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6 Slow Cooker Meals Perfect For Mother’s Day

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Mother’s Day is rapidly approaching, and generally we spend it together as a family. This year is a bit different this year, for reasons I have yet to reveal. Stop back on the blog on Mother’s Day to find out why! I am so excited about it I could burst, but I am not telling just yet.

One of our traditions on Mother’s Day is to go out to eat so that no one has to cook. But I know that there are a lot of people out there that prefer to stay home and cook. But that doesn’t mean that Mom has to do it. Here are 6 slow cooker meals perfect for Mother’s Day that can give Mom a break from cooking on her special day.

6 Slow Cooker Meals Perfect For Mother's Day

I am sharing these recipes because they are perfect for potluck Mother’s Day meals. Combine it with disposable servingware and clean up will be a snap, too. …

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Italian Slow-Cooker Meatballs That Will Save You Time and Work

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This amazing recipe is brought to you from The Fruitful Kitchen. Thank you so much for this delicious recipe that I know my readers and my family will absolutely enjoy! Baseball season is starting up very shortly for our family, so this recipe will definitely be making the menu plan!

Who doesn’t like meatballs? Seriously, there is nothing better than having some home-cooked meatballs and pasta when you’re feeling down or had a hard day. Often, though, I feel like I just don’t have the time to make them.

…In comes the slow cooker! My best friend and all-time favorite. Worried that this is too difficult? I was too, but then I made these slow-cooker meatballs, and my life got so much easier.

italian slow-cooker meatballs…

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12 Amazing Slow Cooker Cookbooks

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Slow cookers are definitely my favorite kitchen appliance. I love how I can just toss in a bunch of ingredients, and a delicious meal is ready when I come home from work. From breakfast, to dinner, to beverages, the slow cooker does it all! Today I am sharing 12 amazing slow cooker cookbooks that can help you make the most of this wonderful appliance.

So before I share these slow cooker cookbooks, I thought I would share one recipe you can make with you slow cooker: slow cooker pulled chicken. slow cooker cookbooks

Trust me, it is as delicious as it looks!…

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Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken #TasteTheEnergySavings

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Envolve LogoI am a Project Envolve ambassador and receive product and/or compensation for these posts.  All opinions and ideas are 100% my own!

Finally, the hard winter days are behind us, and we are ready to start enjoying being outside. I am excited because now that the heat is turned off, I want it to stay at a comfortable temperature.

How can I do that?

By keeping my oven off for cooking, and taking advantage of some great energy-saving appliances that are right at my fingertips. Everyone knows that a slow cooker is great for saving time and energy in the kitchen. Some of my best recipes are made in the slow cooker, and I love the time it saves. Today, I am sharing a recipe for an overnight slow cooker pulled chicken that is sure to please everyone.

slow cooker pulled chicken, #TasteTheEnergySavings

But did you know that using your slow cooker saves you money, too? Especially when you use it during off peak hours, you can save even more! And you can’t get any easier than the slow cooker. Minimal cleanup means you’ll use less hot water because you won’t need to wash pots and pans.

See how saving energy can be quick, easy and convenient, and you don’t have to sacrifice the quality of your family meals.

And for even more savings, reheating the slow cooker pulled chicken in the microwave takes just seconds, leaving you plenty of free time and some extra money during the summer. A totally winning situation!

Pulled Chicken 2

But the microwave isn’t just for reheating, you know. Did you know that you can use your microwave to make full meals? I just discovered the joy of making pasta in the microwave with a special microwaveable pasta container, and it sure makes life easier! No wasting time waiting for the water to boil or hovering over the stove. Less time wasted means more time for my family.

Kitchens are home to appliances that use a lot of electricity. From cooking to cleanup, using these appliances effectively will help your energy savings add up.

 

Efficient Cooking Tips:

  • Use small electric pans, toaster ovens, or convection ovens for small meals rather than your large stove or oven. A toaster or convection oven uses one-third to one-half as much energy as a full-sized oven.
  • Use microwaves and slow cookers when possible. They use less energy than the stove or oven.
  • Keep the inside of your microwave and oven clean. It improves their efficiency.
  • Use your dishwasher only when it’s full. You can save 5,000 gallons of water each year and 40 in utility costs by using a dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes, according to the Department of Energy.
  • Use the air-dry option on dishwashers. It saves energy and keeps the machine from using a heating element to bake your dishes dry.
Ready for the recipe for the slow cooker pulled chicken? Read on!

