Crockpot Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

This consistency of this is similar to potato soup, but the taste is a lot different!

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 large onion, chopped
black pepper
32 oz Chicken Broth
32 oz bag frozen Ore Ida hash browns
16 oz Velveeta, cubed 
14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes
small can diced green chilies
3 oz bag bacon bits (the real bacon kind, not imitation), plus more for topping if desired
8 oz cream cheese, room temp and cut into smaller sections
french fried onions for topping, optional

DIRECTIONS:
Brown ground beef along with onion in skillet. Season with black pepper. Transfer to crock pot when done.
Add the chicken broth, hash browns, velveeta, tomatoes, green chilies, and bacon bits to crock pot. Cook on low for about 5 hours, stirring a few times to prevent cheese from settling at bottom.
Add cream cheese. Cook on low for another 30-60 minutes.
Serve with desired toppings. Enjoy!

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

I hate making breakfast in the mornings. I am tired and would rather just sit on the couch. This is the perfect solution. Throw it all together the night before, wake up and eat! The original recipe (found HERE) called for 12 eggs, but I knew we would have way too many leftovers so I cut down on them, plus I made a few other small changes based on what I did or didn't have. I haven't tried it the original way, but this way is definitely a keeper!

INGREDIENTS:
32 oz bag frozen hash browns
10 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
4 Tablespoon dried chopped onion
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3/4 cup shredded cheddar
3/4 cup shredded monterey jack
7 eggs
1 cup milk
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried dill
salt and pepper (I didn't measure these, just used what I thought looked good)

DIRECTIONS:
Spray crockpot evenly with cooking spray. 
Pour half of the hashbrowns into crock pot, followed by half of the bacon, onion, bell pepper, and cheese. Repeat layers.
Mix eggs, milk, garlic, dill, salt and pepper in large bowl. Pour evenly over top of ingredients in crock pot.
Cook on low for about 8 hours (thermometer placed in center should reach 160F when done).

NOTES:
I have also made this using 2 bags of real bacon bits (they come in a zip lock 3 oz bag) instead of taking the time to actually cook up some bacon. Much easier and tastes just as delicious!

Crockpot Ham and Potato Soup

Really quick to throw together and very yummy! Can also be made without the ham (thats actually how I made it the first time and it was just as good).

INGREDIENTS:
32 oz bag frozen hash brown (like Ore Ida shredded has browns)
3 14oz cans chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 tsp black pepper
1.5-2 cups cooked ham, diced (I didn't measure, I just used up our leftover Easter ham)
8 oz cream cheese

DIRECTIONS:
Put all ingredients except for ham and cream cheese into the crock pot. Cook on low for about 6 hours. Add in the cream cheese (room temp or warmed up in the microwave so it melts better) and ham. Continue to cook on low for another hour. Serve with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, or whatever else sounds good!