Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup is the ultimate comfort food, packed with rich, creamy, and savory flavors that will warm you from the inside out. This hearty soup is loaded with tender potatoes, crispy bacon, melted cheddar cheese, and a touch of heavy cream, creating the perfect balance of indulgence and flavor. The best part? You can simply toss everything into your crockpot and let it do all the work for you, making it a stress-free dish for busy days or cozy family dinners. With its creamy texture and the satisfying crunch of bacon, this potato soup is bound to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
1. Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor
This soup is incredibly easy to prepare—just a few minutes of chopping and sautéing, and then you let the crockpot do the rest. The result is a bowl of soup that’s full of depth and flavor without requiring much work.
2. Perfectly Creamy and Comforting
The combination of heavy cream and cheddar cheese creates a rich, velvety texture that makes every spoonful a comforting delight. The potatoes add heartiness, making this soup a meal in itself.
3. Crispy Bacon Adds the Perfect Crunch
The crispy bacon adds a wonderful texture contrast and an irresistible smoky flavor to each bite, making this soup even more satisfying.
4. Customizable
You can easily adjust the seasoning to suit your preferences. Add extra cheese for an even cheesier flavor, or spice things up with some jalapeños or hot sauce.
5. Perfect for Meal Prep
This soup keeps well for days in the fridge, making it a great make-ahead option for lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Ingredients
- Bacon (6 slices)
- Yellow onion (1 small, diced)
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
- Chicken broth (8 cups)
- Potatoes (6 medium, peeled and diced)
- Heavy cream (1 cup)
- Shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy version of the soup.
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian-friendly option.
- Extra Cheese: Add more shredded cheese (or use a mix of cheddar and mozzarella) for an even cheesier soup.
- Herb Additions: Stir in fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley to enhance the flavor.
How to Make the Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
In a skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until it’s crispy. Once cooked, remove it from the pan and crumble it into small pieces. Set aside.
Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic
In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 3: Transfer to the Crockpot
Transfer the cooked bacon, onion, and garlic to the crockpot. Add the chicken broth and diced potatoes to the pot. Stir to combine.
Step 4: Cook
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are tender and fully cooked through.
Step 5: Blend the Soup
Once the potatoes are cooked, use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth and creamy. If you prefer a chunkier soup, blend only part of it.
Step 6: Stir in Cream and Cheese
Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Continue to stir until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated into the soup.
Step 7: Season and Serve
Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Serve the soup hot, garnished with crumbled bacon and chopped green onions.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Blending Options: For a chunkier texture, blend only half of the soup and leave some potato chunks for added texture.
- Cooking Time: If you’re short on time, cooking on high for 3-4 hours will work just fine. However, if you have time, cooking on low for 6-8 hours will allow the flavors to meld together even more.
- Cream Substitute: If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use half-and-half or whole milk, but the soup won’t be as rich and creamy.
- Bacon Variations: Try using turkey bacon or pancetta as an alternative to traditional bacon for a slightly different flavor.
How to Serve
This Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup can be served on its own for a hearty meal or as a comforting side dish to accompany grilled chicken, a fresh salad, or a warm sandwich. It’s also perfect for a cozy family dinner, especially when paired with warm, crusty bread for dipping.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
Freezing
While this soup can be frozen, the texture may change slightly upon reheating due to the dairy. If you plan to freeze it, leave out the heavy cream and cheese and stir it in after reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the soup over medium heat on the stovetop. If the soup is too thick after being stored, add a little more broth or milk to reach the desired consistency.
FAQs
1. Can I use other types of potatoes?
Yes, you can use other potatoes like russet or gold potatoes. Just make sure to peel and dice them before adding to the crockpot.
2. Can I make this soup without bacon?
Yes, you can omit the bacon for a vegetarian version. Consider adding extra herbs or smoked paprika to enhance the flavor.
3. Can I use a regular blender instead of an immersion blender?
Yes, you can transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender, blend until smooth, and then return it to the crockpot.
4. Can I add vegetables to this soup?
Yes! You can add vegetables like carrots, celery, or corn for added texture and flavor.
5. Can I use low-fat cream instead of heavy cream?
Yes, you can substitute low-fat cream or half-and-half, but the soup will be less rich and creamy.
6. How can I make the soup thicker?
If the soup is too thin, you can use a thickening agent like cornstarch or flour. Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little cold water, then stir it into the soup and cook until it thickens.
7. How spicy is this soup?
This recipe is not spicy, but you can add some heat by including jalapeños or hot sauce.
8. Can I make this soup in advance?
Yes! This soup stores well in the fridge for a few days, and it also freezes well, so it’s a great make-ahead option.
9. Can I use frozen potatoes?
Frozen potatoes may release extra water, which could affect the soup’s texture. It’s best to use fresh potatoes for the best results.
10. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can easily double the recipe. Just make sure your crockpot is large enough to accommodate the increased ingredients.
Conclusion
Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup is a deliciously creamy and comforting dish that combines the best flavors of bacon, cheese, and potatoes. Perfect for any occasion, this soup is easy to prepare and can be made in advance, making it ideal for busy days. Whether served as a meal or a side dish, it’s sure to satisfy and delight everyone at the table. Enjoy the ultimate comfort food with minimal effort and maximum flavor!
PrintCrock Pot Crack Potato Soup: Comfort Food at Its Best
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup is a creamy, comforting dish made with crispy bacon, savory chicken broth, and melted cheddar cheese. It’s the perfect blend of flavors, slow-cooked to tender perfection. Garnished with bacon and green onions, it’s a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 6 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- In a skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and crumble.
- In the same skillet, sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
- Transfer the onion, garlic, and bacon to the crock pot.
- Add the chicken broth and potatoes to the crock pot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until potatoes are tender.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth.
- Stir in the heavy cream and cheddar cheese until melted.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with crumbled bacon and chopped green onions.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, blend only half of the potatoes and leave some chunks for texture.
- You can use turkey bacon for a lighter version of the soup.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add some red pepper flakes or jalapeños.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (on high) or 6-8 hours (on low)