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Hello friends! The weather is cooler, there’s a crispness in the air. It’s time for food and friends! Well, it’s always time for that, lol.
The cooler weather always makes me want to use my crock pot. I make a lot of soups and stews with my mine. Check out this post for those recipes.
Today I want to share other crockpot meals that have become staples in our home.
Pork Tenderloin
I like Smithfield garlic and pepper pork tenderloin. It is $5.49 for 1.85 lbs. This will serve me and my boys when my husband is on shift. When he’s home I cook two. 😊 These tenderloins come packaged in their own marinade which I love. I simply add them to my crockpot with a little bit of water or chicken broth. Cook on low for 3-4 hours. Internal temperature should reach 145 degrees. Serve with mashed potatoes and peas or whatever sides you prefer. This is so easy and tasty, you will make it again and again!
Ham
I start with a 2-3 lb. boneless ham for $10. This is great to serve guests or take to someone who’s sick. I place in crock pot flat side down. Pat ½ cup of brown sugar all over. Pour ¼ cup maple syrup and ½ cup pineapple juice over ham. Cook on low for 4 hours. Serve with green beans and crock pot mac ‘n cheese.
Mac and cheese
This has become a family favorite. We take this to family holiday dinners, church dinners, and dinners with friends.
- Cooking spray
- 12 oz of large elbow noodles
- 1 can (12oz) of evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup of half and half
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup salted butter, melted
- 30 ozs shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Cook noodles per instructions (make sure to salt the water, it makes a big difference!). While your noodles are cooking, spray the inside of your crock. Add evaporated milk, half and half, milk, beaten eggs, melted butter (note: let your butter cool a bit after it is melted before adding it in. You don’t want to scramble your eggs.) After your noodles have cooked, strain them, and let cool for a few minutes. Now add the noodles and all but 1 cup of cheese, stir until combined. Sprinkle the last cup of cheese on top. If you want to add a little color, sprinkle a little paprika on top. Cook on low for about 3 hours. Yum!
Meatballs
I purchase a bag of homestyle meatballs ($8.94 for a 48 oz bag.) I use half the bag. Add your favorite marinara sauce and heat for on low for 2-3 hours. These are great served with your favorite pasta or to make meatball subs. They are great as appetizer or snack as well!
Beef Pot Roast
Since prices have gone up, I don’t buy beef chuck roast as much…and it is one of my favorites! Right now you can get a 2-2.65 lb chuck roast for between $10 and $11 where I live. I make mine with a package of pot roast seasoning, 1-2 cups of beef broth, 2 large russet potatoes (cut in small pieces), half a bag of baby carrots, and a quartered onion. I place the carrots and potatoes in the crock first, then the onion and chuck roast. Mix the beef broth and packet of pot roast seasoning together. Pour over roast. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Boston Butt
I buy Boston butt’s (pork shoulder) when they are on sale. Where I live, they go on sale for $0.99 a pound or a little over a $1.00 per pound. For the crockpot, I buy a 4 pound pork shoulder. Season liberally with salt and pepper all over. Cook in the crockpot on low for 8 hours. Internal temperature should reach 200 degrees. Take two forks and shred. Add your choice of BBQ sauce.
Brunswick Stew
This is perfect if you have leftover pulled pork! A friend of mine brought this to my home after I had my second son and I remember thinking, “Wow, this is the best thing I’ve ever eaten!” Now, it could have been a combination of factors…but, it WAS really good and the first time I had Brunswick stew.
- 2 cups pulled pork
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup frozen lima beans
- 3 medium russet potatoes peeled & diced
- 4 cloves of minced garlic
- 14 oz can of diced tomatoes
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (we like Sweet Baby Rays)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
Combine all ingredients, add to the slow cooker, and cook on low for 5 hours. Enjoy!
I hope you will try these crock pot meals for your friends and family!
