Easy Potato Soup

One of the most amazing things about this recipe is the quick prep and cooking time.  It only takes a few minutes to combine the 5 ingredients….and in only 20 minutes this yummy soup bubbles and simmers until it is ready to eat! It also has some surprising ingredients such as shredded hash browns and French Onion dip. Using a bag of frozen hash browns cuts out the time it would normally take to wash, peel and dice potatoes. The addition of French Onion soup is another short cut to add flavor and richness to the soup.

Easy Potato Soup

2 cans Cream of Chicken soup

1 (8 oz.) container French Onion dip

3 soup cans full of milk

1 (30 oz.) bag frozen hash browns

1/2 stick butter

Salt & Pepper to taste

Garnish with shredded cheese, cooked & crumbled bacon and diced green onions

In a large stockpot, melt butter over low heat. Add in the soup, dip and milk. Stir until the mixture is smooth. Add hash browns and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done. (Stir frequently) Cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until the soup is heated thoroughly. Garnish with your favorite potato toppings!

This potato soup recipe could not be any easier!!! It is perfect meal to throw together on a busy weeknight or to let simmer when you have plenty of time. Either way the simple flavors come together to create a belly warming rich and creamy soup.  

Chocolate Cherry Cake

Feeling inspired by the upcoming Valentine's Day, I thought I would share this amazing dessert!!! It is super easy to make with only 3 ingredients for the cake and 3 ingredients for the topping. I debated about what to name this recipe…3 plus 3 equals amazing…..or The BEST Chocolate Cake….or Valentine's Day Delight…. No matter what you call it the taste is a blend of so many wonderful decadent flavors!!!

I've made many versions of "dump" cake before….often using any flavor cake mix along with a can of pie filling. This recipe couldn't be any easier with a rich Devil's Food cake and the tart cherries mixed in. You could easily substitute a yellow cake mix with yummy results!

Equally easy is the mix of whipped topping with softened cream cheese and then topped with a can of cherry pie filling. You could leave the cream cheese out if you prefer the lighter taste of Cool Whip. The cream cheese just adds a richer creamier frosting which compliments the tart cherries.

Chocolate Cherry Cake

1 can cherry pie filling

1 box Devil's Food cake mix

3 eggs, beaten

*Mix all 3 ingredients together in a big bowl with a large spoon until well combined. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 inch glass pan. Bake according to directions on the cake box…until done. 

1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened

1 can cherry pie filling

*Whip the cream cheese in a medium bowl until fluffy.  Blend in the cool whip. Spread over the top of the cooled cake. Top with the cherry pie filling. Enjoy a delicious piece immediately and then keep refrigerated.

Crockpot Chicken & Stuffing

It is Monday morning!!! Which means the start of another busy week!!! Typically I prepare a crockpot meal for either Monday or Tuesday….…and sometimes both days since those nights are the craziest in our house. This recipe is one that I have been making for years. It is so simple that I can easily grab a box of Stuffing mix at the grocery store and have all the ingredients I need for a delicious dinner!

Crockpot Chicken & Stuffing

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used frozen)

6 slices Swiss cheese (or sliced mozzarella)

1 can cream of celery soup (could also use Cream of Chicken or Cream of Mushroom)

1 box of Stove Top stuffing mix

1/2 cup skim milk

2 Tablespoons butter, thinly sliced

Lightly grease crockpot with Pam spray. Lay the chicken breasts on the bottom. Cover the chicken with the Swiss cheese. Mix the soup and milk together and then pour on top of the cheese. Sprinkle the contents of the stuffing mix next. Add the thinly sliced butter on top of the stuffing. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 3 hours…until chicken is done. 

I served the chicken & stuffing along with mashed potatoes and green beans. It reminded us all of Thanksgiving dinner. The chicken is so flaky and tender paired with the flavorful stuffing mix….so good!! The perfect kid approved crockpot dinner for a busy night!!

Creamy White Chicken Chili

During the winter months nothing is better for dinner than a yummy warm soup!!! When my mother-in-law mentioned that she made a good white chicken chili recipe recently, I thought I would look over my own collection to see exactly what I had.  

Many of the recipes I looked at had a combination of 3 cans of beans and 2 cans of chicken broth. Or the use of salsa verde in the soup rather than diced green chilies.  You could also make the soup with a different variety of beans and add in cans of white corn or hominy. There really is a vast array of options for "white chicken chili".  After browsing over five different recipes dating back to 2007, I decided to make this easy chicken chili.

Creamy White Chicken Chili

3 cups cooked shredded chicken (you could use a rotisserie chicken shredded or even canned chicken chunks)

2 (15 oz.) cans Great Northern Beans, rinsed & drained

1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth

1 (4 oz.) can Mild diced green chiles

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground oregano

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup half & half (or whipping cream)

In a large soup pot, combine all ingredients except the sour cream and half & half. Bring soup to a boil and then reduce heat to a low simmer for 20 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and half & half. Serve in bowls along side a selection of yummy toppings!

Tonight we added shredded Mexican four cheese, blue tortilla chips, diced avocado, a slice of lime, diced jalapeño peppers and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro! You could also add another dollop of sour cream, diced green onions or even use some Frito chips. The mixture of toppings definitely compliments this delicious soup!  I love when each person in the family can create their own perfect bowl of soup….just how they like it!!

If you don't like your soup too creamy, the addition of another can of chicken broth will thin it out.  I may even double this recipe next time so we have plenty of leftovers! However you like to eat your soup, I know that you will find the perfect combination to please your family with this Mexican inspired recipe!!!