Description
This Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup is a creamy, comforting dish made with tender diced potatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and ranch seasoning. Slow-cooked to perfection in a crock pot, this hearty soup effortlessly combines rich flavors and a velvety texture, perfect for cozy lunches or dinners. Garnish with extra cheese, bacon bits, and fresh green onions for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 cups diced potatoes (peeled)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 ounce)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Extra shredded cheddar cheese
- Bacon bits
- Chopped green onions or chives
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and dice the potatoes into even-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly throughout the slow cooking process.
- Layer Ingredients in Crock Pot: Place the diced potatoes at the bottom of the crock pot. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning evenly over the potatoes. Next, add the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon on top to create flavorful layers.
- Add Broth: Pour the chicken or vegetable broth over the layered ingredients, making sure the liquid covers the potatoes and toppings completely to allow even cooking and softness.
- Cook the Soup: Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours, or on high heat for 4 hours, until the potatoes are tender and cooked through.
- Finish with Cream and Seasoning: Stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half) to add richness, and season with salt and pepper to taste. For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to blend part or all of the soup according to preference.
- Serve with Garnishes: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with additional shredded cheese, bacon bits, and chopped green onions or chives for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter version, though the soup will be less rich.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and omit bacon or substitute with vegetarian bacon bits.
- Using an immersion blender partially blends the soup, giving a creamy texture with some chunks of potatoes remaining for a rustic feel.
- For best flavor, cook the soup low and slow on the crock pot rather than high heat.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (low) or 4 hours (high)
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Potato Soup, Crock Pot Soup, Slow Cooker Soup, Creamy Potato Soup, Bacon Potato Soup, Ranch Potato Soup
