You know, there’s something truly magical about a steaming bowl of soup, especially when you’re craving comfort food but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. For years, I’ve been playing around with simple dishes that deliver big on flavor without a laundry list of ingredients. That’s exactly what led me to create these “No Fuss” 12-Ingredient Soup Recipes! Trust me, you don’t need a pantry overflowing with exotic spices to whip up something absolutely delicious. This bacon potato soup is proof that with a handful of essentials, you can have a rich, cozy meal on the table that feels like a hug in a bowl. It’s the kind of cooking I live for – easy, satisfying, and pure comfort.
Why You’ll Love These 12-Ingredient Soup Recipes (No Fuss)
Seriously, why wouldn’t you love a soup that’s this darn easy and tastes this good? Here’s the lowdown on why this recipe is a winner:
- Super Simple Ingredients: We’re talking just 12 ingredients, most of which you probably already have!
- Quick Prep Time: Get it in the slow cooker in about 15 minutes and let it do its magic.
- Unbeatable Flavor: The combo of bacon, potatoes, and creamy cheese spread is pure comfort food heaven.
- Cozy & Comforting: Perfect for a chilly evening or anytime you need a warm hug in a bowl.
Simple Ingredients for Your 12-Ingredient Soup Recipes (No Fuss)
The beauty of these “No Fuss” 12-Ingredient Soup Recipes is that you likely have most of this stuff lurking in your pantry or fridge already. That’s the whole point, right? Keep it simple, keep it delicious. If you’re looking for even more super simple ideas, check out these easy 4-ingredient soup recipes.
Here’s what you’ll need for this amazing Bacon Potato Soup:
- For the Soup:
- 1/2 pound bacon
- 1 (28 ounce) bag potatoes O’Brien with onions and peppers
- 30 ounces chicken broth
- 8 ounces garlic and herb cheese spread
- 1 pinch black pepper
See? Easy peasy! It really is just a handful of things that come together to make something magical. No fancy stuff, just good old-fashioned flavor.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your No Fuss Soup
Alright, let’s get this cozy soup into your slow cooker! It’s honestly so straightforward, you’ll be amazed at how simple it is to make something this delicious. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a warm bowl of comfort in no time.
Prepare the Bacon
First things first, grab that bacon! Pop it into a nice big skillet. We’re going to cook it over medium-high heat. Keep an eye on it and turn it now and then until it’s all golden brown and crispy, which usually takes about 10 minutes. Once it’s done, carefully lay the bacon slices on some paper towels to drain off that extra grease. Let it cool a bit, then give it a good chop.
Brown Potatoes and Combine in Slow Cooker
Now, don’t clean that skillet! While the bacon was cooking, it left behind some tasty flavor. Working in batches, toss those O’Brien potatoes (with their yummy onions and peppers!) into the same skillet. Cook them for about 5 minutes until they get a little golden. Then, carefully transfer those beautiful potatoes into your slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth, dollop that glorious garlic and herb cheese spread right on top, and scatter your chopped bacon all over. Pop the lid on tight and let it cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, or until the potatoes are super tender.
Blend for Desired Consistency
Okay, this is where we get it nice and creamy! If you like your soup super smooth, grab a high-powered blender. Ladle some of the soup into it – don’t fill it more than halfway, trust me! Safety first: hold the lid down really, really well with a potholder. Pulse it a few times, then hold the lid down and let it blend until it’s smooth, which usually takes about 45 seconds. You can blend less if you like it a bit chunkier!
Final Stir and Serve
Pour that perfectly blended soup right back into the slow cooker. Give it a good stir to make sure everything is all mixed together beautifully. And there you have it! Your amazing, fuss-free soup is ready to go. Serve it up right away while it’s hot and comforting.
