Paula Deen's Crock Pot Potato Soup

Why this Soup Recipe Works

This Paula Deen potato soup recipe is popular because it uses simple ingredients and creates a rich, creamy soup with minimal effort. The potatoes naturally thicken the soup while the butter and cream give it that classic Southern comfort food flavor.

It’s a great recipe for cold weather or when you want a hearty, filling meal made with pantry staples.

• No peeling or chopping potatoes
• No roux or blending required
• Dump-and-go slow cooker recipe
• Thick and creamy texture

Note: Please ignore the points for this recipe if you are not watching your calories or on a weight loss journey. 🙂

• Country Style Hash Browns (24 points) - Can also use a bag of cubed potatoes but they might be more points
  Chicken broth - Use fat free, reduced sodium (1 point)
  Cream of chicken soup - 10 oz can of 98% fat-free reduced (5 points)
  Uncooked onion (0) - dried onion flakes work well for those that don't like raw onions
  Cream cheese (20 points) - Low fat or Fat-free to help lower points
• Additional Ingredients- some people like to add a 1oz packet of dry Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning
• Extra Toppings - These ingredients are optional. I love topping my soup with chopped scallions, some extra Cheddar, and bacon. Use turkey bacon or reduced-fat cheddar to keep it low points.
• Serving Size - Divide that into 8 equal servings and you get 6 points for 1 ½ cups.

How to Make Crock Pot Potato Soup

Step 1: In a crockpot, combine everything EXCEPT for the cream cheese. Cook for 6-8 hours on low heat.

Step 2: About 1 hour before serving, add cream cheese (softened) and keep heated until thoroughly melted. This part might require a lot of mixing to get the cream cheese well blended.

Best Toppings for Potato Soup

One of the best things about potato soup is how customizable it is. Adding toppings gives the soup extra flavor, texture, and richness. Try setting up a small toppings bar so everyone can build their own bowl.

Here are some of the most popular toppings for potato soup:

• Shredded cheddar cheese - Cheddar cheese melts beautifully into hot potato soup and adds a sharp, savory flavor.
• Crispy bacon - Crumbled bacon adds a smoky flavor and a bit of crunch that pairs perfectly with creamy soup.
• Green onions - Fresh green onions add a mild onion flavor and brighten up the dish.
• Sour cream - A dollop of sour cream makes the soup even creamier and adds a slight tang.
• Cracked black pepper - Freshly cracked pepper gives the soup a little extra kick.
• Extra shredded potatoes or hash browns
  Some people like to stir in extra cooked potatoes for an even heartier bowl.

How to Thicken Potato Soup

If your potato soup is thinner than you would like, there are a few easy ways to thicken it without changing the flavor too much.

One of the simplest methods is to mash some of the potatoes directly in the crock pot. This naturally thickens the soup while keeping it creamy and hearty.

You can also add more cream cheese. Since this Paula Deen potato soup already uses cream cheese, adding a little extra will make it even richer and thicker.

How to Store

Store leftover potato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Let the soup cool completely before transferring it to the container to keep the texture and flavor fresh.

How to Freeze Potato Soup

You can also freeze potato soup, but keep in mind that soups made with cream cheese may change texture slightly after thawing. For best results, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.