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As a busy mom, I live for those “dump and go” meals that save me on a chaotic day. This Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup is my ultimate lifesaver! It’s the easiest crockpot potato soup ever.
I spend 10 minutes in the morning “dumping” everything in while my daughter, Olivia, gets ready for school. Then, we come home to a hot, delicious dinner that’s already done. It’s a total “set it and forget it” miracle!
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Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup
1. Ultimate Comfort Food – This crock pot crack potato soup the ultimate comfort food is perfect for cozy nights when you need something warm and satisfying. It’s hearty and rich and creamy with everything you love about loaded potato soup crockpot versions. Perfect for fall soup recipes and family comfort food soup cravings.
2. Dump-and-Go Easy – This simple crock pot crack potato soup and slow cooker dump-and-go recipe means you just toss everything in and walk away. No pre-cooking potatoes or sautéing onions. It’s one of those easy dinner recipes crockpot and easy crockpot dinners that makes busy weeknights stress-free. Perfect for crockpot soup recipes lovers.
3. Loaded with Flavor – This crock pot crack potato soup is loaded with bacon ranch and cheese that makes it absolutely addictive. The combination of ranch seasoning mix, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, cooked chopped bacon, and cream cheese melted into soup creates incredible flavor. It’s the best and easiest soup you will ever make for delicious soup recipes and homemade soup recipe collections.
Ingredients for Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup
This crock pot crack potato soup recipe uses simple ingredients. You’re making the best potato soup recipe and crockpot potato soup with pantry staples.
What You’ll Need
For the Soup:
- 32 oz (2 lbs) frozen diced potatoes (or fresh Yukon gold potatoes, diced)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 lb bacon, cooked and chopped
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- Green onions for garnish
- Extra cheese and bacon for topping
For Serving:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Crumbled bacon
- Sour cream
- Green onions, chopped
- Oyster crackers or crusty bread
Why These Ingredients Matter
Frozen Diced Potatoes – Using frozen diced potatoes makes this crock pot crack potato soup with real potatoes incredibly easy. They’re pre-cut and cook perfectly in the slow cooker without turning mushy. You can also use fresh Yukon gold potatoes for creamy texture. This is what makes pioneer woman crock pot crack potato soup and 5 ingredient crock pot potato soup so convenient for potato soup with frozen diced potatoes and potato soup crock pot hashbrowns versions.
Ranch Seasoning Mix and Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese – The combination of ranch seasoning mix and shredded sharp cheddar cheese creates that signature “crack” flavor everyone loves. Ranch adds savory herbs and tang while sharp cheddar provides rich, melty deliciousness. This is what makes crock pot crack potato soup soulful stories and loaded potato soup crockpot versions so addictive.
Cooked Chopped Bacon and Cream Cheese Melted Into Soup – These two ingredients make this crock pot crack potato soup ultimate comfort food! Cooked chopped bacon adds smoky, salty crunch while cream cheese melted into soup creates ultra-creamy texture. The chicken broth base ties everything together for perfect family comfort food soup and homemade soup results.
Instructions for Making Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Cook bacon until crispy, then chop into pieces. Set aside some for topping and add the rest to your slow cooker dump-and-go preparation.
Step 2: Add frozen diced potatoes to the slow cooker. You can use potato soup with hashbrowns style or chunky diced potatoes for this crock pot crack potato soup.
Step 3: Add chicken broth base, diced onion, minced garlic, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine all ingredients.
Step 4: Sprinkle ranch seasoning mix over the potatoes and broth. This adds that signature flavor to your pioneer woman crock pot crack potato soup.
Step 5: Add cubed cream cheese throughout the soup. It will melt as the soup cooks, creating incredible creaminess for this simple crock pot crack potato soup.
Step 6: Add most of the cooked chopped bacon, reserving some for garnish. Stir everything together in your crock pot crack potato soup.
Step 7: Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours until the frozen diced potatoes are tender and the soup is creamy.
Step 8: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Let it melt into the soup, creating that loaded potato soup crockpot texture.
Step 9: Use a potato masher to partially mash some potatoes if you want a thicker consistency for your crock pot crack potato soup the ultimate comfort food version.
Step 10: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot topped with extra cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions. Your family comfort food soup is ready!
Hint: This pairs perfectly with chicken pot pie casserole for variety, or serve alongside hobo casserole for a complete spread.
