Make-Ahead/Crockpot Meal Ideas?

[lbonga1]

A lot of us are starting to return to work, and I'll be returning to work in a couple weeks, so I thought this might be a good thing for us to post ideas on. I'm looking for ideas for make-ahead meals that I can just pop in the oven when I get home from work, or crockpot meals that will be ready when I get home. I have school on Tues/Thurs. at 6:00, so I'll be rushing from work to class, but my family still needs to be fed! What's everyone's go-to's? 

[Deleted]

I really like all the kits from Stubb's Bbq. I especially like the chili and the verde chicken. You can do them in the croc pot or fast on the stove top.

[mrswillie]

Feb 21, 2017 16:36:20 GMT -5 @cahistoryteacher said:

I really like all the kits from Stubb's Bbq. I especially like the chili and the verde chicken. You can do them in the croc pot or fast on the stove top.

I love me some Stubb's BBQ sauce. I didn't know about these kits! Maybe because I'm always at BJs instead of the regular grocery store. I'll have to look into this.

[mrswillie]

I love the crock pot. Some of my favorites in there:

Pot roast w/ Lipton onion soup mix and veggies
Beef stew
Pulled pork
Whole chicken
Corned beef w/ veggies
Beef short ribs (my FAVORITE!)
Beef and pea pods

I think there are a few FB groups for anybody on there with crockpot meals ideas. Try Crock-pot Ladies. They have almost 1.5M followers. Lots of great ideas on Pinterest too!

[littlelion]

mrswillie what's your beef short rib recipe?

[Deleted]

Feb 21, 2017 20:09:32 GMT -5 mrswillie said:

Feb 21, 2017 16:36:20 GMT -5 @cahistoryteacher said:

I really like all the kits from Stubb's Bbq. I especially like the chili and the verde chicken. You can do them in the croc pot or fast on the stove top.

I love me some Stubb's BBQ sauce. I didn't know about these kits! Maybe because I'm always at BJs instead of the regular grocery store. I'll have to look into this.

It's spices, cooking sauce and a finishing sauce. Even if you dump all spice packet in they aren't super spicey.

[mrswillie]

Feb 21, 2017 20:18:01 GMT -5 littlelion said:

mrswillie what's your beef short rib recipe?

I can't find the exact one, but it's always very similar to this:

1 package beef short ribs
1 c beef broth
3/4 cup red wine
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp ketchup
3/4 c brown sugar
1/4 chili sauce
2 tsp minced garlic

You can brown the short ribs (or not) before placing in crockpot. I don't always. Throw them in the crockpot with the ingredients. I cook on low 6-8 hours. They get so tender and some start falling off the bone. I usually take some of the sauce out and thicken like a gravy. I like mashed potatoes and a veggie (Thai style spicy green beans) with them. Enjoy with a glass of wine.

[emilie]

For something super easy, Trader Joe's sells an amazing pot roast/brisket that is already marinated and has the fat trimmed. I think it's called the Cabernet Pot Roast or something. You can brown it or not, and just toss it in the crock pot with beef broth, some red wine, onions, and some veggies like carrots or parsnips. I like to serve it over egg noodles but you could do potatoes or rice instead. It makes a lot, too!

[catherineoctober]

I'm so glad you posted this. I almost forgot again to do our dinner in the crockpot this morning. This is what we're trying tonight. I love skinnytaste - I have her two cookbooks and am always on the site. And below is our go to mexican dish, baja pork. It's my favorite in tacos and my husband just puts it in a bowl and tops it with cheese.

www.skinnytaste.com/crock-pot-balsamic-pork-roast/

Baja Pork
1 boneless pork roast (3 lbs)
2 cans chopped green chilies (4oz each)
2 Tbsp Taco Seasoning
1 Tbsp Groud Cumin

Combine chopped green chilies and seasoning
Place over pork in slow cooker
Cook 8 - 10 hours on low
Remove pork and shred meat

[littlelion]

I'm making this today. Almost ready and it smells so good!

www.skinnytaste.com/crock-pot-chicken-taco-chili-4-pts/

I skipped the cumin (not a fan) & I added 2 red bell peppers diced.

[lbonga1]

mrswillie, that's a lot of followers!

I made an easy dinner last night that my family really liked. It could easily be made ahead if you chop the veggies ahead of time. Basically it was just chopped veggies and chicken breast seasoned with an Italian dressing seasoning packet, all on one sheet pan in the oven. I used red potatoes, carrots, and parsnips, and cooked at 400 degrees for about 30-35 min.

[requiressnacks]

When I was pregnant I made a lot of freezer meals, but the best BY FAR was the breakfast burritos I made. They were fabulous for something quick, edible in 1 hand and healthy. I just used whole wheat burritos, turkey sausage, egg, cheese, onions/peppers (optional). I froze them in tin foil.

[mrswillie]

catherineoctober that sounds delicious!

[catherineoctober]

Feb 22, 2017 16:11:10 GMT -5 lbonga1 said:

mrswillie, that's a lot of followers!

