Inspired by the culinary wisdom of Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, this creamy potato soup recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for chilly days. Just like Ree’s comforting home-style cooking, this soup is designed to be both delicious and practical for busy lives. While staying true to the spirit of the original, this version incorporates a few tweaks to enhance its healthfulness without sacrificing any of the rich, satisfying flavor that makes potato soup a classic. And the best part? It’s wonderfully freezer-friendly, making meal prep a breeze and ensuring you always have a comforting bowl of goodness within reach.
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Potato Soup: diced carrots, celery, and onion
To begin crafting this delightful potato soup, gather your fresh vegetables. You’ll need 3 medium carrots, 3 celery stalks, and one medium-sized onion. The key to even cooking is to dice these vegetables into uniformly sized pieces. This ensures that each bite is perfectly tender and flavorful.
Diced vegetables for potato soup: carrots, celery, and onion in a bowl
Next, prepare the potatoes, the heart of this soup. Peel and chop 6 medium potatoes. Russet potatoes or red potatoes are excellent choices for their texture and flavor in this soup. Again, aim for similar sized pieces to promote even cooking.
Crispy oven-cooked bacon slices on a wire rack
Now, let’s talk bacon. Ree Drummond often uses bacon grease to build flavor right from the start, and it’s undeniably delicious. For a slightly lighter approach, consider oven-baking your bacon. This method, detailed in our Easy Clean-up Oven Cooked Bacon recipe, renders out much of the fat, leaving you with crispy bacon bits to crumble over your soup. Turkey bacon is another great option for a healthier twist without compromising on smoky flavor.
Cooking diced vegetables in a pot for potato soup
With the bacon prepared, it’s time to sauté the vegetables. If you opted for cooking bacon in the pot, leave the flavorful bacon grease and add your diced carrots, celery, and onions. Sauté them over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes, until they begin to soften. If you baked your bacon separately, use a couple of tablespoons of olive oil to sauté the vegetables.
Adding potatoes and seasonings to the pot of vegetables
Introduce the chopped potatoes to the pot, along with 2 teaspoons of Creole seasoning, ½ teaspoon of Kosher salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the potatoes to slightly soften and absorb the flavors of the spices and vegetables.
Grated Colby Jack cheese in a measuring cup
While the vegetables and potatoes are cooking, prepare the remaining ingredients. Grate 1 cup of Colby Jack cheese – its mild flavor and melting qualities make it perfect for this soup. You’ll also need 1 teaspoon of minced fresh parsley for a touch of freshness, and a slurry made from 1 cup of milk (any kind works, 2% or whole milk creates a richer soup) and 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Whisk the milk and flour together until smooth to prevent lumps in your soup.
This creamy potato soup is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience. It’s a dish that brings people together, warms you from the inside out, and creates lasting memories. Imagine a cold evening, seeking warmth and comfort – this soup is the answer.
Adding chicken broth to the pot with potatoes and vegetables
Pour in 8 cups of reduced sodium chicken broth into the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 10-12 minutes. Once the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, it’s time to thicken the soup. Pour in the milk-flour slurry and stir well. Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the soup to thicken to your desired consistency.
Blending potato soup in a blender for a creamy texture
For an ultra-creamy texture, the next step is crucial. Carefully ladle portions of the potato soup into a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth and then pour the pureed soup into a separate pot. Repeat this process with the remaining soup until it’s all beautifully smooth.
Pouring pureed potato soup into a clean pot
Gently reheat the pureed potato soup over low heat. Stir in ½ cup of heavy cream for added richness and the minced parsley for a fresh herbal note. Taste the soup at this point and adjust seasoning as needed. You may want to add a pinch more salt, pepper, or even a dash of hot sauce for a little kick.
Serving bowl of creamy potato soup topped with cheese and bacon
Ladle generous portions of the creamy potato soup into bowls. Garnish each bowl with a handful of grated Colby Jack cheese and crumbled bacon bits. The melted cheese and crispy bacon topping perfectly complement the smooth, flavorful soup.
Crockpot soup day with various soups including potato cheese soup
This potato cheese soup is incredibly versatile. It’s perfect as a comforting weeknight meal, a potluck favorite, or even a thoughtful dish to bring to someone in need. Its deep flavor and creamy texture make it a crowd-pleaser every time.
Close up of a bowl of potato cheese soup
One of the greatest advantages of this Pioneer Woman inspired potato soup is its freezer-friendliness. Make a double batch and freeze half for future meals. To freeze, let the soup cool completely, then pour it into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. To thaw, simply reheat it gently in a saucepan on the stovetop or thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. This soup truly embodies the spirit of make-once-eat-twice cooking! Enjoy this comforting and convenient recipe, inspired by the one and only Pioneer Woman.
