Description
This comforting crockpot soup features creamy cheese, tender potatoes, and savory kielbasa for a hearty meal with just 15 minutes of prep. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a flavorful, family-friendly dish that practically cooks itself.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound kielbasa sausage, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cream cheese, cubed
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Optional garnishes: chopped green onions, extra cheese, crispy bacon bits
Instructions
- Add potatoes, kielbasa, onion, and garlic to slow cooker. Toss to mix.
- Sprinkle in thyme, paprika, and pepper. Pour in chicken broth and stir in Dijon mustard.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or LOW for 7-8 hours until potatoes are tender.
- Whisk cream and cornstarch in a bowl. Add to slow cooker along with cream cheese. Stir gently.
- In final 15 minutes, gradually add cheddar cheese, stirring until melted. Adjust salt to taste.
- Serve hot with desired garnishes like green onions, extra cheese, or bacon bits.
Notes
For a lighter version, use turkey kielbasa and half-and-half. Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded. Avoid opening the lid while cooking to maintain consistent temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 85mg