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3 Packet Crock Pot Pot Roast with Gravy

This simple 3 packet roast is amazing! It takes just 7 ingredients and about 10 minutes to make a delicious meal everyone will enjoy. AND you can make it in your crock pot, instant pot or in the oven. PLUS, we provide freezer meal directions too!

Simple 3 Envelope Pot Roast 2
Simple 3 Envelope Pot Roast 2

3-packet slow cooker roast is a classic comfort food that is perfect for a winter day. This dish is made with the roast of your choice, beef broth, 3 packets of seasoning, and a bit of cornstarch slurry for thickening the juices into a delicious gravy.

It can be cooked in your crockpot, electric pressure cooker, or in the oven. And, for those super busy days, you can make this into a make-ahead freezer meal too.

It’s an amazingly simple recipe that gets rave reviews and pleases even super picky eaters.

Our Crock Pot 3 Packet Pot Roast Video

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What Ingredients Do I Need to Make 3 Envelope Pot Roast?

For this recipe, we are just making the roast and gravy. And it takes 7 ingredients. You will need:

  • A 3-pound roast of your choice. Rump roast, chuck roast, or bottom roast all work.
  • Beef broth. You can use beef broth or beef stock. Or you can make your own or you can purchase premade. Whatever works for you.
  • 1 packet Ranch dressing mix. You can use a premade packet or you can make your own homemade ranch seasoning.
  • One packet of brown gravy mix. And homemade brown gravy mix is also very simple to toss together if you prefer to make your own.
  • 1 packet Italian dressing mix. This is the kind you use to make salad dressing, not the general Italian seasoning mix. There is also a simple DIY for making your own homemade Italian dressing mix if you feel inclined 😊
  • Butter. And you don’t need much. Just a little to brown your roast before cooking. This is NOT a mandatory step, but it adds amazing flavor if you can swing a few extra minutes.
  • Cornstarch. You only need a tablespoon. And you’ll mix it with a couple of tablespoons of COLD water. You will use this to make an amazing gravy from the broth your roast cooked in.

What Equipment Do I Need to Make Three Envelope Roast?

This roast can be made in your crock pot, instant pot, or oven, and it's perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Plus, we've included freezer meal directions so you can make it ahead and have it ready whenever you need it.

Simple How To Make Pot Roast In Instant Pot Recipe
Simple How To Make Pot Roast In Instant Pot Recipe

Other than your cooking implement of choice. Slow cooker, instant pot, or oven. You just need a pan for browning, a large fork to turn the roast, and/or freezer bags if you are making it into a freezer meal.

What Should I Serve with 3 Packet Roast with Gravy?

When it comes to making any sort of roast, you have lots of options for your side dishes. And you can even add part of them right in the dish/pot with your roast and cook it all at once.

Washed, whole potatoes, carrots, and onions can be layered under the roast. Slow cooker or instant pot methods work best for this, but you can add them to your oven dish as well. Just be sure to cover the roast if you want tender vegetables.

Your cooking directions don’t need to vary, just make one single layer under the roast and cook per the printable directions.

And you can also have several other options for side dishes. And several of these you can make right in a second slow cooker if you choose. Talk about super simple supper ideas!

Here are just a few side dishes that are slow cooker recipes.

Add some crockpot dinner rolls and your choice of a dessert…even a slow cooker dessert and you are in business!

PS: These yummy crockpot side dishes work with almost all our slow cooker main dishes too!

How to Make 3 Packet Pot Roast Recipe Step by Step

Making this 3-packet roast varies a bit using different equipment. But don’t worry! None of them are difficult. Let’s walk through each, then you can decide which pot roast recipe works for your time and available equipment.

Bottom Round Roast Pot Roast
Bottom Round Roast Pot Roast

Making Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Oh course, this is my favorite method. And it isn’t just because I’m used to using my crockpot all the time. I am, of course, but that isn’t the reason.

My reason for preferring to use the slow cooker for making ANY pot roast is how very tender and juicy your meat remains. Sure, you get the same juiciness from an electric pressure cooker, but the steps and time to make roasts is a bit longer.

This is mostly because with the crockpot, you can add the cornstarch slurry BEFORE you cook the roast. Do you have to? Absolutely not. CAN you. Yes! And for me, this saves time. And I can use that time can be used to visit my kids, play with my dogs, love on my grandchildren, or when necessary, do farm chores 😊

Now, on to how to make 3 packet crockpot pot roast with gravy…

Brown the Roast

First, brown your roast over medium-high heat in butter. I like cast iron best but use what you have. DO think about getting a cast iron skillet or two though, you won’t regret the purchase!

Anyway, brown the roast in a bit of butter or oil for 2-5 minutes per side. How brown you get the roast is a personal choice. You can also turn the burner a bit lower, cover it and go do another kitchen chore.

Make the Gravy

Carefully remove the roast from skillet and place the roast in the slow cooker. Use a spatula to scrape the brown bits off the bottom and the sides of the skillet. These add amazing flavor to your gravy. Gently pour the beef broth into the skillet, cover and allow to come to a boil.

While the Broth is Boiling

While the broth is busy doing its thing, do the pot roast prep with the seasoning packets. Simply sprinkle half of each packet on each side of the roast.

Mix the slurry

Now grab a small bowl or coffee cup and add a couple tablespoons of cold water. Now mix in a tablespoon of cornstarch and stir until well blended.

Back to the Broth

Stir the broth, it should be boiling by now. If it isn’t either wait a bit or increase the heat if you prefer. Once the broth is boiling, gently stir in the cornstarch slurry. As you stir it should thicken. Remove from heat and pour over the roast.

Simple 3 Envelope Pot Roast Recipe
Simple 3 Envelope Pot Roast Recipe

Oven Method for Making an Amazing Pot Roast

Making your roast in the oven is the old-fashioned, tried-and-true method. And many times, the old ways are best. Here are the steps.

Prep Work for Oven Pot Roast

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and brown the roast as stated in the slow cooker method above. Remove from heat and sprinkle the roast with ½ of each seasoning packet on each side of the roast.

Cover and bake for 60 minutes for a 3-pound roast. Add 15 to 20 minutes per pound for larger roasts.

Make the Gravy

Remove the pot from the oven. Set the roast aside on a serving tray. Place the skillet over medium-high heat and scrape down the sides and the bottom. Add the broth. Cover and make the cornstarch slurry.

Slowly pour the cornstarch mixture into the boiling broth. Then stir until well incorporated and thick.

Instant Pot Method for Pot Roast with Gravy

The electric pressure cooker method is almost a hybrid of the crockpot and oven methods. But everything takes place in the pressure cooker; you just use more settings.

Sauté the Pot Roast

Set the pressure cooker to sauté and add the butter. Then, once the butter is melted add the roast. Brown the roast on both sides. Now, remove the roast and scrape the bottom and sides to get all the brown bits. Add the broth.

Season the Roast

Sprinkle the pot roast with the seasoning packets, a half packet on each side of the roast. Place the roast in the pressure cooker.

Cooking Time for Instant Pot Pot Roast

Turn the instant pot to manual, and close the lid and the vent. Set to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Then allow it to naturally release for about 20 minutes then do a quick release.

Remove the roast and set aside.

Make the Gravy

Turn the pressure cooker back to sauté. Mix the cornstarch slurry using the previous directions. Make sure to use COLD water or it will lump and be gross.

Then stir the broth well and add the slurry. Allow the sauce to thicken. Return the roast to the pressure cooker if desired. Or serve the gravy on the side.

No matter the cooking method you decide to use, this 3 packet pot roast is delicious! You won’t regret teaching yourself the tips and techniques needed to make this an amazing dish.

3 Packet Roast Printable Recipe

Recipe

3 Packet Crock Pot Pot Roast with Gravy

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
This 3 envelope slow cooker pot roast with gravy is amazingly simple. It takes 7 basic ingredients and 10 minutes prep time to make a delicious meal. You can make it in your crockpot, instant pot, or in the oven. Freeer meal directions are also included. Enjoy!
Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lb beef roast
  • 1 packet of brown gravy mix
  • 1 envelope of ranch seasoning
  • 1 packet of Italian dressing mix
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tble COLD water
  • 1 tbsp butter

Instructions
 

Slow Cooker Method:

  • Heat the butter is a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown both sides of your roast (3-5 minutes per side). Turn burner to medium and remove roast.
  • While the roast is browning butter, oil, or spray your slow cooker insert and make your cornstarch slurry. To make slurry mix cornstarch and COLD water. Mix well. Set aside but if you set it aside for too long, just mix it again before using it.
  • Scrape down the sides and get all the brown bits and butter together. Add to beef broth and stir until incorporated. Allow to come to a boil.
  • Add the cornstarch slurry and stir. Add a lid and proceed to your crockpot.
  • Place the roast in the bottom of the slow cooker. Or on top your vegetables if you decided to add them.
  • Sprinkle with 1/2 of each of the seasoning packets, flip the roast and repeat.
  • Check the skillet gravy. If it’s slightly thickened, then slowly pour it over roast. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 10 hours.
  • When ready to serve: Remove roast and stir gravy well. Shred roast if desired and serve with gravy.
  • See Notes for a much simpler method for making slow cooker 3 packet roast.

Pressure Cooker Method:

  • Set pressure cooker to sauté, add butter and then the roast.
  • Brown roast on both sides. Remove roast and add broth. Scrape down sides to deglaze.
  • Add back roast and sprinkle both sides with 1/2 of each seasoning packet.
  • Cover, close and set to 1 hr. 15 mins. Allow to natural release for 15-20 minutes, then quick release.
  • Remove roast and turn pot to sauté again.
  • Mix cornstarch slurry by adding cornstarch to COLD water. Mix well and slowly stir into broth. Allow to heat through and thicken.
  • Slice or pull roast if desired and serve with gravy.
  • Note on large roast in the instant pot. My research says to add 15-20 minutes for each additional pound of roast, just like the oven method. Some other recipes I’ve found don’t add quite that much time.
  • I don’t believe there is any danger if you don’t follow this timing exactly. You will just have a more rare roast.

Oven Method:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Brown roast while the oven is heating.
  • Add butter to deep cast iron skillet or Dutch oven and turn heat to medium-high.
  • Add roast and brown for 3-5 minutes per side. Remove from heat.
  • Sprinkle the roast with 1/2 of each seasoning packet, flip the roast and repeat.
  • Place lid on skillet/Dutch oven and cook in preheated oven for 60 minutes (add 20 minutes per pound for larger roasts).
  • Remove from oven and place roast on a serving tray or plate.
  • Place skillet stovetop and medium-high heat again. Slowly add the beef broth and scrape down the sides and bits.
  • Make slurry by mixing water and cornstarch in a separate bowl or cup and mixing well until no lumps remain. Slowly pour and stir into your broth until well incorporated.
  • Allow to come to a butter, turn to medium and allow to thicken. Stir every minute or so until thick.
  • Pull or slice meat if desired and serve with gravy.

Freezer Meal Prep:

  • Sprinkle the roast on each side with 1/2 of each of the seasoning packets.
  • Make a note on your baggie that you will need beef broth, cornstarch, and a bit of butter to make this recipe. Freeze flat for up to 3 months.

Notes

The slow cooker method of making this roast comes out amazing. BUT, time does NOT always allow me to go with all the steps. You might be there too on occasion. When you have NO time, do this instead.
Add washed veggies to buttered crockpot. Sprinkle roast with seasoning packets, half of each on either side. Lay roast n veggies or in bottom of slow cooker. Mix cornstarch with cold water until incorporated. Stir into beef broth and pour over roast. Cook as per directions.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
3 Packet Roast
3 Packet Roast

FAQ

What is a 3-packet crock pot pot roast with gravy?

This three evneope roast is a simple recipe that’s very versatile. You lightly brown a beef roast of your choice in butter or oil. Then cook it with beef broth, ranch seasoning mix, Italian dressing mix, brown gravy mix. Lastly, you thicken the broth using a cornstarch slurry.

What kind of meat should I use for pot roast?

Pot roast is traditionally made with a beef roast. And beef chuck roast is the one I’ve seen used most often. But you can also use other cuts of beef, such as a rump roast or round roast. And if you want to try something different, you can also use a pork roast.

Can I make this recipe with chicken?

I’ve never tried making a slow cooker chicken dish using this exact method. Very thick chicken breasts might work BUT our 5-Ingredient Chicken Stroganoff recipe uses Italian seasoning. AND I’ve made it using chicken gravy mix and ranch dressing mix when I didn’t have an Italian dressing mix on hand.

Can I substitute other vegetables for the potatoes and carrots suggested?

You absolutely can! The sky is the limit as to the different vegetables you can cook with your 3 packet roast. Any sort of root vegetable will work. Even parsnips or turnips would be great options.

Can I use a different type of gravy mix?

Yes, you can use a different type of gravy mix, such as beef, mushroom, or onion.

Can I use flour instead of cornstarch?

Yes! You can absolutely use flour instead of cornstarch. You can substitute it and use the same method OR you can make a roux gravy. And this takes about 10 more minutes but it is AMAZING!

This 3 packet crock pot pot roast is an excellent example of comfort food. It’s easy to make, the slow cooker does most of the work, and the result is a juicy and flavorful pot roast.

Whether you are cooking for a family dinner or a potluck, this dish is sure to be a hit.

Copycat PF Chang's Mongolian Beef Slow Cooker Recipe [Crockpot, Instant Pot, Skillet & Freezer Recipes]

This deliciously simple Mongolian beef slow cooker recipe is simple & tasty, quick & easy, and will satisfy that mad desire for takeout ANY time.

And amazingly, it's easy to cook in several different ways. So no matter your schedule, time frame, and budget…you can have copycat PF Chang Mongolian beef any time you want it!

 For this deliciousness, your cooking alternatives include slow cooker, stovetop stir fry, and pressure cooker. And, of course, it works as a freezer meal as well.

Freezer friendly, quick and simple mongolian beef in slow cooker! With crockpot, oven-baked, skillet, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Authentic Mongolian Beef Recipe Close Up with Chop Sticks

­­­­­­­I adore all the cool meals you are able to make with beef, it is by far my favorite meat to use in making slow cooker recipes. Take a look at these recipes for some more slow cooker beef inspiration; Crockpot Beef & Noodles, Easiest Crock Pot Beef Roast, or this Slow Cooker Ranch Beef Stew.

This crock pot Mongolian beef is the perfect freezer-friendly recipe. And there are several ways to do freezer meal cooking.

You do not have to jump in feet first into creating a bunch of freezer meals. Just a few make-ahead meals now and then can lead to amazing cost savings…

Before we go any farther, let's get the legal stuff out of the way…this post may contain affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you purchase through these links. This will NOT increase your cost in any way. But does give you awesome recommendations that have been tested by myself or someone I dearly trust.

Copycat PF Chang Mongolian Beef Freezer Meal Options

These are just a couple of options to start creating make-ahead meals:

  1. Prep just two batches of this spicy Mongolian beef recipe. Make one for now and a second for next month. Follow this method every few meals for a couple of weeks. Write it down in this freebie meal planner and don't forget to add a created or "consume by" date. You’ll have a stash in no time at all.
  2. Pick out 3-5 slow cooker recipes. Make sure and set the number of servings for the mouths you'll be feeding using the printable recipe options.
    1. Prep your grocery list
    2. Go shopping
    3. Prep the meals per the freezer meal instructions on each recipe

If you make 5 recipes using this method and double it; you will have ten. And now! You have meals prepped for at least ten days.

  1. Or join our newsletter and to get a free copy of one of our make-ahead meals cooking sessions. You will receive six recipes, menus, and simple to follow instructions. It's a freebie and then you will receive an email when new ones are available.

The majority of uncooked freezer friendly recipes will keep for 2 1/2 to 3 months. So keep that in mind when you’re logging them on your freezer meal calendar.

Quick and simple, super tasty pressure cooker Mongolian beef! With slow cooker, oven-baked, skillet, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Easy P F Chang Mongolian Beef Recipe

Substitutions & Ingredients to Make Mongolian Beef

There are so many yummy things about this recipe. And there are so many ways to modify it too! Not just the multiple cooking processes, but the actual ingredients. All you have to do is change one or two ingredients to make a different, interesting recipe.

The main ingredients for making Mongolian beef in a crockpot, instant pot, or on the stove are listed below. The remainder of the ingredients is part of our recommended pantry staples list.

Meat Options & Subs for Crockpot Mongolian Beef

Flank Steak is the beef that is traditionally used for making this stir fry Mongolian beef recipe. It’s a decently cheap steak cut that is cut across the grain.

AND if you’re like I was when I started cooking almost everything from home, you might not have a clue what that means. Check out this article AND 2-minute video to see how to cut meat against the grain.

AND though flank steak is the traditional meat to use…ANY beef cut works! Or even ground beef too. Any cut of boneless, skinless chicken is delicious as well. Ground turkey, ground pork, or even ground chicken.

I’ve never tried pork, but I’m thinking pork tenderloin would be an excellent option.

Simple and tasty, freezer friendly spicy mongolian beef! With slow cooker, oven-baked, skillet, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions!

Easy Mongolian Beef Stir Fry Recipe with Rice

Additional Vegetables Add-In Ideas for Mongolian Beef Recipe

For making this slow cooker Mongolian beef we’re just using onions. Both yellow onions and green onions. But that does NOT mean you can’t add more!

I’ve seen several recipes that add broccoli as well. I use broccoli in my Crockpot Beef & Broccoli recipe and it’s delicious!

And if you can add broccoli, you could use any frozen stir-fry mix. You could also use a mix of thinly sliced or julienned carrots too.

Mongolian Sauce & Spices

Most Asian recipes have a distinct flavor. That is because they have distinct ingredients. As far as our list of pantry staples goes, soy sauce and powdered ginger are essentials.

Now, I prefer fresh ginger for most cooking. But in a pinch ground ginger can work too. I don’t always keep hoisin sauce stocked, but if I run out, there are homemade options available. Scroll down to see the homemade options and substitutions for hoisin sauce.

Why Vary the Ingredients in Your Mongolian Beef?

And the reason for changing up the recipe a bit? So we can shop for those meat sales and purchase them in bulk. Planning your meals, shopping sales, and bulk purchases are the greatest moves you can do to help your budget. And knowing the steps with your sales shopping purchases, that's the way to get a stock of freezer meals, being thrifty AND far less stress in your life.

Amazingly easy, super tasty pf changs mongolian beef recipe! With slow cooker, oven-baked, skillet, pressure cooker, & freeze ahead directions!

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef Recipe Ready to Serve

This freezer meal excursion is part of cooking in bulk by meat sales shopping. Of course, this isn't intended to eat Mongolian beef of ANY cooking method for a whole week straight, BUT that isn’t the goal here.

The goal is to shop sales, cook bulk meals here and there, and set up a meal planning calendar. And if you are able to hit the sales for a couple of weeks, you can set up that calendar and rotate that stash.

Cooking Variations for PF Chang's Mongolian Beef

View the printable recipe and check out how simple cooking with each method can be. Now, occasionally one cooking method is more simple than another. BUT for this recipe, that really isn’t the case. All versions of this recipe use the exact same quantities and ingredients.

So, if it slips your mind to put your Mongolian beef in the slow cooker in the morning, you can still have a yummy home-cooked, budget-saving supper… with no hassles.

Mongolian Beef Recipe & Homemade Ingredient Options

Since authentic Mongolian beef recipe is an Asian recipe, there will always be ingredients that many people don’t keep stocked or have easy access to. Many of them you can't easily make from scratch. But there ARE many substitutes that work very well.

Substitutes for Hoisin Sauce

First up, hoisin sauce. It is easy to purchase online, there are MANY options available. I prefer this hoisin sauce). BUT there are also lots of substitutions. This article from Greatist has 10 Subs for hoisin sauce.

Soy Sauce Substitutes

Soy sauce is another ingredient that can be substituted. I’ve tried online substitution recipes. And I’m going to be honest. I did NOT care for them. You might.

I DO know coconut aminos work the best for us. It’s a great substitution if you can’t have soy sauce for dietary reasons.

Super easy, quick and tasty pf change Mongolian beef! With slow cooker, oven-baked, skillet, pressure cooker, & freeze ahead directions!

Easy Mongolian Beef Pf Chang Pictured on Serving Tray with Cup of Rice

Brown Sugar Substitutes

Next up, brown sugar. I can’t tell you how many times in the past I’ve reached for my brown sugar canister and found a lump of unusable mess. As a young cook, I had no idea a shelf life. I mean, white sugar doesn’t really have one, so why would brown sugar?

Molasses Brown Sugar Substitute

The first brown sugar substitute I learned was using molasses. I didn’t have molasses either. Grrrrr. I don’t use it often. But the beauty of molasses is it has a VERY long shelf life. I’m talking years. So you really don’t have to worry about not having brown sugar ever again. Do yourself a favor. Get you a jug of molasses and keep it in the pantry. It doesn’t require refrigeration. Make your own brown sugar whenever you need it.

Honey to Sugar Substitute

Honey is another great brown sugar substitute. Just use a 3:4 ratio. So, like for this slow cooker Mongolian beef recipe you need a half cup of brown sugar. One cup of sugar has 16 tablespoons. So, a half-cup equals eight tablespoons.

And I know it’s a bit of algebra, but all you have to do is take that 8 tablespoons, divide it by 4 and then multiply it by 3. So, (8/4) *3. And that equals 6 tablespoons.

So, you’d need 6 tablespoons of honey. And you’d also need to add a little more of a solid substance. If we were baking, that would be flour. We aren’t baking here. But we ARE using cornstarch. So, you’ll need an additional tablespoon of cornstarch for every 4 servings.

Easy Instant Pot Mongolian Beef! With slow cooker, oven-baked, stovetop, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions!

Easy Instant Pot Mongolian Beef

One final note about honey. Honey has no expiration date. I think it’s legality that all consumable items have an expiration date, but real honey does NOT have one. It may crystallize and start turning to sugar, but it is still very edible. This is our favorite raw honey. I purchase it in at least one-gallon quantities at a time and separate it into quart-sized jars.

I'm not recommending canning jars at the moment. They have gotten SOOO expensive. If you'd like my recommendation, email me and I'll send you some info. But for honey, you can recycle jars. Just wash them very well with soap and water, remove the label if you want, and fill them up. 

And btw, raw honey is by far the healthiest thing you can use. But it is said not to be safe for little ones and some people with health conditions. So please research that a bit before you go with this option.

Substitute Maple Syrup for Brown Sugar

Using maple syrup as a substitute for brown sugar works exactly the same as using honey. Exactly. But maple syrup does go bad unless you keep it in the freezer. Which is something you can do. Just let it come to room temperature before using it.

Use a clean spoon to scoop out the amount of maple syrup you need and return it to the freezer immediately. You’ll have all the maple syrup you need for a very long time.

Super easy, amazingly tasty mongolian beef crockpot recipe! With slow cooker, oven-baked, stovetop, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Easy Mongolian Beef Crock Pot Recipe Ready to Serve

More Crockpot Beef Recipes

I am, at times, astonished by how versatile and numerous slow cooker beef recipes are. They are quick and simple, add to your stockpile AND supply a home-cooked meal. Here are a couple more of our recipes that use beef and/or ground beef. Check them out, contact me with any questions, and most of all ENJOY! And of course, rock that crock 😉

Recipe

Easy Slow Cooked Mongolian Beef

Copycat PF Chang's Mongolian Beef Slow Cooker Recipe

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
Quick and easy, amazingly tasty Mongolian beef PF Chang copycat recipe! With crockpot, oven-baked, stovetop, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions! I hope this recipe helps you with your freezer meal preps.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound flank steak cut into strips across the grain
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 onion thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 3 large green onions sliced diagonally into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
  • 1/3 cup hoisin sauce

Instructions
 

All Methods - Steps 1 thru 5

  • Place flank steak and cornstarch into a resealable plastic bag.
  • Shake to evenly coat the meat with cornstarch. Allow to steak rest for 10 minutes.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Cook and stir steak until evenly browned 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Place onion, garlic, flank steak, green onions, soy sauce, water, brown sugar, ginger, and hoisin sauce in a slow cooker. Stir to coat.

Slow Cooker

  • Cook on low setting for about 5-7 hours.

Pressure Cooker

  • Manual High for 8-12 minutes

Stovetop

  • Turn burner to low, cover, and simmer 20-28 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Freezer Meal

  • Complete steps #1 through #3. Reopen the bag to remove as much air as possible. Seal and set aside.
  • Mix remaining ingredients in a quart-sized freezer bag, remove as much air as possible.
  • Label the 3rd bag with your ingredients and a use-by date. Toss in the meat bag and the sauce bag. Add a use-by date and freeze for up to 8 weeks IF you browned the meat; 3 months if the meat is raw.

Notes

#1 Steps 1 through 4 are OPTIONAL for the slow cooker and instant pot methods. It will add more flavor, but if you are going for speed you can skip it.
#2 Cooking times will vary depending on how thick you cut your beef.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Quick and tasty, cheap and easy mongolian beef crock pot recipe! With crockpot, oven-baked, skillet, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Easy Mongolian Beef Instapot, Slow Cooker, & Stir-Fry Options

How to Make Slow Cooker Ground Beef Tacos [Crock Pot, Instant Pot, Stovetop & Freezer Meal Directions]

These kid-approved Slow Cooker Ground Beef Tacos are quick and simple, super easy, and will have dinner on the table in a flash! And the icing on the cake is that there are several options to cook it! So! No matter your schedule, dinner can be on the table 😊

For this creation, your cooking choices include using a slow cooker, pressure cooker, or a skillet on the stovetop. And, as always, these slow cooker tacos are freezer safe too.

­­­­­­­I am sometimes dumbfounded by how many recipes you can create from ground beef, it is so versatile. Check out these recipes for some excellent ground beef recipe ideas; Easy Crockpot Ravioli, Crockpot Cheeseburgers, or this Unstuffed Cabbage Casseroles.

Budget friendly, quick and tasty slow cooker taco meat! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Quick and Simple Slow Cooker Taco Recipes for Your Crockpot, Instant Pot, Stovetop & Freezer

These crock pot tacos turn out to be a great make-ahead meal. This slow cooker taco meat actually is awesome as a freezer meal before OR after cooking it. But it isn’t just this recipe, there are lots of ways to approach freezer meal cooking.

You might find freezer meal cooking overwhelming. I used to. And I've screwed it up many times.

But one thing I've learned is you don't have to leap in feet first or make a bunch of them. Just a few make-ahead meals here and there can save you $$$…

Before we go any further, let's get the legal stuff out of the way…this post may contain affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you purchase through these links. This will NOT increase your cost in any way. But does give you awesome recommendations that have been tested by myself or someone I dearly trust.

Taco Meat Freezer Meal Options

These are just a few ideas to start on a freezer meal journey:

  1. Toss together twice your normal amount for these ground beef slow cooker tacos. Make one for supper and freeze the other for next week. Follow this method every few meals for a couple of weeks. Write it down in a meal planning journal and log the date. You'll have a nice stockpile in no time.
  2. Pick out 3-5 recipes. Be sure to set the serving options in the printable recipe for your family and needs. Now, make a grocery list, go shopping, and mix them up per the freezer meal guidelines on each recipe. If you do 5 recipes like this but x 2; you have 10. There you are! You have meals prepped for well over a week.
  3. Or join our newsletter and to get a free copy of one of our make-ahead meals prepping sessions. You'll get six recipes, menus, and simple to follow instructions. It's a freebie and you'll get notified when new ones are available.

Super easy, amazingly tasty recipe - how to make tacos with ground beef! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

How To Make Taco Meat In A Crock Pot

Loaded Crock Pot Tacos Ingredients

There are so many reasons I love this recipe. And there are so many variations! Not just the different cooking methods, but the actual ingredients. All you have to do is modifying 1 or 2 ingredients to make a different, interesting recipe.

Cheap and tasty, super simple crock pot tacos! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Deliciously Simple Instant Pot Ground Beef Tacos with a Side Salad

Easy Taco Meat Recipe - Meat Options & Ideas

  • Ground Beef – Ground beef is a staple when making tacos. As a kid, I don’t remember tacos any other way. Boy, have times changed there! I don’t know if any meat you can’t use for making crockpot tacos.
    • Ground Chicken, Ground Turkey will both need the same cook time as the ground beef. And they are delicious too!
    • Pork loin, chicken breasts, or even a beef roast will need a longer cook time and that will vary depending on how large your meat portion is.

      Super tasty, cheap and easy instant pot tacos! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freeze ahead directions!

      Instant Pot Ground Beef Tacos Wrapped in a Soft Tortilla

Crockpot Tacos Ingredient Changeouts

  • Mexican-Style Tomatoes – Any type of tomatoes will work. Maybe if you used chili-style tomatoes you could swap out the taco seasoning for a chili seasoning.
  • Chili Beans – Any canned beans will work. If you go as adventurous as chickpeas, you could use a butter chicken seasoning and then swap the corn below for a different vegetable too. How amazingly simple would that be?
  • Fiesta-Style Corn – Staying with the theme from talking about beans (above), what about going with spinach instead of corn? Indian restaurants use spinach in their butter chicken. There’s no reason you can go this route too. And you could use fresh, frozen, or canned spinach for this recipe variation too!
  • Chili Pepper Sauce – This one is super variable too. You just need to match it to the style of your recipe. Personally, this is how I’d go:
  • Taco Seasoning – Varying this ingredient is just like changing up the sauce you use, just vary according to the theme you’re going for. This article on BuzzFeed talks about not being afraid of premade seasonings. I whole-heartedly agree!

Why Swap Ingredients in Your Ground Beef Tacos?

And what's the purpose of varying the ingredients? Bulk buying and Sales, Sales, Sales. Planning your meals, shopping sales, and bulk purchases are super smart moves you can do to help your budget. And knowing what to do with all the ingredients you buy, that's how to get a stock of freezer meals, being thrifty AND far being able to relax a little more in the evenings.

Super tasty, quick and simple beef slow cooker tacos! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions!

Kid-Friendly Slow Cooker Tacos Ready for a Quick & Simple Dinner

This freezer meal planning session is part of meal prepping after purchasing bulk ground beef and other meats. Of course, this isn't intended to eat slow cooker ground beef tacos for multiple meals in a row. That isn’t my intention, it's filling the freezer. So, if you can shop the bulk meat sales for 2 or 3 weeks, you can rotate that stash. AND I created this meal prep printable for you to keep track of your purchases.

How to Make Ground Beef Tacos – 3 Cooking Methods + Freezing

This ground beef taco recipe was made in the crockpot. But it CAN be made multiple ways.

  • Slow Cooker – Have you seen my recipe for doing up Make-Ahead Ground Beef in your crockpot? It is SUPER simple, cooks overnight, and you just drain and freeze for later. You can use that recipe for making this recipe too. Some folks recommend getting the leanest ground beef you can find and tossing everything together with no pre-cooking of the meat. I’ve found this works sometimes, but not always. And when it fails, it’s an epic fail that wastes a lot of cash. And this recipe cooks overnight, so it's simple to use it to make slow cooker tacos.
  • Instant Pot – You can cook either fresh or frozen ground beef using your instant pot. If you want to do frozen, you just need a trivet.
  • Skillet – I think I learned to crumbled and fry ground beef when I was about 8, maybe 9. Just crumbled into your skillet and cook, chop, and flip over medium heat until it is no longer pink. Drain and add the other ingredients.
  • Freezer – You can freeze your meat cooked or uncooked. Just freeze it in a separate baggie if frozen and raw. Then you can drain off any excess grease when you cook it and it won't affect the yumminess of your crockpot tacos.

Kid-friendly, super easy slow cooker tacos! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freeze ahead directions!

Easy Slow Cooker Ground Beef Tacos Ready to Eat

Check out the printable recipe below and see how easy it is to cook using each method. Slight variations may be necessary, but they are listed. Now and then one cooking technique is more simple than another BUT if you don't remember to put your ground beef tacos in the slow cooker before starting your day, you can still have a homemade, budget-saving meal… without much fuss.

More Ground Beef Slow Cooker Recipes

I love crockpot ground beef recipes. I think they may be my favorite meat to use in the slow cooker. They are simple and tasty, add to your stockpile, AND make everyone happy.

Deliciously easy, freezer friendly recipe for how to make taco meat in a crock pot! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions!

Amazingly Simple Open Face Ground Beef Taco Recipe

Recipe

Budget friendly, quick and tasty slow cooker taco meat! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

How to Make Slow Cooker Ground Beef Tacos

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
Freezer friendly, cheap, and tasty slow cooker taco meat! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Meat Options

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ~OR~
  • 1 serving Make-Ahead Ground Beef

Everything Else

  • 1 15- ounce can Mexican-style diced tomatoes don't drain
  • 1 15- ounce can chili beans do NOT drained
  • 1 15- ounce can Fiesta or Mexican-style corn drained
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup beef broth 2 cups for the pressure cooker (depending on how long you intend to cook it and keep it warm afterward)
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili pepper sauce
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning ~or~ make your own homemade taco seasoning

Instructions
 

Slow Cooker

  • Either start with 1 serving of the make-ahead beef mixture OR cook the ground beef in a skillet with the diced onions and garlic until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is soft.
  • Drain the beef mixture and pour it into the crockpot.
  • Add remaining ingredients.
  • Cover and cook on high for at least 2 hours or on low up to 8 hours.

Pressure Cooker

  • Place a trivet in the bottom of your pressure cooker sprinkle in the diced onions and garlic. Pour in 1 cup water or additional beef broth.
  • Frozen Meat - Add frozen ground beef to pressure cooker. Manual setting high for 20 minutes. Allow to natural release for 10 minutes and then quick release.
  • Fresh meat - Don't use the trivet but do the remainder of the steps for frozen meat. Manual setting high, 8 minutes. Natural release 5 minutes then quick release.
  • Drain liquid off meat and return to pot. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. Set to saute. Cook and stir for 8 minutes. Allow to rest 10 minutes before serving.

Stovetop

  • Saute the meat, onions, and garlic over medium-high heat in a deep skillet until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are translucent. Drain meat and return to skillet.
  • Turn burner to low. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. Cover and allow to simmer for 10-12 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to sit for about 10 minutes before serving.

Freezer Meal Directions:

  • Brown the ground beef and combine all the ingredients in a freezer-safe, prelabeled 1-gallon zippered baggie.
  • Lay flat and squeeze out as much air as possible.
  • Freeze for up to 8 weeks.
  • Can be tossed in the crockpot frozen or defrosted in the freezer overnight.
  • If cooking from frozen, cook on low for at least 5 hours.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Amazingly easy, freezer friendly mississippi pot roast recipe crock pot! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Amazingly Easy Taco Meat In Instant Pot

Recipe

Simple Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
It’s always good to know how to make as many homemade ingredients as possible. Some premade mixes have too many chemicals for my taste. Sometimes, I just forget to purchase something I will need. And yet others, cravings take over and I just WANT something different and don’t have the correct supplies on hand. So then, from scratch it is.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Mix all the ingredients well and use immediately or store in a sealed canister.
  • This recipe equals one package of store-bought seasoning. You can also double or triple it and store it for future use.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos [Easy Instant Pot, Crockpot, Freezer & Oven Baked Directions]

These freezer-friendly slow cooker chicken taquitos are amazingly easy and cheap & tasty. They are an EXCELLENT premade addition to any freezer for quick dinners, snacks, and lunches.

Deliciously easy, kid approved homemade chicken taquitos! With slow cooker, oven-baked, instant pot, & freezer meal directions!

Chicken Taquitos Ready to Serve

And the best part is, is that there are several ways to make them, they are super freezer-friendly before AND after cooking too! For cooking the meat you can use the crockpot, a skillet, or your pressure cooker. Then all methods get a quick trip in the oven to finish them off.

­­­­­­­I adore all the dishes you can make using chicken, it is one of the most versatile meats for slow cooker recipes. Check out these recipes for a little more slow cooker chicken magic; crockpot chicken and rice, slow cooker chicken and potatoes, or this crock pot chicken & dumplings.

Simple and tasty, deliciously easy chicken taquitos recipes! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions!

Simple Tasty Crockpot Chicken Taquitos Rolled and Ready to Bake

This crockpot chicken taquitos recipe makes an AMAZING freezer recipe. And there are lots of ways to do freezer meals. Making just a couple of freezer meals now and then can save you a ton of money…

Before we go any farther, let's get the legal stuff out of the way…this post may contain affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you purchase through these links. This will NOT increase your cost in any way. But does give you awesome recommendations that have been tested by myself or someone I dearly trust.

Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos Freezer Meal Options

Here are just a few possibilities to begin on make-ahead meals:

  1. Mix up 2 batches of these homemade chicken taquitos. Make one for supper and freezer the other for next week. Follow this method every few meals for a couple of weeks. Make a note in this freebie meal planner and log the date. You will be stocked up in just a couple of weeks.
  2. Pick out several slow cooker freezer meals. Be sure to set each recipe’s serving options for the mouths you'll be feeding. Prep your grocery list, go shopping if you need to, and toss them together per the freezer meal cooking guidelines on each recipe. If you prep 5 recipes using this method and double it; you obviously get 10. And now! You've got meals made for well over a week.
  3. Sign up for our newsletter and to get a free copy of one of our freezer meal cooking prepping sessions. You'll get six recipes, menus, and simple to follow instructions. It's a freebie and then you will receive an email every time there's a new one available.

The bulk of uncooked freezer meals are good frozen for several months. But for this recipe, 6 weeks is the max I’d go IF you freeze them rolled. Frozen in a bag, like a regular freezer meal, 3 months is fine.

Kid friendly, super simple mississippi roast in oven! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freeze ahead directions!

Quick Simple Crock Pot Chicken Taquitos

How To Make Chicken Taquitos a Little Different

There are so many reasons I love this recipe. And there are so many ways to make it a little different! I'm not talking about just the differing cooking methods, I mean the ingredients. All it takes is changing up one or two ingredients to have a new, delicious variation.

Southwest Chicken Taquitos Ingredients

The stuff you need for these spicy chicken taquitos are meat, a couple of canned goods, canned beans, spices, and cheese. And your tortillas. That’s it!

Amazingly easy, cheap and tasty chicken taquitos recipe! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions!

Ingredients for Chicken Taquitos

Chicken Taquitos Recipe Meat Options

Chicken breasts are the meat we used for this recipe. But, you could also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs OR you can use pork loin, a pork roast, a beef roast, or even beef stew meat!

The roasts will need to be cooked a couple more hours before shredding it. The stew meat would need about the same time as the chicken breasts, maybe an additional hour, but no more.

Canned Goods for Making Chicken Taquitos

  • Fire Roasted Tomatoes ­– There are LOTS of variations here! Chili Ready Tomatoes or Rotel, just a couple of ideas. You could even swap out the salsa for a cream of chicken soup and use Italian Tomatoes. You’d need to swap out the spices of course. But if you wanted to take a super-quick shortcut, you could just use spaghetti sauce.
  • Salsa ­– Any flavor of salsa will work. Or as previously stated, you could use a can of cream of chicken soup. Or if you want to go Italian, use spaghetti sauce.
  • Green Chilis - Chilis add a nice bite. They can be too much for some people though. They can be used or left out. If you want to substitute something else then any sort of cooked or canned veggie or pepper would work.
  • Black Beans – If you want to stick with a Mexican theme, you could use pinto beans or red beans. If you maybe wanted to go with a Cajun theme, you could use red beans and swap out the spices for a Cajun seasoning. White beans would go very well with an Italian swap out for chicken taquitos…but I guess they wouldn’t REALLY be taquitos anymore. But you get me. You taste combinations are just about endless!

Spices & Seasonings for Taquitos

For these slow cooker chicken taquitos we used cumin, chile powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. Now, I use onion and/or garlic powder in almost all recipes. We love the flavors.

But chili seasoning and cumin are (for me) Mexican or Tex-Mex only. So, if you want to go Italian, a spaghetti seasoning would go best. For Cajun, I’d go with Tony Chachere’s.

Taquitos and Cheese Options

You could stick with cheddar cheese for just about any recipe. Or you could go with a Mexican cheese blend for simplicity's sake. For the Italian/Spaghetti sauce idea, I’d go with Mozzarella.

And if you want to go for a creamy chicken taquito recipe, maybe using cream cheese would be a good option. I’d go with half cheddar and half cream cheese for that.

Super easy, deliciously tasty baked chicken taquitos! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Shredded Chicken in a Slow Cooker

Why Substitute Ingredients in Your Chicken Taquitos?

And the reason for changing up the recipe a bit? SALES and bulk purchases. Menu planning, sales shopping, and purchasing in bulk are super smart moves you can do for your food budget. And knowing what the heck to do with bulk buys, that is the ticket to get a stock of freezer meals, saving $$$ AND far never wondering what's for dinner again.

Freezer friendly, quick and simple mississippi pot roast instant pot! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Chicken Taquitos Fresh from the Oven

This freezer-friendly recipe excursion is part of bulk meal assembly by shopping meat sales. Of course, this isn't intended to eat slow cooker chicken taquitos for multiple meals back to back. That isn’t the goal here. We want to make a stash here.

So, if you can purchase bulk meat for a couple of weeks, you can rotate that stash. AND we made a printable meal prep calendar you are most welcome to download to keep track of your purchases.

Shredded Chicken Taquitos Cooking Variations

These spicy chicken taquitos recipe is cooked in our slow cooker. But it CAN be made multiple ways.

  1. Crockpot
  2. Instant Pot
  3. Skillet-cooked

Luckily, all 3 cooking methods use the exact same ingredients. Most of the prepping part of the instructions is the same as well.

And in the end, all 3 methods are rolled and baked. So the most difficult part isn’t difficult at all. It’s a little time consuming for me because I don’t roll burritos/taquitos quickly. It is NOT my gift.

This IS the most time-consuming thing about the whole recipe, no matter the variations. But it’s worth it! Having these prepped and ready any time you need or want them…that’s awesome!

Cheap and tasty, super simple spicy chicken taquitos! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Chicken Taquitos Served with a Side Salad

More Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes

I sometimes marvel at slow cooker chicken recipes. They are quick and easy, stock freezer meals, AND make everyone happy. Here are a few more chicken ideas. Enjoy!

Recipe

Super simple, quick and tasty recipe chicken taquitos! With slow cooker, oven-baked, instant pot, & freezer meal directions!

Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos [Easy Instant Pot, Crockpot, Freezer & Oven Baked Directions]

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
Kid-approved, freezer-friendly chicken taquito recipes! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions! I hope this recipe helps you remove some stress about "what's for dinner". Enjoy!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Servings 5 servings

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 15- ounces can of fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1 cup salsa your favorite kind!
  • 1 small can diced green chilies
  • 1 tablespoon chile powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 15- ounces can black beans rinsed well and drained
  • 2 cups shredded cheese
  • 10 flour tortillas burrito sized

Instructions
 

All Cooking Versions - First Step

  • Butter the insert or melt over medium-low heat in a skillet.
  • Place trimmed chicken breasts into cooking appliances. Pour the fire-roasted tomatoes, salsa, green chilies over the top. Sprinkle with seasonings.

Slow Cooker

  • Cook on low for 4-5 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked.

Instant Pot

  • Manual high; 10 minutes for 1 to 1 1/2 inch thick breasts, 15 minutes if thicker. Quick-release, allow some of the steam to escape.

Stovetop

  • Turn heat to low and cover skillet. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Freezer Meal

  • Uncooked - Combine all ingredients in a 1-gallon freezer bag. Lay flat and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Cooked & Rolled - Lay flat on a cookie sheet so the taquitos are not touching. Allow to freeze firm (at least 4 hours, overnight works). Remove and place in a 1-gallon freezer bag with a note they are good for up to 6 weeks. Heat in microwave on high for 3-5 minutes from frozen. If defrosted, heat in the microwave (1-2 minutes) or oven (350 degrees for 10-14 minutes).
  • Rolled & Uncooked - Freeze per the cooked and rolled method shown above.

All Cooking Versions - Last 2 Steps

  • Shred the chicken with two forks, or by tossing it into your stand mixer with the paddle or beater attachment and mix on low until shredded. Place meat back into crockpot, and add in the rinsed and drained black beans and cheese. Stir well and keep warm until you fill your tortillas.
  • Fill tortillas with chicken mixture and roll it up. Place on a prepared cookie sheet and spray the tops of the tortillas with additional cooking spray.
  • Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown and slightly crunchy.

Notes

If chicken is frozen, make sure the breasts are separated before cooking. For slow cooker, add 1 to 1 1/2 hours additional cook time. For instant pot, add 5 minutes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Amazingly easy, kid friendly frozen chicken taquitos recipe! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freeze ahead directions!

