Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup

by

Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup

Who’s ready for a bowl of comfort? This Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup is creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor Perfect for a cozy dinner!

Ingredients:

6 cups diced potatoes, peeled
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
1 packet ranch seasoning mix
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional garnishes: extra cheese, bacon bits, chopped green onions, or chives

Directions:

Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and dice the potatoes into even-sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking.
Layer the Ingredients: In the crock pot, place the diced potatoes at the bottom. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning evenly over the potatoes. Add the shredded cheese and crumbled bacon on top.
Add the Broth: Pour the chicken or vegetable broth over the layered ingredients, ensuring that the liquid just covers them.
Cook the Soup: Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4 hours. The soup is ready when the potatoes are tender and easily mashed.
Add Cream and Season: Once the potatoes are cooked, stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For a smoother soup, you can use an immersion blender to puree the soup to your desired consistency.
Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with extra cheese, bacon bits, and chopped green onions or chives, if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 7-8 hours | Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes | Kcal: 400 kcal per serving | Servings: 8

Here’s a general nutritional breakdown for a serving of Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup (about 1 cup):

  • Calories: 300-400
  • Total Fat: 20-25g
  • Saturated Fat: 10-12g
  • Cholesterol: 50-70mg
  • Sodium: 800-1,200mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 30-40g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3-5g
  • Sugars: 3-5g
  • Protein: 8-12g

Note: Nutritional values can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. Adjustments like using low-fat dairy or reducing bacon can alter these numbers. For more precise data, consider entering your specific recipe into a nutrition calculator

Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup, often simply referred to as “Crack Potato Soup,” is a modern comfort food that has gained popularity in the last couple of decades, particularly in the context of slow cooker recipes. Here’s a brief overview of its history:

Origins

  1. Crock Pot Cooking: The slow cooker, commonly known as a Crock Pot, became popular in American households in the 1970s, making it easier to prepare meals with minimal effort. This appliance transformed how people approached home cooking, allowing for one-pot meals that could simmer throughout the day.
  2. “Crack” Naming: The term “crack” in food recipes usually refers to a dish that is addictively good. It often signifies the combination of creamy, savory, and slightly salty flavors that keep people coming back for more. The use of “crack” in the name gained traction in the early 2000s, often associated with various cheesy, bacon-infused recipes.

Recipe Evolution

  1. Ingredients: Crack Potato Soup typically combines potatoes, cream, cheese, and bacon, reflecting a broader trend in comfort foods that prioritize rich, indulgent flavors. Variations may include ingredients like ranch seasoning, which adds to its savory profile.
  2. Online Popularity: The soup gained further traction with the rise of food blogs and social media platforms, where home cooks shared their versions. It became a favorite for potlucks and family gatherings, celebrated for its simplicity and hearty flavor.

Cultural Significance

  1. Comfort Food: As a quintessential comfort food, Crack Potato Soup embodies the desire for warmth and satisfaction in meals, especially during colder months. Its ease of preparation makes it a go-to dish for busy families.

Today, it remains a popular recipe that showcases the appeal of slow-cooked comfort foods in American cuisine, evolving to reflect personal tastes and dietary preferences.

Here’s a simple method to make Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup:

Ingredients

  • 6-8 medium potatoes, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Dice the potatoes and onion. Cook and crumble the bacon if not already done.
  2. Combine in Crock Pot: Add diced potatoes, onion, chicken broth, and ranch seasoning to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until potatoes are tender.
  4. Mash Potatoes: Use a potato masher to mash some of the potatoes in the pot for a thicker texture, leaving some chunks for bite.
  5. Add Cream Cheese and Cheese: Stir in the softened cream cheese until melted and smooth. Then add shredded cheddar and crumbled bacon, mixing until well combined.
  6. Season: Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with green onions if desired. Enjoy

Here’s a detailed formation for making Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup, including preparation and cooking steps:

Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup Formation

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 6-8 medium, diced
  • Onion: 1, diced
  • Chicken Broth: 4 cups (low-sodium recommended)
  • Cream Cheese: 1 cup, softened
  • Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup, shredded (plus extra for topping)
  • Bacon: 1 cup, cooked and crumbled
  • Ranch Seasoning: 1 packet (or homemade)
  • Salt and Pepper: to taste
  • Green Onions: for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Crock Pot/Slow Cooker
  • Potato Masher
  • Cutting Board
  • Knife

Steps

  1. Prep Work
  • Dice Potatoes: Clean and peel (if desired) the potatoes, then dice into small cubes.
  • Chop Onion: Peel and dice the onion.
  • Cook Bacon: If using raw bacon, cook until crispy, then crumble. Set aside.
  1. Assemble in Crock Pot
  • Add diced potatoes and onion to the Crock Pot.
  • Pour in the chicken broth.
  • Add the ranch seasoning and stir to combine.
  1. Cook
  • Low Setting: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  • High Setting: Alternatively, cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours, until potatoes are tender.
  1. Thicken Soup
  • Once the potatoes are soft, use a potato masher to mash some of the potatoes in the pot, leaving some chunks for texture.
  1. Incorporate Cream and Cheese
  • Stir in the softened cream cheese until fully melted and creamy.
  • Add the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon, mixing until well combined.
  1. Final Seasoning
  • Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  1. Serve
  • Ladle soup into bowls, topping with additional cheddar cheese and green onions if desired.
  1. Storage
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

This method keeps it simple, focusing on the comforting flavors of the ingredients. Adjust seasoning and ingredients to suit your taste

Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup

Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup is a beloved comfort food, celebrated for its creamy texture and rich flavors. Combining potatoes, cheese, and bacon, it offers warmth and satisfaction in every bite.

Conclusion

This soup is not just a dish; it embodies the essence of cozy home cooking. Ideal for gatherings or busy weeknights, its ease of preparation makes it a favorite among families. With the ability to customize ingredients to suit personal tastes, Crack Potato Soup remains a timeless recipe, perfect for anyone seeking comfort and indulgence in a bowl. Enjoying it together with loved ones enhances its appeal, making every spoonful a shared moment of joy.

Leave a Comment