Description
Creamy slow cooker loaded baked potato soup delivers comfort in a bowl, packed with hearty potato goodness. Rich flavors and classic toppings make you crave spoonfuls of pure warmth on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 slices bacon
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ cup green onions
- ¼ cup fresh chives
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker base by combining diced potatoes, finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and savory broth, creating a hearty foundation for the soup.
- Allow the mixture to simmer on low temperature for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, ensuring potatoes become fork-tender and flavors meld completely.
- Gently crush a portion of the potatoes against the side of the slow cooker, releasing their natural starches to naturally thicken the soup’s consistency.
- Create a smooth roux in a separate skillet by whisking melted butter with flour until golden and fragrant, then gradually incorporate into the soup to enhance richness.
- Stir in shredded cheese, tangy sour cream, and crispy crumbled bacon, blending thoroughly to develop a creamy, indulgent texture.
- Elevate the presentation by sprinkling additional cheese, crisp bacon bits, and freshly chopped green onions across the surface just before serving.
Notes
- Customize potato texture by partially mashing or fully blending for a smoother or chunkier soup consistency.
- Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon or crispy vegetarian bacon bits to accommodate different dietary preferences.
- Keep soup creamy by using low-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a healthier alternative.
- Prepare extra bacon and toppings separately so guests can customize their soup serving according to their taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg