The answer is yes! As you will make this in slow cooker, there will no sautéing of onion and garlic. However, you can do that in pan on stovetop. Mix in all the ingredients of the soup on crockpot. Cover and cook for 6-7 hours on 'Low' or 3-4 hours in 'High. Discard bay leaf and thyme, purée the soup, stir in cheese and serve.