I made an easy dinner last night that my family really liked. It could easily be made ahead if you chop the veggies ahead of time. Basically it was just chopped veggies and chicken breast seasoned with an Italian dressing seasoning packet, all on one sheet pan in the oven. I used red potatoes, carrots, and parsnips, and cooked at 400 degrees for about 30-35 min.

I marinate my chicken breasts in Italian dressing, my husband grills it and we eat some as dinner then I chop the rest to go over salad. My favorite.

[mrswillie]

Ok, so it's not crockpot or a freezer meal, BUT it's so easy and delicious and has been my go-to lately when I can't think of anything else or need something easy. My kids LOVE it. I got it from another SAIFer and now TJ is going to think I eat it every day because I talk about it ALL THE TIME when meal ideas are mentioned. 😂

Bring 3 cups water, 1 packet Lipton onion soup mix, 1/4 cup oil or butter, and 1 T Italian seasoning to a boil. Stir in 1 cup rice. Pour into q casserole dish over chicken breasts seasoned with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and paprika.
Bake at 350 or so until rice absorbs liquid and chicken is cooked through, about 45 minutes.

[TJ]

Feb 22, 2017 16:34:14 GMT -5 mrswillie said:

Ok, so it's not crockpot or a freezer meal, BUT it's so easy and delicious and has been my go-to lately when I can't think of anything else or need something easy. My kids LOVE it. I got it from another SAIFer and now TJ is going to think I eat it every day because I talk about it ALL THE TIME when meal ideas are mentioned. 😂

Bring 3 cups water, 1 packet Lipton onion soup mix, 1/4 cup oil or butter, and 1 T Italian seasoning to a boil. Stir in 1 cup rice. Pour into q casserole dish over chicken breasts seasoned with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and paprika.
Bake at 350 or so until rice absorbs liquid and chicken is cooked through, about 45 minutes.

Haha mrswillie. It's been a family go-to for as long as I can remember.

I know I don't go here, but we like to throw meat (chicken breasts, pork roast, beef roast) in a crock pot, season with garlic salt and pepper, then pour a whole 16 oz jar + the liquid of pepperoncinis over the top. Cook on low while you're at work, then shred. We serve it over rice, in a pita pocket, in Greek salad, on a roll like a po boy, over baked potato, in tacos or on a tostada. Seriously, the possibilities are endless and it's soooo simple and flavorful.

[mrswillie]

TJ why have you been holding out on me? That sounds yum! Is it hot at all with the pepperoncini juice? Wondering if it's for me and DH or the boys would eat it too. They like flavor, but not spicy.

[TJ]

Feb 22, 2017 20:09:59 GMT -5 mrswillie said:

TJ why have you been holding out on me? That sounds yum! Is it hot at all with the pepperoncini juice? Wondering if it's for me and DH or the boys would eat it too. They like flavor, but not spicy.

Depends on your definition of spicy. My kids eat it and don't think it's spicy. But my mom wouldn't eat it. When she comes, I drain the peppers and fill the jar with broth instead (just to measure the same amount of liquid) to be less spicy.

[mrswillie]

Feb 22, 2017 20:44:43 GMT -5 TJ said:

Feb 22, 2017 20:09:59 GMT -5 mrswillie said:

TJ why have you been holding out on me? That sounds yum! Is it hot at all with the pepperoncini juice? Wondering if it's for me and DH or the boys would eat it too. They like flavor, but not spicy.

Depends on your definition of spicy. My kids eat it and don't think it's spicy. But my mom wouldn't eat it. When she comes, I drain the peppers and fill the jar with broth instead (just to measure the same amount of liquid) to be less spicy.

Well, now that we've taken over the thread.... I like spicy... like mouth on fire, sound the alarm, eyes watering, get me a gallon of water stat spicy. My boys make up that things are spicy so they don't have to eat them. They like all the flavor (and disgusting things), except for spicy flavor. So I'll try it for DH and I first to see.

[lbonga1]

DD1 used to say things were spicy so she didn't have to eat them too. Then one time she told me her ketchup was spicy, and I was just like "Ah come on, now I know you're just trying to get out of eating it." lol

[lola]

I'm so excited to read this thread! And contribute, once I have free time. 😊

[lbonga1]

I made another sheet pan dinner last night that came out well... it was a little salty, so I might use low-sodium soy sauce next time. I'll probably cook it a little less next time too because it was a bit overcooked with the amount of time the recipe specified. But I saved time by using a bag of frozen stir-fry veggies.

Sheet Pan Asian Stir-fry

[dream2be3]

Beef roast
1 packet au jus
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch
1 jar pepperoncini, including juice
1 stick of butter
Throw in crockpot and cook on low 6-8hrs

You can slice and serve over rive, potatoes,etc or I like to shred and put on a bun.

[tbonequeen13]

we made a fantastic crock pot chili for dinner last night:

1 lb ground beef
1 can black beans
1 jar Frontera black bean chili starter
1/2 a jalapeno (or more if you like spicy)
1.5 green bell peppers
1 onion
1.5 tbsp minced garlic

We let it about 6 hrs on low overnight and reheated it in the microwave for dinner last night