Quick and Easy Dump Crock Pot Meals!
It’s soccer season and for us that means lots of game nights with little time to cook dinner and get it on the table. So I’ve thrown together some dump freezer meals! What is that you might ask? Basically, you take all of your ingredients and “dump” them into a Ziploc Gallon Bag and freeze them. Then when it is time, you can take all of the contents, throw it into the crock pot and cook. No effort on your part. And if you are doing it during the first few weeks after a new baby or your busy months, it’s easy enough that any member of your family can do it- so you don’t have to. So here are a few of our family’s favorite dump recipes.
Creamy Ranch Chicken
- 5-6 Chicken Breasts
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 packet of Ranch Dip Mix
- 1 packet of Zesty Italian Mix
- 8 oz box of Cream Cheese
Put the first 4 ingredients into your zip lock bag and freeze. Once ready to cook dump into crock pot and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. During the last hour add in the box of cream cheese and stir.
Zesty BBQ Chicken
- 5-6 Chicken Breasts
- 1 12 oz Bottle BBQ Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Italian Salad Dressing
- 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
Put chicken in bag. Stir all other ingredients together in a bowl then pour into the bag. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8 hours.
Teriyaki Chicken(I did two bags of this one)
- Bag of Baby Carrots
- 1/2 Red Onion in Large Chunks
- (1) 20oz can pineapple (undrained)
- 1/2 or 1 Garlic Cloves Chopped
- 2- 3Chicken Breasts
- 1/2 cup Teriyaki Sauce
*Add 1/4 cup Teriyaki Sauce to Mixture right before cooking. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours. Serve over Rice.
No-Bake Energy Balls For School Lunch/After School Snack!
I’m drained! From all the summer fun and heat it’s just taken the energy right out of me! But these delicious energy balls have been my go to for when I just need a boots of energy and something to get me through to the next meal. But believe it or not my peaky eaters love them too! It’s been so nice to give them something healthier that I don’t mind them snacking on! You can switch out ingredients easily and make them your own but here’s the base recipe for you to build off of.
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup ground flaxseed (I powderize mine in a blender)
1/2 chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
Combine the honey and peanut butter together until creamy. Add remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix until well combined. Roll into balls (I place wax paper between the balls when stacking them on top of each other) and refrigerator for at least 1/2 hour. These will last up to a week in your refrigerator but they don’t last that long in our house before little figures have gotten to them all.
Busy Summer? Here’s 10 Make Ahead Freezer Meals to Save You Time!
I sure hope you’ve all been busy enjoying your summer with your family. For use, we’ve been trying to squeeze all the fun in while the kids are out of school. And we’ve had a blast but often times we’re getting home by the time we’d normally be eating dinner. So I’ve put together a list of freezer meals we love and are trying out to help save time (and money) this summer!
- Our favorite is Six Sister’s Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas – they’re super easy to throw all together and you can eat them in a shell or with lettuce.
- Another great one is the Cilantro Lime Chicken
- From the same awesome blog is the Honey Rosemary Chicken – my kids will eat theirs over mashed potatoes and they love it.
- Soups are always great to freeze so try this Slow Cooker Beef Minestrone Soup
- A good summer one for your busy schedule is this Slow Cooker Philly Cheese Steak recipe
- Looking for a lighter/healthier option checkout this Meatball and Veggie Soup
- Here’s a very simple recipe with yummy results – Easy Pulled Pork can easily be turned into sandwiches, put over rice and more.
- A twist on taco’s is always fun and this Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Tacos is perfect to try
- Even the basics of Lasagna Rollups are perfect to throw in the freezer for quick meals.
- One of my kids all time favorite – Chicken Pot Pie, great for throwing leftover veggies in and freezing for a whole other meal.
KETO FRIENDLY Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad Recipe!
I recently took on the Keto Diet and seriously, I’m enjoying it! I find myself less tired and losing weight without feeling like I’m starving myself. When I started I made a list of things that are quick to grab and eat (since it’s summer and we’re always on the run) and put it on the fridge. Plus some yummy make ahead meals. This recipe is one I’ve fallen in love with and keep it in the fridge to eat for lunches! Here’s what it has:
Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad
4 cups diced broccoli florets
4 cups diced cauliflower florets
8 slices bacon cooked and crumbed
cubed Colby Jack cheese (about 6oz)
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
Add your first 5 ingredients into a large bowl. Than mix your mayonnaise and red wine vinegar together and pour over top of your salad. Toss until evenly coated. You can store in the fridge and add more dressing if it gets dry over the days but I usually eat it before that happens.
