Easy Crockpot Potato Soup

If you're anything like me you use your crockpot at least once a week during the winter.  Heck maybe in the summer as well.  Anyhow, mine doesn't leave my counter during the winter months.  Most weeks I use it twice.  

This past week I made potato soup. 

It was exactly what I was looking for.  

Rich, creamy and filling.  

Perfect for a cold winter night.  

Ingredients: 

1 30oz. bag of frozen diced hash browns

1 32 oz box of chicken broth

1 can of cream of chicken soup (10 oz)

1 pkg. cream cheese (8 oz, not fat free)

3 oz bacon bits 

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 

salt and pepper to taste 

Directions:

Put the hash browns in the crockpot.  Add in the chicken broth, cream of chicken soup and half of the bacon bits.  Add a pinch of salt and pepper.  

Cook on low for 7-8 hours or until potatoes are tender.  

An hour before serving, cut the cream cheese into small cubes.  Place the cubes in the crock pot.  Mix a few times throughout the hour before serving.  

 Once the cream cheese is completely mixed in, it's ready to serve.  

Top with cheddar cheese and some additional bacon bits.  

Enjoy! 

If you want the printable recipe, go HERE. 

If you're looking for another delicious recipe, check out one of my newest, corn chowder! 

Check out my Pinterest board for more of my favorite recipes! 
Follow Leah's board Simply Made with Love on Pinterest.

*affiliate links used in this post*

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Let me introduce you to my new favorite soup recipe.  

I am obsessed with this recipe and have been craving it since I first made it. 

It's healthy but filling.  Hubs isn't a soup fan and loved it. 

It provided us with lunch for the next day.  

It was simply delicious.  

I made this soup stovetop but I think it would be good in the crockpot as well.  I used brown rice and ground turkey instead of beef.  Everything else remained the same.  Do yourself a favor and add this to your menu this week!

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Courtesy of The Country Cook 

Stuffed Pepper Soup
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 small onion, diced
1 large bell pepper, diced
1 can (29 oz.) diced tomatoes
1 (10 oz) can tomato soup (or tomato sauce)
1 (14 0z) can chicken broth (or beef broth)
2 cups cooked rice
1 tbsp. sugar
t tsp. garlic powder
salt & pepper, to taste
shredded cheddar cheese, for topping

Directions:
In a large pot, brown and crumble ground beef along with diced green peppers and onion over medium-high heat.

When meat is thoroughly cooked, drain excess grease from beef mixture.

Put beef mixture back into pot. Add in diced tomatoes, chicken (or beef) broth and
tomato soup (or tomato sauce).

Give it all a good stir. Then add in rice. Stir again.

Then stir in seasonings; sugar, garlic powder, salt & pepper (to taste).

Cover and let soup simmer on low-medium heat for about 30 minutes to let all the flavors blend.

Then serve with shredded cheddar cheese on top of each serving.

Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Soup and cold weather go hand in hand in our house.  Unfortunately, when I was planning our meals a few weeks ago I didn't know that our January weather would be in the 80's! I had already made my trip to the store therefore this recipe stayed on the menu.  I have to say that this was definitely one of the easier crock pot recipes I've made recently.  All you really have to do is cut the celery and carrots (I didn't use onions) and throw everything else in there.  Hubs and I devoured ours and are still enjoying leftovers.  I'm looking forward to making this again when the weather is cold! 

Enjoy!

Chicken Noodle Soup

Courtesy of Southernfood.com

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 pounds chicken pieces
• 4 cups water
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste, depending on saltiness of broth
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 leek or small onion chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram or basil
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 ounces noodles

Preparation:

Place all ingredients except noodles in the Crock Pot. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. Remove chicken and bay leaf from pot; take meat from bones, dice, and return to broth, and add the noodles. Cook another hour or until noodles are done (about 1/2 hour on high). Or, cook the noodles separately and add them just before serving.

tomato-basil-parmesan-soup

One of my favorite comfort foods is grilled cheese and tomato soup. Especially on a cool fall or winter night.  When I looked at the forecast a week or so ago and noticed cooler temperatures, I made sure to add this dinner to my menu.  I'm still on a crock pot kick, so I searched to see if there was a soup recipe I could make in the crock pot.  I decided on this one because of the amount of veggies in it and the reviews.  It isn't a smooth, creamy soup due to the vegetables but it was still good.  Hubs gave it a 7 out of 10 and that's pretty good because he's not a soup fan.  I give it a 6 because I REALLY love creamy tomato soup.  Again, a great tomato soup but if you're looking for creamy with no chunks, this is not for you.  Enjoy! 

