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Creamy Sausage Potato Soup: Easy Slow Cooker Dinner Recipe

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This creamy sausage potato soup is the ultimate comfort food, made effortlessly in a slow cooker. With savory Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and a velvety cream cheese broth, it’s a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (start with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese (for garnish, optional)
  • Crispy bacon bits (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat, leaving a little in the pan.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Layer the slow cooker: Place the cubed potatoes at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Top with the cooked sausage and onion mixture.
  4. Add seasonings and broth: Sprinkle thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) over the sausage and potatoes. Pour in the chicken broth and stir gently.
  5. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.
  6. Add cream cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cubed cream cheese. Let it melt completely, stirring occasionally.
  7. Stir in heavy cream: Right before serving, pour in the heavy cream and stir until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  8. Optional: Thicken the soup: Use a potato masher to gently mash some of the potatoes in the slow cooker for a thicker consistency.
  9. Serve and garnish: Ladle into bowls and top with fresh parsley, shredded cheddar, and crispy bacon bits if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For best results, brown the sausage well to develop flavor. Add cream cheese during the last 30 minutes on LOW to prevent separation. The soup thickens as it sits; add extra broth or milk when reheating. Freeze before adding cream and cream cheese for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy sausage potato soup, slow cooker soup, easy dinner recipe, comfort food, sausage potato soup

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/creamy-sausage-potato-soup-easy-slow-cooker-dinner-recipe/