Slow Cooker Cheese Tortellini

Here is a recipe that is very easy and it tastes great. Not only that, you should have plenty for two nights. We had enough for my husband and myself and my two children (although my toddler didn't really eat it) and we had plenty for the next day. If you don't use meat, it's all dump and go. If you choose to add sausage, you could brown it for added flavor. Typically, they are fully cooked. Make sure to check the package. You can't get much easier than this.

Ingredients:

1 (19oz) bag of frozen cheese tortellini (I used tri-colored in my recipe.)

1 small bag of fresh spinach

2 (14.5 oz) cans of Italian style diced tomatoes, drained

1 block (8 oz) of cream cheese or Neufchatel (less fat)

1 lb. of ground sausage or chicken/turkey sausage

4 cups of low sodium chicken or veggie broth (Since I made this a meat free meal, I used veggie broth.)

Brown the sausage and put all ingredients in crockpot, chunking up the cream cheese.

Cook on low for 4-6 hrs.   Just make sure to check the tortellini, if you can, because it may be done sooner. We ate it after 3 1/2 hours and it was perfect!

*If it seems to soupy, leave the cover off for about a half hour toward the end of cooking.

3 Cheese Veggie Pizza

I love pizza. We usually make it at home once a week. It's very easy and it's a healthier option than take out. Although, a good take out pizza every now and again is exactly what I need! I occasionally like to browse through Pinterest to find some new ways to mix up our toppings. Below is a veggie pizza recipe that I found that uses lots of vegetables and pesto too, which I love. I prepared all the vegetables in advance (just the cutting, not cooking) so that when I was ready to make dinner, it didn't take much time. It tasted great and it was perfect for the kids. 

 If you buy dough, let it sit at room temperature for a while so that it will be easier for you to spread out.

 I know for me, dinner time is not the easiest time of day. Trying to make dinner with a toddler and a roaming, exploring infant can some times be challenging. This is why I am happy when there are things I can do ahead of time. (Also to save time, buy chopped broccoli from the freezer section and thaw.)

Ingredients

1 Whole Grain Pizza Crust (I buy the dough and prefer that over pre-made crust.)

olive oil

1 cup sliced mushrooms

1/2 cup chopped broccoli florets

1/2 cup thinly sliced zucchini

1/2 each thinly sliced red and yellow pepper

1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

1 Tbsp basil pesto

1/2 cup pizza sauce 

2 Tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup light feta cheese, crumbled

*Change based on your likes and amount desired. For example, I used more cheese, less red pepper, more broccoli, etc.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450F. If making pizza dough, prepare according to recipe instructions. I let my dough sit at room temperature for a little bit so that it would be easier to flatten out. I put it in the oven for about 10 minutes.

While the pizza is cooking, spray a skillet with olive oil and heat on medium-high. Add mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini, red and yellow pepper, and onion. Cook and stir over medium heat until vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in pesto.

Spread pizza sauce over partially baked pizza crust. Top with veggie mixture, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, and feta.

Bake in preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until crust is lightly browned and cheese is melted. 

Slice and serve.

Mexican Haystacks

I'm always looking for new recipes that are healthy and taste good. Here's a great one that I will definitely make again. It took a little time to prepare but it was worth it. I made this tonight since my husband was home to keep the kids busy. If I needed to do this on a week night, all of these steps can be done in advance and then everything can be put together when you are ready to eat.

 

Mexican Haystacks

RICE
2 cups uncooked brown rice
1 bunch fresh cilantro

MEAT
1 1/2 lbs ground turkey (I had just over a pound and it was plenty.)
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon garlic powder
salt & pepper to taste
4 cups salsa

TOPPINGS
1-2 avocados, chopped
1-2 red peppers, chopped
1-2 ripe mangoes, chopped
fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Start your brown rice in a pot on the stove. Next, add ground turkey and chopped onion to a large saute pan. Add garlic powder and salt and pepper. When the turkey is browned, add 4 cups of salsa. Bring the salsa to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. In the meantime, chop the cilantro, pepper, avocado, and mango. When the rice is done, stir in almost all of the fresh cilantro, leaving just enough to garnish each dish, if you'd like.

This recipe will give you leftovers so it's a two night meal. I love that!

Baked Chicken Nuggets

I love chicken nuggets, however, there is so much processed stuff in the store bought brands. I came across this super easy recipe that is sure to be a hit. I'm going to list the ingredients as I have them but feel free to change the amounts. I always end up making more mixture than the recipe calls for because I feel like it's never enough. Start with what it says and work from there. Most, if not all, of these ingredients are probably already in your kitchen.

Ingredients:

Olive oil spray

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken tenders

2 tsp olive oil

Ground pepper, to taste

1/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

2 tbsp panko coating

2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (I use shredded and it works just fine.)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut chicken breasts into bite sized pieces. Coat with oil and pepper mixture. 

In a medium bowl, mix together breadcrumbs, panko and Parmesan cheese. Coat chicken with breadcrumb mixture and place on a baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes, turn and bake about 4 more minutes. Cook time will depend on the size of  the chicken pieces.

Spinach & Bean Burrito Wrap

Another healthy and great tasting recipe from the skinnyms.com website. 

I chose to chop up the spinach and I'm glad I did. Made for a better consistency.

I used 90 second brown rice. Saves times and it's e-a-s-y!

I skipped adding the romaine which I was okay with. I would probably spread the Greek yogurt on the wrap before placing all other ingredients. It still tasted great though. A nice alternative to sour cream.

