Fix It And Forget It: 4 From "5 Ingredients or Less Slow Cooker Cookbook" 🌞

Pizza Pasta

Serves 4 to 6

1 pound small elbow macaroni, rinsed (I use gluten-free)
15 to 20 slices turkey pepperoni, diced
8 ounces sliced mushrooms, rinsed
(26-ounce) jar pasta sauce
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup warm water

Use a 6-quart slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray. Add the pasta
to the prepared insert, and then the diced pepperoni. Add the sliced
mushrooms, and stir in the pasta sauce, retaining the jar. Stir in the
shredded cheese. Put the warm water into the empty pasta sauce jar,
seal it, and shake. Pour the tomatoey liquid evenly over the top.
Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours or on High for about 4 hours.

The Verdict

Pizza night just got a LOT easier and a LOT less expensive! To ensure
that all the moisture stays in the pot to fully cook the pasta, be sure
that the lid of your slow cooker fits nicely and condensation beads up
while it’s in use. If you do not see that happening, simply put a piece
of foil over the top, crimp the sides, and then replace the lid.


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Salsa Chicken Casserole

Serves 6

1 1/2 cups long-grain brown rice, rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can corn (with liquid)
1 cup prepared salsa
1/2 cup water
2 pounds chicken breast tenders
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Use a 4-quart slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray. Add the rice
to the prepared insert, and stir in the corn, salsa, and water. Add the
chicken tenders, and top with the shredded cheese. Cover and cook
on Low for 6 hours or on High for about 4 hours.

The Verdict

My kids each ate a ton of this casserole. The rice softens quite a bit,
and can get a tiny bit mushy if overcooked, but it wasn’t a deterrent
for my family. If you’d like, you can remove the lid during the last
hour of cooking to release condensation. If you prefer not to cook
with rice because you’ve removed grains from your diet, you can use
two cans of rinsed black beans as the base.


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Taco Beef Casserole

Serves 6

½ cup long-grain brown rice, rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (1.25-ounce) packet taco seasoning (for homemade, see recipe)
¼ cup warm water
2 pounds lean beef stew meat

Use a 4-quart slow cooker. Add the rice to the insert, and then the
drained kidney beans and the tomatoes. Top with the taco seasoning,
and stir in the water. Add the stew meat. Cover and cook on Low for
8 hours or on High for about 4 hours. The casserole is finished when
the rice has become bite-tender—it’s okay if the grains of rice break
in half.

The Verdict

This recipe came to life on a super stormy day in the middle of
March. I was stuck inside with a crabby toddler and needed to use up
some meat I had in the back of the freezer. I was hesitant to add the
brown rice, but really wanted a one-pot meal. The rice softens and
swells, and resembles barley. Serve in wide-mouthed bowls with a
spoonful of sour cream, and a handful of shredded cheese, if desired.


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Everyday Lasagna

Serves 6 to 8

2 pounds Italian-seasoned ground turkey
1 (26-ounce) jar chunky vegetable pasta sauce (retain jar)
1 (10-ounce) package lasagna noodles (not the “no-boil” type;
I use brown rice noodles)
1 (16-ounce) container ricotta cheese
4 cups Italian blend shredded cheese
1/4 cup hot water

Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the ground turkey to a large skillet on
the stovetop over medium heat and cook, stirring to break up the
meat, until browned. Discard any accumulated fat. Stir in the pasta
sauce (save the unrinsed jar!). Ladle a scoop of meat sauce into the
insert, and add a layer of lasagna noodles. You might need to break
the noodles to ensure a good fit. Smear the ricotta onto the noodles,
and add a handful of the shredded cheese. Repeat the layers until
you run out of ingredients. Put the hot water into the empty pasta
sauce jar, seal it, and shake. Pour the tomatoey liquid evenly over the
top. Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours, or until the noodles are
bite-tender and the cheese has fully melted and the top has begun to
brown and pull away from the sides. Uncover and let sit in the
cooling cooker for 15 minutes before serving.

The Verdict

This is such a simple lasagna and can easily be customized to fit your
family's needs. Feel free to add in handfuls of spinach, mushrooms,
or sliced zucchini. If you don't have already-seasoned ground meat in
the house, simply add 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning to the
browning meat.

All the above from "5 Ingredients Or Less Slow Cooker Cookbook"
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26040287-5-ingredients-or-less-slow-cooker-cookbook


Ahhhhhhhh Cheeeezy Goodness!!!