Easy Cheddar Garlic Potato Soup (Ready in 45 Minutes!)

Imagine a velvety, creamy soup that wraps you in warmth with every spoonful—that’s exactly what this Easy Cheddar Garlic Potato Soup delivers. Rich, sharp cheddar cheese mingles with tender Yukon Gold potatoes, aromatic garlic, and fragrant fresh herbs to create the ultimate comfort food experience. This cheddar garlic potato soup is incredibly satisfying yet surprisingly simple to make, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or meal-prepping for the week ahead, this hearty potato soup solves the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma with delicious ease. The creamy texture and bold flavors make it an instant crowd-pleaser that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Cheddar Garlic Potato Soup Recipe

• Ready in just 45 minutes from start to finish—perfect for busy weeknights when you need comfort food fast
• Budget-friendly ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and fridge
• Customizable base that you can easily adapt with your favorite toppings and mix-ins
• Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing flavor that appeals to all ages and picky eaters alike

What You Need for Cheddar Garlic Potato Soup

Essential Ingredients for Cheddar Garlic Potato Soup

• 2.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes – peeled and cubed into 1/2-inch pieces for the creamiest texture
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter – provides rich, velvety base for the soup
• 1 large yellow onion – finely chopped (about 1.5 cups) for sweet, aromatic depth
• 5-6 cloves garlic – minced (about 2 tablespoons) for that signature bold flavor
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour – creates the perfect thickening roux
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth – use low-sodium to control salt levels
• 2 cups whole milk – room temperature works best to prevent curdling
• 1/2 cup heavy cream – optional but highly recommended for extra richness
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese – freshly shredded from a block, never pre-shredded
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley – finely chopped for bright, fresh flavor
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives – finely chopped for mild onion notes
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves – adds earthy, aromatic complexity
• 1 teaspoon salt – adjust to taste based on your broth
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper – freshly ground for best flavor
• Pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika – optional for subtle heat or smokiness

How to Make Easy Cheddar Garlic Potato Soup (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Preparing Your Potatoes and Aromatics

1. Prep the potatoes (5 minutes): Peel and cube Yukon Gold potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch pieces. Rinse under cold water to remove excess starch. (This prevents gummy texture and ensures creamy results.)
2. Sauté the aromatics (7 minutes): Heat butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until translucent and soft. Add minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

Step 2: Building the Creamy Potato Soup Base

3. Create the roux (2 minutes): Sprinkle flour over the sautéed vegetables and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously to create a golden roux. (This thickens the soup and prevents a raw flour taste.)
4. Add liquids and potatoes (20 minutes): Gradually whisk in chicken or vegetable broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to prevent lumps. Bring to a simmer, then add cubed potatoes. Return to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork.

Step 3: Creating the Perfect Creamy Texture

5. Blend for texture (3 minutes): Using an immersion blender, pulse the soup until half to two-thirds is blended, leaving some potato chunks for texture. (If using a standard blender, blend in batches and leave it chunky.)
6. Add dairy and herbs (5 minutes): Reduce heat to low. Slowly add milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent curdling. Stir in fresh parsley, chives, and thyme.
7. Finish with cheese (3 minutes): Remove pot from heat completely. Gradually add shredded sharp cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne or paprika to taste.

Expert Tips for the Best Cheddar Garlic Potato Soup

Always use Yukon Gold potatoes for their naturally creamy, buttery texture that makes this soup extra velvety. Russet potatoes work in a pinch but won’t deliver the same luxurious consistency. Shred cheese from a block yourself—pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting and can make your soup grainy. Never boil the soup after adding dairy; keep it at a gentle simmer or below to prevent milk and cream from curdling. Add cheese completely off the heat to avoid a grainy, separated texture. Finally, use fresh herbs instead of dried whenever possible—they add bright, vibrant flavor that dried herbs simply can’t match.

How to Store and Serve Cheddar Garlic Potato Soup

Store leftover cheddar garlic potato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently and adding a splash of milk or broth if it’s too thick. While you can freeze this soup, the texture may change slightly upon thawing due to the dairy content—the soup may separate but can be whisked back together. Serve this hearty potato soup piping hot in warm bowls, topped with crumbled bacon, extra shredded cheddar, a dollop of sour cream, fresh chives, or crispy croutons. Pair with crusty bread for the ultimate comfort meal.

Cheddar Garlic Potato Soup Recipe Variations You’ll Love

Transform this base recipe into exciting new flavors! Make it a loaded baked potato soup by adding crispy bacon bits, extra cheese, and green onions. Create a broccoli cheddar potato soup by stirring in 2 cups of chopped steamed broccoli florets before serving. For a vegan version, use plant-based butter, vegetable broth, cashew cream instead of dairy, and nutritional yeast or vegan cheddar. Try a spicy jalapeño cheddar potato soup by adding diced jalapeños with the onions. If you love this creamy comfort food, check out our Classic Chicken Noodle Soup for another family favorite!

Easy Cheddar Garlic Potato Soup

Creamy, hearty potato soup loaded with sharp cheddar cheese, aromatic garlic, and fresh herbs. Ready in 45 minutes—perfect comfort food for busy weeknights!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American, Comfort Food

Servings 8 bowls

Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven (6-8 quarts)
• Immersion blender or standard blender
• Whisk
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients

  

Essential Ingredients

• 2.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cubed into 1/2-inch pieces, rinsed under cold water
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter provides rich, velvety base
• 1 large yellow onion finely chopped (about 1.5 cups)
• 5-6 cloves garlic minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour for thickening roux
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth use low-sodium to control salt levels
• 2 cups whole milk room temperature preferred
• 1/2 cup heavy cream optional but recommended for extra richness
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded from a block (about 8 oz)

Fresh Herbs & Seasonings

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves adds earthy aroma
• 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper or smoked paprika optional for heat or smokiness

Instructions

 

• Peel and cube Yukon Gold potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch pieces. Rinse under cold water to remove excess starch, then drain and set aside.
• Heat butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until translucent and soft.
• Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, stirring constantly.
• Sprinkle flour over the sautéed vegetables and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously to create a golden roux.
• Gradually whisk in chicken or vegetable broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to prevent lumps and release any browned bits.
• Add cubed potatoes to the pot and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork.
• Using an immersion blender, pulse the soup until half to two-thirds is blended, leaving some potato chunks for texture. (If using a standard blender, blend in batches carefully.)
• Reduce heat to low. Slowly add whole milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent curdling. Stir in fresh parsley, chives, and thyme.
• Remove pot from heat completely. Gradually add shredded sharp cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
• Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne or paprika to taste. Serve hot with desired toppings like bacon, sour cream, extra cheese, or fresh chives.

Notes

For best results, use Yukon Gold potatoes for their naturally creamy texture. Always shred cheese from a block—pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Never boil after adding dairy to prevent curdling. Add cheese off heat to avoid grainy texture. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently on stovetop, adding milk or broth if needed to thin.

Keyword cheddar potato soup, Comfort Food, creamy potato soup, easy soup recipe, garlic potato soup

Faq About Cheddar Garlic Potato Soup

Final Thoughts on This Cheddar Garlic Potato Soup Recipe

This Easy Cheddar Garlic Potato Soup is everything you want in comfort food—creamy, cheesy, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. The combination of sharp cheddar, aromatic garlic, and fresh herbs creates layers of flavor that make every spoonful memorable. Serve it with your favorite toppings like bacon, sour cream, and extra cheese, or keep it simple and let the soup shine on its own. It’s perfect for meal prep, freezes reasonably well, and easily adapts to dietary preferences. Love this recipe? Save it to your Pinterest boards and follow us on Pinterest for more amazing recipes!