Paula Deen’s Crockpot Potato Soup: Creamy Southern Comfort

Nothing says cozy like a steaming bowl of creamy potato soup. Paula Deen’s Crockpot Potato Soup is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings, holiday gatherings, or any time you crave rich, flavorful soup. Using a slow cooker, this soup transforms simple ingredients like potatoes, cream, and cheese into a velvety, decadent dish with minimal effort.

This recipe combines the Southern charm Paula Deen is known for — buttery, cheesy, and indulgent — with the convenience of a hands-off crockpot meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy and hands-off: Toss everything in the crockpot and let it cook while you handle other tasks.
• Creamy, rich texture: The combination of milk, cream, and butter ensures a smooth, silky soup.
• Flavorful: Onion, celery, garlic, and seasonings give it depth, while bacon and cheese elevate it to indulgent perfection.
• Customizable: Add your favorite toppings, from shredded cheese to sour cream and green onions.

Ingredients

• 6–8 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• ½ tsp dried thyme (optional)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for garnish)
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2–3 green onions, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the crockpot:
Spray or lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker.

2. Combine vegetables and potatoes:
Add diced potatoes, onions, celery, and garlic into the crockpot. Pour in chicken broth and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Stir gently to combine.

3. Cook:
Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.

4. Add cream and butter:
Stir in the heavy cream, milk, and butter. For a thicker soup, mash some potatoes with a potato masher or use an immersion blender to lightly puree a portion of the soup.

5. Add cheese:
Fold in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until fully melted and creamy.

6. Serve with toppings:
Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with extra cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped green onions. Serve hot.

Paula Deen’s Crockpot Potato Soup

Creamy Southern-style potato soup cooked in a crockpot with cheese, bacon, and aromatic vegetables.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Soup

Cuisine: American, Southern

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Soup Base

• 6-8 medium russet potatoes peeled and diced
• 1 medium onion diced
• 2 stalks celery diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika optional
• 0.5 tsp dried thyme optional
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese plus extra for garnish
• 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
• 2-3 green onions chopped for garnish

Equipment

• Crockpot/slow cooker
• Mixing spoon
• Measuring cups
• Knife and cutting board

Method

 

1. Spray or lightly grease crockpot.
2. Add potatoes, onion, celery, garlic, chicken broth, and seasonings. Stir gently.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours until potatoes are tender.
4. Stir in heavy cream, milk, and butter. Mash a portion of potatoes for thicker soup if desired.
5. Fold in 1 cup cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
6. Ladle soup into bowls and top with extra cheese, crumbled bacon, and green onions.

Notes

Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Can be made ahead and reheated.

Tips for the Perfect Potato Soup

• Consistent potato size: Dice potatoes evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
• Creaminess level: Adjust milk and cream quantities to achieve your preferred soup thickness.
• Make-ahead: Assemble ingredients in the crockpot insert and refrigerate overnight. Cook the next day for quick dinner prep.
• Optional add-ins: Corn, chopped cooked ham, or roasted garlic can add extra depth.

Variations

• Loaded Potato Soup: Top with sour cream, extra bacon, shredded cheese, and chives.
• Spicy Version: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños.
• Vegetable-Enriched: Add carrots, peas, or spinach to sneak in extra veggies.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Paula Deen’s Crockpot Potato Soup with:

• Warm, crusty bread or cornbread for dipping.
• A light side salad to balance the richness.
• Over baked potato halves for a double potato experience.

Fun Facts & Southern Context

Potato soup has long been a Southern comfort classic. Paula Deen popularized rich, indulgent versions featuring heavy cream, cheese, and bacon — perfect for holidays and family gatherings. Slow cooking in a crockpot allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, giving a creamy texture that rivals even the most luxurious restaurant soups.

Nutrition Information (per serving, approx.)

Calories: 350 | Carbs: 28g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Sugar: 4g | Fiber: 3g | Sodium: 720mg