Quick Tasty Crockpot Chicken Taquitos Ready to Serve

Crockpot Chicken Taquitos FAQs

  • Q1: What are Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos, and why are they a great recipe?
  • A1: Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos are delicious Mexican food made with corn tortillas filled with creamy chicken filling and cheese. They're a great recipe because they're easy to prepare and loved by the whole family.
  • Q2: How do you make the creamy chicken filling for Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos?
  • A2: To make the creamy chicken filling, place chicken breasts in a slow cooker, add taco seasoning, green chiles, and a cup of water. Let it slow cook until the chicken is tender, then shred it. Mix in cream cheese to create the creamy filling.
  • Q3: Can I use an air fryer to make these taquitos crispy?
  • A3: Yes, you can! After rolling the taquitos, place them in an air fryer lined with parchment paper, spray with olive oil, and air fry until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese melts.
  • Q4: What's a good tip for assembling the taquitos?
  • A4: When assembling, make sure to place the chicken filling in the middle of each tortilla, roll them tightly, and place them seam side down on a prepared baking sheet for even cooking.
  • Q5: How can I make Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Taquitos?
  • A5: To make Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Taquitos, simply replace the taco seasoning with chipotle chili powder and use buffalo sauce in the creamy filling. It adds a spicy twist to the recipe.
  • Q6: Are Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos a good option for a Cinco de Mayo celebration?
  • A6: Absolutely! Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos are a fantastic choice for Cinco de Mayo or any Mexican-themed party. Your guests will love them.
  • Q7: What's the best way to reheat leftover taquitos?
  • A7: Reheat leftover taquitos in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until they're crispy and heated through. You can also use an air fryer for this purpose.
  • Q8: Can I freeze Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos for later?
  • A8: Yes, you can! After cooking, let them cool, place them in a freezer-safe bag, and store them in the freezer. Reheat from frozen in an air fryer or oven for a quick meal.
  • Q9: Why are Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos a great option for busy weeknights?
  • A9: Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos are perfect for busy weeknights because you can prep the filling in the morning, let it slow cook all day, and then quickly assemble and cook the taquitos in the evening. It's an easy dinner solution.
  • Q10: How do you serve Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos?
  • A10: Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos with a side of sour cream, green onion, and salsa. They make a delicious meal that pleases even the pickiest eaters and are great for Taco Tuesday or any night of the week.
  • Q11: Any tips for ensuring the taquitos stay crispy when storing them?
  • A11: To keep taquitos crispy, store them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Avoid stacking them on top of each other.
  • Q12: Can I deep fry these taquitos instead of using an air fryer?
  • A12: Yes, you can deep fry the taquitos until they're golden brown and crispy. Just be sure to drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  • Q13: Why are Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos a family favorite?
  • A13: Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos are a family favorite because they combine the goodness of creamy chicken filling and crispy tortillas. They satisfy everyone's taste buds and are perfect for gatherings or family meals at the end of the week.
  • Q14: What are some variations of Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos?
  • A14: You can make different variations of taquitos by changing the protein (e.g., BBQ chicken), using different spices, or adding vegetables like green bell peppers for a twist on the classic recipe.
  • Q15: Any safety tips when working with a deep fryer or air fryer?
  • A15: When using a deep fryer or air fryer, always follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe operation. Be cautious with hot oil, and never leave it unattended. Use a flat surface, like a cutting board, to set hot items on, and keep glow sticks or any flammable materials away from the cooking area.
  • Q16: What's a great way to enjoy Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos for your next party?
  • A16: For your next party, make a big batch of Slow Cooker Chicken Taquitos and serve them with a variety of dipping sauces and toppings. They'll be a hit with your guests, whether it's Cinco de Mayo or any celebration. Happy cooking!

Simple, Sanity-Saving Mississippi Pot Roast Dinner - Easy Weeknight Meal in Your Oven, Instant Pot or Crockpot + Freezer Meal

This deliciously simple crockpot Mississippi pot roast is kid-approved, quick, and easy. And is versatile enough for a quick weeknight dinner. OR it works as a super nice Sunday supper too.

And the cherry on top is that there are several options to cook it! For this deliciousness, your cooking options are using a slow cooker, a pressure cooker, and oven-baked. And, you betcha, it works as a freezer meal too.

I adore all the amazing meals you can make with beef roasts, it is so all-purpose. Take a look at these recipes for few slow cooker roasts inspirations; Easiest Pot Roast Ever, French Onion Pot Roast, or this Crockpot Beef Roast Bites recipe.

Super easy, deliciously tasty instant pot Mississippi roast! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

This crockpot Mississippi roast recipe makes an excellent freezer meal. And there are lots of ways to create freezer meals.
You have no reason to dive headfirst into creating a month's worth of make ahead meals. Just a few freezer-friendly recipes now and then can save you a ton of money…


Before we go any farther, let's get the legal stuff out of the way…this post may contain affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you purchase through these links. This will NOT increase your cost in any way. But does give you awesome recommendations that have been tested by myself or someone I dearly trust.

 

Pepperoncini Beef Slow Cooker Freezer Meal Options

  1. These are just a couple of ideas to begin on a freezer meal journey:
    Knock out two batches of this recipe. Make one and freeze one. Do this process every few meals for a couple of weeks. Write it down on this meal planning template with a date. (Most raw freezer friendly recipes are fine for up to 3 months.) Soon, you’ll have a very nice stash of slow cooker, instant pot, and oven or stove-top friendly freezer meals on hand!
  2. Choose 3 to 5 recipes. Make sure and set the serving options on each printable recipe for your needs. Make your list, go shopping if you need to, and toss them together per the freezer meal guidelines on each recipe. If you prep and freeze five recipes like this but times two; you have 10. And now! You have all the freezer meals you need for at least 10 days.
  3. Join our newsletter and get a free copy of one of our freezer meal cooking prepping sessions. It includes six recipes, menus, and simple to follow instructions. It's of no cost to you and then you will receive an email as new publications and recipes go live.

Cheap and tasty, quick and easy mississippi roast in the oven! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions!

Deliciously Easy Crockpot Mississippi Pot Roast

Mississippi Pot Roast Ingredients

There are so many delicious ways to make this recipe. And there are so many ways to change it up too! Not only the varying cooking techniques, but I'm also talking about the ingredients. All you have to do is change up a few ingredients to make a different, interesting recipe.

Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast Substitutions

  • Beef Roast – Any beef roast work. BUT you can use the exact same ingredients and substitute your meat. Chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, and even Make-Ahead Ground Beef work great.
  • Ranch Dressing Mix – I love ranch dressing. It adds a great punch to SO many slow cooker ranch creations. But it isn’t the ONLY seasoning mix you can use. Two of my favorites are Montreal Steak Seasoning and Italian Dressing Mix. You can sub these mixes tablespoon for tablespoon and get a completely different taste.
  • Au Jus Gravy Mix – Deliciousness in a packet here! But it’s also substitutable. Try a simple brown gravy mix or even chicken gravy mix. Don’t be afraid to use a chicken gravy with beef meat or vice versa. It adds a completely different flavor.
  • Pepperoncini Peppers – Ahhh the yumminess that makes this recipe what it is. Robin Chapman’s Original Mississippi Roast was the first to take full advantage of the amazing pop these peppers give a pot roast. And it is delicious as is. But it can also be substituted for a completely different taste. There are LOTS of pickled peppers out there BUT to keep it simple two excellent options are pickled jalapenos, but only if you like it hot. Another really good one is dill pickles. Yep, just plain dill pickles. No heat, just twang with this option.
  • Beef Broth – The original recipe doesn’t call for this. We prefer it. I seldom make one meal at a time in my multi-cooker. We almost always have leftovers in the refrigerator or a stash of pre-cooked freezer meals. AND beef broth keeps the meat moist and tender. You can also use a bit of pickle juice from the jar. It adds a great twist.

Simple and tasty, deliciously easy Mississippi pot roast sandwiches! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions!

Freezer Friendly Crockpot Pepperoncini Beef Roast

Why Substitute Ingredients?

And the beauty of varying your recipe a little bit? So we can shop for those meat sales and purchase them in bulk. Meal prep, bulk buying, and sales shopping are super smart moves you can do to help your budget. And knowing how to assemble your meals and use those sales items, that's the way to get a stock of freezer meals, saving $$$ AND far less stress in your life.

This freezer meal cooking jaunt is part of a bulk meal assembly session and meat sales shopping. Of course, I don't intend to make and eat Mississippi pot roast for a whole week, that isn’t where this is going.

What I mean, is if you can shop the bulk meat sales for a couple of weeks, you can start rotating those meals. AND we made a printable meal prep calendar you are most welcome to download to keep track of your purchases.

Freezer friendly, quick and simple crockpot beef with pepperoncini! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Crock Pot Mississippi Roast

Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast Cooking Variations

This Mississippi pot roast is cooked in our crockpot. It CAN be cooked in multiple ways...

