Do you love a comforting potato soup but hesitate to try making it at home? This Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup is an easy, beginner-friendly slow cooker recipe that delivers creamy, cheesy comfort with minimal effort. With simple ingredients and a hands-off cooking method, you can have a delicious homemade soup ready for lunch or dinner.
Aunt Lou here — I love soups, and potato soup is one of my favorites. I used to be hesitant about potato recipes because peeling and cubing potatoes felt tedious. Once I tried a good peeler and a simple slow-cooker method, making potato soup became quick and enjoyable. This recipe shows how straightforward it is to prepare a cozy, cheesy potato soup from scratch in a Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup
This slow cooker cheesy potato soup is adapted from a classic slow-cooker cookbook and refined for ease and flavor. It uses simple pantry staples—potatoes, onion, chicken broth, milk, flour, and cheddar cheese—plus bacon and green onions for garnish. The slow-cooker method lets the potatoes cook gently until tender, then the soup is thickened and finished with sharp cheddar for that rich, cheesy finish.
Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup
A creamy, cheesy potato soup made easily in the slow cooker. Perfect for weeknights, potlucks, and cold days when you want warm comfort food with little fuss.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
Total Time: 7 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6–8
Author: Aunt Lou
Ingredients
- 6 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 32 oz container chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup milk (reduced-fat or whole)
- 8 oz shredded Cheddar cheese
- Garnish: sliced green onions and 1/4 lb bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
Instructions
- Peel and cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes so they cook evenly.
- Dice about half of a small onion to yield roughly 1/2 cup.
- Place the cubed potatoes and diced onion in the Crock Pot or slow cooker.
- Pour in the chicken broth and 1 cup water. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours, or until potatoes are very tender.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, and milk until smooth. This will thicken the soup without clumping.
- Pour the milk-and-flour mixture into the slow cooker and increase the heat to high.
- Cover and cook for an additional 20–30 minutes, until the soup thickens and becomes creamy.
- Stir in the shredded Cheddar cheese until it melts and the soup is uniform and smooth.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with crispy bacon and sliced green onions. Serve hot.
Tip: For a slightly chunkier texture, mash a portion of the cooked potatoes with a potato masher before adding the cheese. For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to purée a portion, then stir in the cheese. If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and skip the bacon garnish.
Slow Cooker Recommendation
For this recipe, a 6-quart slow cooker is ideal. A programmable model with a timer is convenient because you can set it and forget it. Any reliable 6-quart slow cooker will give you consistent results for soups and stews.
Serving Suggestions and Storage
Serve this cheesy potato soup with crusty bread, a baguette for dipping, or a simple side salad. Leftovers refrigerate well for 3–4 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally; add a splash of milk or broth if the soup thickens too much. You can also freeze the soup for up to 3 months—thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Variations and Flavor Boosters
- For extra depth, sauté the diced onion in a little butter or olive oil before adding to the slow cooker.
- Add garlic, smoked paprika, or a pinch of cayenne to customize the flavor.
- Stir in cooked, diced ham or shredded rotisserie chicken for a heartier meal.
- Use different cheeses—Monterey Jack, Colby, or a sharp white Cheddar work well for varied flavor profiles.
What Home Cooks Are Saying
“Absolutely delicious! I used Yukon Gold potatoes and everyone loved it.” — Christine
“I made a vegetarian version with vegetable broth and added spices for flavor. Everyone had seconds!” — Al
“Great flavor and just thick enough. I cooked my onions in bacon grease before adding for extra richness.” — Jessi
Give this Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup a try for an easy, comforting meal. It’s a reliable slow-cooker recipe that’s perfect for busy days and cold weather—simple to prepare and delicious to eat.