When the colder months roll around or you just need a hearty, soul-satisfying meal, nothing beats a rich bowl of potato soup. But we're not talking about just any potato soup today – we're diving into the legendary Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup. This recipe gets its name from how utterly addictive it is, combining creamy potatoes, savory bacon, sharp cheddar, and the irresistible tang of ranch seasoning, all slow-cooked to perfection.
Forget standing over the stove! Your slow cooker does all the hard work, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful, comforting masterpiece. It’s the kind of meal that makes coming home a true delight, filling your kitchen with an aroma that promises pure indulgence. Get ready for your new favorite comfort food obsession!
Why This "Crack" Potato Soup Will Be Your New Obsession
This Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup isn't just a meal; it's an experience. The magic truly happens in the slow cooker, where hours of gentle simmering allow the potatoes to become incredibly tender and the flavors to meld into a harmonious symphony. The ranch seasoning provides a unique depth, while the bacon and cheese add that classic irresistible combination we all crave. It's comfort food at its finest, with minimal effort.
If you're a fan of the 'set it and forget it' approach to delicious meals, you'll love how easy this is. In fact, slow cookers are fantastic for creating rich, complex flavors without the fuss. For more slow cooker inspiration, check out our recipe for Slow Cooker Beef Curry: An Easy, Flavorful & Comforting Recipe – another amazing dish that practically cooks itself!
Essential Ingredients for Irresistible Flavor
The beauty of this soup lies in its simple yet powerful ingredient list. Choosing the right potatoes, like starchy Russet potatoes, is crucial for achieving that signature creamy texture as they break down beautifully during cooking. Crispy, flavorful bacon forms the backbone of the savory profile, while a good quality ranch seasoning mix infuses every spoonful with its iconic zesty taste.
Of course, we can't forget the dairy! Cream cheese, sour cream, and heavy cream are added towards the end to create an unbelievably smooth and rich broth that envelops every tender piece of potato. And, naturally, a generous helping of shredded cheddar cheese melts into gooey perfection, making this soup truly live up to its
FAQs
Can I prepare Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup in advance?
Absolutely! This soup is great for meal prep. You can chop your vegetables and cook the bacon ahead of time. Store the prepared ingredients (excluding dairy) in the slow cooker insert in the fridge overnight. The next day, simply add the broth and seasoning, cook, then incorporate the dairy at the end.
What are the best toppings for Crack Potato Soup?
To elevate your Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup, pile on the toppings! Essential additions include more crispy crumbled bacon, extra shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and fresh chopped green onions or chives for a burst of color and flavor. A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a nice subtle warmth.
How do I make my potato soup extra creamy?
For an exceptionally creamy soup, Russet potatoes are your best choice as their high starch content breaks down beautifully. After they are tender, mash about a third of the potatoes directly in the slow cooker with a potato masher before adding the dairy. Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature to prevent lumps, and stir it in thoroughly until smooth.
Can I add other proteins to this soup besides bacon?
Yes, you can easily customize this soup with other proteins! Cooked shredded chicken is a popular addition that makes the soup even heartier. Simply stir in about 1-2 cups of cooked chicken during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking to heat through. Cooked ground sausage or ham are also delicious options that will introduce different savory notes.
Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup
- Total Time: 4-6 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
A wonderfully creamy and cheesy potato soup, loaded with crispy bacon and a zesty ranch flavor, made effortlessly in your slow cooker for the ultimate comfort meal.
Ingredients
1 pound bacon, diced
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
3 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
1 (1 ounce) packet ranch seasoning mix
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
2-3 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet. Crumble the bacon once cooled and set aside.
Step 2: Add the diced onion to the reserved bacon fat in the skillet. Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Transfer the onion and garlic to the slow cooker.
Step 3: Add the diced potatoes, chicken broth, and ranch seasoning mix to the slow cooker with the onion and garlic. Stir everything together gently.
Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the potatoes are very tender.
Step 5: Once potatoes are tender, use a potato masher to mash about half of the potatoes directly in the slow cooker to create a creamier base, leaving some chunks for texture. (Alternatively, you can remove 2-3 cups of the soup, blend until smooth, and return to the slow cooker).
Step 6: Stir in the softened cream cheese until fully melted and smooth. Then, add the sour cream and heavy cream, stirring until well combined.
Step 7: Add 1½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese and about two-thirds of the crumbled bacon to the soup. Stir until the cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adding more ranch seasoning if desired.
Step 8: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and fresh sliced green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Storage: Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. If it's too thick, add a splash of milk or broth while reheating. Variations: For a heartier meal, add cooked, shredded chicken during the last hour of cooking. A pinch of cayenne pepper can add a subtle kick.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Soup, Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
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