Simple Potato and Onion Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting, economical soup made with humble ingredients that transforms into a velvety delight. This comfort food-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs potatoes, onion, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Comfort Food cuisine 250 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion, 1 diced carrot, 2 diced celery stalks, and 2 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 diced medium potatoes, 4 cups chicken broth, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried). Bring to a simmer.
  3. Step 3: Cover and cook for 25 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  4. Step 4: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or transfer to a blender in batches and blend until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Return to pot and heat through for 2 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Simple Potato and Onion Soup take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Simple Potato and Onion Soup?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep potatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Simple Potato and Onion Soup?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Simple Potato and Onion Soup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Simple Potato and Onion Soup vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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