Crock Pot Baked Potato Soup 🥔🥓🧀
Overview:
This Crock Pot Baked Potato Soup is a comforting one-dish meal perfect for those cozy weeknights when you crave something hearty and delicious. With the warmth of baked potatoes, the richness of cheddar cheese, and the savory goodness of bacon, this soup is sure to become a family favorite. It’s easy to prepare and cooks to perfection in your crock pot, allowing you to enjoy a flavorful meal with minimal effort. Let’s dive into the recipe and discover how to make this soul-warming delight!
Ingredients:
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Baking potatoes | 4 |
Butter | 2/3 cup |
Margarine | 2/3 cup |
Flour | 6 tbsp |
Milk | 3/4 cup |
Salt | 1/2 tsp |
Pepper | To taste |
Green onions | 4 |
Bacon | 12 slices |
Cheddar cheese | 1 1/4 cups |
Light sour cream | 8 oz |
Chicken bouillon granules | 1 1/2 tbsp |
Instructions:
-
Prepare Potatoes:
- Begin by washing the potatoes thoroughly and pricking them several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Wrap the potatoes individually in aluminum foil and place them in a preheated oven.
- Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender and cooked through.
- Once baked, remove the potatoes from the oven and allow them to cool before handling.
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Prepare Soup Base:
- Once the potatoes have cooled, carefully cut them into cubes, discarding any tough or discolored parts.
- In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter and margarine over low heat.
- Gradually add the flour to the melted butter, stirring constantly until smooth and well combined.
- Cook the flour mixture for about 1 minute, continuing to stir constantly to prevent it from burning.
- Slowly pour in the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth consistency.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously until it becomes thick and bubbly, forming a creamy base for the soup.
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Assemble Soup in Crock Pot:
- Transfer the creamy mixture from the saucepan into the crock pot, ensuring it covers the bottom evenly.
- Add the cubed potatoes to the crock pot, spreading them out evenly over the creamy base.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning according to your preferences.
- Finely chop the green onions and sprinkle them over the potato mixture in the crock pot.
- Crumble the bacon slices into small pieces and scatter them over the soup, distributing the savory goodness throughout.
- Grate the cheddar cheese and sprinkle it generously over the top of the soup, adding a rich and cheesy flavor to every bite.
- Finally, sprinkle the chicken bouillon granules evenly over the soup, enhancing the savory depth of the dish.
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Cooking Process:
- Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on High for 4 hours, allowing all the flavors to meld together and develop into a delicious soup.
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Final Touches:
- Just before serving, stir in the light sour cream to add a creamy richness to the soup and balance out the flavors.
- If the soup is too thick for your liking, you can adjust the consistency by adding a little milk at a time until you reach your desired thickness.
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Garnish and Serve:
- Ladle the piping hot soup into bowls, ensuring each serving is generously topped with additional dollops of sour cream and a sprinkle of crumbled bacon for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Serve the Crock Pot Baked Potato Soup hot and enjoy the comforting warmth and delicious flavors with your loved ones.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 699.8
- Total Fat: 48.7g
- Saturated Fat: 28.4g
- Cholesterol: 137.3mg
- Sodium: 1022mg
- Carbohydrates: 46.1g
- Fiber: 2.5g
- Sugar: 1.4g
- Protein: 20.9g
Tips and Variations:
- For a lighter version of this soup, you can use low-fat or skim milk, reduced-fat margarine, and light sour cream.
- Customize the toppings to suit your taste preferences by adding diced avocado, chopped cilantro, or a drizzle of hot sauce.
- To make this soup vegetarian-friendly, simply omit the bacon and chicken bouillon granules and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack or Gouda, for a unique twist on this classic recipe.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage. Simply reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Conclusion:
With its creamy texture, hearty ingredients, and delicious flavors, this Crock Pot Baked Potato Soup is sure to warm your soul and satisfy your cravings. Whether enjoyed as a comforting weeknight meal or served at gatherings with friends and family, this soup is guaranteed to be a hit. So gather your ingredients, fire up your crock pot, and get ready to savor every spoonful of this irresistible dish!