Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup with Bacon: The Ultimate Comfort Food

There’s something about a bowl of creamy cheesy potato soup with crispy bacon that just feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening. I’ve made this slow cooker version countless times, and it’s always the first thing on the menu when I want to feed a hungry crowd without spending all day in the kitchen. The secret? Letting those potatoes break down just a little as they simmer — it gives the soup that naturally thick, velvety texture you’d never get from a quick stovetop version.

Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup with Bacon

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 367

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Base & Potatoes

• 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
• 1 can Chicken broth low-sodium, 32 oz
• 1 cup Whole milk
• 4 cloves Garlic minced
• 1 tsp Dried thyme
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika adds depth without needing actual bacon in the pot
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Cheesy & Crunchy Toppings

• 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese shredded, divided between stirring in and topping
• 6 strips Thick-cut bacon 1/2 for the soup, 1/2 for topping
• 1/4 cup Chives finely chopped, for garnish
• 2 tbsp Butter for mashing some potatoes for thickness

Method

 

Prepare the Bacon & Potatoes

Thicken & Cheesy

Serve

Notes

I always save a few strips of bacon to crumble over the top right before serving so they stay crispy—adding them early makes them mushy. Also, don't skip the potato peels if you can help it; they add a lovely earthy flavor and save you time, just make sure your potatoes are scrubbed really well.