A rich, creamy crockpot potato soup with smoked sausage, tender potatoes, and savory broth — perfect for cozy nights and make-ahead meals.
6 cups diced russet potatoes (about 5 medium)
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp dried thyme
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbsp butter (optional, for roux)
2 tbsp flour (optional, for roux)
Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish
Sauté sausage in a skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté onion in butter until soft. Add garlic for the last 30 seconds.
Add potatoes, sausage, onion, garlic, broth, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper to crockpot.
Cook on LOW 6–8 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours until potatoes are tender.
Optional: Partially blend soup with immersion blender for creamier texture.
Stir in cream and cheese. Let melt completely.
Adjust seasoning and serve with fresh herbs.
Use Yukon Gold for a creamier texture.
For dairy-free, use coconut milk and skip cheese.
Reheats and freezes well (freeze before adding dairy).