Crockpot Freezer Meals | Beef Stew Slow Cooker Recipe

Since I like to use my crockpot, I'm taking advantage of cooking in a crockpot by planning ahead and putting together some crockpot freezer meals such as this recipe for Freezer Crockpot Beef Stew.

Crockpot Freezer Meals

When I transferred to a new city for my full-time job, I didn't have the convenience of being able to stop by a grocery store during lunchtime to pick up a few things for that evening's dinner.  I turned to my trusty slow cooker.

Here are some terrific dump crockpot recipes to simplify and make meal prep easy during hectic times. I use my Foodsaver Vacuum Sealer to freeze ahead and dump in the morning on those busy days. 

Chicken Cacciatore is another favorite dump and go freezer meal we enjoy.

Serve with some delicious homemade Sourdough Bread recipe (it's easier to make than you think) and gut-healthy too with all of the probiotic properties.

Crockpot Beef Stew

Beef prices have risen recently because of the high cost of gas and transportation. Rather than buy sirloin tips for my stew, Shoulder London Broil  was on sale this week, so I bought several steaks and cut them up and cubed them myself at home.

Whether you're a stay at home mom, or work part-time or full-time outside the home, it's hard to get your home organized. Even if you're a grandmother, you might be thinking you have it all covered at home since your pantry is organized immaculately and everything in your kitchen has its place. It doesn't change the fact that you're still busy working all day and driving kids or grandchildren to practice, running errands or taking care of your household in the evenings. Another thing you can learn to do to simplify your life is to plan your meals and cook in advance.

Meal planning and bulk cooking are both wonderful techniques you can utilize and modify to fit your families needs. The idea behind this is simple. The principle is that you cook and or prepare your meals ahead of time and then preserve them by either freezing refrigerating them. It can also help stretch your food budget dollar further, since you can cook one large meal and get two or three other meals from it with the proper planning.


Start by writing down a list of your favorite meals and plan on preparing a grocery list that will coincide with your menu. Since you're learning to cook in bulk, your shopping list will have to change accordingly so you're sure to have enough ingredients on hand when the time comes to do the cooking.


The most important tool in meal planning and bulk cooking is your freezer. Freezer bags are a great space saver if you have a small freezer. You can fit many in the same space of a few storage containers. Be sure to incorporate lots of quick and easy meals that your family can warm up and serve themselves in the event you're not able to be at home for dinner or you just need to grab something that's quick.

You'll also learn to love your slow cooker. Experiment with different recipes and variations on your favorites. They also make easy work of cooking whole chickens or roasts which can be frozen or refrigerated for later use very easily.

Easy kitchen clean up with Handmade Dish Cloths from Moomettes Crochet !

You're only limited by your own imagination when cooking in bulk for the week ahead. Factor in the time you save by not having to do a lot of after dinner cleanup or dishes, Whether you're cooking for one, or cooking for a family, you'll be glad you took the time to simplify your life and master this important organizational skill.

Be sure to check out my recipe for Crockpot Beef Stew Louisiana Style (with molasses!)

Freezer Slow Cooker Beef Stew

3 c. chopped onions
2-1/2 c. coarsely chopped green bell peppers (about 2 peppers)
2 c. fresh green beans, diced
2 cups of baby carrots or diced carrots
4 cloves garlic, minced
2-3 lbs. beef stew meat, cut into one inch cubes, or whole and you can cut it after it's cooked
4 (6-oz.) cans tomato paste
2 Tbl. of Hungarian paprika or regular paprika
1 tsp. ground black pepper
4 c. hot cooked wide egg noodles, do not add in freezer bag, cook separately, day of cooking
1/2 c. dairy sour cream, do not add in freezer bag, use as garnish on the day of cooking

Transfer everything into two gallon freezer bags, shake it up, seal, label and put in the freezer. DO NOT add the sour cream and noodles as the sour cream is for garnishing after the meal is cooked. Cook the noodles separately according to package directions on the day of cooking.

On the day of cooking, dump bag contents into your crock pot and cook on high for 4 to 6 hours, or low 6-8 hours, depending upon your specific slow cooker.

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Baked Bean Casserole | Slow Cooker

New England Boston Baked Bean Casserole recipe with you. It was shared by a co-worker, and I use it all year long - it's great for summer picnics, barbecues, or you could make and take to brunch or holiday gatherings!

Baked Beans Casserole

If you'd like, it tastes delicious with a bit of New England Maple Syrup added too!

