Get ready to discover your new favorite comfort food! This Crockpot Swamp Soup is the ultimate one-pot wonder, combining savory meats, creamy cheese, and hearty vegetables into a deliciously satisfying meal. It’s the perfect easy recipe for busy weeknights, game day gatherings, or anytime you crave a warm, flavorful soup. Just dump the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it work its magic!
Why You’ll Love This Hearty Crockpot Swamp Soup
- Incredibly Easy: With minimal prep time, this is a true “dump and go” recipe. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.
- Packed with Flavor: A savory blend of sausage, ground beef, zesty tomatoes, and creamy cheese creates a rich, multi-layered taste.
- Family-Friendly: It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults will devour.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for leftovers and easy lunches.
What Is Swamp Soup?
Swamp Soup, sometimes known as “Shrek Soup” for its signature green color, is a hearty and cheesy soup that has become a viral sensation for good reason. It typically features a rich base of ground beef and sausage, combined with cream cheese, diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel), and a generous amount of spinach which gives it its distinctive color. It’s the perfect blend of a creamy soup and a hearty chili.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of common ingredients to bring this amazing soup to life. It’s a flexible recipe, so feel free to make substitutions based on what you have on hand.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef works best to minimize grease.
- Pork Sausage: Use your favorite brand of mild or hot pork sausage for an extra layer of flavor.
- Onion & Garlic: These aromatics build the foundational flavor of the soup.
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: A can of Rotel (or a similar brand) adds a zesty, slightly spicy kick.
- Cannellini Beans: These white kidney beans add a creamy texture and extra protein.
- Chicken Broth: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the final dish.
- Cream Cheese: This is the secret to the soup’s ultra-creamy texture.
- Spinach: A whole bag of fresh spinach wilts down to give the soup its classic color and a boost of nutrients.
- Seasonings: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder is all you need.
How to Make Swamp Soup in the Crockpot (Step-by-Step)
Making this Crockpot Swamp Soup couldn’t be simpler. Just follow these easy steps for a perfect result every time.
- Brown the Meats: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and pork sausage with the diced onion until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Combine in Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked meat mixture to the bottom of your crockpot. Add the undrained can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, the rinsed cannellini beans, and the chicken broth. Stir everything together.
- Slow Cook: Place the block of cream cheese on top of the mixture. Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Wilt the Spinach: About 30 minutes before serving, stir the soup to fully incorporate the melted cream cheese. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it’s completely wilted into the soup.
- Serve and Enjoy: Season with salt and pepper to taste, then ladle into bowls and serve hot.
Pro Tips for the Best Swamp Soup
Want to take your soup to the next level? Here are a few expert tips.
- Don’t Skip Browning: Browning the meat first develops a deeper, more savory flavor that you won’t get by adding it raw.
- For a Creamier Soup: For an even richer, creamier texture, you can add a splash of heavy cream along with the spinach at the end.
- Spice it Up: If you like a little heat, use hot pork sausage, add a pinch of red pepper flakes, or use a can of hot Rotel tomatoes. If you love a good kick, this Cajun Potato Soup is another great option.
Fun Variations to Try
This recipe is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to customize it to your liking!
- Different Meats: Try using ground turkey, chicken, or even Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Add More Veggies: Diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or corn would be delicious additions.
- Bean Swaps: Not a fan of cannellini? Pinto beans or black beans work great too.
- Cheese Topping: Serve topped with shredded cheddar or a Monterey Jack cheese blend for extra cheesy goodness.
What to Serve with Your Soup
This Crockpot Swamp Soup is a complete meal on its own, but it’s also delicious with a side of crusty bread for dipping, saltine crackers, or a simple green salad. For a hearty lunch pairing, try it with these Ham and Cheese Crescent Roll-Ups. Looking for another easy crockpot meal? This Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken is a family favorite.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Leftovers are one of the best parts of making this soup!
- To Store: Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat: You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire batch on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through.
- To Freeze: This soup freezes well. Store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Crockpot Swamp Soup FAQs
Yes, absolutely. To make it on the stovetop, brown the meat in a large pot or Dutch oven, then add the remaining ingredients except for the spinach and cream cheese. Simmer for about 30 minutes, then stir in the cream cheese until melted and add the spinach to wilt.
Yes, you can use frozen spinach. Be sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out as much excess water as possible before adding it to the crockpot. This prevents the soup from becoming watery. A 10-ounce package of frozen spinach is a good substitute for 5 ounces of fresh.
The soup is naturally quite thick and hearty. If you’d like it even thicker, you can let it simmer uncovered in the crockpot on HIGH for the last 30 minutes to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. You could also mash some of the cannellini beans to release their starch.
Swamp soup is a creamy, hearty soup typically made with ground beef, sausage, cream cheese, canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel), chicken broth, and a generous amount of spinach, which gives it its characteristic green color.
A good quality pork sausage works best. You can choose mild, regular, or hot Italian sausage depending on your preference for spice. Breakfast sausage also works well in this recipe.
Share Your Creation!
We hope you love this easy and delicious Crockpot Swamp Soup recipe as much as we do! It’s a true comfort food champion that will have everyone asking for seconds. If you make it, don’t forget to leave a comment below and share your masterpiece on Pinterest!
Crockpot Swamp Soup Recipe
Crockpot Swamp Soup (The Easiest, Tastiest Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and pork sausage with the diced onion until the meat is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Transfer the cooked meat mixture to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies, rinsed cannellini beans, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
- Place the block of cream cheese on top of the mixture in the crockpot.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir the soup well to melt and incorporate the cream cheese completely. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it has fully wilted into the soup.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Freezing: This soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Spice Level: Adjust the spice by using hot sausage or adding a pinch of red pepper flakes.
