~ quick cheesy southern hash brown potato soup ~

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter ( 1/2 cup )
• 1 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup small chopped celery
• 1 tablespoon chunky garlic paste or minced garlic
• 1 - 32 ounces pkg, southern hash browns, partially thawed - these are the cubes, not shredded - although you could probably use them as well.
• 2 1/2 - 3 cups fresh shredded - sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 - 14.5 ounces can, cream of chicken soup
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon parsley paste or fresh chopped
• 1 teaspoon each - kosher salt & garlic salt or to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
• toppings - real bacon bits, sour cream, cheese