Crockpot Hash Brown Casserole

Yes, we've all had hash brown casserole but I guarantee this is the best. My favorite thing was being able to make it in the crockpot. This will be great for the holidays as it frees up the oven for a ham or turkey. Try this today & thank me tomorrow.

Ingredients
26-32 oz bag frozen hash browns
8 oz sour cream
10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
1/4 c onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c butter, melted
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions
Spray inside of crockpot with cooking spray. In a large bowl mix all ingredients together. Dump hash brown mixture into crockpot. Cook on low for 4-5 hours. The casserole should be crispy on the sides & bubbly throughout. Enjoy!


Recipe courtesy Stockpiling Mom via Pinterest

Amish Chicken and Noodles

I totally forgot to take a picture of this dinner. But I can tell you that it was delicious and totally one of those yummy winter comfort foods. The family loved it as well.

Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 stick butter, melted
32 oz chicken broth
24 oz frozen egg noodles (I used Reames)

Directions
Place chicken in crock pot. Mix cream of chicken soup, melted butter and chicken broth. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 6 hours. Remove chicken and shred. Put chicken back in crockpot and add noodles. Cook on low for an additional 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

Recipe adapted from Pinterest

French Dip Sandwiches

These sandwiches were absolutely delicious. The entire family loved them. I was hoping for enough leftovers to serve the next day, but there was very little. Next time, I will make them with a bigger roast.

Ingredients
2-3 lb beef roast
4 c beef broth
1 package dry onion soup mix
Provolone cheese slices
Sub or hoagie rolls

Directions
Place beef roast in crockpot. I buy whatever roast is on sale. Mix beef broth and dry onion soup mix. Pour over roast. Cook on low 7-8 hours. Shred roast with fork and return beef to crockpot for a few minutes. Slice hoagie/sub rolls. Add shredded beef. Top with provolone cheese slice(s). Broil open sandwiches in oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts. Serve with a side of au-jus, if desired.


Recipe adapted from Pinterest

Apple Cinnamon Crockpot Oatmeal

I know that cooking oatmeal is not time consuming or even difficult to do on the stove; however, I still like to put everything in, turn it on, and walk away.  This version especially intrigued me, because it gave me freezer instructions, as well. I adapted it for my family's tastes. The whole family is loving this on these single digit cold mornings.

 

Ingredients
1 c old fashioned oats
1 c steel cut oats (you can use all old fashioned oats, too. We just like the texture of these.)
1/4 c flax seed (shhhhh..don't tell the kids I added something to make it healthier.  You can leave this out, as well.)
4 c milk
4 tbl brown sugar
2 tbl vanilla
2 tbl cinnamon
2 chopped apples (I have also used pears, bananas, and blueberries so far...apples have been the favorite.)

Directions
Prepare the crock pot by spraying generously with cooking spray.  Combine all ingredients and stir well. Cover and cook on high for 1 to 2 hours or on low for 4-6. Check occasionally for desired texture and consistency.  Do you like it creamy or more on the dry side?

Now for the part, I was most anxious about...to freeze it for quick school morning breakfasts.

 

 

To serve from frozen, take out of the freezer, unwrap, and place in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1-2 minutes.  We like ours with more milk on top. Try it out and let us know how you liked it.

Adapted from crockpot365

Cream Cheese Chicken

Meals that prep easily for the freezer and then can go into the crock pot the day you are serving are GENIUS! This is one of those.  We like it served over rice.

Ingredients
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 package Italian dressing mix

Directions
Mix all ingredients together except for the chicken.  Place chicken in freezer bags or foil pans.  Pour sauce over chicken and freeze.

To serve, place in crock pot and cook on high 4-6 hours or low 8-10 hours, or until chicken is cooked through.

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

 

 

 

I made these for dinner. The smell was amazing. My husband said it smelled like we were at the fair. The chicken was so juicy and full of flavor. This was an easy way to make delicious chicken fajitas.

 





Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast

3 peppers (green, red & yellow), sliced

1 medium onion, sliced

Taco seasoning (see below for my recipe)

1 c chicken broth

Flour tortillas

Favorite toppings (cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, etc.)

