Wonderful Recipe Wednesday - Slow Cooker Potato Soup

So you may have heard of the Polar Vortex (should that be capitalized?!?) that hit the Midwest (and beyond) last week and left us cooped up in our house for days.  Sub zero temperatures?  Yeah, this mama has no desire to be outside!  Luckily for us, I was prepared to do some serious cooking while home bound.  There is no better way to warm up on a frigid day than with a delicious bowl of soup!! 

We love soup around here and I love a simple soup recipe.  While checking out another favorite blog, Shay from Mix & Match Mama (Yes, the same Shay from Mix & Match Family) I found this crazy easy recipe for slow cooker potato soup.  She found it Pearls, Handcuffs and Happy Hour.  (Love all the recipe sharing between blogs!)

I made a few tweaks for our version but the core of the recipe is the same.

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Ingredients:
1 (30oz) bag of frozen, cubed hash browns
3 (14oz) cans of chicken broth
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 onion, chopped
1 (8oz) package of cream cream
Shredded cheddar cheese, green onion and/or bacon for toppings.

Directions:
Add all ingredients, except the cream cheese and garnish, to crockpot.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.  (Now, my crockpot is broken tends to cook quicker so we do a low setting for 5 hours total)  About 1 hour before serving, mix in cream cheese.  Give one last mix before serving.  Top as desired.

The original recipe calls for shredded hash browns but we prefer the cubed version.  Also, I have never added the sausage that Mix & Match Mama mentions.  It is delicious without it and that is what works for us. 

For a kicked up, spicier version, we add about a tablespoon of creole seasoning.  (My favorite is Tony Chachere's).  The extra spice was a huge hit with the hubby!

So there you have it...6 main ingredients.  Yes, 6!  That is a recipe I can get on board with.  And you know what?  It is delicious!  A win, win in my book!

Now go whip up a batch this winter.  You can thank me later :)