Creamy Crockpot potato soup recipe with frozen hashbrowns is a cheap dinner with tons of flavor. You can add or top with bacon and cheese for a killer meal.
Crockpot Potato Soup is easy to make using a bag of frozen hashbrowns. The ideal comfort food that the entire family will devour. It only takes 10 minutes to prep and is deliciously cheesy. Using frozen potatoes saves you loads of time to create this easy Crockpot recipe. (affiliate links present)
Crockpot Frozen Hash Brown Soup Recipe
Having a good-quality easy loaded potato soup recipe is a must. On those cold nights when you want something extra warm and comforting, loaded potato soup is here to the rescue.
You donโt always have time, or want to, peel and finely dice taters though right?? Well on those nights just grab a bag of frozen hashbrowns and give this a whirl.
The best part is that your slow cooker does ALL the work for you. All you have to do is throw it all in in the morning hours, stir and enjoy when youโre home. Since you are not having to prep the potatoes yourself and just dump it out of the bag it saves a ton of time.
To make it even more fun you could load a few bowls filled with toppings and wrap them in plastic wrap to use later. Cheese, green onions, bacon bits, sour cream, the list goes on and on for this one. Yes, you can use fresh but when youโre overwhelmed like I am from time to time (ok always), I like โcheater mealsโ. ๐ This easy Crockpot soup hits the spot for us all.
It doesnโt matter if you are just learning to cook or are an old pro; you will love how minimal effort is needed to make it creamy. Iโm not saying I am lazy, but I love a good recipe that I donโt have to spend all day in the kitchen cooking. ๐
Ingredients
- Bag of frozen hash brown potatoes, do not defrost!
- Can of cream of chicken soup or homemade cream of mushroom soup works too
- Chicken broth, stock or beef broth works as an alternative
- Cheddar cheese โ shredded is our choice + additional 1/2 cup to top bowls when done
- Heavy cream will make a creamy potato dish, dairy free alternative is okay too
- Bacon bits or leftover ham is optional but a killer add in (or croutons on top)
I donโt feel like you need much salt and pepper in this but add some at the end if you want. Whenever Iโm cooking I use light seasonings when Iโm cooking and amp it up at the end.
Directions
Time needed: 6 hours
Crockpot Potato Soup with Frozen Hashbrowns
- Add ingredients
Pour bag of frozen hash brown shredded potatoes into the pot with broth and can of condensed soup. Stir in diced ham or bits of cooked bacon, stir.
- Cook
Cover and cook on low most of the day (recommended), or on cook on high for half the time but it works better low and slow for sure. Stirring occasionally is suggested. Near the end you will stir in heavy cream and cheese to make creamy and thicken. (do not add before or it may curdle)
- Serve
Stir and top with more cheese and bacon, a dollop of sour cream (or cream cheese softened), small bits of chives or green onions. It will taste like a baked potato in a bowl this way.
How can I add flavor to potato soup?
You can also add in some extra ingredients to get even more flavor beyond bacon and ham like; chopped up broccoli florets for vegetables, frozen corn kernels cook to tender when you stir in the heavy cream in the last hour when cheese is melted.
Can you use raw potatoes instead?
For this recipe, you will need a bag of frozen hashbrowns, and they will cook up beautifully. If you want to swap for regular potatoes, that is more than acceptable too. Chop them up, so they are small bite-sized pieces, and they will also cook well too.
How do I thicken up my potato soup?
Overall the soup is a great consistency and texture, but if you prefer it thicker, you can use cornstarch to thicken by mixing 2 -3 tablespoons of it to the heavy cream and stirring it well. Then slowly pour it into the soup about 30 minutes before serving. This will make it thicker.
If you are out of cornstarch, you could also use flour. Add in ยผ cup of flour to the heavy cream and stir it very well. Make sure it doesnโt have any lumps, then pour it into the crock pot 30 minutes before serving.
Air fryer rolls, crusty bread, or breadsticks are also pretty tasty options. Any kind of meat like chicken, steak, or fish will go with it as well.
Naturally, salads go with almost anything. I like to stick with a basic garden salad, but you could go with something bigger and fancier if youโd rather.
Crockpot Potato Soup with Frozen Hashbrowns Recipe
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
- 32 oz hashbrowns, frozen, bagged
- 1 can cream of chicken soup, 10.5 oz, or cream of mushroom
- 32 oz chicken broth, more or less depending on how thick you want it
- 6-8 slices bacon, precooked and crumbled, or use diced leftover ham
- 2 c cheese, cheddar, shredded
- 1 c heavy cream
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pour bag of frozen hashbrowns into slow cooker with cream of chicken soup and broth. Stir in cooked bacon bits and stir together.
- Close lid and cook for 5-6 hours on low (recommended), or 3-4 hours on high.
- Stir in heavy cream and shredded 1.5 c. of cheese 30 minutes before serving to thicken and warm. Serve topped with the remaining 1/2 c. of cheese (or more), dollop of sour cream, bacon and/or chives.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
In the recipe card you can print it and keep handy for later. Of course we love โseeing youโ too though so feel free to come back as often as youโd like, donโt go away friends. ๐ Other great recipes and cheap Crockpot meals you might like this one are below:
- Our slow cooker breakfast casserole using these same bagged potatoes.
- You can use these to make air fryer frozen hashbrowns with cheese on top.
- These Crockpot cheesy potatoes are another great brunch option.
Why are my hashbrown diced potatoes still hard after 6 hours in the crockpot
There is no way that is possible. Even whole potatoes are done is 6-8 hours so diced or shredded would be tender in 2 easily. Check to make sure it was on and working properly.
Can I use sour cream instead of cream cheese?
you could it just wouldnโt be as thick or be quite the same flavor
Can you freeze leftovers since youโre using frozen hash browns?
I havenโt done that but imagine it should work well. Use freezer bags, suck air out and freeze flat. Thaw in fridge overnight and reheat in microwave. It may separate a bit when thawed and look different
What happens if I added the heavy cream with all the other ingredients instead of 30 mins before serving? I got a little excited and didnโt read the instructions fully.
It may begin to curdle
@Angie, did yours curdle? I did same thing and added cheese
Can I use cream cheese instead of heavy cream?
Havenโt tried that so unsure
@Jen, Iโve had success with 1/2 block of cream cheese! Iโve also used a can of evaporated milk to reduce the fat (not condensed milk). Both worked well. The cream cheese would need to be cut into small chunks to melt in evenly.
Great idea
@Jen, Ive always used cream cheese in mine. It makes it great!!
One of our favorites for a house full of picky eaters. I am vegetarian so I use cream of mushroom soup and vegetable broth and it comes out perfect every time. Texas toast and caesar salad and itโs a perfect dinner!
Love serving with Texas toast
I used cheddar cheese soup instead.
Added sliced smocked cheese sausage.
Can I use half and half? I donโt have cream at home๐ฉ
Can you use OโBrian frozen hashbrown potatoโs? Those are the frozen potatoes but come with red and green peppers frozen in as well.
If the only difference is the bell peppers that would work just fine
Can you make it on the stove?
Oops!! I wasnโt paying attention to directions closely enough!! I added the heavy cream and shredded cheese at the same time as the other ingredients! I guess I will see if it is still good after church!! I have more of each!
@Terri, how much cream do we actually add to this recipe, please? It says no where how much.
You scrolled right past the recipe card, it is above and says 1 cup