Slow cooker meatballs and tortellini

This is an easy set it and forget it meal that tastes like you spent the afternoon in the kitchen. It was the perfect meal while watching football last weekend. 

INGREDIENTS

26 ounce bag of frozen meatballs

30 ounce jar of marinara 

4 cups of beef broth

1 tbsp. garlic powder

1 tbsp. Italian seasoning

salt & pepper 

1 -2 bags tortellini (fresh or frozen)

Add all ingredients to the crockpot except the tortellini and mix together. Cook on low for 4 hours. About an hour before you want to eat, add the tortellini and stir. Cook on low for another hour. 

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese before serving. We paired this with a 5 cheese Texas toast and side salad. It was delicious and so filling! I couldn't even clean my plate. 

Zesty queso chicken soup – keto

Why do I love soup so much? Not just because they are warm and delicious! Many of them are a dump and go recipe. I had a busy day at work so I threw this in the crockpot yesterday afternoon. Only thing that took a minute was to shred the chicken and dump it back in. Literally, took me a minute. Does it get any easier than that? No browning meat. No dirtying a bunch of dishes. Just a creamy soup with great flavor and a little kick. Well, the way I made it anyway. But I love the spicy stuff. This is a keto recipe but can easily be altered.

INGREDIENTS

2 large boneless skinless chicken breast halves

2 tablespoons taco seasoning

14 ounces petite diced tomatoes not drained

2 10 oz cans of rotel

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

2 cups chicken broth

8 ounces cream cheese softened

Optional:

2 cups baby spinach

1 tbsp diced jalapeno

 

Optional toppings:

Avocado

Monterrey or Colby jack cheese

Jalapenos

Dash of hot sauce

 

Non keto add ons:

Black beans

Corn

Tortilla strips on top

Notes: The original recipe called for 28 oz of diced tomatoes and 1 cup salsa verde or green salsa. I opted for the combination of diced tomatoes and rotel above because that’s what I had on hand. I also added 2 cups of spinach because I need more greens. I’m allergic to avocado so that’s a no go for me but I did top it with a pinch of shredded Colby jack.

DIRECTIONS

Instapot:

Place chicken, taco seasoning, tomatoes with juices, salt, chicken broth, and green salsa in Instant Pot. Set to manual mode and cook for 10 minutes at high pressure. Allow pressure to release naturally (about 15 minutes), remove and shred the chicken. Set aside. Stir softened cream cheese into the soup in the pot and whisk until fully melted. Return chicken to the soup and serve with diced avocado and monterrey jack cheese.

Slow Cooker:

Place all ingredients except cream cheese in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours or until the chicken is tender and shreds easily. Add cream cheese and stir until melted.

Crockpot cheesy corn mac

My friend Brian makes this and it’s always the hit of the party. I made it for Thanksgiving and it did not disappoint!

Ingredients:

1 can regular corn (drained)

1 can cream style corn

½ a large brick of velveeta cheese

8 oz. AE French onion dip

¾ stick of butter

1 ½ cups uncooked macaroni

Cook macaroni.  Drain and place in crockpot.  Dump everything else in.  Cook on low.  Stir as it begins to melt together.  Serve when warm.  

Crockpot Sausage Jalapeno Popper Dip

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground Italian sausage (or regular pork or whatever appeals to you)

8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

1 C. shredded cheddar cheese

1 lb. jalapenos, seeded and diced

1 green onion, finely chopped

16 oz. sour cream

1/2 C. mayo

2 tbsp. minced garlic

1 tbsp. hot sauce  

Brown sausage and minced garlic. Drain.  Mix all ingredients together and dump into crockpot.  Cook on high for one hour.  Serve warm with ritz crackers or tortilla chips.  We also discovered this is great on top of a freshly grilled burger!  

Cheesy chicken tater tot casserole (crockpot)

 Ingredients:

32 oz. bag frozen tater tots

3 oz. bag bacon pieces

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

¾ c. milk

Salt & pepper to taste

Spray crock pot or use crock pot liner.  Layer half the tots on the bottom. Sprinkle 1/3 bacon pieces, top with 1/3 of the cheese.  Add chicken on top.  Salt and pepper.  Add 1/3 cheese and bacon.  Layer with the rest of the tots.  Finish with remaining cheese and bacon.  Pour ¾ cup milk over the top.  Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.  

Crockpot Beef Hash – Freezer Meal

Ingredients:

1 ½ lb. ground beef

16 oz. frozen hash browns

1 onion, chopped

3 Tbsp dry onion soup mix

1 C. beef broth (I used a full can)

¼ tsp pepper

1 tsp salt

1 c. shredded cheese

Label gallon size freezer bag with recipe, date and instructions. Place all ingredients except for the cheese in bag and seal.  Put in freezer. 

