4-Ingredient Potato Soup

When the weather gets cooler and all you want is a warm bowl of something cozy and delicious, potato soup is the answer. Not just any potato soup though—we’re talking about an incredibly easy 4 ingredient potato soup that’s full of flavor but takes minimal effort. Whether you’re rushing to get dinner on the table after a busy day or prepping in advance for a slow-cooked dinner, this recipe has you covered. The beauty of this dish? It’s super adaptable! With just four core ingredients, you can make it exactly the way you want—stovetop or slow cooker, loaded or plain, whatever works for you.

Photo Adobe stock

Let’s talk about what makes this 4 ingredient potato soup so great. First off, it’s insanely simple to put together. Who doesn’t love a meal that you can make with things you likely already have in your pantry or freezer? The ingredients are easy to find and inexpensive. We’re using frozen Ore-Ida Potatoes O’Brien with onions and peppers for an extra punch of flavor without having to do any chopping. Then, a packet of country gravy mix thickens the soup and adds a creamy base, while chicken stock (or bouillon) brings depth. Finally, cream cheese or heavy cream adds that rich, velvety texture we all love in a potato soup. I opt for cream cheese for a bit of tang but either is great.

Why You’ll Love This Soup

The main reason this soup is so great is that it’s incredibly flexible. With just four base ingredients, you can customize it however you like. Want to toss in leftover chicken? Go for it! Craving something extra hearty? Add shredded cheese or bacon as toppings. Need something a little sweeter? Throw in some corn! The options are endless, but the base remains wonderfully simple. Whether you choose to make this as a slow-cooked potato soup or prefer the stovetop, you’re in for a treat.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the 4 Ingredient Potato Soup:

• 1 28oz bag of Ore-Ida Potatoes O’Brien (with onions & peppers, frozen)

• 1 packet of Country Gravy Mix

• 4 cups of Chicken Stock (or 5 tsp Better than Bouillon Chicken Base mixed with 4 cups of water)

• 2 ounces of Cream Cheese (or 2/3 cup of heavy cream)

• Salt and ground pepper to taste

That’s it. Just four ingredients, but packed with flavor!

How to Make it Your Own

Now, don’t think this soup is limited by the four ingredients. In fact, it’s the perfect base for adding your favorite flavors. Want to make a loaded baked potato soup in a slow cooker? It’s super easy with this recipe—just top it with shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, and green onions, and you’ve got yourself a loaded potato bowl that’s perfect for a chilly night. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, throw in some shredded rotisserie chicken, sausage, or even leftover steak. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.

Craving some veggies? Toss in a can of creamed corn or some leftover cooked vegetables from last night’s dinner. The soup adapts to whatever you’ve got in your kitchen, making it a great option for clearing out the fridge.

Cooking Methods: Stovetop vs. Slow Cooker

Here’s the best part: you can make this soup two ways, depending on your schedule and how much time you’ve got. For those days when you want to toss everything in and forget about it, the slow cooker is your best friend. If you’ve got 20 minutes to spare, the stovetop version is quick and easy.

Stovetop Method:

1. In a large pot, combine all ingredients except cream cheese / cream.

2. Cook and stir occasionally for 30 minutes.

3. Stir in your cream cheese or heavy cream until smooth and creamy.

4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. That’s it—you’re done! Optional toppings or add-ins can be stirred in just before serving.

Slow Cooked Potato Soup Method:

1. Add everything except the cream cheese/cream to the slow cooker.

2. CookCook on HIGH 3 hours. or LOW for 6 hours

3. Stir in cream cheese and heat until warm.

4. Taste, season with salt and pepper, and serve with your favorite toppings.

Photo Adobe Stock

Optional Add-ins and Toppings

Once you’ve mastered the base of this slow cooked potato soup, you can make it your own by mixing in or topping it with any of these delicious options:

Toppings:

• Shredded cheese: Cheddar, Colby Jack, or Gouda would be great choices.

• Crumbled bacon: For that loaded potato vibe, a little crispy bacon on top adds the perfect salty crunch.

• Sliced green onions: Add a pop of freshness to balance the rich soup.

• Sour cream: A dollop of sour cream takes this soup from cozy to indulgent.

Add-in’s if you’d like a 5-6 ingredient potato soup:)

• Creamed Corn or Drained Sweet Corn: Stir in a can of either for a bit of sweetness that complements the savory potato base.