Top Tip
Don’t Skip the Ranch Seasoning – The ranch seasoning mix is what makes this crock pot crack potato soup so addictive and gives it the “crack” name. It adds layers of flavor that plain salt and pepper can’t match. This is the secret ingredient in pioneer woman crock pot crack potato soup and crock pot crack potato soup soulful stories versions. Without it, you just have regular potato soup recipe instead of the ultimate loaded potato soup crockpot experience.
Add Cream Cheese in Cubes – Cut the cream cheese melted into soup into cubes before adding so it melts evenly throughout the slow cooker dump-and-go process. If you add it in one block, it won’t distribute properly. Cubed cream cheese creates that ultra-creamy texture in pioneer woman crock pot crack potato soup with cream cheese versions. This makes the simple crock pot crack potato soup incredibly rich and velvety for perfect family comfort food soup.
My Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup Journey
I discovered this crock pot crack potato soup recipe when a friend brought it to a potluck and everyone kept going back for seconds and thirds. She called it “crack soup” because it was so addictive. I had to get the recipe.
When I first made this crock pot crack potato soup, Grandma came over and said, “Jazzy, this smells incredible! And you made this in the slow cooker? Smart girl. I love that you’re using frozen potatoes – no peeling or chopping. And ranch seasoning? That’s genius! Back in my day, we’d spend an hour prepping potatoes. This is so much easier and it tastes just as good. The bacon and cheese make it extra special. This is real comfort food.”
She was absolutely right. Now this simple crock pot crack potato soup is my go-to for busy weeks and cold weather. It’s become our Sunday soup tradition during fall and winter. Every time I make it, I remember that first potluck and how amazed I was that something so delicious could be so easy. It’s proof that the best family comfort food soup doesn’t require hours of work.
Substitutions for Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup
Potato Options – Use fresh Yukon gold potatoes, russet potatoes, or red potatoes instead of frozen diced potatoes. Peel and dice into 1-inch cubes for crock pot crack potato soup with real potatoes. Try potato soup with hashbrowns by using frozen hash browns instead of diced. Each works for this crockpot potato soup and potato soup crock pot versions.
Cream Alternatives – Replace cream cheese with sour cream or heavy cream for lighter versions of pioneer woman crock pot crack potato soup. Try Greek yogurt for healthier options but add it at the end to prevent curdling. Each changes the texture slightly but all work for loaded potato soup crockpot adaptations, similar to techniques in cheesy garlic chicken wraps.
Meat Swaps – Use diced ham instead of cooked chopped bacon for potato soup with ham versions. Try cooked sausage for sausage potato soup and sausage potatoes combinations. Skip meat entirely for vegetarian crock pot crack potato soup using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth base.
Cheese Options – While shredded sharp cheddar cheese is traditional, try Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican blend. Each brings different flavor to your 5 ingredient crock pot potato soup. Smoked cheddar adds extra depth to this family comfort food soup.
Variations on Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup
Loaded Potato Soup Crockpot – Make loaded potato soup crockpot and easy loaded potato soup by adding extra toppings like sour cream, multiple types of cheese, chives, and jalapeños. This creates the ultimate loaded potato soup recipe that’s perfect for homemade soup recipe collections and delicious soup recipes enthusiasts.
Potato Soup with Cream Cheese – For extra creamy potato soup with cream cheese versions, double the cream cheese melted into soup to 16 oz. This creates ultra-rich pioneer woman crock pot crack potato soup with cream cheese that’s incredibly decadent for fall soup recipes.
Quick Potato Soup – Make quick potato soup by cooking on HIGH for 4 hours instead of LOW. Use smaller diced frozen diced potatoes for faster cooking. This is perfect for fast dinner recipes and easy dinner recipes crockpot when you need dinner quickly.
Baked Potato Soup – Turn this into bake potato soup style by serving in bread bowls. Top with all the baked potato fixings for restaurant-quality presentation. This creates impressive crockpot dishes perfect for dinner recipes crockpot entertaining, similar to dutchman burger presentations.
5 Ingredient Crock Pot Potato Soup – For true 5 ingredient crock pot potato soup, use just frozen diced potatoes, chicken broth base, ranch seasoning mix, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and cooked chopped bacon. This simplified version is perfect for easy crockpot dinners and crock pot soup basics.
Equipment for Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup
6-Quart Slow Cooker – A 6-quart slow cooker is perfect for this crock pot crack potato soup recipe. It holds all the ingredients with room to stir without overflow. This size works for family comfort food soup servings and crockpot soup recipes for 6-8 people.
Potato Masher – For partially mashing the frozen diced potatoes at the end to thicken your simple crock pot crack potato soup. This creates perfect consistency for loaded potato soup crockpot texture without over-processing.
