There is something mighty comforting about coming home from a hot small-town summer parade to a slow cooker full of creamy potato soup, especially when it only takes a handful of ingredients to make. This kind of simple supper feels right at home in the Midwest, where dependable potatoes, a little dairy, and a patient cooker can turn out a meal that tastes like more effort than it really took. Using cubed Superior potatoes keeps the soup hearty and tender, and the loaded finish of bacon and chives gives it that weekend-treat feeling without making a fuss in the kitchen.
Serve this soup with buttered saltines, warm biscuits, or thick slices of toasted sandwich bread for dunking. If you want to round it out for supper, a crisp cucumber-tomato salad, sweet corn on the cob, or a platter of fresh sliced melon makes a nice cool contrast to the rich, creamy bowl.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Summer Parade Weekend Loaded Cream Potato Soup using Cubed Superior Potatoes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds cubed Superior potatoes
4 cups chicken broth
1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
1 cup cooked bacon bits, plus chopped chives for serving
Directions
1. Add the cubed potatoes to the slow cooker, then pour in the chicken broth and spoon in the condensed cream of chicken soup. Give it a gentle stir to combine.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender and easy to mash with a spoon.
3. Stir in the cubed cream cheese and about three-quarters of the bacon bits. Mash some of the potatoes right in the cooker with a potato masher or large spoon, leaving plenty of chunks for texture, then stir until the soup turns smooth and creamy.
4. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the remaining bacon bits and chopped chives before serving hot.
Variations & Tips
Make It Extra Cheesy: If you do not mind going past the five-ingredient spirit, stir in a handful of shredded sharp cheddar at the end for a richer loaded-potato flavor. Let it melt fully before serving so the soup stays smooth.
Use What You Have: If your bacon is freshly cooked instead of packaged bacon bits, save a spoonful for the top and crumble the rest into the pot. Superior potatoes hold their shape nicely, but you can mash more or less depending on whether your family likes a chunky soup or a smoother one.
Thin or Thicken as Needed: Slow cookers can vary plenty. If the soup ends up thicker than you want, stir in a splash of hot broth or milk before serving. If it seems too thin, leave the lid off for 15 to 20 minutes on high and give it a good stir to help it tighten up.
Cool Summer Shortcut: To make parade morning easier, load the potatoes, broth, and soup into the slow cooker insert the night before and refrigerate it covered. In the morning, set the insert into the cooker, turn it on, and dinner will be waiting when you walk back through the door.