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Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup with Spinach and Parmesan

Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup with Spinach and Parmesan

Are you still experiencing winter-like weather where you live? Here in Alberta, we still are getting snowfall and below zero degree Celsius temperatures.

Granted, we also have had a few days of spring weather (yay! sunshine and light jackets!), but I’m really waiting for the snow to completely melt away so I can finally put away my snow boots.

My theory is that if everyone puts away their Christmas decorations, spring weather will come sooner. Haha. Although, I hear from some neighbours that it is still impossible to retrieve their decorations since they are buried underneath the massive snow piles on their lawns… so I will think warm thoughts.

With the cold weather, I’ve been all about soups. Although, I am a fan of eating soup year-round, just more so when I’m freezing my behind off trying to walk my dog.

Today’s recipe is made in the Instant Pot (I have short stove-top instructions down below too) and one of my favourites: Potato Leek Soup with Parmesan and Spinach!

How do you make this Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup?

Bowls of potatoes, leeks, celery, onion, garlic, spinach, butter, broth, herbs, parmesan, salt, and pepper.

The ingredients in this soup! Full ingredient amounts and instructions listed in the recipe card below.

Sautéed chopped leeks, onions, celery, and garlic in the Instant Pot.

Sauté the leeks, onions, celery, and garlic in the Instant Pot until tender.

Potato and leek soup ingredients in the Instant Pot.

Add in the potatoes, herbs, and broth and give the soup a stir before cooking at high pressure for 10 minutes.

Creamy, light green Potato Leek Soup with Parmesan and Spinach in the Instant Pot.

Remove the bay leaves, stir in the spinach and then puree the soup until creamy and smooth. Finally stir in the parmesan cheese until it is melted into the mixture.

Note that my pieces of cheese are quite large. To make it easier on yourself, grate or chop your cheese more finely. I ended up mixing the soup for quite a while to get the cheese to completely dissolve into the soup.

A bowl of creamy Potato Leek Soup with Spinach and Parmesan in a wooden bowl with spoons on the side.

What’s in this comforting soup?

The two main ingredients in this soup are potatoes and leeks (of course).

I like to use russet potatoes (often called baking potatoes) because I find, once pureed, it creates a nice thick and creamy texture due to their low moisture content and low starch level.

  • They have a great potato-y flavour (real descriptive, Marie) that’s slightly sweet and earthy (but in a pleasant way).
  • Plus, it’s usually the most inexpensive potato at the supermarket. However, you can use Yukon Gold potatoes if you have them on hand too.

Leeks look like giant thick green onions, have concentric layers, and taste like a mild onion.

  • Did you know that leeks are virtually fat free and are high in vitamin A and a good source of vitamin C?
  • TIP 1: The edible parts of the leek are the white and light green parts (basically the stem). The dark green portion has a tough texture that is best saved for making stock or composting. Some people like to sauté it too, but I’ve never tried doing that.
  • TIP 2: Remember to thoroughly rinse the leeks to remove the dirt and grit out of the layers. Cut the leeks lengthwise and rinse well under cold water until clean.
Overhead view of creamy Potato Leek Soup with Spinach and Parmesan in a bowl that's surrounded by fresh vegetables.

In addition, I included the classic pairing of onion and garlic along with celery to this soup. They give the soup a richer and sweeter flavour base.

The inclusion of bay leaves, dried thyme, and dried rosemary are savoury, aromatic, and compliments the potatoes and leeks so well. Everything is cooked in a chicken broth (or stock if you prefer), which makes it even more delicious.

It’s finished by stirring in fresh baby spinach.

I love adding spinach to all kinds of my recipes (especially salads and smoothies) since it has a lovely mild flavour, tender texture, and it’s super healthy too. Once pureed, it gives this potato leek soup a pretty light green colour.

Finally, parmesan cheese (use parmigiano reggiano; it’s the best!) is stirred into the creamy soup until it melts. It gives the soup that final oomph of umami flavour.

  • TIP 3: Use cheese from a block to ensure that it melts and creates a smooth texture.
    • Don’t use a pre-grated/shredded cheese, which often has an anti-caking ingredient (or stabilizer) added to it that doesn’t allow it to melt well and may form clumps when added to hot foods.
Creamy Potato Leek Soup with Spinach and Parmesan that's garnished with bacon crumbles on top in a bowl.

Overall, this Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup is:

  • Delicious and comforting.
  • Filling and satisfying.
  • Thick and creamy (without the cream, but with the flavourful cheese).
  • Simple and easy to make.
  • Made in one pot: Everything is made in the Instant Pot so clean-up is easy.
Creamy Potato Leek Soup with Spinach and Parmesan that's topped with bacon bits in a wooden bowl.

Check out these other Instant Pot Soup recipes!