Amazing Salad Pasta For Your Father’s Day/BBQ Gatherings!
I have to share with you guys this amazing Pasta Salad that I make for every event we go to! From Christmas parties to BBQ’s during the summer it’s a big hit. And even the leftovers are spot on (and I don’t care for leftover anything!)! So if you’re still looking for a great side dish to take to your Father’s Day gathering, check this out!
Broccoli, Grape & Pasta Salad
1 cup chopped pecans
½ (16oz) package bow-tie pasta
1 pd fresh broccoli
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup diced red onion
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp salt
2 cups seedless red grapes (halved)
8 cooked bacon slices (crumbled)
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, cut broccoli florets from stems, and separate florets into small pieces using tip of a parking knife. Peel away tough outer layer of steams and finely chop stems. Whisk together mayonnaise and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; add broccoli, hot cooked pasta, and grapes and stir to coat. Cover and chill 3 hours. Stir bacon and pecans into salad just before serving.
Simple Grilling/Campfire Foil Dinner Recipes!
It’s warming up outside which means we’ve pulled out the grill and started cooking outside! It’s also camping season, who’s ready to get outdoors? We love having foil dinner when we’re out camping but ever so often I’ll need a simple dinner we can grill and I’ll pull out the foil. Here’s some yummy combinations you can combine in foil and grill outside or over the fire.
- Hobo Dinner Foil Packets
- Southwest Chicken Foil Packet
- Chicken Fajita Foil Packet Meal
- Green Chile Cheddar Burger Foil Packs
- Grilled Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken in Foil
- Cajun Sausage and Pepper Foil Packs
- Grilled Sweet and Sour Chicken Foil Packs
- Bacon Ranch Chicken Foil Packet
- Beef and Potatoes Dinner
These are all yummy options to have for a quick dinner you want to grill outside or take with you camping! What’s something yummy you do in your foil dinners? And one tip before I let you go, try using a foil pie tin to cook your meal in. It will keep the juice inside easier and perfect for eating right out of! Enjoy!
Copycat Recipe For Zupas Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup!
I don’t know about you guys but I love a good soup especially with some homemade rolls (or Rhodes!) But trying to find one my kids will eat too has been difficult until we went to Zupas and my kids fell in love with their Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup! So I went on the hunt and found this amazing copycat recipe! It’s easy and so yummy, one I’m sure your family will love too!
Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup (Zupas Copycat)
2 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups water
1 can (13 3/4 to 14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
1 head (2 1/2 pounds) cauliflower, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
In a large saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the onions and cook until tender (or golden) stirring occasionally. Whisk in the flour and salt. Then gradually stir in the milk, chicken broth and water. Add the cauliflower and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until cauliflower is tender (about 15 minutes). Then in the blender (or with your immersion blender) blend cauliflower mixture until very smooth. Remove saucepan from the heat and stir in mustard and 1 ½ cups of cheese until melted and smooth. Serve with additional cheese as garnish.
Quick & Easy SNOW Ice Cream Recipe!
We’re finally starting to see some snow around here so I wanted to share with you guys a fun treat we like to do on snow days! I mean we have to think of something positive about the snow because I don’t like the cold – anyone else with me on that? But this recipe is simple, easy and perfect for the kids to help make! So grab some fresh CLEAN snow and make some Snow Ice Cream!
Snow Ice Cream
1 cup milk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch of salt
8 cups clean snow
plus any toppings you want (sprinkles, chocolate chips or syrup, peanut butter, candy, etc)
You’ll first combine the milk sugar, vanilla and salt until combined. Then scoop in your CLEAN show and immediately stir until it reaches your desired consistency. It will start to melt quickly so add your toppings and enjoy immediately!
If your ice cream is a little to runny for your liking you can place it in the freezer for a couple hours and it should come out just like store bought but we never get to that point in the making! I hope everyone enjoys the snow at least a little bit now that you can whip up some ice cream!
