If you are on the hunt for a comforting, creamy, and utterly addictive dish to warm your soul, look no further than Crack Potato Soup. This luscious soup combines the crispy, smoky goodness of bacon with tender shredded potatoes, velvety cream cheese, and a blend of savory flavors that will quickly become one of your go-to recipes. Whether for a cozy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck contribution, Crack Potato Soup is a must-try that delivers big on taste and satisfaction.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You don’t need a pantry full of fancy ingredients to whip up this irresistible soup. Each component plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and texture that make Crack Potato Soup so unforgettable.

Frozen shredded hash brown potatoes: Thawed to give the soup a tender, hearty bite and authentic potato texture.
Dry ranch dressing mix: Brings a zesty, herby kick that lifts the soup’s savory profile.
Condensed cream of chicken soup: Adds richness and depth with a smooth, velvety base.
Condensed cream of mushroom soup: Enhances the earthiness and rounds out the creamy texture.
Cream cheese: Softened to create a silky smooth mouthfeel and mild tang.
Butter: Melted to infuse the soup with buttery goodness and subtle richness.
Chopped onion: Provides a subtle sweetness and a bit of crunch.
Garlic powder and black pepper: Key seasonings amplifying flavor without overpowering.
Chicken broth: The flavorful liquid that ties all ingredients together and keeps the soup cozy.
Bacon: Cooked and crumbled sirens in smoky, crunchy bits that are a total game changer.
Shredded cheddar cheese: For bubbling, melty topping that adds sharpness.
Chopped green onions: Fresh, bright garnish that adds a perfect pop of color and subtle bite.
Sour cream (optional): Adds creaminess and cool contrast as a delicious finishing touch.

How to Make Crack Potato Soup

Step 1: Prepare the Base Mix

Begin by thawing your frozen shredded hash browns fully so they cook evenly in the soup. In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup until smooth. This creamy duo forms the rich backbone of your Crack Potato Soup.

Step 2: Combine Main Ingredients

Soften the cream cheese to room temperature for easy mixing. Then melt the butter until liquefied. In a large mixing bowl, mix the thawed potatoes, ranch dressing mix, both condensed soups, softened cream cheese, melted butter, chopped onion, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until every ingredient is fully incorporated into one creamy, hearty mixture.

Step 3: Simmer the Soup

Transfer this luscious mixture to a large stockpot or Dutch oven and pour in the chicken broth. Stir well to combine and eliminate any lumps of cream cheese. Place the pot over medium heat and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat and let it cook gently for 30 minutes to an hour, stirring often to prevent sticking and to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 4: Add Bacon and Cheese

Once your soup has thickened nicely, fold in most of the crumbled bacon and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese melts into gooey perfection and the bacon is evenly distributed, elevating the soup’s smoky richness to new heights.

Step 5: Final Touches

Ladle the piping hot Crack Potato Soup into bowls. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese, bacon, and chopped green onions over each serving. If you like, top with a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess and tang. Serve immediately while every bite is warm, cheesy, and utterly comforting.

How to Serve Crack Potato Soup

Garnishes

The magic of Crack Potato Soup is in the toppings. The shredded cheddar cheese melts beautifully creating tempting golden pockets of cheese. Crispy bacon bits add a smoky crunch, and bright chopped green onions give fresh color and a mild bite. For a cool, creamy contrast, a spoonful of sour cream is an optional but highly recommended finishing flourish.

Side Dishes

This soup is so filling it works wonderfully as a stand-alone meal, but pairing it with crusty bread or a light side salad complements the richness perfectly. Garlic bread or warm dinner rolls make excellent dippers, while a crisp green salad can cut through the creaminess, balancing each bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive twist, serve Crack Potato Soup in mini bread bowls to intrigue your guests or pack it into thermoses for an irresistible on-the-go treat. You can also customize the toppings bar-style, letting friends pile on extra bacon, cheese, sour cream, or chopped herbs. This soup is as versatile as it is delicious!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Crack Potato Soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will deepen overnight, making it an even tastier treat the next day.

