Creamy Cheddar Potato Chowder 🥔🧀

This luscious cheddar potato chowder is a comforting bowl of goodness that's perfect for chilly days! Bursting with flavor and creamy texture, it’s rich, filling, and can easily be customized to suit your preferences. Serve it up with crusty bread for dipping, or enjoy it on its own for a satisfying meal!

Ingredients

For the chowder

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks of celery, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 cups of vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the toppings

• Cooked bacon bits (optional)
• Chopped green onions
• Extra shredded cheddar cheese
• A dollop of sour cream

Instructions

1. Sauté the Vegetables: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.

2. Add Potatoes and Broth: Add the diced potatoes to the pot and pour in the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and let cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.

🔥 Keep the pot partially covered to prevent over-spilling while boiling. This helps maintain a steady simmer, which is crucial for cooking the potatoes evenly.

3. Blend for Creaminess: Once the potatoes are tender, use an immersion blender to puree part of the chowder, leaving some chunks for texture (or transfer to a blender in batches). Stir in the heavy cream and bring back to a gentle simmer.

4. Cheesy Goodness: Remove the pot from heat and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

🧀 For an extra cheesy experience, consider using a combination of cheeses like Gruyère or Monterey Jack alongside cheddar!

5. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the chowder into bowls and top with your choice of bacon bits, green onions, extra cheddar, and a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess.

Variations

• Vegan: Substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream and use plant-based cheese to keep it dairy-free while maintaining that creamy texture.
• Spicy: Add a chopped jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat. You could also mix in some diced tomatoes for a kick!
• Additional Veggies: Toss in some corn or frozen peas for added sweetness and color—both work wonderfully in this chowder.
• Herb-Infused: Try adding fresh parsley or dill as a finishing touch to enhance the flavor profile.

This cheddar potato chowder is versatile and can be made ahead of time. Reheat gently on the stove when ready to serve—it's comfort food you will crave again and again! 🍽️🥄