A Few Of Our Favorite Crock-Pot Recipes

Happy Tuesday Girls! 

Back when school started in the fall, I decided the meal planning was an absolute MUST for this family.  What to make for dinner was becoming one of the biggest things that seemed to be stressing me out.  I would be running to the grocery store multiple times per week, walking up and down the aisles with no clue what I was going to get, and on the days I didn't run to the grocery store we were ordering out or eating cereal for dinner!  Needless to say this was a stress, that with some proper planning, could be eliminated!  I do like to cook, but I don't like to cook elaborately...if that even makes sense...I like to make a nice meal for my family that is simple to make and doesn't keep me in the kitchen for hours!  Every Sunday morning I start my day with a cup of coffee, my planner, my weekly schedule pad, my folder of recipes and I start planning for the week. 

I use this little notebook for all my meal planning

I list everything we are having for dinner....

After I write down all our meals for the week, I start my shopping list, then I transfer our weekly meal plan to my super cute magnetic meal planner , it goes on the fridge and the whole family knows that's for dinner that week.

Love this little thing!

I have found that in addition to being less stressed by having our meals planned out for the week, that we are also saving a ton of money...I go into the grocery store with my list, and I am only buying what I need to make our meals for the week! 

Now...on to some of our favorite things to eat over here.  I am a huge fan of the crock pot, and I use mine all year long.  Crockpot meals, in my opinion, are just awesome.  I can throw everything in there in the morning and when it is dinner time, its all done!  The crock pot is pretty much my saving grace, especially on the nights when the kiddos have activities and we are running around!   I have a some great cookbooks for the crock pot and I also get a ton of my recipes from Shay over at Mix and Match Mama , if you have not already checked out her foodie blog, you need to!  She provides awesome, easy meals, and she has lots of receipes.  I have yet to try one that we have not absolutely loved!

We love soup over here...we eat soup all year long, not just in the winter.  To me there is just nothing better than a nice big bowl of soup! 

My absolute favorite soup is this potato soup I found on Shay's blog.  It is seriously so easy to make and it is so darn delicious.  My kids love it, and I always add the sausage in it when I make it. Check it out...you will LOVE it.

You guys it is really just that GOOD!!!!

I love love love vegetable soup...my husband likes some type of meat in his soup, so this isn't a huge favorite of his, but the kids and I do really like it.

This soup is super easy!

10 oz package frozen Italian style green beans

10 oz package frozen whole kernel corn

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped carrots

2 cloves garlic, minced

6 cups vegetable, chicken or beef broth (I use beef)

1 6oz can tomato paste

1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed

1 bay leaf

1 4 oz package of small pasta (I use ditalini noodles)

In your slow cooker combine frozen green beans, frozen corn, onion, carrots and garlic.  Add broth, tomato paste, basil and bay leaf.  Stir to combine

Cover and cook on low 7-9 hours or high 3-4 hours.  Add pasta, cook for an additional hour.  Discard the bay leaf and enjoy!

*recipe from Better Homes and Gardens Crockery Cookbook

We are big big fans of pulled pork over here.  Up until about 3 years ago I had never ever tried it, and I am so glad that I did.  This is a super easy recipe that my crew goes crazy for.  The meat takes a long time to cook, so I always put it in the crock pot before I go to bed, then it cooks all night and we just have to reheat it for dinner.  This recipe is just awesome

1 pork shoulder roast (about 2 1/2 pounds)

1 bottle barbeque sauce (we use the honey bbq sauce)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon brown sugar (I use a bit more, like a tablespoon)

1 medium onion chopped

Place pork roast in slow cooker, cover and cook on low 10-12 hours, or on high for 5-6 hours

Remove roast from slow cooker, discard the liquid.  Shred the pork with two forks and return the meat to the slow cooker.  Add BBQ sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar and onion.  Cover and cook on low for 2 hours or high for 1 hour.

Serve on hamburger buns and enjoy!

*recipe and photo from Rival Crockpot Cookbook

My kids love ham....I mean they SERIOUSLY love ham...AJ could eat ham for breakfast, lunch and dinner and never ever get tired of it.  He has brought a ham sandwich for lunch to school every single day since he was in kindergarten...he is now in 5th grade!  Me...I am not much of a ham lover...but I do love ham when it is served with potatoes and smothered in cheese. 

This dish right here is pretty delicious and a definite favorite in our house.

6 large russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds

1 ham steak cut into cubes (I usually use two)

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 soup can of water

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I probably use two)

Layer potatoes and ham in slow cooker.

Combine soup, water and cheese in a large mixing bowl.  Pour over the potatoes and ham.

Cover and cook on high 3 1/2 hours until potatoes are fork tender.  Turn crock pot to low and continue cooking for 1 hour

This is so easy and so delicious!!!

*photo and recipe from Rival Crock Pot Cookbook

These are just a few of the things we love to make in the crock pot.  I would love for you guys to share any of your favorite crock pot recipes with me!!!! 

Have the BEST day!