One of the best things I like about living in New England is Fall. I enjoy everything about it - the changing colors of the foliage; the sound of crisp leaves crunching under my feet as I take an evening walk; the smell of wood stoves burning; and trips to the cider mills.

Also right up there are comfort foods - which to me means casseroles and slow cookers!

New England Baked Bean Casserole

This baked bean recipe is a family favorite !  When I was a young girl, my mom would dice up hot dogs and cook in the baked beans and that would be our New England Supper, a hot dog casserole served with Boston Brown Bread !

Awhile back I had the opportunity to help vote for the Betty Crocker Casseroles dish magazine.  There were so many great recipes in there from all over the country.  This baked bean recipe, however, is a family favorite.  What's more New England than franks and beans on St. Patrick's Day?

I like to bring these baked beans in a crockpot to keep warm at parties.  They're always a hit, and go fast !  Easy to transport, too.

Easy kitchen clean up with Handmade Dish Cloths from Moomettes Crochet Shop !

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Boston Baked Bean Casserole

1/4 cup oil or EVOO
2 chopped onions
1 lb  ground beef (or ground turkey, your choice)
1 tsp salt
2 tbl mustard
2 tsp cider vinegar
2 lb  pork & beans  (canned) (I always use B & M beans)
1 lb  kidney beans, drained
1 cup ketchup

Heat oil.
Saute onions until clear.
In same skillet, brown the ground beef (drain off some
grease if necessary).
Add the remaining ingredients.
Bake in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.

This recipe can also be cooked in a Crockpot or Slow Cooker on Low and served right from the pot.  It's very portable for buffets or parties! 

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Crockpot | Hearty Hamburger Vegetable Barley Soup | Slow Cooker Recipe

It can get mighty cold here in Connecticut in winter and we’ve certainly had our share of extreme snowfall!  I’ve been giving my crockpot a good workout and treating my family to some delicious new meals, soups and chowders. Like this Crockpot Hamburger Barley Soup - with ground beef, or chicken or turkey.

Crockpot Soup

My daughters learned to enjoy homemade soup as my Yankee Grandmom would always make a big batch and send us home with some after a visit.  This recipe for Hearty Hamburger Vegetable Barley Soup made in the slow cooker has turned into one of my family favorites.

Chock full of meat, mixed vegetables of green beans, carrots, corn, peas and lima beans - you can add barley or pasta to make it a hearty minestrone and add body.  Use your favorite ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken as the base.

If you don't have one or need a new one, here are some wonderful crockpots to help you get started.

The addition of grains to your meals makes this Vegetable Soup Mediterranean Diet friendly!.  Choose Barley, Bulgar, Farro, or Lentils as your favorite grain of choice.

Make up a batch of this yummy minestrone and take a container to your Mom, Grandmom, family friend or neighbor who’s a shut-in.  Send the kids back to college with a savory soup that’s homemade!

While the soup is in the slow cooker, fire up the breadmaker with your favorite bread recipe!  You'll have a complete balanced meal with meat and vegetables.

Easy clean-up with my crochet handmade Cotton Dish Cloths from my Moomettes Crochet shop!

Serve along with some of my favorite homemade bread recipes
Dill Bread

Easy Sourdough Bread (great for bread bowls)

Other favorite homemade soup recipes
Spaghetti and Meatball soup (Italian Wedding Soup)
Fire Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Garden Vegetable Soup

Butternut Squash Soup

Hamburger Vegetable Barley Soup

1 lb. Lean ground beef ( or ground turkey or ground chicken )
2 c. frozen mixed vegetables
1 c. sliced celery
1 package (1 ounce) dry onion soup mix
1 package (1 ounce) Italian salad dressing mix
¼ tsp. Salt (or to taste)
¼ tsp. Black pepper (or to taste)
3 c. boiling water
1 can (about 14 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1 Tbl. Soy sauce
2 c. Barley, cooked
¼ c. grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbl. Chopped fresh parsley
Elbow or Ditalini pasta noodles (if desired)

Brown ground beef in large skillet 6 to 8 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring to break up the meat. Drain fat.
Place vegetables in crockpot or slow cooker. Top with beef, soup mix, salad dressing mix, salt and pepper. Add water, tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce and soy sauce, mixing well. Cover, cook on LOW 6 to 8 hours.
Stir in cooked Barley and Grated Parmesan cheese. Cover; cook on HIGH 15 to 30 minutes or until heated through. Can also be made on stove top.

