Tortellini Tomato Soup

This is a nice little spin on plain old tomato soup, with only a little bit more effort. In fact, it is the only way we eat tomato soup in our house anymore.  Delicious paired with grilled cheese! 

INGREDIENTS:

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

2 10.75 oz cans condensed tomato soup

2 Tablespoons tomato paste

3 cups Chicken stock

1 cup milk

4 oz cream cheese, cut up

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning

1 9oz package cheese filled tortellini

salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Saute garlic in the olive oil over medium heat for a couple of minutes.

Add remaining ingredients except tortellini. Mix well and bring to a simmer.

After it is simmering, add tortellini and simmer until tender (follow package directions). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

This is the only tortilla soup I have ever had, so I can't say how it compares to others. All I know is I love this one!

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast (can still be frozen)
15 oz can whole peeled tomatoes, smashed
10 oz can enchilada sauce
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 
4 oz can chopped green chilies
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 14.4 oz cans chicken broth
10 oz pack frozen corn
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 bay leaf
Salt and Pepper (I don't measure these, just do what seems good to me)
6 corn tortillas (this is optional, you can just use tortilla chips)
vegetable oil or cooking spray (only needed if using tortillas)
Sour cream and shredded cheese for toppings

DIRECTIONS:
Throw everything (except tortillas and oil) into crock pot. Cook on low for 6 hours.
Remove chicken, shred, and put back in crock pot. Cook additional 2 hours.
Brush both sides of tortillas with vegetable oil (or spray with cooking spray). Cut into strips (a pizza cutter works awesome!). Bake about 10 minutes in 400F oven, turning over half way.

Serve soup with tortilla strips, sour cream, and cheese.

adapted from HERE

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!

Taco Soup (or maybe Taco Stew...)

We call this Taco Soup, but its not exactly soup-y. It is thicker, like a stew, but not technically a stew because it only takes 15ish minutes to make. Matt pretty much eats it as a dip, so in that case it isn't really a soup or a stew. I may not know what it is exactly, but I do know it is delicious!

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
1 can of corn (do not drain)
2 cans of kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can stewed tomatoes (do not drain)
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 packet of chili seasoning
1 packet dry ranch dressing mix
Water (optional)
Fritos or tortilla chips
shredded cheese and/or sour cream for topping

DIRECTIONS:
In a skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion.
While browning, mix remaining ingredients in 3qt (or larger, if you want it thinner) saucepan and cook over medium heat. Add the meat and onions when done. Simmer til heated through.
Add water if you want it more soup-like. 
Serve with desired toppings.

NOTES:
I use fritos because it is like a taco shell. I mix them in, along with shredded cheese (usually the Mexican blend). Matt prefers to top with cheese and sour cream, then scoop up with tortilla chips. Both are good, its just a matter of preference!

Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Soup

I love this soup. Matt, who claims to hate cooked broccoli, loves this soup.  The kids...well, they tolerate it haha. It is pretty quick and easy. Good with rolls or sandwiches.

After adding the water. Don't add more than this, or soup will be too thin (this is almost too much even, in my opinion)

 Ready to eat!

INGREDIENTS:
14oz  frozen broccoli
14oz  frozen cauliflower
8 oz cream cheese, room temp and cut up
8 oz shredded cheddar
1 can cream of chicken soup
Half and Half (or milk), no more than 1 qt
Black Pepper (optional) 

DIRECTIONS:
Put veggies into pot (non-stick is best), fill with water just to the top of the veggies. Heat to boiling, cook til tender (only a couple of minutes after they start boiling)
Turn stove to low. Add cheeses. Cover and heat til melted (stirring frequently or cheese will stick to bottom of pan)
Add cream of chicken soup. Add half & half, to desired consistency.
Serve, topped with fresh ground pepper if desired.

NOTES:
This soup is so much better with half and half. Milk works, it just isn't as creamy.