Ladle – For serving the hot soup into bowls. A deep ladle ensures you get potatoes, cheese, and bacon in every serving of this potato soup recipe and crockpot potato soup.
Sharp Knife – For chopping the cooked chopped bacon and dicing fresh potatoes if using crock pot crack potato soup with real potatoes instead of frozen. Essential for homemade soup recipe prep.
Storage Tips for Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup
Refrigerator Storage – Store leftover crock pot crack potato soup in airtight containers for 4-5 days. The soup thickens as it cools but thins when reheated. Perfect for easy dinner recipes crockpot meal prep throughout the week.
Reheating Tips – Reheat pioneer woman crock pot crack potato soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently and adding chicken broth base or milk to thin if needed. Microwave works but stir every minute to prevent hot spots. The ranch seasoning mix and shredded sharp cheddar cheese flavors intensify overnight.
Freezer Storage – This crock pot crack potato soup freezes well for up to 3 months but the cream cheese melted into soup may separate slightly when thawed. Freeze in portions without sour cream toppings. Thaw overnight in fridge, then reheat and stir vigorously to recombine. Best for family comfort food soup planning.
Make-Ahead Strategy – This is already a slow cooker dump-and-go recipe, but you can prep ingredients the night before. Cook cooked chopped bacon, dice fresh potatoes, and measure frozen diced potatoes. Store separately in fridge, then dump everything in the slow cooker the next morning. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours for perfect easy crockpot dinners.
Grandma’s Secret for Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup
Grandma taught me the secret to perfect creamy potato soup. “Jazzy,” she said while watching me make this crock pot crack potato soup, “the secret to really good potato soup is to use starchy potatoes like Yukon gold or russets, not waxy potatoes like red potatoes. Starchy potatoes break down a bit and thicken the soup naturally. And here’s another secret: don’t lift that lid too often during cooking! Every time you peek, you add 15 minutes to the cook time. Let the slow cooker do its magic. The ranch seasoning and cream cheese will melt perfectly if you just leave it alone.”
She was absolutely right. Now I always use the right frozen diced potatoes or fresh starchy potatoes for my pioneer woman crock pot crack potato soup, and I resist the urge to stir constantly. These simple tricks turn good crock pot crack potato soup into the best loaded potato soup crockpot recipe that lives up to its addictive name. The soup should be thick and creamy with tender chunks of potato throughout. When you ladle it into bowls, it should coat the spoon and have that gorgeous creamy color from the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and cream cheese melted into soup!
FAQ about Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup
What are the ingredients for potato soup?
The basic ingredients for potato soup and crock pot crack potato soup include frozen diced potatoes or fresh potatoes, chicken broth base, cream cheese melted into soup, ranch seasoning mix, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, cooked chopped bacon, onions, and seasonings. For pioneer woman crock pot crack potato soup with cream cheese, you need these exact ingredients. The ranch seasoning mix is what makes it “crack” soup instead of regular potato soup recipe. This simple crock pot crack potato soup combination creates the ultimate family comfort food soup with slow cooker dump-and-go convenience.
What makes potato soup so good?
What makes crock pot crack potato soup so good is the combination of creamy potatoes, rich cheese, smoky bacon, and savory ranch seasoning mix all coming together in one pot. The cream cheese melted into soup creates ultra-creamy texture while shredded sharp cheddar cheese adds sharp, tangy flavor. The cooked chopped bacon provides salty crunch and the ranch seasoning mix adds herbs and spices that make it addictive. This is why pioneer woman crock pot crack potato soup and loaded potato soup crockpot versions are so popular for fall soup recipes and family comfort food soup cravings.
What are common mistakes making potato soup?
Common mistakes making crock pot crack potato soup include: using waxy potatoes instead of starchy frozen diced potatoes (they don’t break down), adding cream cheese melted into soup too early (it can curdle on high heat), lifting the lid too often (adds cook time), not using enough ranch seasoning mix (loses the “crack” flavor), and overcooking until potatoes turn to mush. Another mistake is skipping the bacon or cheese which makes it regular potato soup recipe instead of addictive simple crock pot crack potato soup. For best pioneer woman crock pot crack potato soup results, follow the recipe exactly and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
What is Julia Child’s 3 ingredient potato soup?
