Description
Comforting slow cooker loaded baked potato soup delivers hearty midwest flavors in one delightful bowl. Rich potato base combines creamy textures with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and green onion garnishes for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 russet potatoes
- 1/2 pound bacon
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 green onions
Instructions
- Sizzle bacon in a skillet until golden and crisp, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Layer diced potatoes, minced onion, and crushed garlic into the slow cooker, then pour chicken broth over the ingredients.
- Season the mixture with salt and black pepper, ensuring even distribution of seasoning.
- Cover and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours, allowing potatoes to become fork-tender and flavors to meld.
- Gently crush some potatoes using a potato masher to create a thicker, more textured soup base while leaving some chunks intact.
- Introduce shredded cheddar cheese, creamy sour cream, and rich heavy cream, stirring until the ingredients seamlessly integrate and create a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Ladle the soup into serving bowls, then garnish with crumbled bacon pieces, additional cheese sprinkles, and thinly sliced green onions for a vibrant, flavor-packed presentation.
Notes
- Crisp bacon beforehand for maximum flavor and save the rendered fat to enhance the soup’s richness.
- Consider using starchy russet potatoes which break down beautifully and create a creamy texture without excessive mashing.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half instead of heavy cream and use reduced-fat cheese to decrease overall calories.
- Customize the soup’s consistency by adjusting liquid amounts – add more broth for thinner soup or mash more potatoes for a thicker texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg