This soup is called potato pig, because I use either ham or bacon when I make this soup. All the boys in my family love both, but I definitely prefer ham. There is nothing quite like hot potato soup on a cold Montana day. It’s creamy and hearty. This is a super simple recipe. If you wanted to make it even simpler, you could always prep the potatoes and onions the night before then all you have to do is throw everything in the crockpot in the morning before work. This would save you at least 20 minutes in the morning. I don’t have a lot of spare time in the mornings, so this makes it way more convenient.

Crockpot Potato Pig Soup

2 1/2 pounds potatoes

1/2 medium onion diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 cans chicken broth (14.5 ounces each)

1/3 cup water

1 package cream cheese (8 ounces), softened

12 pieces diced, cooked bacon or 2 cups cubed, cooked ham

Peel and dice half of a five pound bag of potatoes. Add potatoes, onion, garlic, broth, water and your choice of pig to the crockpot and stir. Cook on high for 5 to 6 hours. Blend cream cheese and soup mixture in a blender or with a hand-held mixer in the crockpot. Serve with shredded cheese, diced green onions and add salt and pepper to taste.

Joy Larson is a mother of four boys, graduate of The University of Montana, animal lover and writer.

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