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Cozy Crockpot Loaded Baked Potato Soup: The Best Easy Recipe

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This creamy, cheesy, bacon-loaded potato soup is made entirely in the slow cooker. It’s the ultimate comfort food that tastes like you spent hours stirring, but the crockpot does all the work.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
  • Optional toppings: extra shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, sour cream

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a cold large skillet over medium heat, flipping occasionally, until crispy (8-10 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble into small pieces. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
  2. Add the butter to the skillet with the reserved bacon fat. Heat over medium until melted. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Transfer the sautéed onions and garlic to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the diced potatoes, chicken broth, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Stir to combine.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
  5. Use an immersion blender to pulse the soup 4-5 times, breaking up about half of the potatoes. Alternatively, use a potato masher to mash 4-5 times directly in the pot.
  6. Stir in the softened cream cheese until fully melted and incorporated. Then pour in the heavy cream and stir.
  7. Gradually sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring constantly, until fully melted and the soup is smooth and creamy.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. If the soup is too thick, stir in a splash of broth or milk. If too thin, let it cook uncovered on low for 15-20 minutes.
  9. Serve immediately, topped with extra cheddar, crumbled bacon, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream.

Notes

For best results, shred your own cheddar cheese from a block to avoid graininess. Let cream cheese soften to room temperature before adding. Add dairy at the end to prevent curdling. The soup thickens as it sits; add a splash of broth when reheating.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/cozy-crockpot-loaded-baked-potato-soup-the-best-easy-recipe/