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Cozy Loaded Crockpot Potato Soup with Bacon

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This creamy, comforting loaded crockpot potato soup with bacon is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal. With tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and a velvety cream cheese broth, it’s perfect for cold weather and guaranteed to warm you from the inside out.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 pound thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 4–5 green onions, sliced for garnish
  • Sour cream for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble into small pieces. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the skillet.
  2. Add the butter to the skillet with the reserved bacon drippings. Once melted, add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Layer the diced potatoes in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Top with the sautéed onion and garlic mixture. Pour in the chicken broth, then add the smoked paprika, dried thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir gently to distribute the seasonings.
  4. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
  5. Add the cubed cream cheese and heavy cream. Stir gently until the cream cheese is completely melted and incorporated, about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Optionally, use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to partially mash about half of the potatoes for a thicker texture.
  7. Stir in 1½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese and about three-quarters of the crumbled bacon until the cheese is melted and everything is well combined. Reserve the remaining cheese and bacon for topping.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  9. Serve immediately, ladling into bowls and topping with remaining shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps. Add dairy during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent curdling. Toasting the smoked paprika in the hot skillet with the onions for 30 seconds enhances its flavor. Let the soup rest for 10 minutes after adding dairy and cheese for better flavor melding. The soup freezes well for up to 3 months; leave out cream and cream cheese from the portion to be frozen and add them when reheating.

Nutrition

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

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