Taco Soup

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef

1 taco seasoning packet

1 onion, diced

1 bell pepper, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cans Rotel, drained 

2 c beef broth

1/2 c heavy cream

1 block cream cheese

Lime juice, to taste

Optional toppings: shredded cheese, avocados, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, & jalapenos

1. In a large pot, cook beef, onion, pepper, & garlic with taco seasoning.

2. When beef is cooked, add remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes.

OR

1. Place everything except cream & cream cheese in slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours, stirring those other ingredients in just before serving.

Slow Cooker Chicken & Pink Sauce

Slow Cooker Chicken & Pink Sauce

24 oz jar marinara sauce

1 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb chicken, cubed

salt and pepper, to taste

1 t Italian seasoning

2 bay leaves

11 oz Alfredo sauce

8 oz cream cheese

1 lb pasta, cooked

fresh basil, for garnish

1. Place a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of slow cooker; add onion, garlic, chicken, seasonings, and Alfredo sauce.

2. Cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for 4 hours; stir in cream cheese about a half hour before serving.

3. Remove bay leaves and serve over pasta, garnished with basil.

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Slow Cooker Ground Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Ground Beef Stew
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, finely diced
1 t salt
5 Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into 1" pieces
1 lb bag sliced carrots
1- 10.75 oz can tomato soup
1 - 6 oz can tomato paste
3 c beef broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T beefy onion soup mix
1 t parsley
1 t Italian seasoning
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 c frozen peas

1. In a large pan over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, onion and salt until beef is cooked through. Drain and place in slow cooker.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients (except peas); cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Stir in peas one hour before serving.

Wassail

Wassail
8 c apple cider
2 c orange juice
1- 46 oz can pineapple juice
2- 3" cinnamon sticks
1 T whole cloves
1/2 c honey

1. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on high for two hours. Strain out cinnamon sticks and cloves before serving.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup
1 1/2 lb chicken breast
1 onion, diced
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 jalapeno, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1- 15 oz can diced tomatoes
2 c chicken broth
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
1 t oregano
1/2 t paprika
salt and pepper, to taste
1- 13.5 oz can coconut milk, opt
2 T cilantro, chopped
1 avocado, pitted and sliced

1. Place chicken in the bottom of a slow cooker; add onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and garlic.
2. Pour in tomatoes and broth; sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
Shred chicken before serving. Stir in coconut milk. Garnish with cilantro and avocado.

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Thai Soup

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Thai Soup
2 lb butternut squash, peeled and diced
21 oz unsweetened coconut milk
3 c chicken broth
3 t onion powder
1-3 t sriracha, to taste
juice of 2 limes + zest of 1 lime, separated
1 t garlic powder
1 t curry powder
3 t salt, or to taste
1/4 c chopped cilantro
1/4 c chopped cashews
1/2 t red chili pepper flakes (opt)

1. Add butternut squash, coconut milk, chicken broth, onion powder, sriracha, lime juice, garlic powder, and curry powder in a slow cooker; cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours (or on low for 4-5 hours).
2. Using an immersion blender (or regular blender or food processor), blend soup; add salt to taste and additional milk, if desired.
3. In a small bowl, combine cilantro, cashews, red chili pepper flakes, and lime zest; sprinkle over individual servings of soup. 

Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs
1- 12 oz bottle chili sauce
juice of 1 lemon
1 c grape jelly
2 lb ground beef (or 1 lb beef and 1 lb turkey)
1 egg
1 onion, finely diced
1/2 t salt

1. In a small bowl, combine chili sauce, lemon juice, and jelly; pour enough in slow cooker to coat the bottom and set the rest aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine beef, egg, onion, and salt; roll into 2" balls.
3. In a large pan, sear meatballs; layer meatballs and sauce in slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring a few times. Serve over rice.

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Almonds

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Almonds
1 egg white
2 t vanilla
4 c raw almonds
1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
3 T cinnamon
1/8 t salt
2 T water

1. In a medium bowl, whisk egg white and vanilla until frothy; stir in almonds to coat.
2. In a gallon-sized ziplock bag, toss together sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Using a slotted spoon, spoon almonds in to bag and shake to coat.
4. Spray slow cooker with nonstick spray and dump in all contents of the gallon bag.
5. Cook on high for two hours, stirring every 20 minutes. After the two hours, stir in water, turn heat down to low, and cook for another hour, stirring every 20 minutes.
6. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spread almonds evenly to cool.

Minestrone Soup

Minestrone Soup
1/4 lb ground pork
1 lb lean ground beef
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
2 t oregano
1 c beef broth
1 c water
1 1/2 t basil
3 carrots, sliced
2 T parsley
2- 14 oz cans stewed tomatoes, chopped
1- 14.5 oz can green beans, with juice
1- 15.5 oz can garbanzo beans, with juice
1 c macaroni noodles, cooked
2 zucchini, diced and precooked until softened
Parmesan cheese

1. In a large skillet, brown pork and hamburger with garlic, onion, salt, and pepper.
2. Drain meat and place in a slow cooker with oregano, beef broth, water, basil, carrots, parsley, and one can of tomatoes.
3. Turn slow cooker on high heat for 6 hours.
4. Turn slow cooker down to low, add green beans, garbanzo beans, macaroni, zucchini, and the other can of tomatoes, and cook for another hour.
5. Season with salt and pepper; serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Slow Cooker Ham

Slow Cooker Ham
3 c brown sugar, separated
up to 8 lb ham (I used boneless)

1. Place one cup of brown sugar on the bottom of slow cooker.
2. Lay ham in slow cooker and cover with remaining two cups of brown sugar.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup (or this Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup recipe)
1 cup salsa
2 cups frozen corn
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro (optional)
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
favorite toppings
Directions:
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken into slow cooker.
In a bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, salsa, corn, black beans, water, cumin, and cilantro. Pour over chicken in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (or high for 2-3 hours). Remove chicken and shred using 2 forks. Put chicken back into slow cooker, add cheese, and let cook for 15 more minutes. Serve with your favorite fajita toppings (tomato, shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, etc).

Read more at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/11/slow-cooker-creamy-chicken-fajita-soup.html#83xZJ3rMFiLgCR0B.99

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 c salsa
2.5 c frozen corn
1- 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 c water
1 t cumin
1/4 bunch cilantro, chopped
1 1/2 c Cheddar cheese
Toppings: avocados, more cheese, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, etc (opt)

1. Place chicken, soup, salsa, corn, beans, water, and cumin in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (or on high for 2-4).
2. About 15 minutes before serving, take chicken out and shred it; place chicken back in slow cooker along with cilantro and cheese.
Serve topped with your favorite Mexican toppings.

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup (or this Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup recipe)
1 cup salsa
2 cups frozen corn
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro (optional)
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
favorite toppings
Directions:
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken into slow cooker.
In a bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, salsa, corn, black beans, water, cumin, and cilantro. Pour over chicken in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (or high for 2-3 hours). Remove chicken and shred using 2 forks. Put chicken back into slow cooker, add cheese, and let cook for 15 more minutes. Serve with your favorite fajita toppings (tomato, shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, etc).

Read more at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/11/slow-cooker-creamy-chicken-fajita-soup.html#83xZJ3rMFiLgCR0B.99

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup (or this Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup recipe)
1 cup salsa
2 cups frozen corn
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro (optional)
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
favorite toppings
Directions:
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken into slow cooker.
In a bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, salsa, corn, black beans, water, cumin, and cilantro. Pour over chicken in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (or high for 2-3 hours). Remove chicken and shred using 2 forks. Put chicken back into slow cooker, add cheese, and let cook for 15 more minutes. Serve with your favorite fajita toppings (tomato, shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, etc).

Read more at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/11/slow-cooker-creamy-chicken-fajita-soup.html#83xZJ3rMFiLgCR0B.99

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup (or this Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup recipe)
1 cup salsa
2 cups frozen corn
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro (optional)
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
favorite toppings
Directions:
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken into slow cooker.
In a bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, salsa, corn, black beans, water, cumin, and cilantro. Pour over chicken in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (or high for 2-3 hours). Remove chicken and shred using 2 forks. Put chicken back into slow cooker, add cheese, and let cook for 15 more minutes. Serve with your favorite fajita toppings (tomato, shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, etc).

Read more at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/11/slow-cooker-creamy-chicken-fajita-soup.html#83xZJ3rMFiLgCR0B.99

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup (or this Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup recipe)
1 cup salsa
2 cups frozen corn
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro (optional)
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
favorite toppings
Directions:
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken into slow cooker.
In a bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, salsa, corn, black beans, water, cumin, and cilantro. Pour over chicken in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (or high for 2-3 hours). Remove chicken and shred using 2 forks. Put chicken back into slow cooker, add cheese, and let cook for 15 more minutes. Serve with your favorite fajita toppings (tomato, shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, etc).

Read more at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/11/slow-cooker-creamy-chicken-fajita-soup.html#83xZJ3rMFiLgCR0B.99

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup (or this Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup recipe)
1 cup salsa
2 cups frozen corn
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro (optional)
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
favorite toppings
Directions:
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken into slow cooker.
In a bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, salsa, corn, black beans, water, cumin, and cilantro. Pour over chicken in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (or high for 2-3 hours). Remove chicken and shred using 2 forks. Put chicken back into slow cooker, add cheese, and let cook for 15 more minutes. Serve with your favorite fajita toppings (tomato, shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, etc).

Read more at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/11/slow-cooker-creamy-chicken-fajita-soup.html#83xZJ3rMFiLgCR0B.99

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup (or this Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup recipe)
1 cup salsa
2 cups frozen corn
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro (optional)
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
favorite toppings
Directions:
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken into slow cooker.
In a bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, salsa, corn, black beans, water, cumin, and cilantro. Pour over chicken in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (or high for 2-3 hours). Remove chicken and shred using 2 forks. Put chicken back into slow cooker, add cheese, and let cook for 15 more minutes. Serve with your favorite fajita toppings (tomato, shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, etc).

