My sister makes this creamy meal when times are lean. Just 4 ingredients for a filling dinner

For picky eaters who don’t love mushrooms, you can swap the cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken or cream of celery—both keep the dish creamy and comforting. If your family likes a little more zip, stir in 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning or a small pinch of red pepper flakes when you mix the soup and milk.

To stretch the meal, add another potato (and a splash more milk) so it feeds one or two extra people. For a cheesier version, sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup of shredded cheddar or Colby Jack over the top during the last 15 minutes of cooking, then cover again until melted.

If you need to prep ahead, you can slice the sausage and cut the potatoes in the morning, store the potatoes covered in cold water in the fridge to keep them from browning, then drain and assemble everything in the slow cooker when you’re ready. Leftovers reheat well in the microwave with a small splash of milk to loosen the sauce if it thickens overnight.