Tomato- Basil- Parmesan- Soup 

Recipe found here 

Makes about 2 quarts (about 8 servings)

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup finely diced carrots
1 cup finely diced onions
1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano
1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil
4 cups chicken broth
½ bay leaf
½ cup flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese
½ cup butter
2 cups half and half, warmed (or skim milk if you’re trying to cut some calories)
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

1.  Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, basil, and bay leaf to a large slow cooker.
2.  Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft.
3.  About 30 minutes before serving prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir constantly with a whisk for 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow cooker. Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper.  Add additional basil and oregano if needed (the slow cooker does a number on spices and they get bland over time, so don’t be afraid to always season to taste at the end).
4.  Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve.

Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

I mentioned that a goal of mine this month was to try new crock pot recipes.  This was one of the ones I found on Pinterest and decided to make.  We usually buy a rotisserie chicken ever other week and have some left over meat.  I usually freeze the leftover meat, which ended up being perfect for this recipe. You'll notice from the picture that it looks thicker than your typical soup.  And it was.  But, that was because I let it cook for 8 hours on low instead of 6, which made the rice mushy.  I had to leave the house and ASSUMED it would be fine.  Whoops.  Even though that happened, I still wanted to share the recipe because it was really good. Even with the thick texture, we ate it all.  I'm sure it would be fantastic as a soup and plan on making it again. 
 This time, keeping more of an eye on it at the end.  Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Courtesy of Chef Mommy 

Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 package of Rice-a-Roni long grain and wild rice 
1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup butter
2 cups half and half (I used fat-free half and half)
1 cup grated carrots (I diced mine)
1 cup diced celery

Directions:

Combine broth, water, carrots, celery, chicken and rice (along with seasoning packet) in a large slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours. Take out chicken and shred with two forks and then add back into slow cooker. In a small bowl combine salt, pepper, and flour. In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour mixture by tablespoon to form a roux. Whisk in cream, a little at a time, until fully incorporated and smooth. Stir cream mixture into slow cooker and then let cook on low for 15 more minutes

Six Can Chicken Tortilla Soup

This recipe is one of my favorite winter crock pot meals.  

You'll be glad you made it.  Enjoy!

Adapted from AllRecipes. 

A friend of mine let me have this recipe that her husband had made the night before.  I'm all about quick and easy meals and I knew this one would work perfectly in the crock pot.  It was also a chilly week, so soup ended up being the perfect dinner! Her husband made a few changes to the recipe, which are in red below.  I threw this baby in the crock pot on low for 4-6 hours.  ENJOY!

Ingredients

• 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 2 cups of shredded chicken 
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, drained
• 2 cans of cream of chicken soup 

Directions

I used rotisserie chicken that was already cooked.  I threw everything in the crock pot and cooked it for 4-6 hours, stirring a few times along the way. 

Pampered Chef- Enchilada Soup

The weather down in FL is getting chilly and I love it!  I checked the weather before I planned my meals for the week (don't ask) and couldn't wait to add some soups and slow cooker meals to the menu when I noticed the low temps.  I'm working on a Pampered Chef cooking challenge right now, which is why I chose this recipe. I used my crock pot for the soup and cooked it on low for 8 hours.  I cooked the meat and added all of the ingredients to the crock pot.  Mix it a few times, pour it in a bowl, let it cool for a minute and top with shredded cheese. Simple as that! 

*I served it with tortilla scoops.  

*My changes are noted in red.  Original directions are posted below.  

