Is there anything better than coming home from a long day to a nice, hot, home-cooked meal? If you have a crock pot, then it’s possible to throw a few things in each morning, and come home to a yummy meal. Here are my eight favorite crock-pot meals, all of them delicious, and all of them perfect for the long, cold winter!
This is a classic, and everybody loves it! You can add all sorts of toppings, and you can even make it as hot or as mild as you want. Here’s what you need: one pound of ground turkey or ground beef (browned), three cans of diced tomatoes, two cans of pinto beans (drained), one can of dark red kidney beans (drained), one can of condensed tomato soup (and one can of water), and one packet of McCormick’s chili seasoning. If you like, you can also add a small can of diced green chilis, or a small can of corn. You just throw everything into the crock pot, set it on low, and let it simmer all day! Top with sour cream, fresh diced tomatoes, grated cheddar cheese, onions, you name it…
Why buy Dinty Moore beef stew from a can, when you can make your own? All you need is: one pound of diced stewing beef, two large potatoes (diced), two large carrots (sliced), one stalk of celery (diced), one-half of one small yellow onion (diced), two cups of water, and one McCormick’s Beef Stew seasoning packet. Toss everything into the crock pot, turn it on low or medium, and let it simmer for at least five hours, or more if you have time. So delicious!
The U.S. Senate Café serves something similar, and the recipe hasn’t changed for 150 years. It’s so delicious! Here’s what you need: 1 cup of cooked ham (diced), 2 large potatoes (diced), 1 large carrot (diced), one quarter of one onion (diced), 2 cans of northern white beans (drained), one can of pinto beans (drained), 2 cups of chicken broth, and two tablespoons of ground black pepper. Just put everything into the crock pot, give it a good stir, turn it on low, and let it simmer for at least five hours, more if you have time. Serve with a chunk of warm bread… so tasty and satisfying!
7 Delicious Strawberry Recipes …
An update on a bowl of classic chili! Here’s what you need: 2 small cans of chunk white chicken (drained), 2 cans of northern white beans (drained), 1 can of pinto beans (drained), ½ can of diced green chilis (drained), 2 cups of chicken broth, and one half of one packet of McCormick’s Chicken Chili seasoning. Add everything to the crock pot, stir, and let it simmer for a few hours on low. Top with crumbled tortilla chips, cheese, or whatever else sounds good. Yum!
Even better than Campbell’s, and perfect for warding off or maybe even curing the cold! Here’s what you need: 2 small cans of chunk white chicken (drained), one half box of rotini noodles, one large potato (diced), one half can of kernel corn (drained), one large carrot (diced), one quarter of one small onion (diced), one stalk of celery (diced), two cups of chicken broth, two tablespoons of ground pepper, and one tablespoon of salt. Just toss everything into the crock pot, give it a good stir, and let it simmer on low or medium for at least five hours, or more if you have time. Serve with a grilled cheese sandwich or even a peanut butter and jelly!
Such a winter-time classic, and you can prepare it one of two ways, with or without tomatoes. Here’s what you need: OPTIONAL one can of diced tomatoes (undrained), two cups of chicken broth, two large potatoes (diced), one large carrot (diced), one stalk of celery (diced), one small can of kernel corn (drained), one quarter of one small onion (diced), one handful of fresh green beans (chopped into smaller chunks), one very small can of peas, and one tablespoon of ground pepper. Just add everything to the crock-pot, stir well, and simmer on low for at least six hours, or as long as nine hours. Top with garlic croutons, grated cheese, or anything else you might like. Feel free to experiment with this one, adding whatever other vegetables or beans you think you might like.
Who doesn’t love sloppy joes? Add some mac and cheese and corn on the cob, and dinner is done! Here’s what you need: one pound of ground beef or turkey (browned), one can of your favorite sloppy joe mix, and one half cup of water. Add everything to the crock pot and simmer all day on low. By the time you get home, the joes will be ready! Delicious and filling!
A down-south favorite, perfect for serving with iced tea and coleslaw! Just add one pound of pulled pork, one cup of water, and your choice of how much of your favorite bar-be-que sauce to the crock pot, stir well, and simmer until you can’t help yourself, you just have to try it! Load a pile of pork onto a bun and top with whatever you prefer. So tasty!
With so many delicious, tasty crock pot meals, there’s no reason to scramble for the take-out menus when you get home from a long day at work. Which of these do you like best? Or do you have another magical crock pot meal recipe to share? Please let me know… thanks!