Baked (or Mashed) Potato Soup Recipe (2024)

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This soup recipe tastes so rich and creamy, you'd never know it's low in calories and fat. Well, relatively low when you compare it to other cream-based soup recipes. We're having soup weather in St. Louis now, so it was time to make a pot of this deliciousness. The recipe calls for 2% milk and light sour cream. If you prefer to use full-fat dairy, go for it!

Bracken and Rachel made this for us when we visited them in Boston, and we loved it. They found the recipe in Cooking Lightand it has become a favorite of theirs. The original recipe uses baked potatoes, but I sometimes substitute some of my leftover slow cooker mashed potatoes. It was a great way to use up leftovers, and it made this soup really fast to make. However, if you want a chunkier soup, the roughly mashed baked potatoes work better.

Update: I recently started making a sour cream substitute out of cottage cheese (tastes like the real thing!) that can be used in this recipe to lower the calories & fat, and boost the protein. You can't tell the difference in taste, although it does add an extra step.

sour cream substitute (using cottage cheese)

Nutritional Information

For a 1-1/2 cup serving without garnishes:

  • using light sour cream: 264 calories, 8.2g fat, 35.3g carbs, 10.7g sugars, 3g fiber, 12.5g protein.Weight Watchers PointsPlus: 7
  • using sour cream substitute (made from cottage cheese): 249 calories, 5.1g fat, 35g carbs, 10.7g sugar, 3g fiber, 15.5g protein; Weight Watchers PointsPlus: 6 (see my recipe for sour cream substitute link above)
  • If you garnish your bowl of soup with one crumbled slice of crispy bacon, it adds 31 calories, 2.4g fat,.1g carbs, 0g fiber, 2.1g protein; and 1 Weight Watchers PointsPlus

Here's all you need to make this creamy delight.

Ingredients: potatoes (either baked or leftover mashed), flour, 2% milk, low fat sharp cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, low fat sour cream (or sour cream substitute), and green onions.

Baked (or Mashed) Potato Soup Recipe (2)

And you'll need 6 strips of cooked bacon to crumble for a garnish. This is optional, but I sure as heck wouldn't leave it out. An excuse to eat bacon? I'm all over it. I bake bacon in the oven for a tidier, easy method. Here's how.

Baked (or Mashed) Potato Soup Recipe (3)Baked (or Mashed) Potato Soup Recipe (4)

The rest is just so simple. You combine the ingredients in the order described in the recipe below, heat them up, sprinkle on cheese, green onions, and bacon for garnish. Done! Two thumbs up from King-Man and T-Man.

Try serving this with my Cheesy Jalapeno Cornbread. A perfect combo.

Make ahead tip:Bake the potatoes the day before. That makes it very quick to throw this soup together the next day. Or, if you're having baked potatoes for a meal, bake some extra potatoes while you're at it. Then you'll be ready to make soup without heating the oven up twice.

This reheats well. That means a quick lunch the next day. Yum!

Baked (or Mashed) Potato Soup Recipe (5)

Here are some possible variations to try:

  • Stir in a favorite fresh herb like dill or thyme.
  • Add 1-2 cups of chopped ham (omit the bacon garnish).
  • Add clams to turn it into a quick clam chowder.

This is one of our favorite soups. I love that it's easy and tastes so rich, but I don't have to feel guilty about eating it! What's your favorite soup when the weather turns cold?

Make it a Yummy day!
Monica

Baked (or Mashed) Potato Soup

By Monica Servings: 8 1-1/2 cup servings

Ingredients

  • 4 baking potatoes--approx 2-1/2 lbs; OR 4 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 2/3 cup flour
  • 6 cups 2% milk
  • 1 cup low-fat shredded extrasharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt (if using mashed potatoes that have been seasonal already, reduce amount of salt added)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup low-fat sour cream (or sour cream substitute made from cottage cheese*)
  • 3/4 cup chopped green onions, divided
  • 6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled

Directions

--If baking the potatoes, pierce them with a fork and bake at 400 degree for approx. 1 hour, until tender. Let them cool enough to peel, then roughly mash them. OR, use leftover mashed potatoes.
--Add flour to large pot or Dutch oven. Slowly whisk milk into the flour--keep stirring until it's blended. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it starts to thicken (8-10 minutes). Add the mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cheese is completely melted.
--Stir in the sour cream and 1/2 cup green onions.
--Garnish bowls of soup with sprinkles of green onions, shredded cheese, and bacon.
VARIATIONS:
--Stir in a favorite fresh herb like dill or thyme.
--Add 1-2 cups of chopped ham (omit the bacon garnish).
--Add clams to turn it into a quick clam chowder.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION for a 1-1/2 cup serving without garnishes:
--using light sour cream: 264 calories, 8.2g fat, 35.3g carbs, 10.7g sugars, 3g fiber, 12.5g protein. Weight Watchers PointsPlus: 7
--using sour cream substitute (made from cottage cheese): 249 calories, 5.1g fat, 35g carbs, 10.7g sugar, 3g fiber, 15.5g protein; Weight Watchers PointsPlus: 6
--If you garnish your bowl of soup with one crumbled slice of crispy bacon, it adds 31 calories, 2.4g fat,.1g carbs, 0g fiber, 2.1g protein; and 1 Weight Watchers PointsPlus

*recipe for sour cream substitute made from cottage cheese at: www.theyummylife.com/Healthy_Sour_Cream_Substitute

Adapted from Cooking Light.

This post was updated 2/22/13.

Baked (or Mashed) Potato Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is a baked potato healthier than a mashed potato? ›

Generally, mashed potatoes made with just potatoes, milk, and butter can be a source of carbohydrates and vitamins, while adding excessive amounts of butter and cream can increase their calorie and fat content. Whole potatoes, especially with the skin, provide more fiber and other nutrients, such as potassium.

Are mashed potatoes better boiled or baked? ›

For the silkiest fluffy mashed potatoes, start with firm, cool Russet Burbank spuds, also known as baking potatoes. They're the easiest to mash without becoming pasty and are even tastier steamed instead of boiled.

What is the difference between baked and mashed potatoes? ›

The big differences between the two preparations is that mashed potatoes are boiled, and the twice baked are well, baked.

How to make baked potato soup thicker? ›

To thicken potato soup without creating lumps, you can use a roux made of equal parts butter and flour. Melt the butter in a separate pan, add the flour, and whisk until smooth. Slowly whisk the roux into the soup, and let it simmer until thickened.

Why are boiled potatoes better than baked? ›

Roast Or Boil These Potatoes

The texture of boiling potatoes allows them to retain their shape as they are cooked, and their firm interior can taste luxurious with a simple salt crust. These potatoes are usually a little smaller than the baking variety with more natural sugar content and moisture.

Why do restaurant mashed potatoes taste better? ›

Instead of regular milk, pro chefs generally use a generous helping of buttermilk and plenty of half-and-half or (even better) heavy cream in their potatoes. If you think the bartenders up front are pouring heavy, they've got nothing on the cooks in the back who are in charge of the mashed potatoes.

What do professional chefs use to mash potatoes? ›

The secret weapon, a good potato ricer (affiliate). This pushes the potatoes into strings, which helps them soak up every bit of the cream and achieve maximum fluffliness.

Is it better to cut potatoes before boiling for mashed potatoes? ›

Drop a whole russet into the pot and by the time the outside has cooked through, the inside will still be raw. Larger potatoes should be cubed to ensure they cook evenly (peeled first if desired). Smaller potatoes tend to have thin skins and can be boiled whole, no peeling required.

Should mashed potato be with or without skin? ›

Some potatoes, like Yukon Golds and red bliss potatoes have thin tender skins. If you don't mind the texture of the skins in you mash, then no need peel them. If you're making your mash from Russet potatoes, peel them. The Russet's skin is a little thicker and coarser than the skin of the others.

What potato is better for mashed potatoes? ›

The best potatoes for mashed potatoes are a starchy varieties like russet, Idaho or Yukon gold. Starchy potatoes are best for mashed potatoes because they have a fluffy, almost airy texture that breaks down easily.

Are mashed potatoes healthier than bread? ›

Of rice, pasta, potatoes, and bread, potatoes are the healthiest of these starchy and complex carbohydrate foods. This is because potatoes are dense in nutrients, containing essential minerals, vitamins, and other micronutrients. Potatoes are also high in fiber, helping to satiate hunger and regulate blood sugar.

Why isn't my potato soup creamy? ›

Why isn't my potato soup creamy? Most creamy soups require you to add dairy of some sort into it. If you're finding your soup is too thin adding milk, add in cream instead, or whole milk.

Does cream cheese thicken potato soup? ›

Cream cheese can be a delicious and tangy thickener for mashed potatoes so it stands to reason that it can also be used to add body to your favorite silky potato soup recipes — right? The answer is yes. It only works well if you do it carefully, though.

Why do you add flour to the potato soup? ›

Chop 1/2 cup of onion and 1/2 cup celery (about 1 rib), toss potatoes and onions with 3 tablespoons of flour. I start my potato soup with a little bit of flour to hasten the thickening process, rather than relying solely on the potatoes breaking down enough to thicken this soup without cooking it a much longer time.

Are baked potatoes good for a healthy diet? ›

Baked potatoes are very nutritious. They contain fiber and vitamins and minerals including potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and folate. How will potatoes impact weight loss goals? Potatoes will not impact your weight loss goal negatively unless you eat them in access of your calorie limit needed to lose weight.

Why are baked potatoes healthier? ›

Baking: Baking potatoes is a healthy cooking method as long as you don't add butter or oil. The high heat of the oven helps to retain the potato's nutrients, including fiber and potassium. Frying: Frying potatoes increases their calorie and fat content and can lead to the destruction of some.

Is a baked potato healthier than a sandwich? ›

Of rice, pasta, potatoes, and bread, potatoes are the healthiest of these starchy and complex carbohydrate foods. This is because potatoes are dense in nutrients, containing essential minerals, vitamins, and other micronutrients.

What is the healthier version of potatoes? ›

The Healthiest Potato is the Red Potato

After taking into account the mineral density, the vitamin density, the macronutrient balance, the sugar-to-fiber ratio, the sodium-to-potassium ratio, and the phytochemical profile, red potatoes are the healthiest potato with data from the USDA Food Database.

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