Creamy Southern Hash Brown Potato Soup with Cheesy Delight
Enjoy the ultimate comfort food with this rich and creamy potato soup, perfect for any occasion. Inspired by a local cooking show, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a hearty meal. Utilizing leftover smoked ham adds a delightful twist, enhancing the flavors of this dish. With its velvety texture and tasty toppings of shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and fresh green onions, this soup is sure to please family and friends alike. Whether it's a chilly evening or a casual get-together, this potato soup is both easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Medium Onion
1 (diced)
Celery
2 stalks (finely chopped)
Butter
4 tablespoons (melted)
Southern-style Hash Browns or O'Brien Hash Brown Potatoes
32 ounces (frozen)
Chicken Broth
3 cups (low sodium)
Garlic Salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half
1 pint (as desired)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
to taste (for garnish)
Chopped Green Onion
to taste (for garnish)
Bacon
to taste (cooked and crumbled for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and finely chopped celery, sautéing until they become soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Season with garlic salt and black pepper.
2
Transfer the sautéed onion and celery mixture to a slow cooker. Stir in the southern-style hash browns or O'Brien hash brown potatoes, chicken broth, and any additional seasonings you desire.
3
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
4
After the cooking time, slowly stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half, and continue to cook for an additional hour, making sure the soup is heated through.
5
If the soup becomes too thick, feel free to add a splash of milk or water to reach your desired consistency.
6
When serving, garnish each bowl with generous toppings of shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and fresh chopped green onions for added flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Southern Hash Brown Potato Soup with Cheesy Delight?
It is a rich and creamy comfort food recipe that uses frozen hash browns and simple ingredients for a hearty meal.
What type of hash browns should I use for this soup?
The recipe calls for 32 ounces of frozen southern-style hash browns or O'Brien hash brown potatoes.
How do I prepare the vegetables for the soup?
You should dice one medium onion and finely chop two stalks of celery.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet and sauté the diced onion and celery until soft and translucent.
How long should I sauté the onion and celery?
Sauté the vegetables for about 5 to 7 minutes over medium heat.
What seasonings are added during the sautéing process?
Season the onion and celery mixture with garlic salt and black pepper.
How long does the soup cook in the slow cooker?
The soup should cook on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours.
What liquid serves as the base of the soup?
The base is made using 3 cups of low sodium chicken broth.
When do I add the heavy cream or half-and-half?
Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half after the initial 6 to 8 hours of slow cooking.
How much heavy cream is required?
The recipe requires 1 pint of heavy cream or half-and-half.
Is there additional cooking time after adding the cream?
Yes, continue to cook the soup for an additional hour after stirring in the cream.
What should I do if the potato soup is too thick?
If the soup is too thick, add a splash of milk or water to reach your desired consistency.
What are the recommended toppings for this soup?
Garnish each bowl with shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and fresh chopped green onions.
Can I add meat to this recipe?
Yes, adding leftover smoked ham is a recommended twist that enhances the flavor of the dish.
Is this recipe suitable for a slow cooker?
Yes, this recipe is specifically designed to be prepared in a slow cooker.
What kind of butter is used?
The recipe uses 4 tablespoons of melted butter for sautéing the vegetables.
What is the texture of this potato soup?
The soup has a velvety and creamy texture.
How much garlic salt is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of garlic salt, or more to taste.
How much black pepper is included?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, or to taste.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a local cooking show.
Is this a good recipe for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as perfect for chilly evenings and a great comfort food option.
How many stalks of celery are needed?
You will need 2 stalks of finely chopped celery.
Can I use O'Brien potatoes instead of regular hash browns?
Yes, O'Brien hash brown potatoes are a perfectly suitable substitute in this recipe.
Is the bacon added inside the soup or on top?
The bacon is cooked, crumbled, and used as a garnish on top of the soup.
What type of cheese is suggested for garnish?
Shredded cheddar cheese is the recommended choice for a cheesy delight.
Do I need to cook the hash browns before putting them in the slow cooker?
No, you add the frozen hash browns directly into the slow cooker with the broth and sautéed vegetables.
How do I prepare the green onions for garnish?
The green onions should be fresh and chopped before being added to the soup.
Can I add other seasonings to the slow cooker?
Yes, you can stir in any additional seasonings you desire along with the hash browns and broth.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is described as both easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious.
What is the main protein source in the optional version?
Leftover smoked ham and crumbled bacon serve as the primary protein additions.