This simple potato soup recipe was one of the very first recipes I ever shared, all the way back in 2009! And around here, it has stood the test of time. We love it as much now as we did 11 years ago!

Bowl of Back-to-Basics Easy Potato Soup

This Back-to-Basics Easy Potato Soup recipe is ultra comforting and creamy, but without a lick of cream, and no need for a roux, either. It’s simply potatoes and veggies, simmered until tender, then mashed a bit for thickness. Add milk, salt, pepper, parsley, you’re done! And it’s so good!

This 6-ingredient potato soup recipe is gluten-free, vegetarian, and easily vegan – just swap the cow’s milk for almond milk.

And not only is it delicious, it’s also really frugal – it costs so very little to make! In fact, for 10 years it went by “45-Cent Potato Soup” – my calculation of how much the soup cost per serving back in 2009 – until I updated the title to something a little more reader-friendly.

Bowl of Back-to-Basics Easy Potato Soup

This potato soup is surprisingly full of flavor considering its simple list of ingredients. It comes together in about 30 minutes for an easy, comforting weeknight meal – perfect comfort food for a blustery cold day. And absolutely delicious with a big hunk of crusty bread.

How to Make Potato Soup

What goes into this easy potato soup? Well, for one, we have:

  • Potatoes

Shocker, right? Specifically, russet potatoes – you know, those big Idaho spud baking potatoes? Those. You’ll want about 4 large ones. Peel them and dice them, and add them to a big pot with:

  • Onion
  • Celery
  • Carrots

and

  • Water!

Potato soup ingredients prepped and in the pot, ready to cook

From there, you’ll cook until everything’s tender, then mash most of it with a potato masher.

Add milk, salt, some pepper, and some parsley (if you like). And seriously, you’re done. That’s it. Potato soup for all.

Bowl of Back-to-Basics Easy Potato Soup

I told you it was easy!

Spoonful of Back-to-Basics Easy Potato Soup

This easy potato soup recipe is a fall and winter staple around here. And I hope it becomes a keeper for your family, too!

More potato soup possibilities

  • Baked Potato Soup combines loaded baked potato goodness with comforting potato soup. Just add bacon for the meat-eaters.
  • This Potato-Kale Soup is amped up with fennel seed. Add sausage to the meat-eaters’ portions for a perfect one-dish-two-ways situation.
  • Creamy Sweet Potato Rosemary Soup has sweet potato instead of potato-potato, but it’s still got the cozy vibe we crave.

If you try this recipe, please leave a rating! And, if you find it share-worthy – which I hope you do – please share. Tag #kitchentreaty on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, and don’t forget to check out my other recipes!

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 35 mins

Back-to-Basics Easy Potato Soup

5 from 15 votes
Only 6 simple ingredients and you have this rib-sticking vegetarian potato soup. It's super creamy (no cream or roux necessary) and comforting - yet SO easy to make!
Print Pin Rate
Yield: 4

Ingredients

  • 4-5 medium russet potatoes (about 3 pounds) (peeled and diced; about 6 cups diced))
  • 1 medium onion, diced (about two cups diced)
  • 2 stalks celery, diced (about 1 cup diced)
  • 1 carrot, peeled and diced (about 1/2 cup diced)
  • 1 cup milk (2% dairy milk or unsweetened plain almond milk are both great)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  • To a 4-quart or larger dutch oven or soup pot, add the potatoes, onion, celery, and carrots. Add water to approximately 1/2 inch below the top of the vegetables.
  • Set on stove and turn to high.
  • Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer until all of the vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally - about 20 minutes.
  • Using a potato masher, carefully mash most of the soup (it's going to be hot!), leaving a few chunks for texture.
  • Stir in the milk and the parsley. Add 1 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired. (I usually add about one more teaspoon of salt - potato soup takes a lot of salt! But you may wish to use less. Or more!)
  • Serve. The soup will thicken as it cools.
  • To store, refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat in soup pot. If the soup is very thick upon reheating, it can be thinned out with some water.

Notes

Vegan option:

Use unsweetened, plain almond milk.

Meat option:

Top with cooked, crumbled bacon.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2cups, Calories: 228kcal, Carbohydrates: 46g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 648mg, Potassium: 1130mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 3052IU, Vitamin C: 21mg, Calcium: 121mg, Iron: 2mg
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