• Leftover cooked veggies: Got some leftover steamed broccoli or roasted carrots? Toss them in!

• Shredded rotisserie chicken, steak, or sausage: Amp up the protein content by adding in your favorite leftover meats.

Photo by Bartlett Farms

The Best of Both Worlds: Stovetop or Slow Cooker?

Whether you opt for the stovetop version or slow cooker, this 4 ingredient potato soup fits perfectly into your weeknight dinner rotation. The stovetop version is great for those last-minute meal needs, ready in just about 20 minutes. On the flip side, the loaded baked potato soup in a slow cooker lets you prep in the morning and come home to a perfectly slow-cooked, creamy, and flavorful dinner. It’s the best of both worlds, giving you flexibility and convenience all in one.

Pro Tips for Perfect Soup Every Time

• Creamy texture: If you like your soup extra creamy, go with full fat cream cheese. The tanginess of the cream cheese balances beautifully with the potatoes and gives the soup a luxurious thickness.

• Chunky or smooth: If you prefer a smoother soup, use an immersion blender before adding the cream cheese or heavy cream. Leave it chunky for a more rustic texture.

• Season well: Because the soup only has a few ingredients, seasoning it properly is key. Don’t skimp on the salt and pepper!

  A Comforting, Versatile Dish

  This slow cooked potato soup is more than just a recipe—it’s a meal that can be customized to fit whatever ingredients you have on hand. From basic to loaded, stovetop to slow cooker, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this cozy bowl of goodness. When life gets busy, this easy 4 ingredient soup can save the day. And the best part? It only requires four ingredients! Keep it simple with just the basics or dress it up with toppings and extras. Either way, you’re going to love it.

  Make a big batch and have leftovers for lunch, or freeze portions to have on hand when you need a quick dinner. This is the kind of meal that everyone loves, and it’s a great base for getting creative. You can even turn it into a loaded baked potato soup in a slow cooker by adding classic baked potato toppings like bacon, cheese, and sour cream.

  Final Thoughts

  At the end of the day, this 4 ingredient potato soup is about as easy and satisfying as it gets. Whether you need a quick stovetop version or the ease of a slow cooked potato soup, this dish is the perfect go-to for busy nights. It’s cozy, adaptable, and just plain delicious. So, grab your bag of frozen potatoes and get cooking—you’ve got a bowl of comfort waiting!

  What are your favorite add-ins for potato soup? Do you like it loaded with toppings, or do you keep it simple with just the base? Let me know in the comments below!

Yield: 6

Author: Lauren Lane

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4- Ingredient Quick and Easy Potato Soup

This 4- Ingredient Quick and Easy Potato Soup are so simple to throw together. With just 3-ingredients for this base soup, it only takes 5-minutes to get it into the pot. Then you can sit back and let it simmer away. I've also shared tons of add-ins and toppings so you can doctor it up exactly as you'd like. It's souper easy.

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 25 Min

Ingredients

• 1 28oz Ore-Ida Potatoes O'Brien with Onions & Peppers Frozen Potatoes
• 1 packet Country Gravy Mix
• 4 cups of Chicken Stock (or 5 tsp Better than Bouillon Chicken Base + 4 cups of water) *
• 2 ounces of cream cheese or 2/3 cup of heavy cream
• Salt and ground pepper to taste
• Optional Toppings: shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, sliced green onions

Optional Add-ins

• 1 can of creamed corn OR 1 can of drained sweet corn
• Leftover cooked vegetables
• Shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken, steak or sausage

Instructions

1. Combine ingredients in a large pot.
2. Add any optional add-in's.
3. Stir occasionally, uncovered, until the soup is thickened (about 30 minutes)
4. Add salt and pepper to taste, and top with your favorite toppings; shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, or green onions.

Notes

• If you like a thicker soup, simmer it longer, add more cheese or add-in vegetables.
• I top mine with green onion and shredded cheese. So good!
• I like to look in my fridge to see what I need to use up, and I often add it to this soup!
• If you use the stock instead of the Better Then Bouillon you will most likely want to add more salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

218.18

Fat (grams)

9.08

Sat. Fat (grams)

4.47

Carbs (grams)

29.43

Fiber (grams)

3.82

Net carbs

25.61

Sugar (grams)

9.01

Protein (grams)

8.29

Sodium (milligrams)

510.25

Cholesterol (grams)

24.06

Calories vary based on add-ins and add-ons.

© Lauren Lane

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