Ingredients

• 6 cups baby spinach, loosely packed
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained (low sodium, is possible.)
• 1 cup cooked brown rice or Mexican Rice, (recipe for Mexican Rice recipe)
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese, reduced-fat
• 1/2 cups chopped romaine heart lettuce
• 1/2 cup salsa (recipe), optional Pico de Gallo (Canned salsa works great.)
• 6 tablespoons Greek yogurt, fat-free
• Kosher or sea salt to taste
• 6 (8" whole grain) wraps or tortillas

Directions

To warm tortillas, preheat oven to 300 degrees. Stack tortillas, wrap in foil, place on a cookie sheet and warm 15 minutes while preparing ingredients.

Place spinach in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, or use a knife to dice leaves. In a large skillet turn to medium-heat, add black beans and spinach. Heat until spinach is wilted, approximately 3 minutes.

Evenly distribute spinach and bean mixture in the middle of the wraps (leaving about 2" on one end for folding), add 1/4 cup rice to each wrap, add lettuce, cheese, salsa and Greek yogurt evenly over wraps. Fold wraps over and under on the ends.

Shredded Chicken Casserole

I love casseroles because they are, for the most part, fairly easy to put together. Even if they take a little extra time, I don't mind because it's going to be enough for two nights. This recipe has some ingredients that you can prepare in advance (ie cutting up the onion, celery and mushrooms and even cooking the pasta ahead of time.) I would normally prepare some of this, if not all, before dinner time but luckily my husband was home and in charge of the kids. 

What I love about this recipe (other than the fact that I can eat it two nights in a row) is that it's healthy and full of vegetables. My 9 month old loved this meal. Of course he loves all meals but still. My 2 1/2 year old wouldn't touch it. So....I brought a container with some of it to his daycare the following day and he ate the entire thing. What a stinker! I tried to give him some for dinner that night and he ate some but not all. Eh, whatever. At least I know it's not that he doesn't like it.

This recipe can be made with tuna or shredded chicken. I chose to boil some chicken and then shred it. It calls for 6oz chunk tuna but I made a whole pound (plus a little) and threw it in there. It worked though since I used the whole box of pasta.

While the vegetables were cooking is when I boiled the chicken. It doesn't take long.

I used whole wheat spaghetti. Next time, I'll use rotini and I'll also mix some bread crumbs in the mixture before baking to give it a little more thickness. It was great as I made it but I'd like to try something a little different next time.

The finished product!

Sorry for the blurry photo. This was a delicious meal I will definitely make again.

Ingredients:

1. 3/4 pound whole wheat pasta

2. 1 tablespoon olive oil

3. 1 small onion, chopped

4. 2 cups celery, chopped

5. 10 ounces white mushrooms, stemmed and chopped (I bought sliced mushrooms and diced them.)

6. 1/4 cup whole wheat flour

7. 3 cups skim milk

8. 1 cup low sodium chicken broth (You can also use low sodium vegetable broth.)

9. 3/4 teaspoons salt

10. 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

11. 6 ounces chunk tuna (Or boil the chicken and shred before combining it in to the mixture.)

12. 10 ounces broccoli, chopped (Save time by buying frozen and thawing it first.)

13. 10 ounces peas (Same as with the broccoli - buy frozen and thaw first.)

14. 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs

15. 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. Cook pasta according to directions on box, drain and set aside. At this time, preheat oven to 425. 
2.  Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Cook onion until soft. 
3. Add in celery and cook for about six minutes.
4. Add in mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes.
5, Add flour over mushroom mixture.
6. Add milk and broth and bring to a boil.  Let simmer until broth mixture has thickened (about 7 minutes).
7. Add in salt and pepper.
8. Add in pasta, chicken, broccoli, peas and mix together.
9. Add to 9x13 pan.
10. Sprinkle bread crumbs and cheese over top of mixture.
11. Cook at 425 for about 25 minutes.

*If you want, you can double this recipe and freeze it for another time. My friend told me that she does that often. I always forget but it's such a great idea!!

Taco Chicken Bowls

This is probably one of my favorite recipes. Not only is it a true dump and go recipe, it tastes really great, it's healthy and makes for good leftovers. It also uses many ingredients that you most likely already have in your kitchen.

This is what will go in the crock pot.

Ingredients:

1½ lbs. chicken breasts

1 (16 oz.) jar salsa

1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained

½ lb. (8 oz.) frozen corn

1 Tbsp chili powder

½ Tbsp cumin

½ Tbsp minced garlic

½ tsp dried oregano

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

¼ tsp salt

to taste cracked pepper

2 cups dry rice

8 oz. shredded cheddar

½ bunch cilantro (optional)

You will know it's complete when you can shred the chicken easily.

So delicious!!

Instructions:

-Add everything except the rice, cheese, and cilantro to the slow cooker, along with ¼ cup of water (for good measure). Give everything a good stir and make sure the chicken is covered in the mixture.

-Secure the lid on your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hrs. You can also cook on high for 4-6 hours. I had thin chicken breasts so it didn't take mine too long to cook.

-Near the end of the cooking time, cook the two cups of rice according to the package directions (Bring the rice and 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot with a lid in place, as soon as it reaches a boil, reduced the heat to low and let simmer for 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving). Or, use a 90 second microwave rice which tastes great as well and saves a lot of time.

-After it is done cooking, carefully remove the lid of the slow cooker. Stir with a fork to shred the chicken. -Build the taco bowls by placing rice on the bottom, then the taco chicken mix, shredded cheese and fresh cilantro.

I found this recipe at http://www.budgetbytes.com/.  I have found many great meals on this site. Definitely check it out!

Enjoy!