Simple Easy & Delicious Superbowl Foods!
Superbowl Sunday is THIS Sunday! And in past years, watching the commercials has been super important because companies have given out free things, free samples and had contests. So pay attention, in case that happens again. But in the meantime I wanted to give you guys some fun and easy food ideas you can throw together for the big game!
These rice krisipies are perfect not only for the adults but the kids too!
I love this simple and easy idea! And who doesn’t love pizza for the big game! You could easily purchase a pepperoni pizza from Papa Murphy’s and rearrange the pepperonis or make it yourself from scratch!
Make it easy to eat your chips and dip! Throw together these individual cups of dip with some beans, sour cream, guacamole, cheese and more. 
Want to go healthier? Put together some deviled eggs with a little football twist!
Lil Smokies are always on our menu list when it comes to family get togethers! This is our favorite recipe when it comes to ease and taste! You’ll just love these too!
So what your plans for the game? Are you hosting a party or invited to attend one? Either way pick up everything you need at the grocery store this weekend and throw something fun together to enjoy while watching the game.
Simple, Easy, Yummy & CHEAP Potato Soup Recipe Your Family Will Love!
I’m always on the hunt for easy meals for my family but with picky kids that can get challenging. So I’ve gone back to my roots and talked to my mom about recipes I loved growing up that we’d have all the time! I remember this potato soup was a favorite and I love the fact that it’s cheap and easy to make! Whip this up for tomorrow nights dinner and I bet your family will love it too!
Great Potato Soup Recipe
3 cups diced potatoes
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced onion
1 1/2 cup water
1 Tbsp chicken bouillon (or 2 cubes)
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups milk (divided)
1 8oz Sour Cream with chives (or plain sour cream works too)
1 tsp flour
In a large sauce pan, combine potatoes, celery, onion, water, bouillon and salt. Cover and cook about 20 minutes or until veggies are tender. Add 1 cup of milk, heat through. I medium bowl, combine, blend sour cream and lour gradually add remaining 1 cup milk. Pour 1/3 of the hot potato mixture into the sour cream mixture; stir and return to pan. Cook over medium heat until thickened.
You can easily top this with bacon bits and cheese. Or add in some peas and ham another night. Great way to use up those leftovers!
FREE Jiffy Mix Recipe Book!
Looking for new easy and yummy recipes? Snag this FREE Jiffy Mix Recipe Book right now! It’s loaded with new and improved recipes. Just fill out the short form and get your information submitted! Hopefully they’ll arrive in the mail shortly
The BEST Sugar Cookie & Frosting Recipe – Perfect For Santa’s Cookies!
It’s a family tradition that’s been going on for generations and one that I have strong memories of. We always get together and decoration sugar cookies to hand out to neighbors and put on a plate for Santa. This recipe is by far my favorite and super easy to throw together!
You’ll find this recipe goes a long way when you make the full thing so if it’s just my cute little family I’ll half it and it will make a good 50 sugar cookies still. As for the frosting I make the full recipe so we can have some of every color we need to decorate with. Then I pull out our sprinkles and we go to town.
Sugar Cookies (Cut Out)
2 eggs
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
6 cups flour
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
Mix eggs, butter and sugar. Add sour cream and vanilla. Combine flour, salt and baking soda together in separate bowl; then add the wet ingredients. Bake at 375 degrees for 5-8 minutes (DO NOT over bake – you’ll start to see the bottom go brown when they’re ready to come out of the oven)
Cream Cheese Frosting
2 lbs powdered sugar
1 stick butter (1/2cup), softened
1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 tsp vanilla
Cream sugar and butter. Add cream cheese and shortening, mix well. Stir in vanilla. Beat 10 minutes (can add drops of milk if desired but I don’t usually).
I hope you enjoy making memories and spending time with your family this Christmas season. It’s a wonderful time of year! And if you’re in an unfortunate situation in which those you love are far away or no longer here, know that we wish you a Merry Christmas and send warm hugs your way!
Family Favorite – Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli Dinner!
Lets get real here, my kids are probably a lot like many of yours…PICKY EATERS! My taste buds and my husbands taste buds are very different from theirs and lets say a lot of nights my kids aren’t a fan of what’s on the table. But this here is a recipe that won us all over! My kids loved it and not once did they say they hated it, this is gross or I’m not eating this (at least after the first bit). So I just had to share this EASY and CHEAP recipe with you guys!
Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli
1 1/2 pounds beef chunk roast (sliced into thin strips)
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 pound broccoli florets
1/4 cup water
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
3 cups cooked rice (we chose brown but could do white)
sesame seeds
First you’ll want to slice your beef chunk roast into think strips and arrange them in the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the beef broth and soy sauce over top and cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Place broccoli in microwave safe bowl with 1/4 cup water and microwave for 4-5 minutes. You’ll want your broccoli tender. In a cup combine the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cooking liquid (just the liquid from your crock pot after it’s done cooking) and stir until smooth. Add to the slow cooker and stir until combined. Drain the broccoli and add to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 15 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with the sesame seeds.
TWO Tried and Love Pasta Salads For Your Memorial Day BBQ!
I love Memorial Day as we always get together with extended family for a BBQ! Everyone signs up to bring different side dishes and everyone brings their own meat to grill up together. But sometimes I’m busy running around with the kids celebrating so there’s not much time to whip anything up in the kitchen. So I’ve found some quick and easy side pasta salads that we love and hopefully you will to!
Broccoli, Grape & Pasta Salad
1 cup chopped pecans
½ (16oz) package bow-tie pasta
1 pd fresh broccoli
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup diced red onion
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp salt
2 cups seedless red grapes (halved)
8 cooked bacon slices (crumbled)
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, cut broccoli florets from stems, and separate florets into small pieces using tip of a parking knife. Peel away tough outer layer of steams and finely chop stems. Whisk together mayonnaise and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; add broccoli, hot cooked pasta, and grapes and stir to coat. Cover and chill 3 hours. Stir bacon and pecans into salad just before serving.
Macaroni Salad
Macaroni Noodles
Cucumbers
Cherry Tomatoes
Celery
Mayonnaise
Seasoning Salt
So this one you’re really just eye balling. So cook the noodles according to package directions. I’ll usually cook a whole package for a BBQ. Then while that’s cooking I’ll chop up the cucumbers, half the cherry tomatoes and slice the celery. After combine those all into one bowl with your cooked to the touch noodles. Then start with a small amount of mayo (for one package I might start with ¾ cup of mayo) and sprinkle with seasoning salt. Mix together well and taste test. I’ll continue adding mayo and seasoning salt until the desired taste. The refrigerate for a couple hours before serving.
50 Inexpensive Meal Ideas!
Your food category when it comes to budgeting seems to be the one that can fluctuate the most. So planning cheap meals for the family to eat is sometimes a must. I’ve put together a list of 50 different meals you could choose from when you’re trying to cut back on expenses.
- Sloppy Joes
- Chicken Roll Ups
- Classic Beef Stew
- Spaghetti
- Soup & Grilled Cheese
- Homemade Pizza (this is my absolute favorite pizza dough recipe!)
- Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole
- Butter Noodles – spaghetti with butter and parmesan cheese
- Goulash
- Cheeseburgers
- German pancakes
- Macaroni and Cheese with Hotdogs
- Pancakes
- Veggie Stir Fry over Rice
- Waffles
- Bake Potatoes
- English Muffins
- Mashed Potatoes over hotdogs topped with canned chili
- Tacos (Chicken, Beef or Bean)
- French Bread Pizza
- Split Pea Soup
- Oatmeal
- Meatloaf
- Shepherd Pie
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Tuna Casserole
- Chicken and Rice
- Jumbalaya (box of Jumbalaya box mix and smoked sausage)
- Omelets
- Nachos
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Lasagna
- Corn Chowder
- Enchiladas (Cheese, Bean, Chicken or Beef)
- Breakfast Casserole
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- French Toast
- Homemade Hamburger Helper
- Steak or Chicken Kabobs
- Baking Ziti
- Chili
- Cheeseburger Pasta
- Chicken Spaghetti
- Pepperoni Pizza Pasta
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Stuffed Peppers
- Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Oven Bake Meatball Sandwiches
- Cornbread Chili Waffles
- Potato Soup
What meals do you cook for your family when you’re tight on money? Does your family have a favorite that’s easy on the budget?