Pin it
This creamy Cajun Potato Soup delivers smoky andouille sausage, tender veggies, and just the right amount of spice in every bite. The slow cooker does all the work while you wind down and wait for comfort to bubble away on the counter. It is the kind of cozy crowd-pleaser I make on cold nights when family shows up hungry and stays for seconds.
I first threw this together when I needed to feed guests after a hectic day. My kids loved helping shred the cheese and now they always ask for the "spicy potato soup" whenever the weather turns chilly.
Ingredients
- Olive oil: adds richness and helps the sausage brown use extra virgin if possible for best flavor
- Andouille sausage: for smoky Cajun flavor choose high quality sausage with a snappy casing
- Russet potatoes: give the soup body and creamy texture pick potatoes that are firm with no soft spots
- Bell pepper: diced for sweetness and color both red and green work well
- Onion: provides savory backbone look for onions with tight skins and no soft patches
- Celery and carrots: create a classic aromatics base go for crisp stalks and bright orange carrots
- Minced garlic: deepens the flavor use fresh cloves for the biggest punch
- Cajun seasoning: blends heat and herbs taste it first as different brands vary in punch
- Salt and black pepper: to balance and enhance all the flavors
- Chicken broth: is the soup’s base use low sodium if you like to control saltiness
- Milk: brings creaminess choose whole milk for richness
- Whipping cream: adds luxurious silkiness pick fresh heavy cream with no additives
- Shredded cheddar cheese: melts into the soup for depth grate your own for best melt
- Green onions: for a final fresh pop slice just before serving
- Tabasco sauce: adds a vinegary spice drizzle it on at the table to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the Sausage:
- Slice the andouille sausage into rounds. Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage rounds in a single layer and let them cook without moving them for three to four minutes so they get well browned on one side. Turn them over and brown the other side for another three minutes. This step draws out flavor and gives the soup a rich smoky base. Transfer the browned sausage to a plate lined with paper towels so any excess fat is absorbed
- Load the Slow Cooker:
- In the bowl of your slow cooker add the potatoes cut into chunky bites the browned sausage diced bell pepper diced onion celery carrots and minced garlic. Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning salt and pepper making sure everything is evenly distributed for maximum flavor
- Add Broth and Cook:
- Pour the chicken broth over all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Use a spoon or spatula to give everything a gentle but thorough stir so the flavors begin to blend. Place the lid on top and set your slow cooker to high for three hours or choose low for five hours. The potatoes should be fork-tender and the vegetables soft when this step is done
- Incorporate the Milk:
- After the potatoes are tender remove the slow cooker lid and pour in the milk. Stir everything gently to blend. Replace the lid and continue cooking on low for one more hour. The milk will add body and a subtle sweetness as it heats through
- Finish with Cream and Cheese:
- About fifteen minutes before you are ready to serve remove the lid and add the whipping cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and disappears into the soup making it silky and rich. If you like it extra cheesy you can add a bit more cheese at this stage
- Serve the Soup:
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Scatter sliced green onions on top and let everyone add their own splash of Tabasco if they want some extra fire. Serve immediately while it is creamy and steaming
Pin it
My favorite part is that first bite when the cheese melts around the smoky sausage slices. I have a photo of my son beaming over his bowl with steam rising and just a little Tabasco on his chin. This recipe always brings everyone to the kitchen with wide eyes and big appetites
Storage Tips
Let leftover soup cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to three days. If the soup thickens as it sits just add a splash of milk when reheating on the stovetop and stir until creamy. For longer storage freeze portions without the cream and cheese then add those when you reheat for best texture
Ingredient Substitutions
If you cannot find andouille sausage try any smoked sausage or kielbasa. For extra veg you can toss in corn or spinach during the last forty minutes of cooking. If you need a dairy-free option substitute coconut milk for regular milk and leave out the cheddar cheese or use a plant-based blend
Pin it
Serving Suggestions
This soup is a meal on its own but I love serving it with crusty bread or warm cornbread to scoop up every cheesy spoonful. For a fresh contrast offer a green salad on the side. On game days put out extra Tabasco and cheddar for topping
Cultural and Historical Context
Cajun cuisine is all about big flavor born in Louisiana’s bayous using simple ingredients and technique. The spice blend carries the soul and tradition of generations of cooks who made do with what they had. Potato soup with sausage takes that spirit and drops it into the comfort zone of the slow cooker making it easy for any home cook to join in
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use a different sausage besides andouille?
Yes, smoked sausage or kielbasa also work well, though each brings a unique flavor to the dish.
- → How can I make the soup spicier?
Add an extra pinch of Cajun seasoning or a dash of cayenne pepper for increased heat.
- → What is the best way to store leftovers?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat on the stovetop, adding a little milk if it thickens.
- → Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, prepare and cook the soup as directed, then reheat gently when ready to serve for best flavor and texture.
- → Is it necessary to brown the sausage first?
Browning adds rich, smoky flavor and improves texture, but you can add sliced sausage directly if pressed for time.