Description
Hearty slow cooker loaded baked potato soup brings comfort and warmth to cold evenings. Creamy potatoes, crispy bacon, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5–6 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 6–8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream, plus extra for serving
- 1/2 cup chopped chives or green onions
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Hot sauce
- Paprika
- Crispy fried onions
- Extra bacon
Instructions
- Combine diced potatoes, onions, garlic, and chicken broth in the slow cooker, seasoning with salt and pepper for a robust flavor foundation.
- Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for 6-7 hours until potatoes become completely tender and easily mashable.
- Introduce butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream to the slow cooker, blending with an immersion blender to create a velvety smooth consistency while maintaining some potato chunks for texture.
- Fold in cheddar cheese until thoroughly melted and integrated into the soup’s creamy base.
- Gently stir crumbled bacon and sour cream into the soup, distributing flavors evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the soup to serving bowls, generously topping with additional shredded cheddar cheese, crispy bacon bits, and freshly chopped chives.
- Garnish with an extra dollop of sour cream and serve immediately while piping hot, allowing diners to appreciate the rich, comforting layers of flavor.
Notes
- Customize the thickness by adjusting the blending process, from completely smooth to slightly chunky for added texture.
- Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth to create a vegetarian version of this comforting soup.
- Reduce calories by using low-fat cream cheese and milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter alternative.
- Prepare crispy bacon bits ahead of time and store in an airtight container to quickly add a crunchy topping whenever needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (or 7 hours)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg