Slow Cooker Lasagna

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 (12 ounce) package lasagna noodles
• 12 ounces cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until brown. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, and oregano and stir until well incorporated. Cook until heated through.
2. In a large bowl mix together the cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
3. Spoon a layer of the meat mixture onto the bottom of the slow cooker. Add a double layer of the uncooked lasagna noodles. Break to fit noodles into slow cooker. Top noodles with a portion of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layering of sauce, noodles, and cheese until all the ingredients are used.
4. Cover, and cook on LOW setting for 4 1/2 hours.

Bow Ties with Sausage, Tomatoes and Cream

Ingredients

• 1 (12 ounce) package bow tie pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup diced onion

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can Italian-style plum tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
2. Heat oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Cook sausage and pepper flakes until sausage is evenly brown. Stir in onion and garlic, and cook until onion is tender. Stir in tomatoes, cream, and salt. Simmer until mixture thickens, 8 to 10 minutes.
3. Stir cooked pasta into sauce, and heat through. Sprinkle with parsley.

Pantry Honey-Mustard Chicken

I found this tasty recipe on the McConkie Menu. It looked easy and cheap, and yummy. People, its so good, we have had it several times since I found this on their site. I modified the recipe some, so that there would be more sauce to serve over rice.

2 cans Cream of chicken soup
2/3 Cup Mayonnaise
2 chicken breasts, trimmed, sliced into chunks, cooked in a small amount of oil.
3 Tbl Honey
2 Tbl Spicy Brown Mustard

After cooking the chicken, throw all other ingredients into the pan, heat to a simmer, and serve over rice.

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs Slow cooker

The I ran across this recipe on Facebook of all places. It came from a page called Tasty.

Directions:

Cut low moisture mozzarella cheese into 3/4 inch cubes cubes. Store in refrigerator while preparing the meat.

In a large mixing bowl combine: 
1 pound ground beef
1 pound hot Italian sausage
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup chopped parsley

Roll golf ball sized balls with the meat mixture. Squish mozzarella cube into the center and pull the edges of the meat ball around it until it’s a new ball again.

Arrange meatballs in slow cooker and cover in tomato sauce.  I layered the sauce as i went, so that the meat wouldn't stick together. I used 2 cans of 24oz. pasta sauce.

Cook on high for 3 to 3 1/2 hours.

Serve over cooked pasta. 

Cheesy Chicken Tortellini Soup

I adapted this recipe from one I found on the Craftaholics Anonymous site Cheesy Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe . It looked so good and easy. I did make a few adaptations, but essentially its the same. My notes are in red.

Cheesey Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe

2 – 12.5oz Canned Chicken, drained -  I used 2 freshly sliced and poached chicken breasts.

2 – 14.5oz Canned Chicken Broth

3 – 10.5oz Cans Cream of Chicken Soup

1 – 15 oz Canned Corn, drained 

1 – 14.5oz Green Beans, drained

1 – 15oz Canned Carrots, drained

Instead of canned veggies (Previous 3 ingredients), I used 3 bags of frozen mixed veggies (Ours were on sale, and I dislike the taste of canned green beans.

2 cups Water

1 Medium onion, diced - I used a whole onion, diced. Ben loves onion...

3 Tablespoons Garlic Powder

1 teaspoon Basil

½ teaspoon Oregano

½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese - I used 2/3 Cup, mostly by accident, but it was good.

30oz Frozen Cheese Tortellini

 DIRECTIONS

In a large pot, combine all ingredients except the Parmesan Cheese and Cheese Tortellinis. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Simmer for 20 minutes and then add Parmesan Cheese and Cheese Tortellinis. Simmer for another 10 minutes. I like to serve with this soup with rolls or breadsticks.

Creamy White Turkey Chili

This is a recipe I've had for a few years now. I got it from a former roommate, Kris. Its so yummy and I give her total credit for this delicious Turkey Chili.

Ingredients
1 lb Ground Turkey
1 medium Onion
1 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
3 cans Great Northern Beans - drained, rinsed
1 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
8 oz Green Chilies
1 tsp. Salt
1 Tbl Ground Cumin
1/2 tsp Pepper
1 cup Sour Cream
1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream
1 Block Cream Cheese
2 Cups Jack Cheese

Directions
Brown turkey, onion and garlic powder. Add cream cheese and heat until melted.
Transfer to crock pot. Add remaining ingredients.
Heat on high 3- 3 1/2 hours, Low 7 hrs.

Serve with crackers or fresh French Bread.

Black Bean Taco Soup

This is a recipe I stole from  www.sixsistersstuff.com. I ran across this site while looking for a good recipe for taco soup. It was super easy to make and Ben loved it! It will be made in this house multiple times this winter, I'm sure of it.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey tastes so good in this recipe too!)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 package mild taco seasoning mix
1 16 oz can corn (undrained)
1 16 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed (you could use kidney beans or pinto beans)
1 14 oz can stewed tomatoes
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 4 oz can diced green chilis
tortilla chips
Other taco toppings you like (cheese, sour cream, avocado, etc)

Directions:
Brown meat and onion, drain.
Stir in taco seasoning, corn, black beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and green chilis. Simmer on low heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
Serve with tortilla chips and your favorite toppings.

This makes an easy freezer meal too! After cooking, let soup cool down and then dump into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag or other freezer container. When you want to eat it, let it thaw in the fridge for 24 hours and then simmer on the stove until heated all the way through or microwave until heated all the way through. You could also put it in your crock pot and cook on low for 2-3 hours to re-heat it.