‘January Comfort’: Just 5 ingredients. This disappears fast in my house.

6. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired (these are optional and not counted in the 5 ingredients). Ladle into bowls and serve warm, letting everyone add their favorite toppings at the table if you like.

For picky eaters, you can blend the soup completely smooth with an immersion blender after the potatoes are tender—kids often like it better when there are no visible onion pieces. If you need a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and swap the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or cream of celery. To lighten things up, use low-sodium broth and substitute half-and-half or even evaporated milk for the heavy cream. For extra protein, stir in cooked, shredded chicken or diced ham during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking. If your family loves a baked-potato style soup, set out toppings like shredded cheddar, bacon bits, green onions, or a dollop of sour cream and let everyone build their own bowl. You can also add a handful of frozen corn or peas in the final 30 minutes for a little color and sweetness. And if the soup ever turns out thicker than you’d like, just stir in a splash of extra broth or milk until it reaches the cozy, spoonable consistency your family loves.