Julia Child’s famous 3 ingredient potato soup uses just potatoes, water, and butter with salt and pepper. It’s completely different from crock pot crack potato soup which uses frozen diced potatoes, ranch seasoning mix, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, cooked chopped bacon, chicken broth base, and cream cheese melted into soup. Julia’s version is elegant and simple while pioneer woman crock pot crack potato soup is loaded and indulgent. Both are delicious but serve different purposes – Julia’s for showcasing potato flavor, crack soup for ultimate comfort. The 5 ingredient crock pot potato soup is closer to crack soup style than Julia’s minimalist approach.
Conclusion
Here’s to a delicious recipe that gives you the gift of a stress-free evening! This Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup is the ultimate dump-and-go dinner that saves busy moms everywhere.
It’s the best feeling to walk in the door to that amazing smell, knowing a warm, comforting dinner is already waiting for your family! If you love hearty soups, check out this Absolutely Ultimate Potato Soup from Allrecipes for another delicious variation. Give this crock pot crack potato soup recipe a try and let me know what you think. Grandma and I love hearing about your soup successes!
Easy Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup (Grandma’s Recipe)
Equipment
- 1 6-quart slow cooker Or larger. A 6-quart is the perfect size for this.
- 1 Skillet For getting that bacon perfectly crispy.
- 1 Potato Masher This is Grandma's secret for a thick, creamy soup!
- 1 Ladle For serving up all that goodness.
Ingredients
For the Soup
- 32 oz frozen diced potatoes (or 2 lbs) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 cups chicken broth Use low-sodium if you're watching your salt.
- 8 oz cream cheese Cubed. This is key for that ultra-creamy texture!
- 1 packet(1 oz) ranch seasoning mix This is the "crack" part, so much flavor!
- 1 lb bacon Cooked and chopped.
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese Divided. Don't use the pre-bagged stuff if you can help it.
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste The ranch and bacon are salty, so taste before adding!
For Serving (The Best Part!)
- Shredded cheddar cheese The extra cheese you reserved.
- Crumbled bacon The extra bacon you hopefully saved!
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup green onions chopped
Instructions
- First, let's get our bacon perfectly crispy. Cook the [1 lb bacon] in a skillet until it's just right. My grandma's notebook has 'CRISPY!' underlined three times here, so don't underdo it! Drain it on paper towels, then chop it up. Set aside about 1/3 cup for topping later, you'll be glad you did.
- This is the magic 'dump and go' part I live for on busy days. To your 6-quart slow cooker, add the [32 oz frozen diced potatoes], [4 cups chicken broth], the [1 small onion], [3 cloves garlic], and [1/2 teaspoon black pepper]. Add most of that crispy bacon you just made (remember to save some for garnish!).
- Now for the good stuff. Sprinkle the entire [1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix] right over the top. Then, take your [8 oz cream cheese] (which you've cut into cubes, right? It melts so much better that way) and dot them all over the soup. Don't stir it in, just let it be. Grandma always said 'patience, Jazzy… let the pot do the work.'
- Put the lid on and walk away. Seriously! That's the beauty of it. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours. I always go for Low; Grandma swore it makes the flavors melt together better. You'll know it's ready when the potatoes are perfectly tender and your house smells like a warm hug
- About 30 minutes before you're ready to eat, give everything a good stir. The cream cheese should melt right in. Now, add about 1.5 cups of the [2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese] (save the last 1/2 cup for topping!) and stir until it's melted and glorious
- Here's Grandma's secret for a thick, hearty soup without using flour. Take that potato masher and gently mash some of the potatoes right in the pot. Don't go crazy, you still want some nice chunks! This makes the soup so creamy and amazing
- aste the soup and add [Salt to taste] if it needs it (it usually doesn't!). Ladle that beautiful soup into bowls. Now, go wild with those toppings you saved! A sprinkle of [shredded cheddar cheese], a shower of [crumbled bacon], a dollop of [1 cup sour cream], and some fresh [1/2 cup green onions]. This is comfort in a bowl.
Notes
- Grandma’s Potato Note: Her little handwritten card says, “Don’t use waxy red potatoes, Jasmine! Use starchy ones like Yukon Golds or Russets if you aren’t using frozen. They break down and make the soup thick.” She’s right!
- Storage: This soup is almost better the next day (if you have any left!). Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of milk or broth if it’s too thick, as it will thicken up overnight.
- Variations: Feel free to make this your own!
- Lighter Version: You can use turkey bacon and light cream cheese, but… Grandma would just tell you to enjoy the real thing.
- Extra Veggies: Sometimes I’ll add a can of drained corn or some finely diced carrots in Step 2.
- Extra Creamy: If you’re feeling extra decadent, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream with the cheese at the end.