Tips for Perfect 12-Ingredient Soup Recipes (No Fuss)
Okay, so you’ve got the basic idea down, but let me give you a few little secrets to make this soup absolutely sing. Because even with just a few ingredients, a little bit of thought goes a long way, right? Trust me, I’ve learned a thing or two after making tons of these easy recipes. For instance, I found that a whole medley of quick hacks can totally up your game when you’re short on time. For this soup, I always make sure my bacon is nice and crispy – it adds a fantastic texture. And don’t skimp on browning those potatoes; that little bit of caramelization is gold! It’s these small steps in these 12-Ingredient Soup Recipes (No Fuss) that really elevate the flavor.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Sometimes you might be missing an ingredient or just want to switch things up! For this simple soup, the garlic and herb cheese spread is totally key for that creamy, savory flavor. If you can’t find it, no worries! You can totally use a plain cream cheese and just stir in a little bit of garlic powder and dried herbs like parsley or chives. It won’t be *exactly* the same, but it’ll still be delicious! The potatoes O’Brien are super convenient with the included onions and peppers, but if you can only find plain frozen diced potatoes, just toss in about half a cup of diced onion and a quarter cup of diced green bell pepper with them. Easy fixes!
Making Your 12-Ingredient Soup Recipes (No Fuss) Ahead of Time
Life gets busy, am I right? The great news is that this bacon potato soup is totally make-ahead friendly. You can cook the whole thing in the slow cooker and then let it cool completely before popping it into an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep for about 3-4 days! If you’re looking for more speedy prep ideas, check out these low-carb meal prep ideas. When you’re ready to reheat, just do it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. If it’s a little too thick, add a splash more broth or milk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Soup
Got questions about making this simple, cozy soup? I’ve got you covered!
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
You bet! Just swap the bacon for some extra veggies like mushrooms or smoked paprika and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. So easy!
What kind of potatoes work best?
Honestly, the Potatoes O’Brien with onions and peppers are fantastic because they’re already prepped! If you use plain diced potatoes, russets or Yukon Golds would be great because they break down nicely and make the soup nice and creamy.
How can I make the soup thicker or thinner?
For a thicker soup, just blend a bit more of it in that high-powered blender and stir it back in. If it’s too thick, a splash more chicken broth or even some milk will thin it out perfectly.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Okay, so keep in mind these numbers are just a ballpark estimate, because we all use slightly different brands or maybe chop our bacon a little chunkier! But generally, a serving of this super cozy soup comes in around 450-500 calories, with about 30-35g of fat (hello, bacon and cheese!), 20-25g of protein, and around 25-30g of carbohydrates. It’s a hearty bowl, for sure!
Share Your 12-Ingredient Soup Recipes (No Fuss) Creations!
I absolutely can’t wait to hear what you think of this super simple, “No Fuss” 12-Ingredient Soup recipe! Did you try it? Did you tweak it? Drop a comment below and let me know how your soup turned out. I’d love to see your pictures if you share them on social media – just tag me! Your feedback helps others find these easy, comforting meals, too. If you have any questions or want to share your culinary adventures, feel free to reach out via my contact page!

Easy 12-Ingredient Bacon Potato Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels; chop roughly when cool enough to handle.
- Working in batches, pour potatoes into the same skillet, and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove potatoes to a slow cooker. Stir in chicken broth. Dollop cheese spread on top; scatter bacon on top. Cover slow cooker and cook on High until potatoes are very tender, 3 to 4 hours.
- If desired, ladle some of the soup, no more than halfway full, into a high powered blender. Cover and hold lid down with a potholder; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend, about 45 seconds.
- Pour soup back into slow cooker. Stir to combine; serve immediately.
Notes
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Certified Therapeutic Nutrition Specialist
My journey into medical low-carb nutrition began when my four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy. When neurologists recommended the Modified Atkins Diet as seizure management, I found myself in uncharted territory where recipe failures could literally trigger neurological episodes.
As a registered nurse with pediatric experience, I had the clinical knowledge but needed to learn how to translate medical protocols into family-friendly meals. I spent three years documenting every successful adaptation and breakthrough that made medical nutrition feel less like punishment and more like nourishment for our family’s unique needs.
I’ve developed over 190 medically-compliant recipes, each tagged with precise macro calculations and detailed notes about which health conditions benefit most. My collaboration with pediatric neurologists at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia resulted in the first comprehensive cookbook for families managing childhood epilepsy through diet – work that’s now used by three major children’s hospitals.
When I’m not reading medical journals or practicing violin for stress relief, I’m advocating for insurance coverage of medical foods and helping school districts accommodate students on prescribed ketogenic protocols. Medical nutrition isn’t about perfection – it’s about precision applied with compassion.