Print

Cozy Crockpot Loaded Potato Soup with Bacon Easy Recipe

cozy crockpot loaded potato soup with bacon - featured image
Print Recipe

A rich and creamy loaded potato soup made in the slow cooker with bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar. This set-it-and-forget-it recipe delivers deep flavor with minimal effort, perfect for cold weather comfort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped (thick-cut works best)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup milk (any kind)
  • For Topping (optional): extra shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled cooked bacon, chopped green onions, a dollop of sour cream

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crispy and the fat has rendered. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet. Set the bacon aside for later.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet with the bacon fat (about 2 tablespoons should remain), add the diced onion. Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  3. Build the base: Transfer the sautéed onions and garlic to your slow cooker. Add the chicken broth, diced potatoes, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Stir everything together to combine.
  4. Slow cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The potatoes are done when they’re fork-tender.
  5. Mash the potatoes: Once the potatoes are tender, use a potato masher to mash them directly in the slow cooker. Aim to leave about half the potatoes whole for texture, mashing the other half to create a creamy base.
  6. Add the creamy elements: Add the softened cream cheese cubes, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and milk to the slow cooker. Stir until everything is melted and fully incorporated, about 2-3 minutes.
  7. Finish and adjust: Stir in about half of the cooked bacon (reserve the rest for topping). Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning. If the soup is too thick, add a splash more milk or broth.
  8. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the reserved bacon, extra shredded cheddar, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t add cream cheese and sour cream too early to avoid curdling. Use low-sodium broth to control salt. Reserve some bacon for topping to maintain crunch. For a thicker soup, mash more potatoes. For a thinner soup, add extra milk or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot potato soup, loaded potato soup, bacon potato soup, slow cooker soup, comfort food, easy potato soup

Find it online: https://noshbelle.com/cozy-crockpot-loaded-potato-soup-with-bacon-easy-recipe/