The BEST Cheesy Potato Soup (in an Instantpot!)

Today we are going to be making the BEST cheesy potato soup!

This recipe is a family favorite that gets requested ALL THE TIME!

Living in a family with 8 siblings we don't all love the same foods but everyone asks for this soup!!

I've been making this soup for years and have been tweaking it here and there until I now have the perfect combination of flavors! It is rich,creamy,cheesy and has amazing depth of flavor that makes you want to eat bowl after bowl!!!

Need more convincing? This recipe comes together in just few easy steps in less than an hour!

AND this soup is made from start to finish in an Instant Pot which mean that clean up is almost nil!

Which means you can make this soup and enjoy it without being bothered thinking about all of the dishes that need cleaning;)

*I have also included instructions for making it without an instant pot- all instructions will be italic-ed *

Serves about 6

Cook time about 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3lbs potatoes (any kind works - russet for a earthy-er flavor, golden for a buttery-er flavor and I used red because that is what we had;)
• 1lb sausage ( your favorite) * optional *
• 1 onion
• Water
• 1 1/2 sticks butter (12 Tbsp)
• 2 cups milk ( any kind - I used almond milk)
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream ( can skip if using whole milk)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3 cups grated cheddar cheese ( 8oz- sorry its not in the picture I somehow didn't put it in)
• Seasonings ( salt, pepper,paprika,garlic powder, tony's)
• 1 can of corn *optional*

Tools:

• Instant Pot
• Knife
• Spatula/spoon
• Cheese grater
• That's it!

If not using an Instant Pot

Tools:

• Pot for boiling potatoes
• Large pot for sauteing onions and making soup
• Spoon/spatula
• Cheese grater

First we are going to start by peeling and chopping our potatoes.

We actually want to cut these in various sizes, ranging from 1/2" cubes to 1" cubes because when it cooks, the smaller pieces with fall apart when stirred thickening the soup and the bigger pieces will give the soup texture! which results in the best consistency.

Next dice the onion * easy way to cut an onion on the next step!*

Thirdly chop the sausage. I quartered then diced into pieces.

All of these steps are the same if not using an Instant Pot

After many years of my eyes burning while cutting onions I came across this way of doing it that is much quicker- resulting in the onion being cut before my eyes burn!

And so I thought I could share it will ya'll

Step 1: Peel your onion and chop of the stem end

Step 2: Cut in half starting at the end

Step 3: Make 2 horizontal cuts through the onion almost to the end *Do Not Cut All The Way Through (refer to the picture)

Step 4: Make 3 vertical cuts through the onion once again not going all the way through

Step 5: Dice and discard the end

Repeat on the other half.

Set your Instant Pot to saute and melt 1 stick of butter.

Add in your onion and sausage and cook until tender(about 5 minutes) Turn off your instant pot

Add in your potatoes and add water until level with the potatoes.

Select pressure cook and set for 4 minutes( that really is all they need!)

After they are done release pressure and move onto the next step!

*To make without an Instant Pot- put diced potatoes in a pot and cover with water, boil until soft

meanwhile in a large pot *saute onion and sausage with 1 stick of butter until tender(about 5 minutes) * in the next step we will be adding the potatoes and other ingredients in, so make sure it's big enough to hold it all.

Once all the pressure is released, open up the instant pot and add in the rest of the ingredients

: 1/2 stick butter

:1/2 cup sour cream

: 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

:2 cups milk

:3 cups grated cheese

: 1 can of corn (drained)

SEASONINGS

Everyone has a different taste in seasonings (for example my brother likes to add about a teaspoon of tony's to his bowl of soup!) so I am listing how much I added, however season to taste!!

• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon tony's
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Stir to combine!

*After your potatoes are done cooking add in with the onions and sausage,add in all other ingredients except cheese, let cool for 3-4 minutes before adding cheese because if you add cheese when the soup is very hot it "burns" and becomes grainy, which while eatable is not near as good (don't ask me how I know;))

Serve Warm and enjoy!!

Serving suggestions:

This soup is amazing as is, or you can make it next level but topping it off with some crispy bacon!! which is one of our favorite was to enjoy!

Or served with some fresh bread!! (Recipe coming out later this week)

Soup can be refrigerated for 3-4 days (It never lasts that long in our family!)

Leftovers can be microwaved to reheat!

I would love to hear any feedback if you make it!!