PROGRESSO CREAMY POTATO WITH BACON AND CHEESE RECIPES

Steps:

• Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Heat 12-inch skillet over medium heat; cook bacon 10 to 15 minutes or until crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Crumble 3 slices of the bacon; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Crumble remaining 3 slices, and transfer to slow cooker.
• Pour all but 1 tablespoon bacon drippings out of skillet. Add onion to skillet; cook 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Transfer onion mixture to slow cooker. Stir in broth, potatoes and ranch dressing mix.
• Cover; cook on Low heat setting 5 to 6 hours or until bubbly and potatoes are tender.
• Increase heat setting to High; stir in whipping cream. In small bowl, beat cornstarch and water with whisk. Beat cornstarch mixture into soup; cover and cook about 15 minutes or until slightly thickened.
• Add Kraft™ Velveeta™ cheese to slow cooker; stir until melted. Add 1 1/2 cups of the Cheddar cheese; stir until melted. Serve soup with remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese and reserved crumbled bacon.

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, and crumble. Discard drippings in pan. Add 1 cup onion and garlic to pan; cook for 5 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in the potatoes; cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Combine crumbled bacon, 1/4 cup cheese, green onions, sour cream, salt, pepper, and soup in a large bowl. Add potato mixture; toss gently to combine. Spoon mixture into an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Cover with foil coated with cooking spray. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Remove casserole from refrigerator; let stand at room temperature 15 minutes. Bake casserole, covered, at 350º for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 30 minutes or until bubbly around edges and cheese begins to brown.