To cook:

Thaw overnight in fridge.  Dump in crockpot. Cook 4-6 hours.  Cover with shredded cheese and cook another 20 minutes. 

The picture I took doesn’t do it justice.  It may not look great but this was so good and easy to make!

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

1 small onion, chopped

1 jalapeno, finely chopped

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 small can diced green chiles

1 packet taco seasoning

14.5 oz. can chicken broth

2 cans northern beans, drained and rinsed (I used one)

8 oz. block cream cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

sliced green onions

Frito chips

Place onion and jalapeno in bottom of crock pot. Put chicken on top.  Add green chiles, taco seasoning, chicken broth, and beans. Cover crock pot and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours.  Add cream cheese and cook on LOW for 1 more hour.  Add shredded cheese and stir until cheese melts, shredding the chicken as you stir. If cheese doesn't melt all the way, cover for 5 to 10 minutes.  Serve with green onions and Frito chips.

As odd as it sounds, I had never made or even eaten white chicken chili before but man am I glad I did! Throw everything together in the crockpot and wait for a creamy, delicious meal? Yes, please! 

Baked grilled cheese and Chili Bar

I hosted a dinner party for friends the other night.  Eight of them to be exact. I made a huge batch of chili and all the fixings.  Where I grew up, you accompany your chili with a cinnamon roll or grilled cheese.  I know, some of you say, what? Where's the cornbread? I'm from the North, that's just how we roll. I didn't want to waste precious wine drinking time at the stove cooking one or two grilled cheese at a time.  I found a few recipes online that said you can make them in the oven. I've heard this rumor before but never had a reason to try it.  This was the night. There are different variations of how to do it but I chose the simplest one.

Grilled Cheese in the oven
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Butter one side of 6 pieces of bread and place butter side down on a baking sheet.  Top with a slice of cheese of your choice.  Butter 6 more slices of bread and lay on top of the cheese, butter side up.  Sprinkle with salt.  Bake for 6-8 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown.  Flip and bake 6-8 more minutes.  Keep in mind the tops won't be brown, it cooks from the bottom!

The sandwiches turned out great! I cut in diagonals and we dipped away!

For the chili I used my usual recipe found here but doubled it to feed the crowd.  I threw it in the crockpot before I went to work in the morning so it was really easy prep pre-party.

For the Build Your Own Chili Bar I had the following for people to enjoy:
shredded cheese
green onion
jalapenos
sour cream
cinnamon rolls
french bread
grilled cheese
saltine crackers
ritz crackers
tortilla chips
butter
hot sauce

Success!!! 

Shredded salsa chicken

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts

2 cups salsa

Salt & pepper to taste

Place chicken breasts in the crock pot.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Cover with salsa.  Cook on high for 4 hours.  Remove and shred with a fork. 

Recipes don’t get much easier than this.  Set it and forget it! The chicken was very moist and had a good flavor. Would be wonderful paired with the Mexican chopped salad! 

Crock Pot Cheesy Beer Smokies

Ingredients:

1 (14.5 oz) jar Cheese Sauce

1/2 c. beer

1­2 tsp Tabasco Sauce

2 (14 oz) packages Lil’ Smokies

In slow cooker combine the cheese sauce, beer and tabasco Sauce. Stir until combined.  Add smokies and stir until coated. Heat on low for 3­4 hours stirring throughout process or until heated through.

I needed a low maintenance appetizer for my ugly sweater party and this recipe worked perfectly.  Nothing better than being able to throw something in the crockpot.  I’m not a beer fan so I was a little nervous but the beer taste did not override the smokies.  

Crockpot Pineapple Moonshine

Ingredients:

1 56 oz can pineapple juice

2 c. sugar

1 bottle Everclear grain alcohol or vodka

Add pineapple juice and sugar to crock-pot.  Cook on LOW for 2 hours with lid slightly ajar.

Allow mixture to cool completely before adding in Alcohol.  Add in alcohol and mix well.

Pour mixture into 4 Quart Canning Jars or a large jug with lid. Store in a cool dry place. Serve over ice. 

I used an orange pineapple apple juice blend.  This was VERY strong! I added another bottle of the orange pineapple juice and then it was delicious. 

Honey garlic crockpot meatballs

Ingredients:

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup honey

1/2 cup ketchup

2 Tbsp soy sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 (28oz) bag fully cooked, frozen meatballs

In a medium bowl, mix together brown sugar, honey, ketchup, soy sauce and garlic.  Place frozen meatballs in a 3-4 quart crockpot and pour sauce over meatballs.  Stir so all meatballs are coated evenly. Cook on LOW for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.

This was such an easy party appetizer.  The glaze was perfectly paired with the frozen meatballs for a warm, hearty appetizer that everyone enjoyed.  Super simple.  Super tasty.  

