Ultimate Baked Potato Soup

Featured in: Hearty Soups & Stews

This warming dish features hearty baked potatoes combined with sautéed onions and garlic, enriched with milk and cheese for a smooth, creamy texture. Smoked paprika and thyme add depth, while optional toppings like chives and bacon elevate each serving. Adaptable to vegan diets by swapping dairy ingredients for plant-based alternatives, it’s perfect for cozy winter meals. Preparation involves baking potatoes until tender, then simmering them with broth and aromatics, culminating in a luscious blend that satisfies and nourishes.

Updated on Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:18:00 GMT
Steaming bowl of The Ultimate Baked Potato Soup, garnished with chives and bacon bits: a cozy, rich meal. Save
Steaming bowl of The Ultimate Baked Potato Soup, garnished with chives and bacon bits: a cozy, rich meal. | pumpkinhearth.com

A creamy, comforting winter soup loaded with tender baked potatoes, savory aromatics, and smoky toppings. Easily adapted for a delicious vegan version.

This soup has been a family favorite during cold months. It brings warmth and joy with every spoonful.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 1.2 kg (2.5 lbs) russet potatoes, about 4 large, scrubbed
  • Aromatics: 2 tbsp olive oil or vegan butter, 1 medium yellow onion diced, 2 cloves garlic minced
  • Soup Base: 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, 1 ½ cups whole milk or unsweetened plant milk, ½ cup sour cream or vegan sour cream, ½ cup shredded cheddar or vegan cheese, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp dried thyme, salt and black pepper to taste
  • Toppings (Optional for serving): 4 tbsp chopped chives or scallions, ½ cup cooked crumbled bacon or vegan bacon bits, extra cheese or vegan cheese, extra sour cream or vegan sour cream

Instructions

Preheat and bake potatoes:
Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). Prick potatoes with a fork place on a baking sheet and bake for 45 to 55 minutes until fork-tender. Let cool slightly then peel and roughly mash.
Sauté aromatics:
While potatoes bake heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic cook 1 minute more.
Combine potatoes and broth:
Add mashed baked potatoes to the pot. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer stirring well to combine.
Add remaining ingredients:
Add milk sour cream cheese smoked paprika thyme salt and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy. Simmer 5 to 10 minutes stirring frequently. Adjust consistency with more broth or milk if desired.
Adjust and blend:
Taste and adjust seasoning. For extra-smooth soup use an immersion blender to blend partially or fully.
Serve:
Serve hot garnished with chives bacon or vegan bacon extra cheese and sour cream as desired.
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Sharing this soup at family dinners creates cozy moments that everyone looks forward to each winter.

Required Tools

Oven baking sheet large pot potato masher immersion blender optional ladle

Allergen Information

Contains milk and cheese dairy use plant-based alternatives for a vegan and dairy-free soup contains alliums onion garlic check labels on plant-based products for soy or nut allergens

Nutritional Information

Per serving calories 355 total fat 11 g carbohydrates 54 g protein 9 g

A close-up view of creamy The Ultimate Baked Potato Soup, boasting melting cheese and savory aromas beckoning you. Save
A close-up view of creamy The Ultimate Baked Potato Soup, boasting melting cheese and savory aromas beckoning you. | pumpkinhearth.com

This baked potato soup combines comfort and flexibility to suit all tastes and dietary needs.

Recipe Q&A

Can I make this soup vegan?

Yes, substitute dairy milk, sour cream, and cheese with plant-based alternatives for a delicious vegan version.

How do I achieve a creamy texture?

Use whole milk or plant milk and blend partially with an immersion blender for smooth consistency.

What toppings work best with this soup?

Chopped chives, crispy bacon or vegan bacon, extra cheese, and sour cream add flavor and texture.

Can I prepare this soup gluten-free?

Yes, all core ingredients are naturally gluten-free; just ensure broth and toppings are labeled gluten-free.

What can enhance the flavor further?

Try adding sautéed mushrooms or roasted garlic for added depth and richness.

Ultimate Baked Potato Soup

Comforting creamy soup with tender baked potatoes, savory aromatics, and optional smoky toppings.

Prep duration
15 min
Time to cook
45 min
Time required
60 min
Created by Sarah Coleman


Skill required Easy

Cuisine origin American

Portions 4 Serves

Dietary info Meat-free, Free from gluten

What you'll need

Potatoes

01 2.5 pounds russet potatoes (about 4 large), scrubbed

Aromatics

01 2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegan butter)
02 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 2 cloves garlic, minced

Soup Base

01 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
02 1 ½ cups whole milk or unsweetened plant-based milk
03 ½ cup sour cream or vegan sour cream
04 ½ cup shredded cheddar or vegan cheese
05 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
06 ½ teaspoon dried thyme
07 Salt and black pepper to taste

Toppings (Optional)

01 4 tablespoons chopped chives or scallions
02 ½ cup cooked, crumbled bacon or vegan bacon bits
03 Additional shredded cheese or vegan cheese
04 Additional sour cream or vegan sour cream

Directions

Step 01

Bake Potatoes: Preheat oven to 425°F. Prick potatoes with a fork, place on a baking sheet, and bake 45 to 55 minutes until fork-tender. Cool slightly, peel, and roughly mash.

Step 02

Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute more.

Step 03

Combine Potatoes and Broth: Add mashed potatoes to the pot. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine thoroughly.

Step 04

Incorporate Dairy and Seasonings: Stir in milk, sour cream, shredded cheese, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, adjusting consistency with additional broth or milk if needed.

Step 05

Adjust Flavor and Texture: Taste and fine-tune seasoning. For a smoother texture, partially or fully blend soup using an immersion blender.

Step 06

Serve with Toppings: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped chives, bacon or vegan bacon bits, extra cheese, and sour cream as desired.

Gear Needed

  • Oven
  • Baking sheet
  • Large pot
  • Potato masher
  • Immersion blender (optional)
  • Ladle

Allergy warning

Read over each ingredient for allergies and check with your doctor when uncertain.
  • Contains dairy: milk and cheese; use plant-based alternatives for vegan and dairy-free variants.
  • Naturally gluten-free; verify broth and toppings to ensure gluten absence.
  • Contains alliums: onion and garlic.
  • Plant-based ingredients may contain soy or nut allergens; check labels accordingly.

Nutrition details per portion

This is for reference only. Contact your healthcare provider about any concerns.
  • Calorie count: 355
  • Fat content: 11 g
  • Carbohydrate: 54 g
  • Proteins: 9 g