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Creamy Crockpot Potato Soup - Cozy, Comforting, and Easy

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Potatoes: 3 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet, peeled and diced (1/2–3/4-inch cubes)
  • Onion: 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • Garlic: 3–4 cloves, minced
  • Celery: 2 ribs, diced (optional but adds depth)
  • Carrots: 1 large, diced (optional for sweetness and color)
  • Chicken or vegetable broth: 4 cups
  • Butter: 3 tablespoons
  • Cream or half-and-half: 1 to 1 1/2 cups (adjust for desired richness)
  • Cream cheese: 4 ounces, softened (for extra creaminess)
  • Cheddar cheese: 1 cup shredded, plus more for topping
  • Salt and pepper: To taste (start with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper)
  • Thyme: 1 teaspoon dried or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped
  • Bay leaf: 1 (optional)
  • Smoked paprika: 1/2 teaspoon (optional for a subtle smoky note)
  • Bacon: 4–6 slices, cooked and crumbled (optional topping)
  • Green onions or chives: Sliced, for topping
  • Sour cream: For serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Add the potatoes, onion, garlic, celery, carrots, thyme, bay leaf, smoked paprika, butter, salt, and pepper to the crockpot. Pour in the broth and stir to combine.
  2. Cover and cook on Low for 6–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender and easily mash with a spoon.
  3. Remove the bay leaf. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup in the crockpot until it’s mostly smooth, leaving a few chunks if you like texture. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer half the soup to a blender, puree, and return it to the crockpot.
  4. Stir in the cream or half-and-half and the cream cheese until fully melted and smooth. If needed, cover and cook on Low for another 10–15 minutes to warm through.
  5. Add the shredded cheddar a handful at a time, stirring until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper.
  6. Serve hot with your favorite toppings: crumbled bacon, extra cheddar, green onions or chives, and a dollop of sour cream.