Freezing

Freeze the soup in meal-sized portions using freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months. Just be mindful that the texture of potatoes might soften further after freezing, but the flavor stays delicious.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and to re-melt the cheese beautifully. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth to loosen the consistency if it has thickened too much in the fridge.

FAQs

Can I make Crack Potato Soup vegetarian?

You can easily swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and omit the bacon for a vegetarian-friendly version. Consider adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke to replicate the smoky flavor the bacon provides.

Is it possible to make this soup without cream cheese?

Cream cheese adds a silky texture and tang, but if you prefer, you could substitute with sour cream or Greek yogurt. Keep in mind this will slightly alter the texture and flavor.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?

Yes, you can dice fresh potatoes and parboil them before adding to the soup. However, frozen hash browns are convenient and maintain consistent texture with less prep.

How thick should Crack Potato Soup be?

This soup should be creamy but not too thick—think rich and pourable. If it’s too thick after simmering, add a bit more chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.

What is the best way to cook bacon for this soup?

Frying bacon in a pan until crispy is best for maximum flavor and texture. You can also bake bacon on a sheet pan for easier cleanup. Once cooked, crumble it up as a topping and mix-in.

Final Thoughts

Make yourself a big pot of this Crack Potato Soup and prepare for an explosion of creamy, cheesy, and smoky deliciousness. It’s the kind of recipe that comforts like a warm hug and can quickly become your family’s favorite. Don’t wait to share this cozy classic with your loved ones—it’s guaranteed to bring smiles all around the table.

Crack Potato Soup Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 8 reviews

Author: Lily
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Low Salt

Print Recipe

Description

Crack Potato Soup is a rich, creamy, and comforting soup loaded with tender hash brown potatoes, savory bacon, melted cheddar cheese, and a blend of comforting flavorings including ranch seasoning and cream cheese. This hearty soup is perfect for a cozy meal and can be topped with bacon, cheddar, green onions, and sour cream for added deliciousness.

Instructions

Thaw Potatoes: Ensure frozen shredded hash brown potatoes are completely thawed before beginning the soup preparation.
Mix Soups: In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup and the condensed cream of mushroom soup until smooth.
Prepare Cream Cheese: Confirm that the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to mix smoothly into the soup.
Melt Butter: Melt the butter either in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop in a small saucepan.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add thawed hash browns, ranch dressing mix, both soups, softened cream cheese, melted butter, chopped onion, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until fully combined.
Transfer to Pot: Pour the potato mixture into a large stockpot or Dutch oven for cooking.
Add Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and stir well to combine, making sure no lumps of cream cheese remain.
Heat Soup: Place the pot over medium heat and bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
Simmer: Reduce heat to low and simmer the soup for at least 30 minutes, up to one hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
Adjust Consistency: Check the soup’s thickness; add more chicken broth if too thick, or simmer longer if too thin.
Add Bacon: Stir most of the cooked and crumbled bacon into the soup, reserving some for garnish.
Add Cheese: Mix about half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the soup until melted, reserving the rest for topping.
Combine Thoroughly: Stir the soup so bacon and cheese are evenly distributed and the cheese is fully melted.
Serve: Ladle hot soup into individual bowls.
Add Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over each bowl.
Garnish: Top with reserved crumbled bacon and chopped green onions.
Optional Sour Cream: Add a dollop of sour cream to each bowl if desired.
Enjoy Hot: Serve immediately while the soup is hot and the cheese is melted and gooey.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit bacon or use vegetarian bacon.
Make sure hash browns are fully thawed to ensure even cooking and proper texture.
Stir frequently during simmering to avoid soup sticking to the bottom and burning.
Adjust seasoning by adding more black pepper or garlic powder if desired.
This soup can be made ahead and reheated; add extra cheese and toppings just before serving.
Sour cream topping is optional but adds a creamy tang that complements the rich flavors.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American