I hope you try this recipe! If you do, please leave me a rating and comment down below or tag me on any of my social media. I’m @yay_for_food on Instagram. I’ll love a picture!

Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup with Spinach and Parmesan

Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup with Spinach and Parmesan

Yield: 4-6 (makes 6-7 cups)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

This is one creamy, filling, and delicious soup! Potatoes and leeks are the star ingredients in this Instant Pot recipe! Spinach and parmesan bring additional flavour and colour to this easy and fast meal.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp (1 oz) unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3-4 leeks (12 oz), light green and white parts, rinsed thoroughly and chopped
  • 3 celery ribs, chopped
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3-4 russet potatoes (2.5 lb), peeled and chopped
  • 2½ cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups (packed) baby spinach
  • ½ cup (2 oz) parmesan cheese (parmigiano reggiano), finely chopped/grated *(see first note)
  • Optional topping: bacon crumbles

Instructions

  1. Set the Instant Pot to "sauté". Add the butter, olive oil, leeks, celery, onion, and garlic to the pot, stirring until softened, about 4-5 minutes.
  2. Press "cancel" to turn off the Instant Pot. Add the potatoes, broth, and herbs to the pot. Season generously with salt and pepper. Give the ingredients a good stir to distribute throughout the pot. *(see second note)
  3. Seal the Instant Pot and cook at high pressure (“manual”/"pressure cook" function) for 10 minutes. ***(see third note). After the soup is ready, apply a quick pressure release to completely depressurize (until the floating valve drops).
  4. Open the Instant Pot and remove the bay leaves. Stir in the spinach until wilted. Using an immersion blender ****(see fourth note), blend the soup until it is completely smooth.
  5. Then stir in the cheese until completely melted. Taste for additional salt and pepper (or other seasonings) and top with bacon crumbles if you like. Enjoy.
  6. STOVETOP INSTRUCTIONS: In a large pot or Dutch oven, follow Steps 1 and 2. Then bring the soup to a boil and simmer on the stove for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are very tender. Then follow Steps 4 and 5.

Notes

  • *Use cheese from a block to ensure that it melts and creates a smooth texture. Don’t use a pre-grated/shredded parmesan cheese, which often has an anti-caking ingredient (or stabilizer) added that doesn’t allow it to melt well and may form clumps when added to hot foods.
  • **The broth doesn’t have to completely cover the ingredients, but should be visible when you look into the pot.
  • ***It takes 10-15 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.
  • ****You can also blend in a high-powered blender in small batches. Careful as the soup is hot and it may splatter.
  • Nutritional calories represent one serving (excluding optional toppings) with six servings total.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 388Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 991mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 8gSugar: 7gProtein: 14g

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Jill G

Monday 14th of January 2019

Well, this sounds good, and I'm guessing it will taste good. I have it cooking now (finally). It's a complete farce that this takes 15 minutes to prep!!! I guess you count only after you have all the vegetables, washed, peeled and cut, because that alone takes at LEAST 30-45 minutes. With the sauteeing, which takes much more than a few minutes, it's already been 1 hr 15 min and it's not even up to pressure yet. So, maybe be a little more realistic and honest with your timing. My family will now likely eat at least 1.5 hours after dinnertime, that's if I'm lucky, and nothing else is a lot more time than expected.

Marie | Yay! For Food

Monday 14th of January 2019

Hi Jill. I’m sorry that this recipe took longer than the stated time. The prep times are based on my own experience in making the recipe a few times prior to posting. The total time excludes the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure since there are differences in pressurizing times based on the Instant Pot model. It’s never my intention to give people the wrong idea about how long a recipe is going to take.

Kelly

Monday 12th of November 2018

Doh! Just used up the last of my Spinach. Wonder if Kale would work just as well. Maybe if i sauteed it first?

Marie | Yay! For Food

Tuesday 13th of November 2018

Hi! You can use sauteed kale, but I'm not sure if it will fully blend down to a creamy texture like spinach would. You can always leave the greens out too. Let me know what you go with and what you think of this soup!

heather (delicious not gorgeous)

Wednesday 18th of April 2018

this is such a gorgeous, creamy soup! love that shade of green (:

Marie | Yay! For Food

Thursday 19th of April 2018

Thanks! I love the green colour too!

Dannii

Wednesday 18th of April 2018

Leek and potato soup is my favourite, but I love the idea of adding spinach too. This looks delicious.

Marie | Yay! For Food

Wednesday 18th of April 2018

Thank you!

Michelle

Wednesday 18th of April 2018

Oh wow, I thought the weather was bad here in the UK! We're finally seeing some sunshine after a very long winter! That said I think I'm still gonna make this, it sounds and looks delicious ;-)

Marie | Yay! For Food

Wednesday 18th of April 2018

It's supposed to get much warmer by the end of the week! :)

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