Description
Hearty crock pot cheesy potato soup delivers comfort in a bowl for chilly evenings. Simple ingredients and minimal preparation create a creamy, satisfying meal you’ll savor to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 russet potatoes, peeled & diced
- 4 cups (950 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups (226 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or whole milk
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped
- 6 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Combine diced potatoes, minced onion, crushed garlic, and seasonings in the crock pot, creating a robust flavor foundation for the soup.
- Liquid Integration: Pour broth over the ingredients, ensuring complete submersion and even distribution, then set the slow cooker to low temperature for 6-8 hours of gentle simmering.
- Texture Development: Once potatoes reach fork-tender consistency, use a potato masher to partially crush them, transforming the soup into a rustic, creamy blend.
- Dairy Infusion: Gradually introduce heavy cream, shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream, stirring continuously to create a smooth, velvety texture that develops rich, complex flavors.
- Flavor Enhancement: Carefully taste and adjust seasonings, potentially adding extra salt, pepper, or paprika to elevate the soup’s depth and nuance.
- Presentation: Ladle the soup into warm bowls, topping with crisp bacon bits, freshly chopped green onions, and an additional cheese sprinkle to provide visual excitement and textural contrast.
Notes
- Potato Selection Matters: Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for maximum creaminess and easier breakdown during slow cooking.
- Prevent Dairy Curdling: Add heavy cream and cheeses during the last 30 minutes of cooking to maintain smooth texture and prevent separation.
- Customize Consistency: Use a potato masher strategically to control soup thickness – more mashing creates thicker soup, less mashing keeps it chunky.
- Low and Slow is Key: Maintain low temperature setting to ensure tender potatoes and develop deep, rich flavor without burning ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg