Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup

I love broccoli cheese soup.  It's warm, it's comforting, it's tasty, and it makes a great lunch.  I have seen so many recipes that call for an elaborate cooking process for making this yummy soup.  Upon examining the ingredients, I discovered that it was a cream soup base with broccoli, cheese, and other spices added in.  It didn't take me long to figure out there was an easier way!  So here it is.  My "recipe" for easy broccoli cheese soup. 

And it has only two pre-packaged ingredients! Actually three if you include the milk. 

Here's how it you make it. You use the two items shown above. Yes, that's really it!  It's so easy, and it tastes wonderful. 

EASY BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP

1 box frozen broccoli and cheese sauce (10 oz.)

1 can cream of chicken soup (10 oz.) 

1 can milk 

Milk to thin to desired consistency 

Microwave broccoli and cheese sauce as directed on package.  While that is cooking, in a medium saucepan over low heat, begin preparing cream of chicken soup.  I recommend using milk because water will make the cheese and cream separate.  Whisk soup in sauce pan until thoroughly mixed.  Once broccoli and cheese are finished cooking, open the plastic package and add broccoli and cheese sauce to soup.  Stir thoroughly to combine.  Thin with more milk to desired consistency.  Serve with bacon bits, fresh ground pepper, salt, and crusty bread. 

If you would like to make this a little more homemade tasting, prior to making soup, you can sautee about 1 tablespoon minced onion in butter.  Then add soup and prepare as usual. 

That is it.  The easiest broccoli-cheese soup you will ever make!

Ranch Crock Pot Pork Chops - Freezer to Crock Pot

Finding new ways to cook pork chops can be challenging.  A friend told me about this, and I just had to try it.  Ranch Crock Pot Pork Chops are a great way to cook pork tenderloins in the crock pot and have a savory gravy to serve over potatoes, rice, or on toast.  

When I was told about this, I had one of those forehead-slapping moments that was like, "Really?  Three ingredients?  Why didn't I think of that!"  The ingredients were so obvious.  I don't know why I hadn't put them together before.  Plus, just about anything with ranch is awesome. 

Without further adieu, here they are:  

RANCH CROCK POT PORK CHOPS
4-6 thick cut pork tenderloins or chops (I prefer tenderloins)

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 package powdered ranch dressing mix

Put the powdered ranch dressing mix in a gallon zippered bag.  Put the chops in the bag, and shake to coat the chops with the dressing mix.  Add the can of chicken soup and enough water to "wash out" the can.  Remove air from bag, seal, and then massage to distribute the ingredients.  When ready to use, remove frozen block from bag and place in crock pot.  Cook approximately 6-8 hours on low or 4-6 on high.  You might need to remove the chops and whisk the gravy with a wire whisk in case lumps have formed.  Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or toast.  

If cooking immediately, just place chops in crock pot along with cream of chicken soup, and sprinkle dressing mix over the top.  Stir until blended then cook for 6-8 hours on low.  

The gravy that this makes is excellent, so if you want extra gravy, you might consider doubling up on the cream of chicken soup and ranch dressing mix.  Enjoy!