Easy crockpot meals for school days

Now that school has started either at home or in person, how about some crockpot meals to save you a little time in the evening?

I use my crockpot a lot in the fall and winter. It’s so nice to have something ready when you get home and don’t feel like cooking.

Or maybe most of the work is done and you have to do very little to get a meal on the table.

For this first one start the water boiling for pasta as soon as you walk in the door and you’ll have a meal on the table in minutes. This recipe calls for chicken breasts but you could easily substitute thighs. I like to use thighs in the crockpot, especially when the dish is going to cook a long time.

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast

16 oz. Olive Garden Italian dressing (or any Italian dressing)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp. black pepper

8 oz. cream cheese

Add these items after cooking time is up:

16 oz. penne pasta cooked and drained well

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker. Pour over the Olive Garden Italian dressing and sprinkle over the Parmesan cheese and pepper. Place the cream cheese on top. Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on low while you’re at work. When the cooking time is almost done, start cooking the pasta on the stove top as directed on the package. Shred the chicken with two forks. Drain the pasta and add to the chicken and sauce. Stir. Sprinkle over the remaining Parmesan cheese.

Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper

1 lb lean ground beef

1/2 medium onion diced

1 bell pepper diced

1 pinch red pepper flakes or more if you like it spicy

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp salt

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach

1-1/2 cup milk

1 cup beef broth

1-1/2 cups seasoned tomato or pasta sauce

3 cups dry, uncooked macaroni

1-1/2 cups shredded cheese

In a medium skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is translucent. Add to slow cooker. Add in bell pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, spinach, milk, beef broth and tomato sauce and stir. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. 10-15 minutes before serving, stir in pasta. Cover and let cook for 10-15 minutes, until desired tenderness is reached. Stir in cheese (covering for 2-3 minutes if necessary to melt the cheese) and serve.

Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops

1 package of pork chops

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 package dry ranch dressing mix

Layer pork chops, spread soup on top and sprinkle dry ranch mix over all. Cook on low all day. The pork chops come out very tender. Also makes a nice gravy for mashed potatoes.