Cozy Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe

Heartwarming Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe For Chilly Days

Cold winter nights call for a steaming bowl of hearty crock pot cheesy potato soup that warms you from the inside out.

Creamy, rich textures blend seamlessly with soft potato chunks and melted cheese.

Comfort food doesn’t get better than this simple yet satisfying recipe.

Every spoonful delivers a perfect balance of smooth potatoes and sharp cheddar notes.

The slow cooker does all the hard work, letting flavors meld together beautifully.

Minimal prep and maximum taste make this soup a weeknight dinner champion.

Grab a ladle and settle in for a soul-warming culinary experience that promises to chase away the winter chill.

Steps for a Creamy Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup

  • Toss Everything In

Drop all your tasty ingredients into the crock pot. Potatoes, onions, and garlic create the perfect flavor foundation. Pour in broth and sprinkle some seasoning magic to wake up those taste buds.

  • Let Magic Happen

Set your crock pot to low and walk away. Let everything simmer and mingle for several hours. The slow cooking transforms simple ingredients into a warm, comforting masterpiece.

  • Create Creamy Texture

Grab a potato masher and gently crush some potatoes. This trick helps thicken the soup and makes it extra luxurious. Leave some chunks for awesome texture variation.

  • Melt In Dairy Delights

Time to make the soup dreamy! Stir in cream, cheddar, and cream cheese. Watch them melt and create a silky smooth base that’ll make everyone swoon.

  • Final Flavor Boost

Swirl in sour cream for an extra layer of richness. Give everything a quick taste and adjust seasonings. Your soup is now a champion of comfort food.

  • Serve With Style

Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle some green onions, extra cheese, or crispy bacon on top. Your cozy meal is ready to rock taste buds and warm hearts.

Tasty Add-ins for Cheesy Potato Soup

  • Slow Cooker Soup Perfection: Mash some potatoes halfway through cooking to create an ultra-creamy consistency that's smooth yet still has delightful potato chunks.
  • Cheese Selection Magic: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp white cheddar, gruyère, or pepper jack to transform the soup's flavor profile and add exciting depth.
  • Diet-Friendly Adaptations: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make the soup completely vegetarian-friendly.
  • Texture Transformation Trick: For a lighter version, substitute half the potatoes with cauliflower to reduce calories while maintaining a similar creamy texture and comforting feel.
  • Make-Ahead Meal Prep: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently, stirring occasionally to maintain its smooth consistency.

How to Serve Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup with Style

  • Hearty Bread Companions: Serve alongside warm, crusty sourdough or rustic french bread for dipping and soaking up the creamy soup goodness.
  • Protein Power-Up: Top with crispy bacon bits, shredded rotisserie chicken, or diced ham to transform the soup into a more substantial meal with added protein.
  • Veggie Crunch Toppers: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives, green onions, or crispy bacon bits for extra texture and bright flavor bursts that complement the soup's creamy base.
  • Cozy Comfort Combo: Pair with a light garden salad or simple mixed greens to balance the rich, cheesy soup and create a complete, satisfying dinner experience.

Save and Reheat Cheesy Potato Soup the Smart Way

  • Meal Planning & Storage Magic
  • Batch Cooking Brilliance: Whip up double the recipe and freeze portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals. Perfect for busy families wanting delicious comfort food without daily cooking stress.
  • Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover soup in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Gently reheat on stovetop, adding splash of broth to restore creamy consistency and prevent scorching.
  • Smart Portioning Trick: Divide soup into individual meal-sized containers before refrigerating. This prevents multiple reheating cycles that can break down soup's texture and freshness.
  • Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Soup can be frozen up to 2 months. Pro tip – skip adding cream and cheese before freezing. Thaw in refrigerator overnight, then reheat and stir in dairy components for best taste and smooth texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6-8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 6

What’s Inside Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup

For Soup Base:
  • Potatoes: Select starchy varieties like Russet for creamy texture and easy mashing.
  • Onion: Adds deep savory foundation and aromatic sweetness to the soup.
  • Garlic: Provides robust flavor complexity and enhances overall depth.
  • Broth: Creates liquid foundation and carries primary soup flavors.
  • Salt, Pepper, Paprika: Essential seasonings for balanced and vibrant taste profile.
For Creamy Enrichment:
  • Heavy Cream: Transforms soup into luxurious, silky consistency.
  • Cream Cheese: Contributes tangy richness and helps thicken soup smoothly.
  • Sour Cream: Adds gentle tang and additional creamy dimension.
For Topping & Garnish:
  • Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, delivering sharp, rich cheese flavor.
  • Green Onions: Introduces fresh, bright accent and visual appeal.
  • Bacon: Optional crispy protein topping for extra indulgence.

The Only Tools You’ll Need for Cheesy Potato Soup

  • Crock Pot/Slow Cooker: The star of this cozy soup recipe, perfect for hands-off cooking.
  • Potato Masher: Key tool for creating a creamy or chunky potato texture.
  • Ladle: Essential for serving the warm, cheesy soup into bowls.
  • Cutting Board: Needed for dicing potatoes and onions.
  • Sharp Knife: For precise chopping of ingredients.
  • Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring Cups/Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
Print
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Cozy Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe

Cozy Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe


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4.7 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Creamy crock pot cheesy potato soup offers comfort in a bowl, blending hearty potatoes and rich cheese. Home cooks can savor this warmth with minimal effort, finishing with a sprinkle of crisp bacon and green onions.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 medium russet potatoes, peeled & diced
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or whole milk)
  • 4 oz (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • ¼ cup green onions, chopped (for garnish)
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Assemble all ingredients in the slow cooker, layering chopped potatoes, diced onions, minced garlic, broth, salt, pepper, and paprika to create a robust soup foundation.
  2. Slow Cooking: Allow the mixture to simmer and develop rich flavors, cooking on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until potatoes reach a fork-tender consistency.
  3. Texture Development: Gently mash potatoes to create a rustic, creamy base with some chunky pieces, maintaining a hearty texture and depth of character.
  4. Dairy Integration: Gradually incorporate heavy cream, stirring smoothly to warm and blend with the potato mixture, creating a luscious foundation.
  5. Cheese Fusion: Fold in cheddar and cream cheese, continuously stirring to ensure complete melting and uniform distribution, transforming the soup into a decadent, velvety experience.
  6. Final Touches: Blend in sour cream to elevate the soup’s complexity, then taste and fine-tune seasonings for a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
  7. Presentation: Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, artfully garnishing with crispy bacon bits, freshly chopped green onions, and an additional sprinkle of cheese to enhance visual and gustatory appeal.

Notes

  • Optimize Potato Texture: Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent tenderness throughout the soup.
  • Prevent Dairy Curdling: Add cream and cheese slowly at low temperatures, stirring constantly to maintain smooth, velvety consistency without separation.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Sauté onions and garlic briefly before adding to slow cooker to release richer, more concentrated aromatics and develop deeper taste profile.
  • Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular dairy with lactose-free alternatives or use plant-based cheese for gluten-free, dairy-sensitive, or vegan adaptations of the recipe.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6-8 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 850 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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