Enchilada Soup

Ingredients:
3 1/2   cups beef broth 2   cups water 1/2   pound 95% lean ground beef *used 1lb of ground turkey 1/2   cup diced red bell pepper 1   garlic clove, pressed 1/4   cup masa harina (instant corn masa mix) or all-purpose flour                * 8 oz tomato sauce		2   cans (10 ounces each) enchilada sauce 1   can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed 1   cup thinly sliced zucchini *2 Tbs chopped jalapeno pepper 1/4   cup snipped fresh cilantro 2   tablespoons lime juice Grated Monterey Jack cheese (optional) *small handful of shredded mexican cheese before serving

Directions:
1.	Using Easy Read Measuring Cups, measure broth and water; set aside. In (4-qt.) Dutch oven, cook beef over medium-high heat 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking beef into crumbles. Add bell pepper and garlic to Dutch oven; cook and stir 2 minutes. Add masa harina, enchilada sauce, beans, broth and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer.
2.	Add zucchini to soup; simmer, uncovered, 2-3 minutes or until zucchini is crisp-tender. Remove from heat; stir in cilantro and lime juice. Ladle soup into bowls; sprinkle with cheese, if desired.
Yield: 8 servings (about 10 cups) Nutrients per serving: (about 1 1/4 cups): Calories 130, Total Fat 3.5 g, Saturated Fat 1.5 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Carbohydrate 14 g, Protein 10 g, Sodium 680 mg, Fiber 3 g

Cheesy Potato Soup

I've been on a soup and crockpot kick lately.  The weather here has been a little cooler which makes me want to eat warm cozy meals.  Soup= warm and cozy.  I love potato soup, but have never made it at home.  I usually just go to Panera.  After finding this recipe from Betty Crocker and noticing there weren't too many ingredients I decided to give it a try.  Actually, I asked hubs to give it a try since he was off work the day it was on the menu =-).  He said it was pretty easy to throw together.  It was also a very cheap meal that ended up providing dinner for us for two nights.  I was in love with this soup. In my opinion,  it gives Panera a run for their money.  I will say that if you like your potato soup with pieces of potato, this is not the soup for you.  The potatoes were very soft, which I loved.  Hubs also enjoyed this meal.  At first, he asked "where's the meat?".  But, he was definitely satisfied once dinner was finished.  We usually only take leftovers for lunch, like I said before, we ate this two nights in a row.   Do yourself a favor and make this recipe, you'll be a hero in your house! Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup

1

bag (32 oz) frozen southern-style diced hash brown potatoes, thawed

1/2

cup frozen chopped onion (from 12-oz bag), thawed

1

medium stalk celery, diced (1/2 cup)

1

carton (32-oz) Progresso® chicken broth

1

cup water

3

tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1

cup milk

1

bag (8 oz) shredded American-Cheddar cheese blend (2 cups)

1/4

cup real bacon pieces (from 2.8-oz package)

4

medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)

1. In 3- to 4-quart slow cooker, mix potatoes, onion, celery, broth and water.
2. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 8 hours.
3. In small bowl, mix flour into milk; stir into potato mixture. Increase heat setting to High. Cover; cook 20 to 30 minutes or until mixture thickens. Stir in cheese until melted. Garnish individual servings with bacon and green onions. Sprinkle with pepper if desired.

Makes 6 servings (1 1/2 cups each)

Chicken Taco Soup

My friend Caroline shared this recipe on her blog and I immediately bookmarked it.  It looked like the perfect winter meal and it did not disappoint.  I made it last night and it was easy peasy. I boiled the chicken because I started the soup a little later in the day and it wouldn't have the full 8 hours to cook.   After boiling the chicken, I added it to all of the ingredients and that was it.  I read some of the reviews on All Recipes, where the recipe originally came from and a lot of people used chicken broth instead of beer.  We didn't have chicken broth in our house, but had the beer so beer it was.  I loved it and couldn't really taste any of the beer in the soup.  What I loved the most was the 4 lunches it made for D and I for the week! Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer - we used Bud Light Lime
2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts
shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
sour cream (optional)
crushed tortilla chips (optional)

Directions:
1. Place the onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer, and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend. Lay chicken breasts on top of the mixture, pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, and cook for 5 hours.

2. Remove chicken breasts from the soup, and allow to cool long enough to be handled. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, and continue cooking for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired.