Welcome to week one of crockpot menus to make your planning for the week easier! Crockpot recipes are provided from various sources as noted with each recipe!
Monday – Mexican Casserole Crockpot (Slow Cooker) Recipe
Recipe Type: Freezer Meal Option, Main Meal
Ingredients List:
1/2 lb extra lean ground beef
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/2 small green bell pepper, chopped
8 ounces kidney beans, undrained
7 1/4 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained
4 ounces tomato sauce
1/8 cup water
1 (1/2 ounce) envelope reduced sodium taco seasoning
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
2/3 cup instant rice, uncooked
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
Brown ground beef and onion in nonstick skillet.
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker, except rice and cheese.
Cook on low for 4-8 hours.
Stir in rice, cover, and cook until tender.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Cover and cook until cheese is melted.
Servings: 4
Source: Food
Tuesday – Taco Soup Crockpot (Slow Cooker) Recipe
Recipe Type: Soup Recipe, Freezer Meal Option, Quick & Easy, Main Meal
Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans
1 can (11 to 15 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 10 oz can Rotel tomatoes
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 (28 oz) can tomatoes
1 sm can chopped chile peppers (4 ounces)
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans
1 envelope Ranch Dressing Mix
Directions:
Brown the ground beef; drain well and transfer to the slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients and stir.
Cover and simmer in slow cooker on LOW for 6 to 8 hours.
Serve with tortilla chips or Mexican cornbread.
Servings: 4
Source: About Food
Wednesday – Chicken & Dumplings Crockpot (Slow Cooker) Recipe
Recipe Type: Three Ingredients, Quick & Easy, Main Meal
Ingredients:
4 cans of chicken broth or 2 (32oz) containers
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1-2 (10 count) cans of refrigerated biscuits
Directions:
Pour in all 4 cans of the chicken broth.
Cut the 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into small bit-size pieces.
Put the chicken into the Crockpot and let it cook on high for 2 hours.
Once the chicken is done, open the can of biscuits and tear each biscuit into 2 or 3 pieces (these are the dumplings) and add to the Crockpot.
The biscuits will float on the top. Once there is a full layer on top, take the back of a large serving spoon and gently push all of the dumplings into the broth. This will coat each dumpling with the broth and keep them from sticking to each other.
Cook, covered and on high, for 30 minutes.
Take the lid off and stir chicken and dumplings up. Continue to cook for an additional 20 minutes uncovered.
Turn the Crockpot off and serve warm.
Servings: 4
Source: ISaveA2Z
Tip: Cook on low for longer time and add biscuits when home from work.
Thursday – Beef Tips & Gravy Crockpot (Slow Cooker) Recipe
Recipe Type: Five Ingredients, Freezer Meal Option, Quick & Easy, Main Meal
Ingredients:
Stew meat (any amt.)
1 env. Lipton onion soup
1 can golden mushroom soup
1/2 c. red wine
1 can mushrooms, drained
Rice or noodles (for serving time – not included in crockpot cooking ingredients)
Directions:
Mix all together in crock pot and cook "all day" on low. Serve over rice or noodles.
No Photo Available
Servings: 4
Source: Cooks
Friday – Sweet & Sour Meatballs Crockpot (Slow Cooker) Recipe
Recipe Type: Three Ingredients, Freezer Meal Option, Quick & Easy, Main Meal
Ingredients:
1 (12 ounce) jar of chili sauce
1 1/2 cups grape jelly
2 pounds (32 ounces) frozen meatballs
Directions:
Pour meatballs into a slow cooker. Combine jelly and chili sauce in a small bowl and pour over meatballs.
Cook on low for 3-5 hours or until meatballs are heated through.
Servings: 8
Source: Tablespoon
Additional Thoughts Regarding Menu Planning: Double batches and cook in appropriate size crockpot. Place half of the cooled leftovers in a freezer bag to warm later for a quick meal.
Some preparation can be done on the weekend, such as cubing chicken, browning ground beef, ect.
Do you have additional tips you would like to share? Please let us know your thoughts!
