Transform your holiday or dinner leftovers into a rich, creamy, and incredibly satisfying meal with this leftover mashed potato soup recipe. This is the ultimate kitchen hack for busy weeknights, turning what might have been food waste into a gourmet-tasting soup in under 20 minutes. Forget peeling and boiling potatoes; the hard work is already done!
This soup is pure comfort in a bowl. It’s thick, velvety, and packed with flavor, making it the perfect solution for a chilly day or when you need a quick, heartwarming dinner. We’ll show you how to get that perfect consistency and flavor every single time.
Why This Leftover Mashed Potato Soup Recipe is a Game-Changer
You’re going to fall in love with this recipe, and here’s why:
- Reduces Food Waste: It gives a delicious new purpose to leftover mashed potatoes, which often get forgotten in the back of the fridge.
- Incredibly Fast: Since the potatoes are already cooked and mashed, you skip the most time-consuming steps. This soup comes together in record time.
- Ultra Creamy Texture: Using mashed potatoes as the base creates a naturally thick and velvety soup without needing a lot of extra thickeners.
- Completely Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic canvas for your favorite toppings. Think loaded baked potato in a bowl!
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You only need a handful of pantry staples to create something truly special.
- Leftover Mashed Potatoes: The star of the show! About 4 cups will do. The seasoning and creaminess of your original mashed potatoes will contribute to the final flavor.
- Butter: Used for sautéing the aromatics and adding richness.
- Onion & Garlic: The essential flavor base for almost any great soup.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth: This thins out the potatoes to a soup consistency and adds a savory depth of flavor.
- Heavy Cream or Milk: For that extra touch of creaminess. Use heavy cream for a richer soup or milk for a lighter version.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar adds a wonderful tangy flavor that complements the potatoes perfectly.
- Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, and maybe a pinch of paprika or cayenne for warmth.
How to Make Leftover Mashed Potato Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this soup is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these simple steps for a perfect bowl every time.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the leftover mashed potatoes and chicken or vegetable broth to the pot. Stir everything together until the mashed potatoes begin to dissolve into the broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Blend for Smoothness (Optional): For a perfectly smooth and velvety texture, use an immersion blender to blend the soup directly in the pot. If you don’t have one, you can carefully transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender.
- Add Dairy and Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Continue to stir gently until the cheese is completely melted and the soup is heated through. Do not let it boil after adding the cream.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. The amount of salt will depend on how seasoned your original mashed potatoes were. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings.
Pro Tips for the Best Creamy Potato Soup
Want to elevate your soup even more? Keep these tips in mind.
- Adjust Consistency: If your soup is too thick, simply stir in a little more broth until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, let it simmer for a few extra minutes to reduce or whisk in a small cornstarch slurry.
- Don’t Boil the Cream: Adding the cream and cheese at the end over low heat is crucial. Boiling can cause the dairy to curdle, changing the texture of your soup.
- Taste As You Go: Because your leftover mashed potatoes are already seasoned, it’s important to taste the soup before adding more salt.
Fun Variations to Try
This leftover mashed potato soup is incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas to switch things up:
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup: Stir in some cooked, crumbled bacon and top with extra cheese, sour cream, and sliced green onions or chives.
- Vegan & Dairy-Free: Use vegetable broth, sauté the onions in olive oil instead of butter, use a dairy-free milk alternative (like unsweetened almond or soy milk), and stir in a vegan cheddar cheese substitute at the end.
- Spicy Potato Soup: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, a dash of hot sauce, or some chopped jalapeños when you sauté the onions for a spicy kick. For a smoky heat, try adding some of the sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo. A dish like this spicy cajun alfredo can give you more ideas on how to incorporate some heat.
Topping Ideas for Your Soup
Toppings are where you can get really creative. Set up a toppings bar and let everyone customize their own bowl!
- Crispy Bacon Bits
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- A dollop of Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
- Freshly Chopped Chives or Green Onions
- Croutons or Crackers
- Steamed Broccoli Florets
Storing and Reheating Instructions
This soup makes for fantastic leftovers… again! Allow the soup to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of broth or milk to thin it out as it will thicken in the fridge.
We do not recommend freezing this soup, as the potatoes and dairy can separate upon thawing, resulting in a grainy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
We generally do not recommend freezing soups that are dairy-based and potato-heavy. The texture of the potatoes can become grainy, and the cream can separate when thawed and reheated. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Using leftover mashed potatoes creates a naturally thick soup. If you want it even thicker, you can let it simmer on low heat for an extra 5-10 minutes to allow more liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, you can make a slurry with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the simmering soup.
To make a vegan version, use olive oil or vegan butter for sautéing, full-fat unsweetened plant-based milk (like oat or soy) instead of heavy cream, and your favorite brand of vegan shredded cheddar. Ensure you use vegetable broth as your base.
Think of it as a loaded baked potato! The best toppings include crispy crumbled bacon, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, and freshly chopped chives or green onions. Croutons also add a great crunch.
This soup is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a crusty piece of bread for dipping, a fresh green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, or a simple sandwich like a classic grilled cheese.
More Cozy Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this simple and comforting soup, you might also love exploring other easy dinner ideas. For another cheesy and satisfying meal, check out this Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole recipe. Or, for a different take on a classic comfort dish, this recipe for French Onion Pot Roast is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. And if you’re in the mood for something with a bit of spice, these Chipotle Beef Tacos are a fantastic choice.
The Easiest Leftover Mashed Potato Soup
Leftover Mashed Potato Soup: The Ultimate 20-Minute Comfort Meal
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the leftover mashed potatoes and broth to the pot. Stir to combine, breaking up the potatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes have mostly dissolved.
- For an ultra-smooth soup, use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Reduce the heat to low. Slowly stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted. Do not let the soup boil.
- Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings like bacon, extra cheese, and chives.
Notes
Flavor Boost: The flavor of your soup will largely depend on your mashed potatoes. If they were plainly seasoned, you might want to add extra herbs like thyme or a pinch of paprika.
Share This Amazing Recipe!
We hope you love this easy and delicious leftover mashed potato soup! It’s proof that leftovers can be just as exciting as the first meal. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment below and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to share it on Pinterest for others to discover!