Crockpot hotchata

Review by Lyndee

4 cups half and half

2 cups rumchata

1 cup cake vodka

1 bag andes mint chips

Mix all ingredients and cook in crockpot on low for 2 hours, stirring frequently. 

I couldn’t find Andes mint chips at all three stores I checked. So I went with a different brand.  The only weird thing? They were green. So my drink was green. Which could be cool for Christmas or holiday parties but was a little weird for a random bbq on a Saturday afternoon.  Next time I would only use half a bag of the mint chocolate chips.  It was smooth and delicious but very rich!!! I added the vodka because, let’s face it, vodka makes everything better and it was national vodka day.

Chicken Alfredo Dip

Review by Lyndee:

Ingredients

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts or two large cans diced chicken breast (white meat)

8oz block cream cheese, softened

1 jar alfredo sauce (14.5 oz or so)

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

Mix the chicken with the cream cheese, alfredo sauce and 1 1/2 cups mozzarella.  Place into glass pie dish or 8x8 pyrex dish.  Top with remaining mozzarella and a sprinkling of Parmesan.  Bake in oven at 350 for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly.  Serve with crackers, pita chips, toasted baguette slices or veggies. 

I made this in the crockpot instead of baking it in the oven since I was taking it to a party.  It turned out great and was super easy to make.  

Crockpot Candy (Peanut Clusters)

Review by Lyndee:

Ingredients:

2 pounds white almond bark

4 ounces German chocolate

12 ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips

24 ounces dry roasted peanuts

Add all ingredients to the crock pot.  Cook on low for 1 hour without stirring.  After an hour, stir to combine everything.  Allow to cook for another hour, stirring every 15 minutes.  Drop spoonful’s of the candy onto wax paper and allow to cool completely. 

This was one of the easiest recipes I’ve ever made.  Literally just dump and stir.  The only time consuming part was putting the candy on wax paper.  This makes a HUGE batch of candy.  My entire table was covered in peanut clusters.  The chocolate is delicious with just the right amount of crunch from the peanuts.  These were a big hit at the family 4^th of July gatherings.  Even my Grandma couldn’t believe they weren’t a fancy store bought candy.  

Pizza Dip

Review by: Lyndee

Ingredients:

2 8 oz blocks cream cheese (I used reduced fat)

2 tbsp sour cream (mine was sour cream and chives)

2 tbsp parmesan cheese

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

20 pepperonis

1 cup mozzarella or pizza blend shredded cheese

Optional-anything else you would like on a pizza such as onions, garlic, sausage, peppers, olives, etc.

Combine two blocks of room temperature cream cheese, sour cream, parmesan and Italian seasoning.  Dice up half the pepperonis into small pieces and mix into your cream cheese base.  Once well mixed spread into the bottom of a baking dish or crockpot. Top with shredded cheese.  Top that with the remaining pepperoni.  Bake at 350 until golden brown or in crockpot until the top cheese layer is completely melted.  Serve with crackers or small slices of bread. 

This dip is easy to throw together and was a huge hit at our Superbowl party, which is good since the game was boring.  I did a basic pepperoni dip but feel free to add whatever pizza toppings your family loves.  This dip goes a long way and is ooey gooey goodness.  

World’s easiest crockpot roast recipe

Review by Lyndee:

It doesn’t matter if you aren’t a whiz in the kitchen, it would be really hard to mess this recipe up and that’s pretty much awesome.

Ingredients:

1 pork roast (3-4 pounds)

1 can of Coke or Pepsi

Salt & pepper

Diced onion (optional)

Place roast in crockpot.  Add one can of cola. I used Pepsi because that’s what we had in the fridge.  I placed a few diced onions on top of the roast and then sprinkled with salt and pepper.  Set the crockpot to cook on low for 8 hours. 

We wanted to make a roast the other day in the crockpot.  I didn’t have any potatoes and carrots on hand, which I would usually pair with it.  So I went online and searched these “pop can roasts” I had heard so much about.  All the reviews were great but I was still skeptical.  After 8 hours when I went to pull the roast out, it was so tender it fell into pieces.  It tasted delicious too! We put a big dent in it that night, paired with some tater tots.  Then ate the rest up throughout the week with some barbeque sauce on sandwiches.  It was awesome both ways. It doesn’t get much easier than that to make a yummy roast on a cold winter day.  

Roast in the crockpot

Review by Lyndee:

Ingredients:

Pork roast

Worcestershire sauce

Dry rub or montreal steak seasoning

onions

Directions:

Dice up some onions and put about half of them in the bottom of the crockpot.  Lay roast on top of it.  Pour on 8-10 dashes of Worcestershire sauce.  Then coat with a dry rub and garlic.  Add more onions on top of the roast.  Add ½ cup of water around the edges.  Cook in crockpot on low for 8 hours or until meat reaches 170 degrees.