Sprinkle with parsley just before serving.
Freeze any leftovers 

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Louisiana Beef Stew | Crockpot Beef Stew | Church Supper Recipe

Here's an interesting stew recipe featuring molasses, raisins, and a hint of ginger. Make this Crockpot Beef Stew for a busy weeknight supper, or simmer on the back burner for Sunday supper.

Old Fashioned Beef Stew

We like to use plenty of molasses when baking here in New England. Traditionally molasses are used in cookie recipes. We also like to think we make the best beef stew.

I know many people are using an Instapot to cook meals, but I prefer to stick with my trusty Crockpot, and I've had many over the years! My mom and aunts used to use a pressure cooker, but my comfort zone is with a slow cooker.

However, Mardis Gras is coming up, and rather than a seafood stew or gumbo, try this old fashioned beef stew recipe version with a side of homemade dumplings or biscuits.

You can get a faster start on this beef stew recipe by using some freezer cooking tips. I just got a Food Saver sealing bag machine, which is perfect for freezer meal prep. 

If cooking in a dutch oven casserole dish, cook for 2 hours.

Try some of my other easy Crockpot meals and desserts - 
Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore 

Crockpot Beef Vegetable Barley Soup

Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup

Crockpot Molton Lava Pudding Cake

Serve with Crockpot Bread Pudding and hard sauce for dessert.

Clean up your kitchen with my crochet handmade Dish Cloths from my Moomettes Crochet shop!

Crockpot Beef Stew

3 Tbl. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. celery salt
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. ginger
3 lbs. beef chuck, cut in 2" cubes
2 Tbl. cooking oil
1 16-oz. can tomatoes
3 medium onions, sliced
1/3 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. molasses
1/2 c. water
6-8 carrots, cut on diagonal
1/2 c. raisins

Combine first 6 ingredients and sprinkle over beef cubes.
Brown beef in hot oil.
Remove to crockpot or slow cooker and add tomatoes, onions, carrots, vinegar, molasses and water.
Cook on low about 4 hours.
Add raisins and simmer about 30 minutes longer.

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photo credit: Back to the Cutting Board via photopin cc

Adapted from: Yankee's Main Dish Church Supper Cookbook

Easy Cheese Potato Soup | Winter Soup | Homemade Soup Recipe

On a cold winter day nothing warms a body like a fresh pot of soup, and, nothing warms the cook’s heart like an easy dish to prepare! This delicious homemade creamy Cheesy Potato Soup recipe makes everyone happy.

Easy Homemade Cheesy Potato Soup

Winter Soups

As a frugal easy supper, I often serve my family homemade soups for dinner.  Add a loaf of homemade bread from scratch, such as my Dilly Bread recipe, or a loaf of bread made in the breadmaker and you have a nice easy, quick meal.

You can put soup in a crockpot to simmer all day or wait until dinner time and whip it up in a hurry.

Change the toppings in each person’s bowl to make this recipe their own. You might try spinach and onions or tomatoes and croutons and the kids will like extra bacon.

Easy kitchen clean up with these Handmade Cotton Dishcloths from Moomettes Crochet Shop !




Enjoy!

Easy Homemade Cheesy Potato Soup

8 medium potatoes
1 large or 2 small Vidalia onions
1 package of John Morrell center cut bacon
1/8 cup of Pillsbury all-purpose flour
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
8oz Velveeta cheese
1 Tablespoon of Lawry’s seasoned salt
1 Tablespoon of black pepper

Heat a large pot on the stove over medium heat. As the pot is heating, cut the bacon into bite size pieces. Once the pot is hot, add the bacon pieces, stirring often until brown.
While the bacon is cooking, peel and chop the onion and potatoes. Make sure your potatoes are cut into bite size pieces. Set aside for later use.
Once the bacon is crispy, add the onions and stir. You want them to be semi-translucent and tender, not fried to a crisp.
When the onions are tender, add your flour and mix until the grease is absorbed; making a paste. This will help thicken the soup and ensure it has great flavor. If your bacon made a lot of grease, you may want to drain some of it off before adding the flour.
Pour the potatoes into the pot with the bacon, onion and flour.
Add just enough hot water to cover the potatoes.
Pour in the can of evaporated milk. This will help make your soup extra creamy. Add the seasoned salt and pepper and give it a good stir.
Depending on the size box of Velveeta Cheese you bought, you’ll want to cut about ¼ block of the large 32oz box of cheese or ½ of a small 16oz box into cubes. You can adjust the amount you use if you prefer a more or less cheesy taste.
Put cubes of Velveeta into a bowl with about 1 teaspoon of water. Microwave the cheese on high, stirring every 20 seconds, until it is creamy.
If you diced the cheese small enough, you could just add them directly to the soup, but I tend to use larger chunks so microwaving them first means they all melt completely.
Add melted Velveeta to the pot, and bring to a simmer. Let the soup simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Adjust the seasonings to taste.
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top of each bowl before serving.

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Butternut Squash Soup | Crockpot Soup Recipes

A bowl of homemade soup is always a prelude to a satisfying meal.  Serve up this easy, delicious Crockpot Butternut Squash Bisque Soup recipe before your next meal, for lunch, or when the kids come home from school.

Butternut Squash Soup 

Comfort Food

I'm not usually one who eats a lot of vegetables, but when one of my friends gifted me with a container of her homemade Butternut Squash Soup I had to give it a try.  I'd never tried it before, and one taste and I was hooked!

Rich and nutty, this creamy soup recipe was a winner.  Add a dollop of sour cream, some parsley for garnish and a few oyster crackers along with slice of homemade dill bread and you'll think you were at a New England ski lodge with a view of the the snowy mountain slopes!

This colorful soup will be a great addition to your Sunday dinner table, or Holiday dinner too!

Easy cleaning with these handmade crochet Dishcloths in Moomettes Crochet Shop !

Check out my other homemade Sweet Potato soup recipe and Crockpot Potato Leek Soup recipe here.

Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

2 Tbl. butter (or olive oil)
1/2 c. chopped onion
3-4 lb. butternut squash, pealed and cubed
2-3 c. water (or chicken stock)
3/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. course ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
4 chicken-flavored bullion cubes
1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, cubed (or labne)

Melt butter in skilled.  Add onion and saute until translucent, stirring occasionally.
In a 3-1/2 to 4 quart slow cooker, combine the onion along with remaining ingredients except the cream cheese.
Cook on low for about 6 to 8 hours.
Approximately 40 minutes before serving, place about 1/3 of mixture into a food processor or a hand-held immersion blender and puree on high speed until smooth.  Return the puree to the crockpot.
Add the cubed cream cheese and stir until well blended.
Cover and cook on low an additional 25 minutes or until cream cheese is melted, stirring with whisk until smooth.

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© Frugal New England Kitchen 

Crockpot Chocolate Molten Lava Pudding Cake Recipe

You’ll definitely want to try this recipe for Magical Molten Lava Chocolate Pudding Crockpot Cake !

 I've been preparing quite a few family meals and experimenting with new crockpot recipes for meals, soups and chowders for fall and winter.  Dump cakes are so easy to make.

Molten Lava Chocolate Pudding Crockpot Cake

Slow Cooker Dessert Recipes

I made this easy crockpot dessert for Sunday dinner and even brought it along to my daughter's house - it was easy to transport right in the crock-pot!  Even charming son-in-in law from Vermont, who isn't really a chocolate fanatic  (he's more of an apple pie and apple crisp kind of guy), couldn't pass up a dish topped with homemade chocolate ice cream ! The grandchildren were in their glory! We left them all sugared up and went home! LOL.

Whether  entertaining or going to parties, bring along this decadent dessert and give everyone a chocolate fix at the next family gathering or pot-luck supper!

When I told my family I was going to make this cake in the slow cooker for dessert for Sunday Night Supper, the family raised their eyebrows and wondered what in the world I was thinking.  I knew that since a friend recommended this chocolate pudding cake crock pot recipe, it had to be a winner!

Check out my other yummy Chocolate recipes

No Egg Chocolate Cake
German Chocolate Caramel Bars
Simple Graham Cracker Chocolate Pudding Cake Dessert
Triple Chocolate Squares Sheet Pan Brownies

Clean up is easy with my crochet Handmade Cotton Dish Cloths I have in my Moomettes Crochet shop!

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Crockpot Chocolate Molten Lava Pudding Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1-1/2 cups hot water

Spray inside of 2- to 3 1 /2-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Mix flour, granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa, the baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Stir in milk, oil and vanilla until smooth. Stir in nuts. Spread batter evenly in slow cooker.

Mix brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa in small mixing bowl. Stir in hot water until smooth. Pour evenly over batter in stow cooker.

