Potluck Perfection: Just 5 ingredients. I make it when I want a rich side dish handled hours ahead of the gathering.

This 5-ingredient slow cooker potato corn chowder is my go-to when I want a rich, cozy side dish that can quietly take care of itself for hours before everyone shows up. It’s built on simple Midwestern pantry staples—russet potatoes, sweet corn, broth, cream, and a little onion flavor—so it feels familiar and comforting, like something you’d find on a church potluck table. Everything simmers low and slow until the potatoes are tender and the chowder turns thick, creamy, and perfect for ladling straight from the slow cooker while it’s still steaming.

Serve this chowder straight from the slow cooker on the warm setting with a ladle so guests can help themselves. It’s wonderful alongside grilled or baked chicken, ham, or roast beef at a potluck. Offer crusty bread or dinner rolls for dipping, plus a simple green salad or steamed veggies to balance the richness. If you like, set out small bowls of shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, or sliced green onions so folks can dress up their own bowl without adding extra work for you.

Servings: 6-8

3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes

Lightly grease the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray or a thin swipe of oil to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Add the diced russet potatoes and frozen corn to the slow cooker, spreading them out in an even layer so they cook evenly.

Pour in the chicken broth and the condensed cream of onion soup. Stir gently until the soup is mostly dissolved into the broth and the potatoes and corn are well coated.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender and easily mashed with the back of a spoon.

Once the potatoes are soft, use a potato masher or the back of a large spoon to gently mash some of the potatoes right in the slow cooker. Mash more for a thicker, creamier chowder, or less if you like it chunkier. Leave plenty of visible potato pieces so you still get those tender starchy chunks.

Stir in the heavy cream, mixing well until the chowder looks smooth and creamy with a pale yellow-white color. Cover again and cook on LOW for another 20 to 30 minutes, just until heated through and gently bubbling around the edges. Do not let it boil hard, as that can cause the cream to separate.

Taste and adjust if needed with a pinch of salt or pepper at the table, but the soup base is already seasoned so many folks won’t find it necessary. Switch the slow cooker to the WARM setting and keep the lid slightly vented if the chowder is very steamy. Serve straight from the crock, giving a quick stir before each ladle to keep the texture even.

For a little extra flavor without adding more core ingredients, you can top each bowl with shredded cheddar, crumbled cooked bacon, sliced green onions, or a sprinkle of black pepper or smoked paprika right at the table. If you need the chowder to be vegetarian, swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and keep the rest the same. For picky eaters who don’t like visible onion bits, the cream of onion soup already gives a gentle onion flavor without chunks, so this is usually a hit; if texture is a concern, mash the potatoes more thoroughly so the chowder is smoother. To make it a bit lighter, you can replace half of the heavy cream with whole milk, though the chowder will be slightly less rich and thick. If you like a thicker, almost scoopable chowder for potlucks, mash more of the potatoes and let the lid stay off for the last 15 minutes on LOW to let a little steam escape. For food safety, keep the chowder out of the temperature “danger zone” (40°F–140°F): don’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours. At gatherings, keep it on the WARM setting once fully cooked, and stir occasionally so it heats evenly. Cool leftovers quickly, transfer to shallow containers, and refrigerate within 2 hours. Use refrigerated leftovers within 3 to 4 days, and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until steaming hot, adding a splash of broth or milk if it has thickened too much.