Crock Pot Potato Soup saved our dinner plans last Tuesday when I realized I only had $12 left in the grocery budget for the week. Standing in my kitchen, staring at a bag of potatoes, some leftover bacon, and basic pantry ingredients, I decided to channel that resourceful spirit my grandmother always preached about. What started as a budget crisis turned into our new family favorite – a creamy, comforting soup that costs less than $2.50 per serving and fills everyone up completely.
My youngest, who usually turns his nose up at anything that isn’t chicken nuggets, asked for thirds. My husband declared it “restaurant quality,” and I felt like I’d discovered buried treasure in my own pantry. Sometimes the best comfort foods come from the simplest ingredients and a trusty slow cooker.
Table of Contents
Perfect Crock Pot Potato Soup
Equipment
- 6-quart slow cooker
- Large skillet
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 3 pounds russet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions for garnish optional
Instructions
- Cook bacon in large skillet until crispy. Remove and set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon fat.
- Sauté onion in bacon fat until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add cubed potatoes to slow cooker. Pour in onion mixture and chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook on LOW 6-7 hours or HIGH 3-4 hours until potatoes are tender.
- Mash half the potatoes in the slow cooker for texture.
- Whisk milk and flour until smooth. Stir into soup with cream cheese, most of the bacon, and cheese.
- Cook 30 minutes more until thickened. Garnish with remaining bacon, cheese, and green onions.
Notes
Can be frozen for up to 3 months in portion-sized containers
For vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and skip the bacon
What You’ll Need
Ingredients with Cost Breakdown:
• 3 pounds russet potatoes ($2.50)
• 6 slices bacon ($2.00)
• 1 medium onion ($0.50)
• 3 cloves garlic ($0.25)
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth ($1.50)
• 1 cup whole milk ($0.75)
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened ($1.25)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ($2.00)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour ($0.10)
• Salt and pepper to taste ($0.15)
• Optional: green onions for garnish ($1.00)
Total Cost: $12.00 for 6 servings = $2.00 per serving
Equipment:
• 6-quart slow cooker
• Large skillet
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups
• Wooden spoon
• Ladle
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Bacon and Aromatics
Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons of bacon fat. In the same skillet with the bacon fat, sauté diced onion until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Layer Everything in the Slow Cooker
Peel and cube potatoes into 1-inch pieces and add to your slow cooker. Pour in the sautéed onion mixture, chicken broth, and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.
Step 3: Create the Creamy Magic
In the last 30 minutes of cooking, mash about half the potatoes directly in the slow cooker with a potato masher for texture. Whisk together milk and flour until smooth, then stir into the soup along with softened cream cheese. Add half the cooked bacon and most of the cheddar cheese, reserving some for garnish. Let everything meld together for the final 30 minutes.
Why This Recipe Works So Well
This Crock Pot Potato Soup succeeds because it builds layers of flavor without complicated techniques. The bacon fat adds incredible depth, while mashing half the potatoes creates the perfect creamy-chunky texture that makes it feel indulgent. The slow cooker does all the work, breaking down the potatoes naturally while you handle life’s other demands.
The combination of cream cheese and cheddar creates restaurant-quality richness without the need for heavy cream, keeping costs down while maximizing flavor impact.
Make It Your Own
Loaded Potato Soup Style: Add extra bacon, sour cream dollops, and extra cheese for the full loaded experience.
Healthier Version: Substitute Greek yogurt for cream cheese and use low-fat milk – still creamy and satisfying.
Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños with the onions or a dash of cayenne pepper for heat.
Veggie-Packed: Stir in frozen corn, diced carrots, or chopped broccoli during the last hour of cooking.
What to Serve With
This hearty soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread for dipping – I often make perfect cheeseburger garlic toast on the side for an extra special meal. A simple green salad balances the richness, or serve smaller portions as a starter before roasted chicken. For busy weeknights, this soup IS the meal – just add some crackers and call it perfect.
Money-Saving Tips
Buy potatoes in bulk – russets keep for weeks in a cool, dark place and work perfectly for this recipe.
Save bacon fat in the refrigerator for up to a month – it adds incredible flavor to future soups and makes everything taste better.
Use rotisserie chicken bones to make your own broth instead of buying it – just simmer with water, celery, and onion scraps.
Stretch the recipe by adding extra broth and milk when reheating leftovers – it maintains the creamy texture while feeding more people.
Freeze in portions for future quick dinners – just thaw overnight and reheat gently on the stove, stirring frequently.
From My Family to Yours
This Crock Pot Potato Soup has become our go-to comfort food when the weather turns cold or when we need something warm and filling that doesn’t require much effort. There’s something magical about walking into the house after a long day and smelling that incredible aroma – it instantly makes everything feel cozier.
My grandmother always said the best recipes are ones that bring families together around the table, and this simple potato soup does exactly that. It’s proof that you don’t need expensive ingredients or complicated techniques to create something truly special – sometimes the most humble ingredients, treated with care and patience, create the most memorable meals.
FAQ Section
How do you make potato soup in a slow cooker?
Making Crock Pot Potato Soup is incredibly simple – just layer cubed potatoes with sautéed aromatics and broth in your slow cooker, then let it cook low and slow until the potatoes are tender. The key is mashing about half the potatoes at the end to create that perfect creamy-chunky texture, then stirring in your dairy ingredients during the final 30 minutes.
How do you make Paula Deen’s potato soup in the crock pot?
While this isn’t Paula Deen’s exact recipe, the technique is similar – focus on building flavor with bacon fat, use plenty of cheese and cream cheese for richness, and don’t skimp on the seasoning. Paula’s style emphasizes comfort and indulgence, which this recipe delivers while keeping costs reasonable for busy families.
What can I add to my potato soup to make it more flavorful?
Beyond the bacon and cheese in this recipe, try adding roasted garlic instead of raw, a splash of white wine with the broth, fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, or even a parmesan rind during cooking for extra depth. For texture and nutrition, consider adding corn, diced carrots, or crispy potato triangles as a garnish.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Absolutely! This soup actually tastes better the next day as flavors meld together. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a splash of broth or milk to restore the creamy consistency.
Related Recipe Recommendations
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like:
- Easy Summer Lunch Ideas for Kids: Delicious, Budget-Friendly Meals They’ll Love
- Unbelievably Delicious Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole (Budget-Friendly Comfort Food!)
- 5-Minute Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix That Saves You Money
Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later and share it with friends looking for budget-friendly family dinner ideas!