Overnight Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken:

5.0 from 4 reviews
Overnight Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
 
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Author:
Recipe type: Slow Cooker
Ingredients
  • Boneless Chicken Breasts
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • Apple Cider Vinegar~amount will vary depending on tastes
  • Dark brown Karo syrup
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Paprika
  • Dijon mustard
  • Ketchup
Instructions
  1. Spray the bottom of your crockpot lightly.
  2. Line chicken breasts on bottom of crockpot.
  3. In a separate bowl, slowly combine rest of ingredients(except tomato paste), using amounts according to your tastes.
  4. Pour over chicken, and cook overnight on low.
  5. Remove chicken breasts from crockpot and shred.
  6. Remove the juice from crockpot and whisk in tomato paste.
  7. Return shredded chicken to crockpot, cover with liquid, and stir.
  8. Let liquid and chicken on low in crockpot for about 1 hour.

Pulled Chicken 1

The slow cooker pulled chicken can be used in so many recipes. For me, I made a pasta salad with all my ingredients. And by purchasing already diced tomatoes and lettuce, I am saving time and money in the kitchen because there are less dishes to wash. Any heating that needed to be done, I did in the microwave!

Pasta Taco Salad

I simply warmed up the black beans and corn in the microwave and then added them to the plate. This was one recipe where seconds(and thirds)were taken. This is a great meal for two or you can set up a make-your-own bar for a large crowd. Your guests will have a delicious meal, and you can rest easy knowing you are saving time and energy in the kitchen!

So now it’s your turn to #TasteTheEnergySavings. Make sure you visit the Taste The Energy Savings feature for more great recipe ideas!

And, of course, be sure to check out PPL Electric Utilities Pinterest board: Recipes: Taste the Energy Savings. You will find some amazing recipes that will save you time and money in the kitchen!

What slow cooker recipes will you be making this summer?

#GetEnvolved

Be sure to check out more #TasteTheEnergySavings posts from my fellow bloggers!

Crockpot Mango Pulled Pork Sandwiches

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Summer is almost over, but it is never too late to find some new recipes! Today I am guest posting on It’s A Keeper! She is hosting a Slow Cookin’ Summer, and I am excited to be sharing my recipe for crockpot mango pulled pork sandwiches.

Slow Cookin Summer: Easy Recipes for a Slow Cooker on It's a Keeper
She has so many delicious recipes to share, that I don’t know where to start! You can click on the graphic above to see what everyone has shared.

As for me, if you click on the image below, you will be able to see my recipe for crockpot mango pulled pork sandwiches. Enjoy!

crockpot mango pulled pork sandwiches

Where would you take these crockpot mango pulled pork sandwiches to?

Easy Crockpot Sausage Sandwiches

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Crockpot sausage sandwiches are one of my family’s favorite meals. Earlier in the week, I shared my menu plan for this week. I promised to share my recipe for these crockpot sausage sandwiches, so here it is! I love the fact that this recipe is easily doubled, tripled, and more so that it can be shared for large gatherings or birthday parties!

The best thing about these crockpot sausage sandwiches in how easy they are to make. Just a few ingredients and a crockpot is all that you need for a delicious meal. When I made them on Monday, I actually had to pull out another pack of sausage to make more, that’s how good they are. Even my youngest, who is the world’s fussiest eater, will eat them. That works for me!

Easy Crockpot Sausage Sandwiches

sausagepin

To make the crockpot sausage sandwiches,  you need the following:

easy crockpot sausage sandwiches

  • Italian Sausage(or smoked or hot, whichever you prefer)
  • Frozen mixed pepper strips(You can cut them up fresh, but they tend to get really soggy)
  • Shredded mozzarella
  • Marinara sauce of your choice. I use the Classico Italian Sausage with Peppers variety.
  • Steak rolls

Simply pour everything in the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours:

easy crockpot sausage sandwicheseasy crockpot sausage sandwiches

Top with mozzarella and serve on a steak roll:

easy crockpot sausage sandwiches

 

And there you have it! A simple crockpot meal that goes a long way. It is a dish that is sure to please everyone!

