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Easy Loaded Crockpot Potato Soup with Bacon – Best 5-Ingredient Recipe

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This creamy, cheesy potato soup is made with just five main ingredients and a slow cooker. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that even picky eaters will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (30-ounce) bag frozen shredded hash browns
  • 1 (32-ounce) box low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
  • 1 (1-ounce) packet dry ranch seasoning mix
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (for topping)
  • 3 green onions, sliced (for topping)
  • Sour cream, for dolloping (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble or chop into small pieces. Set aside 2 tablespoons for garnish.
  2. Layer the ingredients in the slow cooker: Place the frozen hash browns in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth over the top. Add the softened cream cheese in dollops. Sprinkle the dry ranch seasoning over everything. Do not stir yet.
  3. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the hash browns are tender and the cream cheese has fully melted into the broth.
  4. Stir and adjust texture: Once cooked, give the soup a good stir. For a chunkier soup, use a potato masher to break up some of the hash browns. For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender for 20-30 seconds.
  5. Add the bacon and cheese: Stir in most of the crumbled bacon (reserving some for topping) and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Serve and garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls. Top with reserved bacon, remaining cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of green onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not thaw the hash browns. Soften the cream cheese before adding. Resist stirring too early. For a thicker soup, mash some potatoes or add a cornstarch slurry. Cook bacon in the oven for less mess.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot potato soup, loaded potato soup, slow cooker soup, easy potato soup, bacon potato soup, 5-ingredient recipe

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/easy-loaded-crockpot-potato-soup-with-bacon-best-5-ingredient-recipe/