Creamy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe

The Best Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe Ever

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl of slow cooker loaded baked potato soup that promises warmth and satisfaction.

Creamy textures blend with crispy bacon bits and sharp cheddar cheese.

Potatoes become the star of this hearty meal, soaking up rich flavors and creating a delightful experience.

Minimal effort yields maximum deliciousness when you let your appliance work its magic.

Each spoonful brings memories of cozy kitchen moments and relaxed weekend gatherings.

Cheese, green onions, and sour cream transform this simple soup into a culinary masterpiece.

You won’t believe how easy it is to create such a crowd-pleasing dish that feels like a warm hug.

Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup Essentials

  • Unleash Comfort Food Magic: Transform basic ingredients into a soul-warming soup that hugs your taste buds with rich, creamy goodness.
  • Hassle-Free Cooking Champion: Dump ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic while you enjoy your day, requiring minimal active cooking time.
  • Family Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with familiar flavors that kids and adults adore, this soup brings everyone together around the dinner table with its irresistible cheesy, bacon-topped deliciousness.
  • Customize Your Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping toppings or adjusting cheese types, making it perfect for picky eaters and adventurous food lovers alike.

Ingredients for Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Main Ingredients:
  • Potatoes: Starchy root vegetables that provide the hearty base for this comforting soup.
  • Chicken Broth: Liquid that helps cook and flavor the potatoes and other ingredients.
  • Cream Cheese: Adds rich, creamy texture and tangy flavor to the soup.
  • Milk: Helps create a smooth and creamy consistency.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Brings sharp, cheesy flavor and melts beautifully into the soup.
Aromatics:
  • Onions: Provide a sweet and savory foundation for the soup's flavor.
  • Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic notes to the overall taste.
Toppings:
  • Bacon, Green Onions: Classic potato soup garnishes that add crunch, saltiness, and fresh flavor.
Cooking Fat:
  • Butter: Enhances richness and helps develop a smooth soup base.

How to Make Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Step 1: Prepare Veggie Base

Wash and peel potatoes, then dice them into bite-sized cubes. Finely chop onions and mince garlic cloves until they’re ready to release their amazing flavors.

Step 2: Build Soup Foundation

Transfer diced potatoes, chopped onions, and minced garlic into the slow cooker. Add:
  • Butter
  • Chicken broth

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat.

Let the soup simmer gently for 6-8 hours, allowing potatoes to become wonderfully soft and tender.

Step 4: Create Creamy Texture

Use an immersion blender or potato masher to partially blend the soup, creating a rich and velvety consistency.

Some potato chunks should remain for delightful texture.

Step 5: Incorporate Dairy Goodness

Stir in:
  • Cream cheese
  • Milk

Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and luxuriously creamy.

Step 6: Melt Cheese Magic

Add shredded cheddar cheese and stir until completely melted, creating a decadent and indulgent soup experience.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Top each serving with:
  • Crispy crumbled bacon
  • Freshly chopped green onions

Enjoy your ultimate comfort food straight from the slow cooker!

Tips for Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • Choose starchy potatoes like Russet for the creamiest texture and best flavor absorption.
  • Freeze leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 3 months, reheating gently to maintain smooth consistency.
  • Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version and add extra seasonings for depth.
  • For a lighter option, use low-fat cream cheese and milk, ensuring the soup remains rich and satisfying.
  • Experiment with toppings like roasted corn, diced jalapeños, or crispy shallots to add exciting layers of flavor and texture.

Flavor Variations for Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • Vegetarian Potato Soup: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth, use plant-based bacon bits or crispy mushrooms for topping, and swap dairy cheese with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese shreds.
  • Cauliflower Swap: Substitute half the potatoes with cauliflower florets to reduce carbs and add extra nutrients, maintaining the same creamy consistency and flavor profile.
  • Spicy Southwest Version: Add diced green chiles, cumin, and cayenne pepper to the soup, top with pepper jack cheese, and garnish with cilantro for a zesty kick.
  • Gluten-Free Friendly: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening, and verify broth is gluten-free certified.

