes with ease.
Cutting Board: A stable surface for all your chopping tasks.
Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: For stirring the soup ingredients without damaging your pot.
Potato Masher or Immersion Blender (optional): For mashing or blending the soup to your desired texture.
Measuring Cups & Spoons: To ensure the right amounts of ingredients are used, helping your soup taste just right.

These tools will help make your cooking process smoother and more enjoyable, ensuring you end up with a creamy, delicious soup!

How to Make Creamy Potato Soup

Now that you’ve got all your ingredients and tools ready, let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to create a hearty and creamy potato soup that will satisfy your taste buds:

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Start by melting the butter (or olive oil) over medium heat in your large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Once the butter is melted, add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook these vegetables, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and become fragrant, which will take about 5-6 minutes.

Step 2: Add the Garlic and Seasonings

Once your vegetables are softened, stir in the minced garlic, fresh rosemary (or dried if you prefer), and the crushed red pepper flakes. Season the mixture with a pinch of salt and fresh ground black pepper. Cook everything for an additional 30 seconds, allowing the garlic to become fragrant and the flavors to meld together.

Step 3: Make the Roux

Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute. The flour should turn a medium blonde color and take on a toasted, nutty aroma. This step is key to thickening the soup and giving it that creamy texture!

Step 4: Add the Stock

Slowly whisk in 2 cups of the chicken stock (or vegetable broth if you prefer), making sure to break up any lumps of flour. You should have a smooth and thick mixture now. Pour in the remaining stock, whisking until everything is well combined. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.

Step 5: Simmer with Potatoes and Bay Leaf

Add the chopped potatoes and bay leaf to the pot, and let the soup simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. You’ll want the potatoes to cook until they’re fork-tender, so check by poking a potato cube with a fork to make sure it slides in easily.

Final Touches and Serving Your Creamy Potato Soup

Once your potatoes are tender and the soup has simmered to perfection, it’s time to add the finishing touches and serve this creamy delight!

Step 6: Add the Cream and Cheese

Turn the heat down to low and remove the bay leaf from the soup. Stir in your choice of cream (half and half, sour cream, or plain yogurt) for that rich, velvety texture. If you’re adding cheese, now’s the time to stir it in as well, letting it melt smoothly into the soup for extra flavor.

Step 7: Adjust Seasonings

Give your soup a taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. If you like a little more heat, you can also add a dash of hot sauce at this point. You want the soup to be perfectly seasoned to your taste.

Step 8: Blend for Extra Creaminess (Optional)

For a thicker and creamier texture, you can use a potato masher to mash some of the potatoes directly in the pot. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to blend about half of the soup for a smooth, velvety consistency while still keeping some potato chunks for texture.

Step 9: Serve and Top

Once everything is perfectly blended and creamy, ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with your favorite toppings like chopped chives or scallions, a dollop of sour cream, crumbled bacon, fried shallots, or a drizzle of hot sauce for a little extra kick. These toppings add a nice contrast of flavors and textures that really elevate the soup.

Storage Tips for Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (though it’s unlikely!), you can store your creamy potato soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of broth or cream if it’s thickened too much.

For longer storage, you can freeze the soup in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and warm it up on the stove.