 

Taco seasoning

4 1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp sugar
1 tsp dried minced onion
1/4 tsp ground red pepper

 

 

Directions

Place sliced peppers and onion on the bottom of crockpot. Place chicken on top of veggies. Mix chicken broth and taco seasoning. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Shred chicken and build your fajitas.

 

Freezer Directions 

Cook as recipe states, cool and freeze in meal sized portions.  I make a crockpot full of chicken when I do this recipe.  My family loves these.

To serve, thaw and reheat.  They can be reheated in the crockpot, too.

 

Recipe adapted from Pinterest

 

 



Savory Mustard Pork Roast

 

 

 

I wanted to try something different with a pork roast. I always buy one when they are on sale to have in my freezer. I usually make pulled pork. This month in Simple and Delicious, this pork recipe was a contest winner so I had to try it. It was delicious. A very nice change from the usual.



Ingredients

1 boneless pork shoulder butt roast (3 to 4 pounds)

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tbsp canola oil

1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained

1 medium onion, chopped

1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth

1/2 cup dry red wine

3/4 cup stone-ground mustard

6 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp molasses

1 tsp dried thyme

2 tbsp cornstarch

2 tbsp cold water

Directions

Sprinkle roast with salt and pepper; brown in oil in a large skillet on all sides. Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add tomatoes and onion; pour broth and wine around meat. Combine the mustard, garlic, honey, molasses and thyme; pour over pork. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until meat is tender. Remove roast; cover and let stand for 15 minutes before slicing. Meanwhile, skim fat from cooking juices; transfer juices to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually stir into the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Slice pork and serve with sauce.


Recipe courtesy: Simple and Delicious

Italian Sausage and Potato Soup

 

 

 

Wow! This soup was delicious. It smelled so good as it was cooking.

 

Ingredients

1 lb Italian sausage (can be sweet, mild or hot, link or ground)

1 onion, chopped

1-2 tbsp minced garlic

4 medium potatoes, cubed

2 c chicken broth

4 c water

1 bag of baby spinach

1 c heavy whipping cream

Salt and pepper

Red pepper flakes (optional)

Parmesan cheese

 

Directions

Brown sausage in pan until cooked. If using the links, cut into bite size pieces. Place sausage, onion, garlic, potatoes, chicken broth and water in crock pot. Add a little salt and pepper. Add red pepper flakes if you desire a little more heat. Cook on high for 3-4 hours. Turn the crock pot off and add the spinach. Wait 5 minutes. Add the whipping cream and stir well. Serve in bowls sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

 

Grilled Pork Tenderloin

We love grilling!! One benefit of living in the south is we can do it 365 days a year. If you have never had a pork tenderloin here is a very simple but delicious way to try one. Pork tenderloin is by nature very tender but this marinade makes it even more tender. The entire family loved it.

Ingredients
1 lb pork tenderloin
1/2 c olive oil
1/3 c soy sauce
1/4 c red wine vinegar
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2-3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
2 tsp dried mustard
3-4 tbsp minced garlic
Black pepper, to taste

Directions
Combine all marinade ingredients in a large Ziploc bag. Place pork tenderloin in bag and marinate in fridge for 4 hours. Place on hot grill and cook until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Freezer Directions
Follow all above directions above putting in a freezer bag.  Freeze flat.  Thaw and follow directions to cook.  (I have done this one in the crockpot, as well.)

Kielbasa, Potatoes and Beans

 

 

 

If you love having a one pot meal then this is a must try. This was true comfort food. The kielbasa was so tender from cooking all day. The potatoes and green beans were full of flavor. It was kind of surprising there was so much flavor with so few ingredients. Loved it!

 

Ingredients

1 lb kielbasa or smoked sausage, cut into bite sized pieces

4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

1/2 medium onion, chopped

2 (14.5 oz) cans green beans, drained

2 c chicken broth

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Directions

Combine all ingredients in crock pot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve with a slotted spoon to drain liquid.

 

 

Recipe courtesy: Crock Pot Girl



Crockpot BBQ Chicken

My family loved this chicken.  It was easy and delicious.

Ingredients
4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle BBQ sauce
1/4 c vinegar
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 c brown sugar
1 tsp garlic powder

Directions
Mix BBQ sauce (I used my favori
te - Sweet Baby Rays), vinegar, red pepper flakes, brown sugar and garlic powder. Place chicken in crockpot. Pour sauce over it and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Freezer Directions
Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl.  Add chicken to freezer bags and pour sauce over.  Lay flat to freeze. To serve, thaw and cook as directed. (I sometimes put it in the crockpot frozen and increase the cooking time.)


