Total Time:4 hours 35 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes
Yield:8 servings 1x
Category:Soup
Method:Slow Cooker
Cuisine:American
Ingredients
Scale
6 cups diced potatoes, peeled (about 4–5 medium russets)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (4–6 strips)
1 packet ranch seasoning mix (1 ounce)
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional garnishes: extra cheese, bacon bits, chopped green onions, or chives
Instructions
Peel and dice the potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes for even cooking.
Layer the diced potatoes in the bottom of your crock pot. Sprinkle ranch seasoning evenly over potatoes, then add shredded cheese and crumbled bacon on top.
Pour the broth over the layered ingredients slowly, making sure the liquid covers everything by at least 1 inch. Add extra 1/2 cup broth if needed.
Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4 hours until potatoes are fork-tender and easily mash against the side of the crock pot.
Once potatoes are tender, stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue cooking for 10-15 more minutes. For smoother texture, use an immersion blender to blend about half the soup.
Let soup rest for 5-10 minutes to thicken slightly, then ladle into bowls and top with favorite garnishes.
Notes
Use russet potatoes for best creamy texture. Don’t add cream at beginning as it can curdle during long cooking.
For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use vegetable broth. Add smoked paprika for smoky flavor.
Soup can be frozen for up to 2 months. Whisk or blend after reheating if separated.