Toss frozen potato gems in the crock with 4 other pantry staples and watch your family clean their plates twice over.

This cozy 5-ingredient slow cooker potato puff supper is the kind of no-fuss comfort food that feels straight out of a vintage church cookbook. You literally toss frozen potato puffs into the crock with four pantry staples, flip the switch, and let the slow cooker turn them into a cheesy, creamy, stick-to-your-ribs meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, game days, or those nights when you just want everyone to eat happily and quietly with minimal dishes to wash afterward.

Serve this potato puff supper straight from the slow cooker with a big green salad, steamed broccoli, or simple buttered peas to balance the richness. It also pairs nicely with sliced ham, rotisserie chicken, or leftover meatloaf if you want extra protein. Add a side of applesauce or fruit salad for the kids, and put out a bottle of hot sauce, ketchup, or ranch on the table so everyone can dress up their own bowl.

Servings: 6

1 (32 oz) bag frozen potato puffs (tater tots or potato gems), unthawed

Lightly grease the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray or a little butter to help prevent sticking.

Spread the frozen potato puffs in an even layer in the bottom of the slow cooker insert. They should mostly cover the bottom; it’s fine if they overlap a bit.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup and milk until smooth and pourable.

Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and the garlic salt until everything is well combined.

Pour the soup and cheese mixture evenly over the frozen potato puffs in the slow cooker, trying to cover as many of them as possible. Do not stir; you want the potatoes to stay mostly in place so they soften and soak up the sauce.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or on HIGH for about 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the potato puffs are tender in the center and the edges are bubbling. Avoid lifting the lid too often so the heat stays in.

Once the potatoes are tender, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, just until the cheese is melted.

Taste and add a pinch more garlic salt or seasoned salt if needed. Spoon into bowls and serve hot right from the crock.

For picky eaters, keep the base recipe as-is and let everyone customize their bowl at the table with toppings like crumbled bacon bits, sliced green onions, sour cream, or ketchup. If you’d like to add protein, stir in 1 to 2 cups of cooked, diced ham, rotisserie chicken, or browned ground beef when you pour the soup mixture over the potato puffs. For a different flavor, swap cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or cream of celery, or use a Mexican blend cheese and add a pinch of chili powder. To make it a little lighter, use reduced-fat condensed soup and 1% milk, and cut the cheese down to 1 cup total, knowing it will be a bit less rich but still comforting. If you need it meat-free, use cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken and check labels to be sure your soup and cheese are vegetarian-friendly. Always keep the frozen potato puffs frozen until you’re ready to assemble the dish; do not thaw on the counter, as that can affect texture and food safety. Cook within the recommended time and temperature range, and keep the slow cooker covered so it stays hot enough to safely heat everything through. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, store in a covered container for up to 3 to 4 days, and reheat thoroughly until steaming hot before serving.