Vegetarian, Americas
Cheddar potato soup
Cheddar potato soup is a thick, creamy soup made with potatoes, leek and melted cheddar, serving 4 people, ready in 45 minutes, rated very easy, for €2.10 per serving. The key is stirring in the cheddar off the heat, which keeps the texture smooth instead of stringy.
Tonight, a thick cheddar potato soup, topped with a spoonful of cream and some chives.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- Very easy
- Cost per person
- €2.10
- Calories per person
- 680 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Winter, Fall
- The kids
- They generally like it
This soup is all about richness. The potatoes break down in the broth, the leek adds a gentle sweetness, and the cheddar melts in last for that deep, sharp flavor and thick, velvety texture you recognize right away. A spoonful of heavy cream and a few chives finish it off without complicating the recipe at all.
It's the kind of soup to make on a cold weeknight, when you need something warm and filling without spending the whole evening in the kitchen. Kids tend to love it thanks to the melted cheese and smooth texture. Mon Chou serves it with slices of toasted bread, turning a simple soup into a full meal.
The ingredients
Fruits and vegetables
- Potatoes 900 g
- Leek 1
- Onion 1
- Chives 1 sprigs
Pantry
- Vegetable brothoften in the pantry 1 l
- Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
- Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch
Dairy
- Milk 25 cl
- Cheddar 200 g
- Heavy cream 4 tbsp
- Butter 30 g
Bakery
- Country bread 6 slices
Allergens Gluten, Lactose
The step by step recipe
-
Sweat the sliced onion and the white part of the leek in the butter. 8 min
Don't let them brown, the soup would lose its pale color.
-
Add the diced potatoes and the broth, then let it cook. 20 min
The cubes should mash easily with no effort.
-
Blend the soup with the milk, then pour it back into the pot.
Leave a few chunks if you like a rustic texture.
-
Off the heat, stir in the grated cheddar until melted.
A sharp cheddar gives more flavor.
-
Toast the bread and serve the soup topped with cream, chives and cheddar.
Heavy cream stands in nicely for American sour cream.
Our tips to get it right
- Go for a sharp cheddar instead of a mild one, it gives the soup much more character without adding another ingredient.
- Blend the soup while it's still hot, it comes out smoother and the cheddar melts more easily in the next step.
- If the soup thickens too much as it cools, thin it with a splash of warm broth or milk when reheating rather than water, to keep the flavor from fading.
The variations
- Swap the cheddar for Comté or Gruyère for a milder version with a gentler flavor.
- For more vegetables, add a sliced carrot along with the leek and onion at the start.
- For kids in a hurry, serve the soup with croutons instead of whole toast slices, easier to eat with a spoon.
What to serve it with
- Extra toasted country bread
- A simple green salad
- Crispy bacon bits on top
Storage
The soup keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well, ideally before adding the cheddar and cream, which you stir in after thawing. Reheat gently over low heat, stirring, without letting it boil, so the cheese doesn't turn stringy.
Questions about this dish
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the base with potatoes, leek and broth in advance. Add the cheddar and cream only when serving, to keep the texture smooth.
What cheese can replace cheddar?
Comté or Gruyère both work well, though the flavor will be milder. Avoid very firm cheeses that don't melt smoothly into soup.
Why add the cheddar off the heat?
Cheddar heated too hard turns stringy and grainy. Added off the heat, it melts gently and keeps the soup velvety.
Should I blend the soup completely or leave chunks?
Either works depending on your taste. Blend it all for a smooth soup, or leave a few potato chunks for a more rustic version.
How long does it take to make a cheddar potato soup?
Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.
How many calories are in a cheddar potato soup?
About 680 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.
How much does a cheddar potato soup cost?
About €2.10 per serving, or €8.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains gluten, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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