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Creamy cheesy potato soup is the easiest soup you’ll ever make. You only need a handful of ingredients and a crockpot!!

Cheesy potato soup is the first to disappear at potlucks! It goes so well served in a Bread Bowl, just like some of our other favorite soups including Broccoli Potato Soup and Cauliflower Soup.

Cheesy potato soup in a bowl topped with bacon and chives.

Easy Potato Soup (A family fav)

One of my favorite things to do when the weather cools down is to have soup with bread bowls, especially this simple cheesy potato soup.

I have a lot of crock pot soup recipes, but this one is my favorite slow cooker soup of all time because it’s SO EASY!

I love that all the ingredients can be thrown in the crockpot and hours later you have a delicious, creamy soup.

If you love a good hearty soup, you will definitely want to save this recipe. It’s always the first one gone at every soup potluck we’ve been to (no joke)!

Frozen cubed potatoes thawing in colander.

Dump + Wait!

I almost wish there were more instructions for this recipe because the recipe card looks really empty, but that just proves this is a perfectly easy cheesy potato soup.

COMBINE. Set a slow cooker to high. Add butter to the slow cooker and let it melt. Add hash browns, cream of chicken and celery soups and half-and-half and mix to combine.

COOK. Stir in any other desired mix-ins, then cover and cook on high for 3–4 hours.

SEASON. Add 1 cup cheese and salt and pepper to taste and stir to mix. Add more half and half if needed to reach the consistency you prefer.

Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup cheese along with any other desired toppings before serving.

Make it On The Stovetop

Making this cheesy potato soup recipe on the stovetop in a large saucepan is simple too. Here is how to make it:

  1. Melt the butter in a large pot, and add the thawed hash browns, cream of chicken, cream of celery, and half and half.
  2. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer on low for 30-40 minutes (or until potatoes are tender).
  3. Add cheese, salt, and pepper before serving.
Cream soups and potatoes mixed in a crockpot and topped with pepper.

Serving Suggestions

This potato soup with hash browns is very easy to change up and can be added to with just the toppings.

Variations. Here are some of our favorite loaded potato soup toppings:

  • extra sharp cheddar cheese
  • sour cream
  • Bacon crumbles or mix in cubed ham
  • chives or green onions
  • of course – salt and pepper
  • use heavy cream or half and half (to adjust texture as well)
Cooked bacon on a sheet pan.

Storing Info

STORE. Keep covered crock pot cheesy potato soup in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, just microwave or heat crockpot cheesy potato soup over medium heat in a bowl. You may need to add more half and half when reheating to smooth out the soup a bit.

FREEZE. Using freezer-safe containers, divide the leftover recipe for cheesy potato soup into individual serving sizes and freeze for up to 3 months.

Cheese potato soup recipe in a bowl topped with bacon and chives.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use fresh potatoes to make cheesy potato soup?

Absolutely! I recommend using Yukon gold potatoes or russet potatoes. Peel and dice the potatoes. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced potatoes and cook them until they are slightly softened and lightly browned. Transfer the cooked potatoes to your crockpot and proceed with the recipe.

Can I freeze potato cheese soup?

Whether you’re making it ahead of time or wish to freeze leftovers, freezing is a great way to extend its shelf life and have a quick and convenient meal ready to go whenever you want. Allow the soup to cool completely before storing it in a freezer-safe container(s). It will last for up to 3 months.

Can I make this cheesy potato soup vegetarian?

By replacing the cream of chicken soup with an equal amount of cream of mushroom soup you can make this a vegetarian option without too much change to the flavor and texture.

For More Potato Soup Recipes, Check Out:

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5 from 71 votes

Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Creamy cheesy potato soup is the easiest soup you'll ever make. You only need a handful of ingredients and a crockpot!!
Servings: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 3 hours
Total: 3 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 (32-ounce) package frozen diced hash browns thawed
  • 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
  • 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of celery soup
  • 3 cups half-and-half or heavy cream, plus more as needed
  • cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • salt and pepper to taste

Additional Mix-ins (Optional)

  • 1 (14.75-ounce) can creamed corn or 2 cups chopped ham optional

Toppings (Optional)

  • sour cream, bacon crumbles, chives or green onions optional
Save This Recipe!
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Instructions 

  • Set a slow cooker to high. Add butter to the slow cooker and let it melt. Add hash browns, cream of chicken and celery soups, and half-and-half and mix to combine. Stir in any other desired mix-ins, then cover and cook on high for 3–4 hours.
  • Add 1 cup cheese and salt and pepper to taste and stir to mix. Add more half and half if needed to reach the consistency you prefer.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup cheese along with any other desired toppings before serving.

Video

Notes

Stovetop directions. Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat, then add hash browns, cream of chicken and cream of celery soups and half-and-half. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 30–40 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Add cheese, salt, and pepper before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 256kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 68mg, Sodium: 197mg, Potassium: 139mg, Fiber: 0.004g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 709IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 249mg, Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




124 Comments

  1. Corie gibson says:

    5 stars
    I made this a few weeks back and my almost 13 year old was asking for it AGain! He at first was not wanting to try iT and had two bowls! DEFINITELY a win at our house!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yay!! Tell him thank you for trying it & liking it 🙂

  2. Hillary Elliott says:

    5 stars
    I have made this probably 5 times since saving it 2 months ago. It is my go to and our favorite recipe weve tried. The bread bowl tip from panera was spot on and makes thenperfect addition to this soup. Although its amazing without them. And the best part is it is So easy!!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I am so glad to hear that!! We love this soup, too! Thank you so much for letting me know 🙂

  3. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    AnoTher fan favorite soup! That is not only good but so simple to make. You will be thinking how could sonething so simple be sooo good.

  4. Marie says:

    5 stars
    This soup is perfect for fall time! so rich in flavor!

  5. Joy says:

    5 stars
    This is one of my favorite soups ever!! I love how cheesy, smooth, & creamy it is! Adding it in a bread bowl is such a comforting food!! Best of all, the crock pot does all the work!

  6. Maile Siatunuu says:

    5 stars
    Easy, creamy, cheesy, and YUMMY!!! its barely hitting “soup weather” here in SoC, but i just HAD to make this! Super easy and super delicious!!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yay!! I am so glad you think so! Thank you so much for trying it!

  7. Martha says:

    5 stars
    Soo easy and soo good! Thanks!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      This is my favorite!! I am glad you liked it! Thank you!

  8. Patty Knutson says:

    5 stars
    After reading the comments that the soup was very thick, I went ahead and made the soup but added two can fulls of milk right away. It came out creamy and not too thick or runny. I also took about 3 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the pan and mixed them in. It was perfect! I love all of the recipes on this blog and I recommend them to all of my friends who ask for dinner recommendations. Thank you, Lil Luna!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Awe, you are so nice!! Thank you for sharing all the recipes 🙂 And, thank you for sharing what you did!

  9. Jimmie Carey says:

    Am so anxious for the Chili’s receipe for enchilada soup.

  10. Tina says:

    Have you ever cooked this soup on Low for 6-8 hours? I’m wondering if I can start it in the morning, before the work day. Thank you!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Should work fine 🙂 Enjoy!