"Potato Soup with Broccoli & Bacon" Crockpot Recipe

My timing might be off a little bit here...ahhh, somestimes that feels like the story of my life, lol. While this soup might be best suited for fall or winter, when most people think about making/eating hearty soups and stews, I share this right in the beginning of summer!?! Well, the truth is I made this a few months ago and got so busy with life that I forgot to post it! So maybe you won't make this anytime too soon, but it is delicious and definitely worth saving for when weather turns chilly again. (Which here in Western New York, that could mean next week!) Anyhow, I am not really one to live life inside the box. If I want a hearty soup on a 80 degree day, so be it ;) Perhaps you are the same way. If not, feel free to pin for later!

So, how did I come up with this soup recipe? Well, my hubby said he was craving some sort of potato, or broccoli cheese soup. I had made these before and basically just wanted to turn it up a notch! I decided I would make a combination of potato and broccoli cheese soup, plus add bacon, because ummm well every thing is better when you add bacon!

I got out my crockpot and went to town making this delicious soup!
It was a huge hit with my family and I'm sure it would be with yours too!

Ingredients:

1 lb. bacon

3 Broccoli florets, chopped

8-10 Potatoes, peeled

20 oz. Chicken Broth

1/3 cup of flour

1 tablespoon salt

4 cups whole milk

5 tablespoons butter

1 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 scallions

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup heavy cream

Total Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Cook Time: 3-4 hours

Serves 8-10

Instructions:

1. In a pan, cook bacon, cut up and set aside.
2. Also in a pan, sauté onion and garlic with 1 tbsp. olive oil. Stir in flour and cook for one minute. Place mixture into crockpot.
3. Place peeled potatoes into a boiling pot of water and cook until somewhat soft (not fully cooked). Then, chop and mash (depending on your preferred texture) and add to crockpot.
4. Add all other ingredients into crock pot and set on high.
5. Stir occasionally and allow to cook for 3-4 hours.
6. Serve in a bowl, adding some additional shredded cheese and chopped scallions on top.