Cover and cook on high heat setting 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Turn off slow cooker. Let cake stand uncovered 30 to 40 minutes to cool slightly before serving. Spoon warm cake into dessert dishes. Spoon sauce over top.

Serve with ice cream 

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© Frugal New England Kitchen 

Crockpot Bread Pudding Recipe | Vanilla Cinnamon Bread Pudding

This very easy Crockpot Bread Pudding recipe looks and tastes like you worked all day. Regular raisins can be used in place of golden raisins if you prefer. You can also add more cinnamon if you like. This  makes a tasty dessert any time of year, especially for Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving or a Christmas pudding.

Crockpot Desserts

Recently I shared a recipe for New Orleans Bread Pudding with either Whiskey sauce or Bourbon sauce - a regional take for Mardis Gras.

This is an old fashion bread pudding recipe that's been updated as an easy crockpot dessert.

The frost is on the pumpkin and winter isn't far behind! We love our bread pudding here in New England, especially when we're snowed in! Bread pudding was also one of MY grandmother's favorite frugal desserts. A Depression dessert, nothing was wasted, and often stale bread was used and turned into yummy desserts.

This bread pudding cooks in a water bath, very similar to my homemade Macaroni and Cheese recipe. Both set up firmly and very nicely.

This recipe is a great way to use up leftover bread, or even if you make your own Sourdough Bread like I do, freeze what's leftover to make this bread pudding.

Serve with a simple Hard Sauce.

Be sure to Check out my Pumpkin Bread Pudding recipe too!

Clean-Up is easy with my crochet handmade dish cloths that I have in my Moomettes Crochet shop!

Simple Bread Pudding Recipe

2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and divided

6 slices of white bread cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1/2 C golden raisins

1 C of milk

1 (15 oz.) container ricotta cheese

1 C sour cream

2 eggs

1/2 C sugar

1 tsp grated lemon zest

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Coat a 1 1/2 qt. souffle dish with 1 tbsp of the melted butter.

Place the bread cubes into the soufflé dish.

Sprinkle the raisins in with the bread.

Pour the milk over the top and stir to coat the bread well.

Stir together the ricotta cheese and sour cream in a mixing bowl.

Add the eggs and mix until the eggs are blended in well.

Sprinkle in the sugar and lemon zest.

Add the extract and mix until all the ingredients are blended together well.

Pour the mixture over the bread and gently stir until combined.

Drizzle the remaining butter of the mixture.

Sprinkle the cinnamon over the top.

Cover the souffle dish tightly with foil and place in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Add enough boiling water to the slow cooker to go 1 inch up the side of the soufflé dish.

Lay a dish towel over the top of the slow cooker then place on the lid.

Cook on the high setting for 2 1/2 hours or until the internal temperature on an instant read thermometer reaches 140 degrees.

Remove the soufflé dish from the slow cooker and allow standing 20 minutes before serving.

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© Frugal New England Kitchen 

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore | Easy Freezer Meal Recipes for Slow Cooker

By using your crockpot or slow cooker more often, take advantage of sales on beef and chicken, and try making several cheap crock pot recipes such as this Freezer Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore.

                                                

Freezer Meals Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

I've been trying to take advantage of B1G1 grocery sales on meat and chicken lately to make ahead using easy freezer meal recipes. Oftentimes I find some great buys on chicken at my local Aldi.

Usually I cook dinner for two at night, but even though my family is grown, our grocery bill expenses haven't gone down since when the kids lived at home.  I still prepare most of my large meals on the weekends, and have everyone over for Sunday dinner, holidays and special occasions. How many trips do you make to the grocery store each month? How many of those are planned? You could be spending extra money each month by taking those unplanned trips.  Planning your meals ahead of time can take the impulse shopping out of your grocery budget.

Meal Planning Helps Lower The Grocery Bill

Another kitchen tip is that I've been doing some OAMC and preparing some frozen meals starters ahead and put them in a freezer bag. Saves me time as most of the prep work is then done ahead.

Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

 Kitchen cleaning is easy with my crochet Handmade Dish Cloths that I make. Find them at my Moomettes Crochet Shop!

