Loaded Baked Potato Chowder

Pampered Chef Favorite!

Ingredients

3 large baking potatoes

3 1/2 cups milk,divided

4 oz cream cheese, softened

2 tbsp butter

2-3 green onions with tops

4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 pepper

Optional Toppings such as chopped cooked bacon, sour cream or steamed broccoli florets are great!

1. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and place in microwave dish. Pour 1/2 cup of the milk over the potatoes. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 11 minutes. Remove dish from microwave. Move center potatoes to ends of dish and outer potatoes to center. Cover: microwave on HIGH 8-11 minutes or until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Remove dish from microwave. Coarsely mash potatoes.

2. Meanwhile, whisk cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add remaining 3 cups of milk (add a little mix it. add a little mix it) until smooth. Add cream cheese mixture and butter to potatoes. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 3-5 minutes or until mixture is hot. Slice green onions.

3. Carefully remove dish from microwave. Grate cheddar cheese over chowder, add green onions, salt and pepper and mix. until cheese is melted. Serve with toppings.