Recipe adapted from: Pinterest

Cube Steak & Gravy

I adapted this recipe from one I saw on Pinterest. It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious! I served with mashed potatoes & green beans. The gravy was so good on the potatoes.

Ingredients
4 cube steaks
Flour for breading
3 tbsp oil
1 c sliced mushrooms, optional
2 c water
1 c beef broth
3 envelopes beef gravy or mushroom gravy (I mixed 3 different flavors)

Directions
Dredge cube steaks through flour. Place in hot oil for frying. Brown on both sides (just sear, don't cook all the way). Place steaks in crock pot with mushrooms. My family doesn't like them but I still do them because I love them & they are easy to pick off later. Cover with 1 cup of water & 1 cup of beef broth. Cook on low for 8 hours. Half an hour before serving mix the 3 envelopes of gravy with 1 cup of water. Pour the gravy mixture over the cubed steak. Let cook for 30 minutes or until gravy has thickened.

Recipe adapted from Pinterest

Italian Crock Pot Chicken

I found this recipe on Pinterest. It was absolutely delicious. I recommend everyone try this one. You won't be disappointed. My husband & kids also loved it.

Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
16 oz bottle of Italian dressing
1/2 c Parmesan cheese
Italian seasoning
4-6 potatoes, peeled or unpeeled, quartered
1/2 - 1 bag baby carrots

Directions
Spray crock with cooking spray. Squirt a small amount of Italian dressing on the bottom of crock. Place 2 chicken breasts on bottom of crock.  Add some Italian dressing & half of the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Add next 2 chicken breasts (don't place them directly on top the other chicken breasts). Add some Italian dressing & rest of Parmesan cheese. Add carrots. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Place potatoes on top. Pour remaining Italian dressing on potatoes & sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Recipe courtesy: Pinterest

Homemade Caramel

Think fall...think cider...think apples...think dipping in CARAMEL.  I had seen this "pinned" multiple times on Pinterest and was very skeptical, because it looked too easy.  Then I saw a friend make it, so I knew we had to try it.  It could not be any simpler.  We will do this over and over and over again!

 

 

 

Ingredients:

1 can sweetened condensed milk

Water

Crock pot

 

Instructions:

Place unopened can in the crock pot, completely cover the can with water. Cook on low for 8 hours. Remove from crock pot (ummm....it will be HOT!) and put in refrigerator to cool completely.  (Or until you can't stand to wait anymore!)  Open the can and enjoy the easiest caramel ever!!! I won't ever buy the little container again.



Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients
2-3 cups raw chicken, cut into pieces
1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 8 oz can tomato sauce 
2- 14.5 oz can chicken broth
1 can cheddar cheese soup
2 cups carrots, chopped
1/2 bag frozen corn
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tbsp chili powder
Handful of cilantro handful, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 c cooked rice
Shredded cheddar cheese
Tortilla chips

Directions
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker (except garnishes). Cook on high 5-6 hours or on low for 8. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese & tortilla chips.


Recipe courtesy: Chrissy K of Ohio

Garlic Cilantro Lime Chicken

This is a regular on my freezer cooking menu- marinated meats are a super fast easy way to stock your freezer with meals ready to cook.

Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 Tbl Olive oil
2 Tbl lime juice
2 tsp minced garlic
2 Tbl cilantro
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Directions
Mix olive oil, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, salt, and pepper in a bowl.  Add chicken to freezer bag and pour the chicken marinade into the bag. Marinate for at least an hour or freeze until ready to cook.

To Serve
Thaw. Grill.
My friend put these in her crockpot and it was delicious, as well.  As with all of our recipes we share on The Serendipity Bistro, this is a family favorite!

4 servings

Stuffed Cabbage Soup

I saw this in a magazine & since I love stuffed cabbage I gave it a try. There were a few changes I made to the recipe. One thing I noticed is that more than one cup of water needs to be added at the beginning. I made a notation to increase the water to two or three cups.

