mimi's loaded potato soup (crockpot version)

Ingredients For mimi's loaded potato soup (crockpot version)

• 8 lg

  potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 lg

  onion, chopped
• 1 qt

  bone/vegetable broth, homemade
• 3 clove

  garlic, minced
• 1/4 c

  butter
• 3 Tbsp

  bacon fat, rendered
• 2 1/2 tsp

  salt
• 1 1/2 tsp

  ground pepper
• 1 lg

  idaho garlic parmesan mashed potatoes, instant family size
• 8 oz

  cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 c

  cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 c

  cream
• 1 Tbsp

  garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp

  fresh herb (lemon balm, basil or fresh parsley
• 1 tsp

  oregano, dried or fresh
• TOPPINGS
• 1/2 c

  bacon, fried and crumbled
• 1 c

  sour cream
• green onions, chopped
• grated parmesan cheese