breakfast, stir in 4–6 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon before cooking, and top with a little extra cheese at the end. Serve with eggs and fruit for a hearty brunch. • Lighter touch: Use light sour cream and a reduced-fat cheese if you’d like to cut back a bit on richness. The potatoes will still be creamy, just a little less heavy. You can also use half cream of chicken soup and half low-sodium chicken broth, but the sauce will be slightly thinner. • Make-ahead tip: You can slice the potatoes and mix the sauce a few hours ahead. Keep the potatoes in cold water in the fridge to prevent browning, then drain, pat dry, and assemble the layers when you’re ready to start the slow cooker. This is especially handy on busy days when you know the evening will be rushed.
