Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Potato Cheese Soup

Yesterday it finally felt like Fall here in my neck of the woods.  So I made a family favorite for dinner.  Potato Cheese Soup.  I know I have posted this easy recipe more than once here on my blog.   It could be searched easy enough.  But I am posting it again because it is SO good, and perfect for this time of year.  Halloween being this weeekend, it would be the perfect thing to make for a busy evening.   So for those of you who have seen it here before, just ignore this post.  For all of my new readers, do try this super easy recipe!  It is fast, delicious, and a keeper!!!

Here's what you will need:

I am not one to cook by following a recipe to the letter.  This is very forgiving, and make it to suit your family's taste, and size.  I do always start with a box of Au Gratin potato mix.  Buy whatever is on sale.  The store brand works just as well as the name brand here.  I usually use two to three good  sized potatoes, but I only had small ones, so I used four.  I like to use sharp cheddar cheese for this dish, it does add a much better, and more rich flavor.  I had mostly sharp, and a little medium that I combined.  Use approx. 2 cups.  If you have two cans of chicken broth, that will do.  I had a full carton and just poured about 2 1/2 cups.  You only need a pint of 1/2 and 1/2.  You can use fat free, which I typically use, but of course, it is much creamier and richer with the full version.    And you will add about 1 1/2 cup of water as well.  PLENTY of fresh cracked black pepper and sea salt.  A few slices of crisply cooked bacon to crumble on top of finished soup, and some green onion, thinly sliced which I forgot to put in photo.
Let's cook!   Preheat your oven to 425 and lay your bacon on a rack in a heavy duty cookie pan and bake it for about 18 minutes or until crisp! ( I almost never cook bacon on the stove top because this is so much neater and easier to clean up! )  Cut your potatoes into chunky bits and toss them in a heavy duty pan.  Then add entire contents of  box of potatoes, cheese sauce mix and all.  Pour in water, broth, 1/2 & 1/2 and bring to a boil on stove top.  Add your salt and pepper here, and let it come up to a boil, then return it to simmer and put the lid on, stirring occasionally.  It will not be thick at this point.  But as the potatoes cook and release their starches, it will become the correct consistency.
This only needs to cook long enough to soften the potatoes.  About an hour or so.  When potatoes are soft, stir in your cheese, and then if it needs to be thinned some, add more broth and/or more 1/2 & 1/2 til desired thickness is reached.  I taste at this point to see if it needs more salt and pepper too.    Top with plenty of crumbled bacon and sliced green onions.  Serve with some crusty bread and a salad and you have yourself a delicious and hearty meal! 
PS  Sometimes I steam a batch of broccoli and add this to the leftover soup for the next day and make broccoli and cheese soup that rivals Marie Callender's version!!!
Bon Appetit!!

23 comments:

NanaNor's said...

Morning Kris, When you posted this before I was bummed because I can't have anything with flour but after seeing this I may just have to see if I can find a gluten free recipe-it looks so good. Glad you are getting fall weather, we are waiting for snow(wish it could just stay fall longer). I'm making chicken soup tonight-I can almost taste it. Have a great day.
Noreen

Barb said...

I had to smile when I saw your post...I just put in the crock-pot a Potato Soup recipe I am trying for the first time. But then I stopped smiling because your recipe looks so much better!! Ah well. I will just have to try yours also. Happy Day to you!

Joline said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joline said...

This looks so delicious! I am always looking for new recipes...and this one will be perfect for the freezing cold weather that is right around the corner up here! Plus my boyfriend loves potato soup :)

Mary Bergfeld said...

Kris, this is a perfect soup for a cold and wet fall day. I know my family will love this. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Heather - The Good Life said...

Your soup sounds really good and rich with the half-n-half. I'll have to stick with my low fat version for now (I know, no fun). :-) I'll have to check out the movie you recommended in your earlier post, and that is so funny you mentioned the 5 Guys restaurant, my husband says we need to try it every time we drive by. Have a great day. :-)

Stacey said...

I personally have made this soup, thanks to you, and it is delicious :) I've never had it with the bacon on top tho.. Yum!!

{cindy} said...

Dave just made Potato Soup this weekend!
I will have to pass along your recipe. he loves to cook
have a happy day

Teresa Kasner said...

That looks just amazing.. must make that soon. Still at the beach.. heading off for hubby's birthday lunch! Then sightseeing and photo taking...
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Nicolle said...

I love potato soup. I haven't had any in years. The recipe looks delicious. Of course, I'm a fan of pretty/decorative plates and bowls, etc, so that pumpkin platter in the first photo really stood out to me. I love it!

Jill said...

That looks delicious! I'll have to add this to my list of recipes to try! :-)
Have a great day!

Blessings,
Jill

Unknown said...

Slurp, Slurp... this looks like a great one for the winter soup list. Bookmarking now for later. Right now we have enough from the turkey leftovers to enjoy for a while.

Genn said...

I always love this soup!
I just took photos last week when I made it to blog about it too, funny.
It's a staple for cold nights.

Pammy Sue said...

I have made this recipe of yours, and it's delish! I will remember this when it gets colder here. It's a great winter meal.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Kris,
The fam damly is coming over Sunday to celebrate Halloween. We decided to serve soup as our main dish. Two of my girls and I are making soup. I was going to make my broccolli cheese soup. Now I am going to make this instead. It will be something new for us to try. Thanks for the recipe. I'll let you know if it's a big hit. Which, I'm sure it will be.

Cathy said...

The temperature got down to freezing for the first time last night and I'm knee deep in leaves in my yard so I guess soup weather is really here. Starting with a box of potato mix is a good idea. Your recipe looks so versatile, Kris. I bet a couple of cans of chopped clams in there would make a good chowder. Yummy.

Nicolle said...

Me again. Where do you get your Le Creuset pots from? Do you find somewhere that they are on discount, or do you pay full price?! Not trying to be nosy, but I really want one, but can't see paying their full price.

ps. Thanks for your emails the other day. I don't think I ever replied to your last one, but your sweet words made me smile! :)

corners of my life said...

A great recipe to add to my "Soup Sundays" rotation {an autumn/winter tradition in our house}
Thanks!

Krystal Kats said...

Is it really halloween already! Gees where does the time go? I love your recipe it sounds cheesy yum! Thanks for visiting my TWO blogs. It's fun to blog hop!

Debbiedoos said...

Now that is some comfort food on a fall day. YUM!

Val said...

I just made a broccoli cheese soup...I think tomorrow I will be making this one...YUM

Angela@MyTastyLiving said...

I love broccoli and I love potatoes, this sounds delicious! My favvvvorite soup is broccoli cheddar which I still need to make!

Charlee said...

I made this one time from Gen's blog and it was simple and to die for! Anyone who makes it will love it!!