Creamy Crockpot Potato Soup

Learn how to make a delicious and creamy crockpot potato soup with easy step-by-step instructions. Perfect for a cozy and comforting meal, topped with bacon, cheddar cheese, and sour cream.

As fall approaches and the days get shorter and cooler, nothing beats the comfort of a warm bowl of soup. Today, we’re diving deep into how to make a rich, creamy potato soup using a crock pot or slow cooker.

This recipe is straightforward, making it perfect for even the busiest of schedules. Plus, with minimal prep work and a hands-off cooking process, you’ll have a delicious, satisfying meal with very little effort. Let’s get started!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather these ingredients before you start:

• Gold Potatoes: You’ll need a little over two pounds, peeled and cut into chunks.
• Cream Cheese: An eight-ounce block.
• Chicken Broth: A 14.5-ounce can.
• Dehydrated Chopped Onions: One tablespoon (or one small fresh onion if you prefer).
• Smoked Paprika: A quarter teaspoon.
• Garlic Powder: Half a teaspoon.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste. Start with half a teaspoon of salt.
• Bacon: One pound, chopped.
• Other Toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese, dried parsley, dried chives, sour cream, cracked black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Steps to Prepare the Soup

Prepping the Potatoes

1. Peel and Cut: Start by peeling and cutting your gold potatoes into chunks. This helps them cook evenly and makes for easier mashing later.

Setting Up the Crock Pot

2. Layer Ingredients: Add your peeled and cut potatoes to a 4 to 4.5-quart crock pot.
3. Seasoning: Add half a teaspoon of salt, your dehydrated chopped onions, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a half teaspoon of cracked black pepper (or a quarter teaspoon if you’re using fine ground pepper).
4. Add Liquids: Pour in the can of chicken broth.
5. Cream Cheese: Chop the block of cream cheese into smaller pieces and add it to the pot.

Cooking Time

6. Set the Slow Cooker: Cover with a lid and set your slow cooker to high for about four hours. If you’re planning to cook it on low, it will take around eight hours.

Preparing the Bacon

While the soup cooks, let’s move on to making some crispy, delicious bacon.

A Special Method for Crispy Bacon

7. Start Cold: Place your chopped bacon into a cold pan.
8. Add Water: Add a half cup of water to the pan. This might seem unusual, but boiling the bacon first can help it render more fat, which makes it extra crispy.
9. Bring to Boil: Allow the water to come to a boil.
10. Fry and Crisp: As the water evaporates, the bacon will start to fry. Move it around to ensure even cooking and crisping.
11. Drain and Reserve: Once crispy, drain the bacon and reserve the fat for another use, like making soft flour tortillas.

Checking the Potatoes

12. Check Tenderness: After about three and a half hours, check the potatoes to see if they’re fork-tender. They should be easy to mash with a fork.

Mashing the Potatoes

13. Whisk: Use a metal whisk to mash some of the potatoes and mix them with the cream cheese. This will create a mix of creamy and chunky textures, but feel free to mash entirely if you prefer a smoother consistency.
14. Cook More: Cover and let it cook for another 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Final Touches and Serving

15. Adjust Consistency: If the soup is too thick for your liking, add a little more chicken broth or some whole milk. If it’s too thin, you can thicken it with some sour cream and cheddar cheese.

Garnishing

16. Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Add shredded cheddar cheese.
17. Cooked Bacon: Add the previously cooked and chopped bacon.
18. Herbs: Garnish with dried parsley and dried chives. If you have fresh herbs, they’re even better.
19. Additional Spices: Add more cracked black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
20. Sour Cream: Add a dollop of sour cream either on top or mixed into the soup.

Serving Suggestions

This hearty potato soup makes for a wonderful one-bowl dinner. It’s perfect on its own, but if you’re looking to balance the meal, consider serving it with a side salad to get some extra greens. The soup’s richness pairs well with a fresh, tangy salad.

Tips and Options

Doubling the Recipe

If you’re feeding a crowd or want to have leftovers, you can easily double the recipe. Just make sure your crock pot is large enough to handle the increased volume.

Vegan Alternatives

Want a vegan version? Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and use a plant-based cream cheese. Additionally, you can use tempeh bacon or any other plant-based bacon substitutes.

Conclusion

With the ease of preparation and the delicious outcome, this crock pot potato soup recipe is sure to become a staple as the weather cools down. The combination of creamy potatoes, tangy cream cheese, and crispy bacon makes it a comfort food classic. We hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy it as much as we do!

So, cozy up with a bowl of this rich, creamy potato soup and let the flavors of fall envelop you. Bon appétit!