Cheesy Sausage Potato Soup

The rich combination of smoky sausage, creamy cheddar, and fork-tender potatoes makes this cheesy sausage potato soup a total comfort food classic. Every bite is packed with cozy flavors and satisfying textures, perfect for warming up on cold nights.

What makes this soup a standout is the velvety cheese sauce whisked into a chunky base of potatoes, onions, and celery all brought together with simple pantry ingredients. It’s a one pot wonder that feels indulgent but is shockingly easy to prepare. Whether you’re serving a hungry family or meal prepping for the week, this soup delivers hearty, cheesy goodness in every spoonful.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 14 ounces smoked sausage, chopped into ½-inch pieces

• ½ cup finely diced onion

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 4 cups chicken broth (2 x 15oz cans)

• 3½ cups russet potatoes (about 2 large), peeled and diced

• 2 celery ribs, finely chopped

• 5 tablespoons butter

• ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

• 2 cups milk (any kind)

• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (about 6 ounces)

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• Salt to taste

• Sour cream for topping (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage and brown lightly. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

2. In the same pot, add onions and cook until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook until golden.

3. Add potatoes, celery, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10–15 minutes, until potatoes are fork-tender.

4. Mash about half of the potatoes in the pot to create a creamier base.

5. In a separate pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook until slightly golden.

6. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until fully melted.

7. Combine cheese sauce with the soup base. Season with pepper and salt to taste.

8. Stir in the sausage and heat through. Serve hot with optional sour cream and extra cheese.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: 460 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

Cheesy Sausage Potato Soup: A Comfort Food Classic

When the air turns crisp and the daylight shortens, there’s nothing quite like a rich, cheesy soup simmering on the stove to make a home feel warm and welcoming. Cheesy Sausage Potato Soup is one of those hearty, soul-satisfying meals that checks all the boxes comforting, filling, and irresistibly delicious. It brings together the smoky depth of sausage, the buttery softness of potatoes, and the creamy indulgence of cheddar cheese in a bowl that’s as satisfying on a busy weekday evening as it is during a slow weekend gathering with family.

Though rooted in humble ingredients, this soup offers a luxurious texture and complex flavor that belies its simplicity. It’s a dish that feels familiar and nostalgic, yet it’s surprisingly flexible and easy to personalize based on your preferences or pantry availability. If you’re looking to add a new staple to your cold-weather meal rotation, Cheesy Sausage Potato Soup is a perfect choice.

Why We Love This Soup

What makes this soup so beloved is the contrast and balance it offers. The creaminess of the cheese sauce mingles with the rustic heartiness of potatoes, while smoked sausage adds a punch of flavor that transforms the dish from simple comfort food to a full meal in a bowl.

There’s also the versatility of it while indulgent, it’s not overly heavy. You can make it richer with full-fat milk or lighten it up using turkey sausage and low fat dairy products. And with the right bread on the side, this soup can serve as both a starter and the main event. That adaptability makes it a favorite for families, couples, and solo cooks alike.

The Soul of the Dish: Smoked Sausage

Smoked sausage is the secret weapon in this dish. Unlike fresh sausages, which require thorough cooking and seasoning, smoked sausage comes pre-cooked and packed with flavor. Its slightly smoky profile infuses the broth with depth even before the cheese is added, and the texture of diced sausage offers a satisfying chew that contrasts beautifully with soft, starchy potatoes.

From kielbasa to andouille, there’s plenty of room to experiment. Beef and pork blends give a classic, hearty flavor, while chicken and turkey sausages offer lighter alternatives without sacrificing too much of that characteristic smokiness.

Cheese: Creamy, Melty Magic

Cheddar cheese plays a leading role in this soup, providing a velvety body and sharpness that enhances the dish’s richness. One of the key tips here is using freshly shredded cheese rather than bagged varieties, which often include anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.

You can adjust the sharpness of the flavor depending on your audience mild cheddar for kids, or extra-sharp for a more grown-up, pronounced cheese flavor. Want to mix things up? Blend in some Gruyère for nuttiness or a touch of smoked gouda for depth.

The cheese isn’t just a flavoring it’s a textural element, creating the luscious, cling to the spoon consistency that defines the soup. And when paired with the starch released from partially mashed potatoes, it forms a thick and creamy base that rivals any chowder.

Potatoes: The Comfort Core

Potatoes are the heart of this dish. They provide bulk, subtle sweetness, and that melt in your mouth consistency that makes every bite cozy. Russet potatoes are ideal here thanks to their high starch content, which helps thicken the soup without the need for excessive cream or flour.

One of the best techniques used in this soup is smashing only half the cooked potatoes. This method thickens the soup while still leaving chunks for texture, striking a beautiful balance between rustic and refined.

Soup Building: The Role of the Roux

What elevates this soup beyond a simple broth-based stew is the inclusion of a classic roux a mix of butter and flour cooked until golden. The roux not only thickens the base but adds a nutty, toasty note that complements the sharp cheese and smoky sausage.

When milk is added gradually to the roux and then mixed with cheese off the heat, it forms a silky, lump-free cheese sauce that marries beautifully with the broth. This technique might seem like a small detail, but it’s a game-changer in achieving that rich, restaurant quality finish.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Cheesy Sausage Potato Soup is hearty enough to stand on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. A crusty sourdough or warm baguette is perfect for dipping and soaking up every last bit. For a fresh contrast, consider serving it alongside a simple green salad with vinaigrette, or some roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or green beans.

It also makes a lovely starter for more formal meals. Serve a small bowl before a main course of roasted chicken or pork tenderloin, and you’ve got a dinner party-ready meal.

For drinks, a crisp apple cider or light-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc offers a nice contrast to the richness of the soup. If you’re keeping things casual, a craft amber ale also complements the smoky and cheesy notes beautifully.

Make-Ahead Tips and Storage

One of the great things about this soup is how well it holds up to time. In fact, the flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even better the next day. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days.

However, it’s not a great candidate for freezing due to the high dairy and potato content. When frozen and thawed, the texture can become grainy and the potatoes mealy. If you must freeze it, consider freezing just the broth base (before adding the cheese sauce), and then reheat and finish with the cheese sauce upon serving.

Customizations and Dietary Swaps

While the original recipe leans into decadence, it’s also highly customizable:

• Gluten-free: Substitute the flour with a gluten-free blend or use cornstarch to thicken the milk.

• Dairy-free: Use plant-based butter, milk, and cheese alternatives. The flavor will change slightly but can still be delicious.

• Low-carb: Swap out the potatoes for cauliflower florets or turnips to cut down on carbohydrates.

• Vegetarian: Replace the sausage with meatless alternatives and use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock.

The flexibility of this dish makes it suitable for various dietary needs and lifestyles without compromising on taste or comfort.

Conclusion:

Cheesy Sausage Potato Soup is more than just a bowl of warmth it’s a celebration of simple ingredients elevated through technique and care. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, or as a comforting dish to share with friends and family.

From the smoky richness of sausage to the melt in your mouth texture of potatoes and the creamy indulgence of cheese, each spoonful delivers nostalgia, satisfaction, and flavor. Whether you follow the recipe to the letter or make it your own with custom twists, this soup promises to earn a regular spot in your recipe rotation.

If you’re looking for a way to bring warmth and coziness to your table this season, look no further. This soup doesn’t just feed it comforts, connects, and delights.