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

 3 lbs chicken breasts, cut up in pieces; or boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
6 ounces (one can) sliced mushrooms
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
1 green zucchini squash, chopped
1 red pepper, finely chopped
1 can Diced Tomatoes
2 -4 garlic cloves, minced
1 package Good Seasonings Italian Salad Dressing Mix
1 Tbl. Lawry's Seasoned Salt
1 Tbl.Old Bay Seasoningfor Poultry mix
2 Tbl. Kraft Minute Tapioca
Cooked, pasta, spaghetti, linguine or egg noodles (if desired)
2 one-gallon Zip-Lock Freezer bags

Trim any fat off chicken. Cut chicken into 1 inch cubes.
Chop and dice veggies
Divide into two portions and add everything to freezer bags, shaking well.
Release air from freezer bags.
Mark freezer bags with date and type of meal.
Cook in slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours
Serve over pasta of choice 

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© Frugal New England Kitchen 

Mushroom Garlic Scalloped Parmesan Potatoes | Crockpot Recipe

Whether as a main meal or a side dish, this easy crockpot scalloped potato recipe is sure to please!

Use your Slow Cooker Crockpot all year long! Want to turn this dish into a main meal? Add 2 cups of chopped ham placed on top of the potatoes. By rinsing the potatoes in water and cream of tartar it helps to keep them firm during the slow cooking process.

Crockpot Recipes

Crockpot recipes are so versatile, you can use them all year long for preparing not only OAMC freezer meals, but desserts too!

 Be sure to check out my other yummy Crockpot meals and dessert recipes
Crockpot Molten Lava Pudding Cake 
Crockpot Bread Pudding
Ground Beef Vegetable Barley Soup
Crockpot Potato Leek Corn Chowder
Crockpot Beef Stew

Easy clean up with Handmade Kitchen Dish Cloths from Moomettes Crochet !

Mushroom Garlic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

1- 1/2 cups heavy cream or half and half
2-3 Tablespoons Flour
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Pinch of nutmeg
2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch thick slices
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
1 can sliced mushrooms or use rinsed clean mushrooms
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Paprika to taste

In a medium saucepan, whisk together heavy cream, garlic, thyme and nutmeg over medium heat until heated through, about 1-2 minutes.
Add a layer of potatoes to a 4-qt slow cooker or crockpot in an overlapping pattern; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour 1/3 cup cream mixture over potatoes; sprinkle with flour, sprinkle with Gruyere and mushrooms. Repeat with remaining potato slices, cream mixture, mushrooms, flour and Gruyere to create 2 more layers.
Cover and cook on high heat for 4-5 hours, or until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Cover and cook until melted, about 5 minutes.
Remove lid and let potatoes rest for 15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken as it sits.
Serve, garnished with paprika and thyme, if desired.

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© Frugal New England Kitchen

Crockpot Stuffed Peppers Recipe | Slow Cooker Meals

Here's a pretty easy recipe for a easy frugal family meal staple - old-fashioned Crockpot Stuffed Peppers.

We've had a fair amount of rain this year in New England, much of it falling on weekends!  On those types of days I like to stay home and cook up a "storm."

Slow Cooker Meal Ideas

How to make Stuffed Peppers

I've been preparing quite a few OAMC Freezer Meals and I just replaced my old slow cooker with a new crockpot from a 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker and am having so much fun checking out new recipes and enjoying ones I had forgotten about!  

I also often make Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers recipe by simply chopping everything up into a casserole dish to bake. If there are leftovers, turn it into Stuffed Pepper soup.

Easy kitchen cleaning with these crochet handmade cotton dishcloths available for sale in my Moomettes Crochet Shop !

In the meanwhile, hope you enjoy this quick recipe for an easy workweek dinner! File it away for a rainy day!  It's a good way to get the kids or grandkids to eat their vegetables!

Crockpot Stuffed Peppers

1 - 1/2 lbs. ground beef or ground turkey burger or chicken
1 bag Boil-a-Bag Rice (I prefer Brown Rice or even Barley or Farro)
1/2 c. Country Bob's All-Purpose Sauce (reserve 2 Tbl.)
2 (8-oz.) cans tomato sauce
2 tsp. Lawry's seasoning (or spice of your choice)
salt and pepper to taste
6-7 large Bell green peppers

Cook rice according to package instructions. Drain well.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine mix together meat, rice, seasonings and Country Bob's All purpose sauce until thoroughly blended.
Cut tops from peppers and remove seeds. Fill peppers loosely with meat and rice mixture.
Add 1/2 can tomato sauce to button of crockpot. Place peppers inside. Cover with remaining sauce.
Cook on low approximately 6 hours. About one-half hour before peppers are done, remove top from crockpot and cover peppers with second can of tomato sauce mixed with 2 Tbl. Country Bob's Sauce.

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© Frugal New England Kitchen