Description
This comforting Vegetarian Baked Potato Soup is a creamy, flavorful dish made with simple ingredients like baked potatoes, sautéed onions, garlic, and a blend of dairy for richness. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup is topped with shredded cheddar and a sprinkle of smoked paprika for an extra smoky touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- Splash olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 3 cups vegetable broth
Main Ingredients
- 3 large baked potatoes (leftovers or batch prepped)
- ½ cup half and half
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Smoked paprika, for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot or dutch oven, heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. This step builds the flavorful base of the soup.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Continue sautéing for an additional minute to release the flavors of the garlic and herbs.
- Create Thickener and Add Broth: Whisk the all-purpose flour into the vegetable broth until smooth. Pour this mixture into the pot with the onion and garlic, stirring to combine.
- Add Potatoes and Simmer: Chop the baked potatoes into chunks and coarsely mash them. Add the potatoes to the pot and bring the soup to a boil. Then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 1 minute to thicken.
- Incorporate Dairy and Cheese: Stir in the sour cream, half and half, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until the cheese melts and the soup is heated through, making sure not to return it to a rapid boil to avoid curdling the dairy.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the remaining cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of smoked paprika for garnish and extra flavor.
Notes
- Use leftover baked potatoes or bake potatoes specifically for this soup. Russet potatoes work best for their fluffy texture.
- To avoid the soup curdling, do not bring it back to a rolling boil after adding the dairy.
- Smoked paprika adds a lovely smoky flavor; you can adjust the amount or omit based on preference.
- This soup can be thickened further by adding more flour or blending some of the soup for a creamier texture.
- For a vegan version, substitute dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives such as coconut cream and vegan cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: vegetarian soup, baked potato soup, creamy potato soup, cheddar soup, easy vegetarian recipes, comfort food