5.0 from 3 reviews
Easy Crockpot Sausage Sandwiches
 
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Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Crockpot
Ingredients
  • Sausage links of your choice
  • Marinara sauce
  • Frozen mixed pepper strips
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Steak rolls
Instructions
  1. Combine sausage, peppers, and marinara in a crockpot
  2. Cook on low for 6 hours
  3. When ready to serve, place sausage in steak roll and top with mozzarella
Notes
Can easily be doubled, tripled, and more!

For more recipe inspiration, visit these crockpot recipes:

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Creamed Chicken Over Biscuits

Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteaks

Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteaks In The Crockpot

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Crockpot buffalo chicken cheesesteaks are a great meal for your entire family. When I did my menu plan for this week, everyone in the family requested it. When you have a lot of running around to do, this delicious meal cooks while you are on the go. Using just a few simple ingredients, you can have a tasty meal when you get home. This crockpot recipe for buffalo chicken cheesesteak is great for a Superbowl Party(which is requested every year by our friends) or a summer picnic, as well.

Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteaks In The Crockpot

buffalo-pin

 

  1. Lightly spray bottom of crockpot with a non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Place boneless chicken breasts in bottom of crockpot.buffalo-chicken-cheesesteak-1
  3. Cut up cream cheese into small blocks and place on top of chicken.
  4. Pour entire jar of bleu cheese dressing on top.
  5. Add 3/4 of the bottle of buffalo sauce.
  6. Cover and cook for 6 hours on high, 8 hours on low.buffalo-chicken-cheesesteak-2
  7. When almost ready to serve, remove chicken from crockpot. Take a wire whisk and beat the liquid in crockpot till well blended. Then remove about 3/4 of the liquid and discard.
  8. Using two forks, shred the chicken in a glass baking pan, then return it to the crockpot. Mix thoroughly. Pour remaining buffalo sauce into crockpot and stir.buffalo-chicken-cheesesteak-3b
  9. Add mozzarella cheese, stir, and add more cheese. Replace the lid and let sit for 15 min.
  10. Serve over your favorite roll.buffalo-chicken-cheesesteak-b

 

 

5.0 from 2 reviews
Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteaks
 
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Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Crockpot
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 6 boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 jar Marzetti's Ultimate Bleu Cheese Dressing
  • 1 block Philadelphia Cream Cheese
  • 1 bottle Texas Pete's Buffalo sauce
  • 1 bag full-fat mozzarella cheese
  • 1 or 2 packs of your favorite steak roll
Instructions
  1. Lightly spray bottom of crockpot,
  2. Place boneless chicken breasts in bottom of crockpot.
  3. Cut up cream cheese into small blocks and place on top of chicken.
  4. Pour entire jar of bleu cheese dressing on top.
  5. Add ¾ of the bottle of buffalo sauce.
  6. Cover and cook for 6 hours on high, 8 hours on low.
  7. When almost ready to serve, remove chicken from crockpot. Take a wire whisk and beat the liquid in crockpot till well blended. Then remove about ¾ of the liquid and discard.
  8. Using two forks, shred the chicken in a glass baking pan, then return it to the crockpot. Mix thoroughly.
  9. Add mozzarella cheese, stir, and add more cheese. Replace the lid and let sit for 15 min.
  10. Serve over your favorite roll.
Notes
You can make this recipe lower in fat by using fat-free products. However, the taste is not the same. This can also be served on a pita, used with Scoops, or just on a plate if you are watching your carb intake

I hope that my buffalo chicken cheesesteaks will make your menu plan in the coming months. If you make them, head back over here to let my know if your family enjoyed them as much as mine!

 

buffal-chicken-cheesesteak-4b

*Note: This recipe is a re-do from a previously posted recipe. However, ZipList ate the recipe after the WordPress update. So I took the time to update the pictures.

Creamed Chicken Over Biscuits

This post may contain affiliate links, which means: these links do not cost you anything more than the purchase price, I receive a small portion of the purchase price back when items are purchased via affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.

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Winter has decided that it wants to stick around for a bit. I am not too happy about that, but since I can’t command Mother Nature, I guess I just have to deal. So, instead of dwelling on it, I decided to warm up our dinner meal on Monday by making a favorite crockpot recipe: creamed chicken over biscuits.

creamed chicken over biscuits…

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