Pages

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Easy Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup Recipe

Here's an easy slow cooker hamburger soup that's simple to throw together. It's basically just a hodgepodge of ground beef and vegetables simmered for hours in the crock pot. Hearty and delicious, it's so much better than any soup that comes from a can.

My whole family loves this easy slow cooker hamburger soup. It's the perfect dish for an effortless weeknight dinner, especially when the weather turns cold. I usually serve it with crusty bread or cornbread on the side. YUM!


Substitutions and Variations

This soup is hearty and flavorful and can be adapted to work with just about whatever you have in your pantry and freezer. Celery, carrots, shredded cabbage, green beans, peas or zucchini would be delicious.

I used canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, but feel free to substitute whatever kind of tomatoes you've got. Tomato juice, V-8 juice, stewed tomatoes, or tomatoes with green chilies all would work.

And though I kept the seasoning simple, the options are endless. Possible additions to consider include oregano, thyme, bay leaf, smoked paprika, chile powder or Worcestershire sauce.

As a shortcut you can substitute 2 to 3 cups frozen cubed hash browns for the potatoes. This is definitely the kind of recipe you can have some fun playing with.

Happy Slow Cooking!

Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup Recipe

Ingredients
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 onion chopped (1-1/2 cups)
  • Salt and pepper or other seasoning to taste (I used 1-1/2 teaspoons Montreal Steak Seasoning)
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped into small pieces
  • 1 package (16 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables
  • 1-1/2 cups frozen corn kernels
  • 1 can (14 to 15 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth (I use jarred Better than Bouillon mixed with water)
  • 2 cups water 
Instructions

1. Put the ground beef and onions in a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Season generously with salt, pepper and additional seasoning if you like. Cook, stirring and breaking up the beef into small crumbles, until it is no longer pink and the onions have softened, 5 to 7 minutes.

2. Drain off any excess fat and then scrape the ground beef mixture into a 4 to 6-quart crock pot. Add the potatoes, mixed vegetables, corn, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth and water. Cover and cook on LOW 6 to 8 hours or until the vegetables are all fork-tender. Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if desired.

Nutritional Estimates Per Serving (1 cup): 178 calories, 3 g fat, 23 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 15 g protein and *4 Weight Watchers Points Plus

Kitchen Tools Used for this Recipe:




You might also like:


This post contains Affiliate Links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links, I receive a commission that helps support this site. Thanks for your purchase!

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe

Everything that makes a loaded baked potato so delicious - bacon, cheese, sour cream, chives - in a simple slow cooker soup. If you love loaded baked potatoes, you’ll love this easy slow cooker loaded baked potato soup.

It's amazing how a few simple ingredients can combine to create something so wonderful. Served with warm crusty bread, it makes a simple and satisfying meal in a bowl. Creamy and comforting, perfect when the weather turns chilly.


To make this recipe even easier: Substitute a 32-ounce bag of frozen cubed or shredded hash browns for the potatoes. Chopped frozen onion can be used instead of fresh too.

Top this slow cooker loaded baked potato soup with whatever toppings you prefer. I like bacon, shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions.

Happy Slow Cooking!

Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe

Ingredients
  • 6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 4 chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 cups water
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Optional Toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions or chives, chopped bacon, sour cream, etc.

Instructions

Combine all ingredients except evaporated milk and cheddar cheese in your slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW until the potatoes are fork tender. This will take about 7-9 hours on low (or 4-6 hours on high).

When ready to serve, mash soup with a potato masher or hand-held immersion blender to your desired consistency. Then stir in the milk and cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese is melted. Taste and check for seasoning, adding more salt and/or pepper if necessary. If the soup seems to thick, you can thin it with a little more milk or water.

Serve with your choice of toppings.

Nutritional Estimates Per Serving (⅙th without optional toppings): 250 calories, 2.3 g fat, 47.7 g carbs, 6.5 g fiber, 10.7 g protein and 6 Weight Watchers PointsPlus

Kitchen Tools Used to Make this Recipe





You might also like:


For a Lighter Healthier Slow Cooker Potato Soup (Simple Nourished Living)

This post contains Affiliate Links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links, I receive a commission that helps support this site. Thanks for your purchase!

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy Recipe

Here's a simple recipe for easy slow cooker chicken and gravy. I got the idea from Sarah at The Magical Slow Cooker. Talk about quick, easy and delicious. This easy easy slow cooker chicken and gravy makes for a great easy dinner choice when you're craving homestyle comfort food. If your family is anything like mine it will become an instant favorite.



I made a few changes to the original recipe and cooked it for less time. My chicken was fall-apart-tender after about 4 hours of slow cooking on low.  I served it up with mashed potatoes, green beans and cranberry sauce on one night. And then used the leftovers to make open-face hot chicken and gravy sandwiches.

The verdict?  My husband and I both thought it was delicious. This recipe is one I'll definitely make again when we are craving easy simple comfort food.

Happy Slow Cooking! 

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy Recipe

Ingredients
  • 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (5 to 6 ounces, about 2 pounds)
  • 2 packages chicken gravy mix (I used McCormick)
  • 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) cream of chicken soup
  • 1-1/2 cups water 
  • pepper to taste
Instructions

1. Place chicken in the slow cooker. (I used my 4 quart crock pot).

2.  In a bowl, mix together the dry gravy mix, soup, water and pepper with a whisk until the gravy is as smooth as you can get it. Pour the gravy mixture over the chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, until the chicken is fork tender. (Mine was fall apart tender after 4 hours.)

Nutrition Estimates Per Serving (4 ounces chicken and ¼ cup gravy): 228 calories, 5 g fat, 9 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 37 g protein and *6 PointsPlus

Source: adapted from The Magical Slow Cooker

Tools Used to Make this Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

You might also like:



This post contains Affiliate Links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links, I receive a commission that helps support this site. Thanks for your purchase!