Ingredients
1 lb ground chuck
1 small onion, chopped
1 c uncooked rice (I used minute brown rice)
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 24 oz jar meatless spaghetti sauce
2 cans tomato soup, undiluted
1 c water (increase to 2-3 cups)
1 medium head of cabbage, chopped

Directions
Cook beef & onion over medium heat in a large skillet until meat is no longer pink. Drain. Stir in rice. salt & pepper. Combine the spaghetti sauce, soup & water in a large bowl. Layer one-third of the sauce, half of the beef mixture & one-third of the cabbage in a 5-qt slow cooker. Repeat layers. Top with remaining sauce & cabbage. Cover & cook on low for 6-8 hours or until cabbage & rice are tender.

Freezer Directions
Follow prep directions, but do not cook in crockpot.  Freeze in a foil pan covered in heavy duty foil.  To serve, thaw and put in crockpot following directions.  Sometimes it takes a little bit longer, because all ingredients will be cold when they enter the crockpot.

Recipe adapted from Simple & Delicious

Root Beer BBQ

Here is a new recipe I tried for our No Football Super Bowl Party...YES! We actually did NOT watch the Super Bowl, but I did make some yummy food. Hope your family enjoys it. I made extra for my freezer and a Freezer Swap I am in. Delicious!

Ingredients
3 pound pork sirloin roast
1 cup root beer
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 cups onion, wedged
2 Tbl. garlic, minced

24 ounces root beer
12 ounce bottle chili sauce

Instructions
Trim any visible fat from roast. Cut it into 4 pieces and place in slow cooker. Pour one cup root beer over the roast and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Add garlic and onions. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours (or on high for 4-5.) I put mine on right before bed and let it cook all night. (Warning: It fills the house with AMAZING smells.)

In a medium saucepan, combine the 24 ounces of root beer with the chili sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Boil gently; uncovered; stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes or until sauce is reduced to 2 cups. (I actually just combined these 2 ingredients and added them after I shredded the pork and then cooked for a few more hours, but I am just kinda lazy like that.)

Remove roast and onions from the slow cooker and allow to cool enough to handle. Discard broth. Shred meat. Pour root beer sauce over all. Stir to coat. Allow to cool completely and place in freezer bags or containers.

FREEZE for later. (Of course, you may want to eat some now, too and then freeze the rest.)

To serve:
Thaw and heat. You can top sandwich buns with lettuce and tomato.

Happy Cooking.

10 servings
Recipe Credit- 30 Meals in One Day Software

Macaroni and Cheese

A lot of people love my macaroni & cheese. I have changed the recipe over time. Sometimes I try some new cheeses or take something out. I am not sure if I ever make it the same way twice. This version is one of MY favorites.

Ingredients
1 package (16 ounces) spiral pasta
2 c. half-and-half cream
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
1/2 c. butter, melted
4 c. (16 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the cream, soup and butter until smooth; stir in the cheese and pasta. Cover and cook on low for 2-1/2 hours or until cheese is melted. If you have a crock pot that gets really hot, it will not cook for that long. Keep an eye on it.
 Yield: 12-15 servings.

Red Sauce with Meat (aka Meat Sauce)

Ingredients
2 lb ground chuck
1 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
Olive oil
2 large cans Hunt's Tomato Sauce
2 large cans water
4 small cans Contadina Tomato Paste with Italian Herbs
1 1/2 tbsp oregano
2 bay leaves
1 tbsp basil
2 tbsp parsley
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 c Parmesan cheese

Directions
This sauce can be made on the stove or in a crock pot (after you have browned your meat). Pour olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add ground chuck and garlic. Cook meat until browned. Once the meat is brown, I start adding the sauce ingredients. If I use the crock pot, I transfer the meatballs & pan drippings to the crock. If I am using the stove I just leave them in the pot. Pour tomato sauce, water & tomato paste into the pot/ crock. Stir until paste is dissolved. Add all of the spices. Do not add the Parmesan cheese. Stir well. Bring to a slow boil. Simmer for 1 hour on the stove or 2-3 hours in the crock pot. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 1 more hour on the stove or 2-3 hours in the crock pot. Serve with your favorite pasta. We use whole wheat pastas. The sauce can also be used for lasagna, stuffed shells, baked ziti, etc.


Note: The sauce freezes perfectly for other meals.