This simple vegetarian 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 this potato soup recipe as much now as we did then!

A serving of Potato Soup in a blue bowl with a wooden background. Parsley is on the top for garnish.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

This Vegetarian 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.

Readers say …

I love this soup, cheap, easy, delicious, and customizable!

– Joanna
Potato Soup in a blue ceramic bowl, ready to serve.

Vegetarian Potato Soup Ingredients

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.

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

  • Potatoes – 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 – Any kind you like, though red might color the soup in a strange way. I tend to use good old standard yellow onions.
  • Celery – Just a little, diced.
  • Carrots – I love the added veggies an a bit of color for this vegetarian potato soup.

and

  • Water!

then, we cook and mash it all together, and add:

  • Milk – Use your favorite unsweetened, unflavored milk.
  • Salt & pepper – lots of it. Potatoes need a lot of salt!

Adaptations & Variations

There are many ways to amp up this potato soup, or to adapt it for your diet.

  • Add more veggies: I love cauliflower and broccoli to really make this a hearty veggie potato soup. Or stirring in a bit of kale or spinach at the end is a great way to add some greens.
  • Make it vegan/dairy-free: Just use a plant-based milk. I’ve used both unsweetened/unflavored oat milk and almond milk and they’re both great.
  • Use broth instead of water for an instant boost of flavor. I love this homemade vegetable broth!
  • Stir in some cheddar cheese shreds with the milk for a cheesy potato soup recipe. Yum.
Potato soup ingredients prepped and in the pot, ready to cook

How to Make This Potato Soup Recipe

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.

Potato Soup in a rustic blue bowl with parsley garnish.

I told you it was easy!

A spoonful of potato soup is lifted out of the bowl.

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

How to Store & Reheat Potato Soup

Keep your leftover potato soup in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, add it to a saucepan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Potato soup thickens as it sits, so you will likely want to add more water, milk, or a splash of broth to loosen it up again.

More Potato Soup Ideas

  • 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.
  • Ever elegant and classy, this Vichyssoise – chilled potato leek soup – is a delicious twist for summer.

More Potato Recipes

4.81 from 21 votes

Creamy Potato Soup Recipe

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Author: Kare
Yield: 4
Only 6 simple ingredients and you have this rib-sticking potato soup. It's super creamy (no cream or roux necessary) and comforting – yet SO easy to make!
Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

  • 4-5 medium russet potatoes (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*
  • 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

*Milk Notes

2% dairy milk and whole milk are delicious dairy options. I like plain oat milk or unsweetened plain almond milk for plant-based options. 

Vegan option:

Use unsweetened, plain almond milk or plain oat 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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