This creamy Instant Pot scalloped potato soup recipe is an easy, budget-friendly dinner made with boxed scalloped potatoes, cheese, and simple pantry ingredients. It’s cozy, customizable, and includes Instant Pot, crockpot, and stovetop methods of making it. 

Scalloped potato soup is one of those comforting dishes that feels a little nostalgic and very practical. This recipe started as a way to turn a humble box of scalloped potatoes into a full, filling potato soup using what I already had on hand. It’s creamy, packed with flavor, and flexible enough to make on a busy weeknight. I love that it stretches boxed scalloped potatoes into a big dish that feeds an entire family.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 teaspoon of garlic

1 teaspoon thyme

2 boxes of scalloped potatoes with seasoning packets

2 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup frozen peas

1 15 ounce can of corn

1 cup of chopped ham

Salt and pepper, to taste

Chopped chives, for garnish

Equipment Needed

Instant Pot 

Cutting board 

Knife

Measuring cups 

Wooden spoon or spatula 

If using another cooking method:

Large pot, Large saucepan, Crockpot

Where to Buy Boxed Scalloped Potatoes.

Boxed scalloped potatoes are easy to find and usually inexpensive. I buy them at grocery stores like Walmart, Target, Aldi, Hy-Vee, Kroger, and even some dollar-style stores. They’re typically in the pasta or boxed side-dish aisle and often go on sale, making them perfect for pantry cooking.

What are Boxed Scalloped Potatoes?

Boxed scalloped potatoes became popular in the mid-20th century when convenience foods took off. The dried potatoes and seasoning mix were designed to make the dish faster, cheaper, and more accessible for home cooks.

If you like this recipe, you should also try:

Instant Pot Pastina Soup

Instant Pot Pasta e Fagioli soup

Scalloped Potato Chicken and Broccoli Casserole 

Scalloped Potato Breakfast Casserole 

Instant Pot Scalloped Potato Soup Directions

1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté and melt the butter. Add the diced onion, garlic, thyme,  and black pepper.  and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
2. Add the boxed scalloped potatoes and seasoning packet directly to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and water, making sure the potatoes are mostly submerged.
3. Cancel sauté. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual pressure on high for 8 minutes. Once the cook time is done, allow a 5-minute natural release, then carefully do a quick release.
4. Open the lid and stir well. The potatoes should be very tender. If you prefer a thicker potato soup, use a spoon or potato masher to lightly break up some of the potatoes right in the pot.
5. Turn the Instant Pot back to sauté on low. Stir in the cream, peas, corn, and ham.  Let the soup simmer for a few minutes until thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
6. Serve hot and top with prefered toppings.

Slow Cooker Directions

1. Add butter and onion to a skillet and cook over medium heat until softened, then transfer to the crockpot.
2. Add the scalloped potatoes, seasoning packets, chicken broth, and water. Stir well.
3. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender.
4. Stir in cream, peas, ham, and corn during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Cover and cook until melted and creamy.

Stovetop Directions

1. Melt butter in a large pot or large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened.
2. Add scalloped potatoes, seasoning packets, chicken broth, and water.
3. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce to medium heat. Simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender.
4. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in cream and cheese and cook until melted and thickened.

Storage and Reheating Store leftover potato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The soup will thicken as it sits. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream if needed to loosen it.

Did you try this easy Scalloped Potato Soup recipe? I would love to hear how it turned out for you!  Please comment below this blog post or tag me on social media and let me know how this recipe worked out for you!  You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.