Potato Soup Recipe With Instant Potatoes: Creamy Shortcut Comfort Bowl

Ingrédients

• 2 cups Instant Potato Flakes
• 4 cups Whole Milk
• 4 cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
• 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter
• 1 whole Yellow Onion
• 3 cloves Garlic Cloves
• 0.25 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1.5 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 0.5 cup Sour Cream
• 2 tbsp Fresh Chives
• 1 tsp Kosher Salt
• 0.5 tsp Ground Black Pepper
• 0.5 tsp Dried Thyme

Préparation

1. 1

   Sauté Aromatics in Butter: Melt the 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter in a large pot over medium heat. When it stops foaming, add the finely diced 1 whole Yellow Onion and cook for 5-6 minutes until it turns translucent and just begins to caramelize at the edges. Add the 3 cloves Garlic Cloves and the 0.5 tsp Dried Thyme crushed between your fingers. Sauté for 1 minute until the garlic releases its fragrance. This builds the flavor foundation that makes the dish taste like it simmered for hours.

2. 2

   Create the Roux and Add Liquids: Sprinkle the 0.25 cup All-Purpose Flour over the onion mixture and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. The mixture should turn a light golden color and smell nutty. Gradually whisk in the 4 cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth and 4 cups Whole Milk, ensuring no lumps form. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. This is when the magic happens—the roux thickens the liquid into a creamy base.

3. 3

   Incorporate Potatoes and Cheese: Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the 2 cups Instant Potato Flakes. They’ll absorb the liquid quickly, so keep stirring until fully hydrated. This happens in about 2 minutes—you’ll notice the soup thicken significantly. Add the 1.5 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, the 1 tsp Kosher Salt, and the 0.5 tsp Ground Black Pepper. Stir until the cheese melts completely and the soup becomes smooth and velvety. The cheese should create a glossy, cohesive texture that coats the back of a spoon.

4. 4

   Finish with Sour Cream and Garnish: Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the 0.5 cup Sour Cream until fully incorporated. This adds a tangy richness that balances the sharpness of the cheddar. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed—sometimes the cheese adds enough salt, but I like to ensure it’s perfectly seasoned. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each serving with the 2 tbsp Fresh Chives. The chives add a fresh, oniony brightness that cuts through the richness of the soup. Serve immediately while hot and creamy—this dish doesn’t hold well, so dig in right away for the best texture.