Crock Pot Loaded Potato Soup
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A steaming bowl of creamy potato soup is hard to beat when it comes to comfort food. Whether it’s a chilly day or just in the mood for something hearty and satisfying, Crock Pot Loaded Potato Soup meets all the criteria.
This recipe takes minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor, making it ideal for busy families or anyone who loves a good meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Who doesn’t love a recipe that is indulgent and easy?
Crock Pot Loaded Potato Soup
Loaded with creamy cheese, smoky bacon, and perfectly seasoned potatoes, every bite is perfect. And since it is made in the crock pot, you can set it, forget it, and let the magic happen. Go about your day and one less worry.
Gather Your Ingredients
- 32 oz. bag of cubed frozen hash browns – These are so easy to use and keep on hand.
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup – Another pantry staple to keep on hand.
- 32 oz. chicken broth
- 8 oz. shredded cheese (mild or sharp) – Dealers’ choice: use one in the soup and the other in the options for toppings.
- 1 (8 oz.) block of cream cheese, softened – Letting it soften before adding it helps it melt evenly.
- 3/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon – Bacon makes everything better! You can cook it fresh or use pre-cooked crumbles for convenience.
- Salt & pepper to taste
Optional Toppings: - shredded cheese
- green onions
- bacon bits
- sour cream
Let’s Make Crock Pot Loaded Potato Soup
Step 1: Prep the Crock Pot
Start by plugging in your crock pot and setting it to your desired temperature. Give it a light spray with non-stick cooking spray to make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Add the Ingredients
Dump the frozen hash browns straight into the crock pot. Pour in the chicken broth and stir in the cream of chicken soup until it’s well combined. Add the shredded cheese and softened cream cheese. To avoid clumps, consider cutting it into chunks before adding it to the pot.
Next, stir in 3/4 cup of crumbled bacon.
Step 3: Cook the Soup
- If you are short on time, set your crock pot to high and let the soup cook for 3 hours.
- If you plan ahead, set it to low and let it simmer gently for 6-7 hours.
Stir the soup occasionally so the cream cheese can fully melt and incorporate into the base.
Step 4: Season and Serve
Once the cooking time is up, taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle it into bowls and let everyone customize their own serving with their favorite toppings.
Tips, Tricks, and Answers to FAQ’s
Tips for Perfect Potato Soup
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese blaends much better than cold cream cheese. If you are in a hurry and forgot to set it out, microwave it for 10-15 seconds to speed up the process. Then cut into cubes before you stir it into the soup.
- Stir Occasionally: to ensure the cream cheese melts evenly and nothing sticks to the bottom, stir the soup once or twice during cooking. This step helps but isn’t always possible for busy times; your soup will need to be stirred well before you serve and let rest again for 10-15 minutes, then serve.
- Go Fresh if You Want: While frozen hash browns are a time-saver and easy to keep on hand, you can use fresh potatoes. Peel and dice them into small cubes before add them to the crock pot.
Variations to Try
- Spicy Twist: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapenos for a kick of heat.
- Veggie Boost: Toss in chopped carrots, celery, or corn to add texture and nutrition.
- Ham Instead of Bacon: If you have leftover ham, dice it up and use it instead of bacon for a slightly different flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! While cheddar is a classic choice, you can experiment with Monterey Jack, Colby, or eve pepper jack for a little spice.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm it on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
Q: Can I freeze this soup?
While you can freeze it, remember that soups with cream cheese and potatoes may change texture slightly when thawed. To freeze, put the soup in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Q: What’s the serving size?
This recipe makes about 6-8 servings, depending on the portion size. For six people, plan for roughly 1 1/3 cups per serving.
Crock Pot Loaded Potato Soup is a recipe that hits all the right notes: easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking for a cozy meal for your family, this soup is sure to become a favorite in your home. so grab your crock pot, gather those simple ingredients and enjoy a bowl of easy comfort!
More great soup recipes:
- Instant Pot Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
- Tuscan Sausage and Kale Soup
- Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Crockpot Beef Taco Soup
Crock Pot Loaded Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 32 oz bag cubed frozen hash browns
- 1 can (10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
- 32 oz chicken broth
- 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese mild or sharp
- 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese softened
- 3/4 cup bacon cooked and crumbled
- Salt & pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- shredded cheese
- green onion
- bacon bits
- sour cream
Instructions
Prep the Crock Pot
- Plug in your crock pot and set it to your desired cooking temperature (high or low). Give it a light spray with non-stick cooking spray for easier cleanup later.
Combine Ingredients
- Add the entire bag of frozen hash browns to the crock pot.
- Pour in the chicken broth and stir in the cream of chicken soup until well combined.
- Add the shredded cheese and softened cream cheese. (Tip: Cut the cream cheese into chunks to help it melt faster and evenly.)
- Stir in ¾ cup of crumbled cooked bacon.
Cook
- High Setting: Cover the crock pot and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the cream cheese melts and incorporates fully.
- Low Setting: Cover the crock pot and cook for 6-7 hours, stirring occasionally.
Season To Taste
- Once the soup is cooked, taste it and add salt and pepper as needed. Stir well to distribute the seasoning.
Serve and Top
- Ladle soup into bowls and let everyone customize their own bowl with optional toppings like more shredded cheese, green onions, bacon bits, and a dollop of sour cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates, for exact values consult a nutritionist.
Totally making this later this week!
I did make this last year and thanks to you posting on the Celebrate 365 Soup Swap, it was a great reminder to make it again! This sounds perfect on a bitterly cold day like today!
This soup is really good with homemade monte cristos! Perfect easy weeknight dinner
My son is going back to college and with cold winters in Maine soup is a good quick meal. I was looking for a crockpot dump recipe for loaded potato soup and this looked great. Made it today to try and it was on the thin side for him so I showed him how to use a potato masher to thicken it up and it worked great. It was a hit with everyone and so easy to make. Thanks for sharing.