Cheesy Potato Soup

From Woman's World Magazine 12/7/04. Guaranteed you will probably have all of these ingredients on hand.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 4  slices bacon
• 1  onion, chopped (1 cup)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 (14 1/2ounce) cans chicken broth (3-1/2 cups) or 2 (14 1/2ounce) cans vegetable broth (3-1/2 cups)
• 2  cups milk
• 2  cups instant mashed potatoes
• 1 1⁄2 cups  shredded cheese, such as Cheddar
• 1⁄3 cup sour cream
•  additional  cooked bacon (optional)
•  additional cheese (optional)

Directions

1. In pot cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp, 6-8 minutes; drain on paper towels. Crumble; reserve.
2. To fat in pot, add onon, salt and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally until tender. Add broth. Increase heat to high; bring to boil, scraping up browned bits from bottom.
3. Reduce heat to medium; stir in milk, dry potato mix and bacon. Simmer 5 minutes; remove from heat.
4. Stir in cheese and sour cream. Garnish with bacon and cheese, if desired.