Serving Suggestions for Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • Comfort Food Family Dinner: Gather everyone around the table and serve this hearty soup as a comforting main dish with warm crusty bread for dipping and soaking up all those delicious flavors.
  • Cozy Game Night Starter: Ladle this creamy potato soup into small bowls as a warming appetizer before board games or movie marathon, perfect for chilly evenings with friends.
  • Lunch Box Surprise: Pack leftover soup in a thermos for a delightful midday meal at work or school, keeping it warm and satisfying until lunchtime.
  • Potluck Party Favorite: Bring this crowd-pleasing soup to community gatherings or potluck events, knowing it will be a hit with its rich, cheesy goodness and classic toppings.

Storage Advice for Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • Refrigerate leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring it cools completely before storing.
  • Freeze the soup without toppings in freezer-safe containers for maximum 3 months, leaving some space for expansion.
  • Store bacon and green onion garnishes separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator to maintain crispness.
Methods for Reheating:
  • Microwave individual portions in microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until heated thoroughly, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Reheat on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and maintain creamy consistency.
  • Thaw frozen soup overnight in refrigerator before reheating, adding splash of milk or broth to restore original texture.

FAQs

  • Is this soup healthy?

While comforting, it’s rich in calories due to cheese, cream cheese, and bacon. For a lighter version, use low-fat dairy and turkey bacon.

  • Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and replace bacon with vegetarian bacon bits or roasted mushrooms for similar smoky flavor.

  • What if I don't have a slow cooker?

You can prepare this soup on stovetop. Simmer ingredients in a large pot for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally until potatoes are tender.

  • How can I thicken the soup if it's too thin?

Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water, then stir into the soup. Alternatively, mash some potatoes directly in the pot to create natural thickness.

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Creamy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe

Creamy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe


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4.6 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup brings comfort directly from midwestern kitchens to dinner tables. Rich potato base blends creamy textures with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and green onion garnishes while satisfying deep hunger cravings.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 6 russet potatoes
  • 1 onion
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 pound bacon

Dairy Components:

  • 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 tablespoons butter

Seasonings and Garnish:

  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 green onions
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Meticulously prepare root vegetables by peeling and dicing potatoes into uniform cubes, then finely mince onions and garlic for optimal flavor distribution.
  2. Transfer chopped ingredients into slow cooker, combining with butter and chicken broth to create a rich liquid base for the soup.
  3. Allow ingredients to simmer and meld together on low temperature setting for 6-8 hours, ensuring potatoes become completely tender and easily breakable.
  4. Carefully use immersion blender or standard blender to partially puree soup, creating a velvety and luxurious consistency with some potato chunks remaining.
  5. Incorporate cream cheese and milk into the hot mixture, stirring continuously until the dairy products melt seamlessly and produce a smooth, creamy texture.
  6. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese into the soup, gently stirring until the cheese completely dissolves and integrates with the liquid.
  7. Garnish each serving with crispy crumbled bacon bits and freshly chopped green onions to add contrasting texture and vibrant flavor profile.

Notes

  • Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version that’s equally delicious and comforting.
  • Cut potato skins into smaller pieces to speed up cooking and ensure even tenderness throughout the soup.
  • Reduce cream cheese and use low-fat milk for a lighter, healthier alternative without sacrificing rich flavor.
  • Customize toppings by adding crispy kale chips or roasted garlic for an unexpected gourmet twist to this classic comfort dish.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg
Amanda Bennett

Amanda Bennett

Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing and Development, Culinary Instruction, Food Styling and Photography

Education

​Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC
​Diploma in Culinary Arts
Emphasized practical cooking skills, nutrition, and kitchen management.​

Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Cambridge, MA
Certificate in Professional Pastry Arts
Specialized in baking techniques, dessert presentation, and flavor profiling


Amanda’s roots run deep in the Southern hills, where every meal started fresh from the garden and every dessert came with a story. She trained at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and sharpened her pastry skills at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, blending classic technique with everyday charm.
At The Liffey, Amanda’s passion is making baking and home cooking feel natural and joyful. She’s all about single recipes that are simple enough for a busy afternoon, but special enough to make someone’s day a little sweeter.

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