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Creamy Crockpot Potato Soup with Bacon: Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe

creamy crockpot potato soup with bacon - featured image

This creamy crockpot potato soup with bacon is a comforting, 5-ingredient recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Made with russet potatoes, bacon, cream cheese, chicken broth, and cheddar cheese, it’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers velvety texture and rich flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds russet potatoes (about 56 medium), peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 4 cups (32 ounces) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature and cubed
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 8 ounces thick-cut bacon (about 810 slices)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (optional)
  • 34 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Green onions or chives for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place bacon slices in a cold skillet, then turn heat to medium. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping once, until deep golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble or chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
  2. Prep the potatoes: Peel the russet potatoes and dice them into 1/2-inch cubes. Rinse in cold water to remove excess starch.
  3. Build the soup base: Add diced potatoes to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Pour in chicken broth (it should just barely cover the potatoes). Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Do not add cream cheese or cheddar yet. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-7 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.
  4. Add the creaminess: Once potatoes are tender, cube the cream cheese and add to the slow cooker. Let sit for 5 minutes to soften, then stir gently until fully incorporated. The soup will look thin—it thickens as it sits.
  5. Finish and serve: Turn off the slow cooker. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls and top with crumbled bacon, fresh chives or green onions, and extra cheddar if desired.

Notes

For an even creamier texture, use a potato masher to gently mash about half the potatoes before adding cream cheese. Store bacon separately to keep it crispy. Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of broth or milk if too thick.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot potato soup, creamy potato soup, bacon potato soup, slow cooker soup, easy potato soup, 5-ingredient soup, gluten-free potato soup