I admit it: I love my crock pot. If there were a fire in my house, after all the people were safe, I would seriously consider going back in to rescue my crock pot. Once, my crock broke and my mother in law and husband went driving for 45 minutes to replace the entire crock pot with a newer, better and bigger model! I was so thrilled!
My love affair with the crock pot started when I got married. I got one as a wedding gift. I discovered that I could throw things in it in the morning and come home to a prepared and almost complete meal and that was it! I have since used my crock pot for everything from desserts, to breakfasts, to entertaining guests.
These are “throw together” recipes meaning exactly what it implies. You throw them together. They take less than 10 minutes to prepare with a minimal amount of chopping, and no measuring. You only have to add a salad, some bread or a side dish to have a complete meal. How much seasoning or vegetables you add depends on how much meat you’ve started out with.
Chicken Soup Over Biscuits
Start with about 1 pound of boneless chicken. Add a can of chicken broth (or enough liquid to cover the chicken). Add a bag of baby carrots. Cut up 2-4 large potatoes. You don’t need to make them too small, if you cut them into fourths, that’s fine. Cut up one onion. Add enough salt & pepper to taste. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. When you come home you can put this soup over biscuits or over egg noodles.
My Mother-In-Law’s Super Easy Roast
Sprinkle a pot roast with salt and pepper to taste. Add a can of cream of mushroom soup. Add a can of water. Add an envelope of onion soup mix. Cook on low for 10-12 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. When you come home, bake some potatoes and carrots (these can be done easily in the microwave) and you have a complete meal.
Chicken Parmesan
Start with a pound of boneless and skinless chicken breast. Add a large jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce. Add any vegetables that you desire. I am partial to mushrooms and onions. You can also add some basil and oregano for extra flavor. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Sprinkle the top with mozzarella cheese. To finish the meal, serve over spaghetti and with garlic bread and a Ceasar salad.
Easy Beef Stroganoff
Start with cut up stew meat. Add two onions cut into fourths. Add fresh mushrooms. For liquid, use a can of cream of mushroom soup and half a can of water. Cook on low for 5-7 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Stir in a large container (16 oz.) of sour cream. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve over wide egg noodles.
Spicy Spaghetti Sauce
Start with spicy Italian sausage. Add a jar of spaghetti sauce. Chop up one onion, and one green pepper. Add mushrooms and olives. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. (This is not a good recipe to cook on high.) You don’t need to add seasonings because the seasonings in the sausage add flavor to the sauce. You can of course, add some basil, oregano, or Italian seasoning if you are so inclined. When you get home, serve over spaghetti with a side of garlic bread.
So there you have it: 5 recipes to “throw together“ in your crock pot. Cooking with a crock pot is almost like taking the night off from cooking altogether. It is super easy, doesn’t require measuring or a lot of preparation and then doesn’t require a lot of time in the kitchen. Enjoy!