Read more at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/11/slow-cooker-creamy-chicken-fajita-soup.html#83xZJ3rMFiLgCR0B.99

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
2 c chocolate chips*
6 c milk**
1 1/2 c heavy whipping cream, half & half, or a combination of both
1 t vanilla
1- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

1. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring once or twice.
*Use dark, white, milk, semisweet, or a combination, depending on your taste.
**Use whole milk for a creamier texture.
Makes about 10 servings.

Pesto Ranch Chicken

Pesto Ranch Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1- 8 oz jar of pesto
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
1/2 c chicken broth

1. Place chicken in a slow cooker.
2. In a separate bowl, mix pesto, ranch mix, and chicken broth; pour over chicken.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours (or on high for 3-4 hours).
*I use some of the extra liquid in the slow cooker to make quinoa.

Slow Cooker Sausage Tortellini Soup

Slow Cooker Sausage Tortellini Soup
1 lb ground sausage, cooked
1- 8 oz block cream cheese, cubed
1- 28 oz can Italian diced tomatoes, drained
4 c chicken broth
about 2-3 cups fresh spinach
1- 19 oz bag frozen cheese tortellini

1. Throw everything except the tortellini in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours. Add tortellini for the last half hour. Stir it all once or twice while it cooks.

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
5 lb potatoes
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 c chicken broth
3 T butter, separated
1 c [light] sour cream
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper
1/3 c milk
3 oz [light] cream cheese

1. Wash and cube potatoes (you can peel them also, but I like the skins in there for texture); throw them in the slow cooker with the garlic, chicken broth, and butter.
2. Cook on high for 4 1/2-5 hours; add remaining ingredients and roughly mash together.

Pot Roast

Pot Roast
2 T olive oil
2 onions, roughly chopped
2 lb (or about 10) carrots, roughly chopped
3-5 lb chuck roast
salt and pepper
3 c beef broth
2 t rosemary
2 t thyme

1. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat; add onions and, covered, brown.
2. Remove onions to a plate and set aside; add carrots to pan and heat for about 2-3 minutes, covered, until browned. Reserve the carrots with the onions.
3. Generously salt and pepper roast; turn burner up to high heat. If needed, add some more olive oil to the pan before adding the roast.
4. Sear roast for about a minute on each side until it's brown all over; place in slow cooker.
5. Combine broth, rosemary, and thyme in a small bowl.
6. Deglaze the pan by adding about cup of broth mixture (it may smoke a bit) and scraping the bits off of the bottom; pour contents over roast.
7. Add vegetables to slow cooker and then pour in remaining broth mixture.
8. Cook on low for 8 hours, or until fall-apart tender.

Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken

Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken
2 c chicken broth
1 can black beans
1 c frozen corn
1 can Rotel tomatoes and chiles
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 onion, diced
1 t garlic salt
1 t cumin
1 t onion powder
1 t chili powder
3 chicken breasts
salt and pepper, to taste
rice, cooked
Cheddar cheese (opt)
green onions (opt)
cilantro (opt)

1. Mix broth, beans, corn, Rotel, garlic, onions, and spices in a slow cooker; top with chicken.
2. Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours; shred chicken half an hour before serving and return to slow cooker.
3. Season with salt and pepper; serve over rice, topped with cheese and green onions or cilantro.

Slow Cooker Curried Coconut Chicken

Slow Cooker Curried Coconut Chicken
1- 13.5 oz can coconut milk
2 1/2 t curry powder, separated
salt and pepper, to taste
3 chicken breasts
2- 16 oz bags frozen stir-fry vegetables
1 c white rice, uncooked
1/2 t ginger
coconut flakes (opt)

1. Lightly grease slow cooker; shake coconut milk well before you pour it in to slow cooker.
2. Whisk in 2 tsp. curry powder, salt, and pepper; add chicken and spoon some of the coconut milk mixture over the chicken; top with frozen veggies.
3. Cook on low for 8-10 hours (high for 6 hours).
4. About 20 minutes before serving, cook rice as directed, adding ginger and remaining curry powder to water before cooking.
Serve chicken over rice, sprinkled with coconut flakes.

Slow Cooker Lemonade Chicken

Slow Cooker Lemonade Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
1 can frozen lemonade, thawed
1/4 c ketchup
1 T apple cider vinegar
3 T brown sugar
brown rice

1. Place chicken in slow cooker.
2. Mix remaining ingredients in separate bowl; pour over chicken.
3. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours.
Serve over rice.
*Each serving (sans rice) is only 309 calories.

Cafe Rio Pork

Like any good pork dish, the name of the game is low and slow.


Cafe Rio Pork
5-6 lb pork roast
20 oz Dr Pepper or Coca-Cola (do not use diet soda)
1 c brown sugar
3/4 c sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
7 oz can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
6-8 oz jar red taco sauce
1 t dry mustard
1 t cumin
1/4 t cayenne pepper

1. Place roast in slow cooker, cover about halfway with water, and cook on low for 12 hours, or overnight; drain pork.
2. Mix remaining ingredients until the sugar is dissolved; pour over roast and cook on low for 4 hours.
3. Shred pork, add back into sauce, and cook for another 2 hours.
*You can just use the sauce, or you can use the sauce and up to all of the chiles if you would like some more heat (I throw the whole can in).