  • Slow Cooker – This is the original method for making crockpot Mississippi pot roast. It's simple, quick, and involves tossing in a couple of packets (see printables below and details/variations above), plus a bit of liquid and some butter. It’s cooked low and slow all day and is juicy and tender when you’re ready for supper.
  • Instant Pot – Due to the nature of pressure cooking, liquid of some sort is mandatory for operation. For this recipe, the beef broth works. For a pressure cooker larger than 6-quart, increase your liquid a little. Just to be safe.
  • Oven-Baked – Tried and true, classic cooking. Nothing much is different from the slow cooker method. It’s best to mix your seasoning packets and broth but that’s about it.
    And, as previously mentioned, this is a freezer meal. It works as a freezer meal before and after cooking. Before/raw, it will last about 3 months. As a precooked meal, 4 to 6 weeks.

Cheap and easy, quick and tasty Mississippi pot roast recipe for your crock pot! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Quick and Easy Crockpot Mississippi Pot Roast

Check out the printable recipe (below) and see how easy it is to cook using each method. Slight variations may be necessary, but they are listed. Now and then one way of cooking is more simple than another.

BUT if you don't remember to put your pot roast in the slow cooker before starting your day, you can still make the Mississippi pot roast in your oven or in your Instant Pot. And you’ll have a homemade, budget-friendly meal…with no hassles.

Super easy, deliciously tasty instant pot Mississippi roast! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

Homemade Ingredients for Mississippi Pot Roast

Man, oh, man. No matter how well you plan and shop there are times I forget something. There are also times you just can’t find it. I ran into that this morning while making another beef pot roast. Obviously, it isn’t ready to share yet, but I could NOT find the onion soup mix! So, I made my own homemade onion soup mix. 
BUT, just like that onion soup mix, you can make your own homemade ranch seasoning. It works great for this recipe and for our crockpot ranch pork chops too.

Quick and simple, super tasty mississippi roast in the oven! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freeze ahead directions!

Deliciously Simple Crock Pot Pepperoncini Beef Roast

More Roast Recipes

Here are a few more slow cooker roasts recipes for you to check out. They are quick and easy, fill up the freezer AND supply a home-cooked meal.
• 5-Ingredient Crockpot Roast
• 4-Ingredient Shredded Beef
• Pineapple Glazed Pork Loin
• Bacon Maple Garlic Pork Roast

Recipe

Simple and tasty, deliciously easy mississippi pot roast sandwiches! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Crockpot Mississippi Pot Roast [Oven, Instant Pot, & Freezer Meal Directions too]

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
Super simple, quick, and tasty Mississippi roast crock pot recipe! With slow cooker, oven-baked, instant pot, & freezer meal directions! I hope this recipe helps you with a quick & easy dinner idea. Enjoy! | SlowCookerKitchen.com
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Course Main
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 to 2- pound beef chuck roast
  • 1/2 packet or 1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning
  • 1/2 packet or 1 tablespoon dry Au Jus gravy mix
  • 1 cup beef broth water, or juice from the pepper jar (a mix of any or all, your choice)
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons butter cut into tiny pats
  • 5-6 pepperoncini pickled peppers

Alternative Full Meal & from Scratch Options

  • 2- pound beef chuck roast
  • 2 tablespoon ranch seasoning
  • 3/4 cup beef broth
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • 6 pepperoncini pickled peppers
  • 1/4 cup pepperoncini juice from the jar
  • 1 pound baby red potatoes
  • 1 pound carrot sticks

Instructions
 

Slow Cooker

  • Use the butter to liberally grease the slow cooker insert.
  • Place the pot roast in the center of the crockpot and surround it with vegetables (if using).
  • Sprinkle with seasoning packets, pour liquids over top, and dot with peppers and remaining butter.
  • 6-8 hours on low. High is not recommended (as it makes "pulling" the meat difficult).
  • Use forks to pull and make into sandwiches. Or top rice or pasta.
  • These sandwiches were made with white American cheese slices. But just about any type of cheeses complement the taste.

Instant Pot

  • Use half the butter to grease the pot. Pour broth into the bottom of instant pot insert.
  • Cut roast into 1 pound chunks, add vegetables if you're using them. Sprinkle seasoning and seasoning packets, dot with remaining butter and peppers, sprinkle with remaining liquids.
  • Close and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Allow to naturally release for 30 minutes. Pull beef as noted in the slow cooker section and thicken sauce per notes section if desired.

Oven-Baked

  • Assemble as per slow cooker directions. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Pull with forks and thicken as per the notes section. Serve on sandwiches or over rice/pasta.

Freezer Meal Directions

  • You can freeze this recipe before or after cooking.
  • If freezing beforehand pour the broth/pepper juice into the bottom of a 1-gallon resealable freezer bag. Lay the roast on a cutting board and sprinkle both sides with the ranch seasoning and the au jus mix. Gently drop it in the bag. Toss the peppers in on top. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • If freezing after cooking then allow it to cool completely. Refrigeration overnight is just fine. Freeze in portion-sized baggies or canisters. Label and freeze for 6 to 8 weeks.

Notes

If you'd like a thicker sauce, just make a corn starch slurry (2 tablespoons of cornstarch added to 1/3 cup cold water or beef broth and stir very well). Mix this slowly into the hot shredded meat and sauce. And then cook an additional 20 minutes for the slow cooker or 5 minutes on saute in the instant pot. For the stove, do this on the stove over medium-high heat by pouring off at least 1 cup of the roast sauce and putting it into a small saucepan and then adding the cornstarch slurry.
Slow Cooker Notes: You can double or triple this recipe. Add a bit more cooking time (30 to 60 minutes) for each pound of meat.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Kid friendly, super simple mississippi roast in oven! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freeze ahead directions!

Almost Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe

Amazingly Easy Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham [Pressure Cooker, Oven-Baked, Freezer, Crockpot Directions]

This Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes & Ham Recipe is amazingly simple, budget-friendly, and is an excellent side dish for any holiday or potluck. And one of the most helpful aspects is that there are a lot of different ways to cook it! For this recipe, your cooking options are instant pot, slow cooker, and oven-baked. And, naturally, it is freezer-safe too.

­­­­­­­I sometimes marvel at how many recipes you can make with potatoes, they are so multifaceted. Have a look at these recipes for some slow cooker and instant pot potato magic! Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole, Slow Cooker Sausage & Potatoes, and without a doubt, check out Crock Pot Chicken & Potatoes too!

Cheap and easy, quick and tasty scalloped potatoes and ham in slow cooker! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

instant pot potatoes au gratin

This pressure cooker scalloped potatoes recipe makes a delicious make-ahead meal. And there are SO many ways to approach freezer meals.

You do not have to spring in all at once into creating a month's worth of make ahead meals. Just a few freezer-friendly recipes now and then can lead to amazing cost savings…

Before we go any farther, let's get the legal stuff out of the way…this post may contain affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you purchase through these links. This will NOT increase your cost in any way. But does give you awesome recommendations that have been tested by myself or someone I dearly trust.

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Freezer Meal Options

These are just a couple of ideas to start on a freezer meal journey:

  1. Toss together a couple of batches of this instant pot scalloped potatoes and ham recipe. Make one for now and a second for next month. Choose a couple more recipes from our freezer meals section. Do this 2 or 3 times for 2 to 3 weeks. Write it down in this freebie meal planner and log the date. Nearly all uncooked freezer meals are good frozen for several months. In no time at all, you’ll have a nice stockpile of freezer meals and side dishes.
  2. Choose 3 to 5 recipes. Make sure and set each recipes’ serving options for your needs. Make a grocery list, go shopping, and mix them up per the freezer meal cooking instructions on each recipe. You do 5 recipes like this but x 2; you will have 10 meals and/or sides. And now! You've got meals made for at least ten days.
  3. Link up with our newsletter and to have a copy of my own freezer meals prepping sessions. You will receive 6 recipes, a printable menu, and easy to follow directions. It's of no cost to you and then you will receive an email when new ones are available.
Cheap and tasty, quick and easy crockpot scalloped potatoes and ham! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions!

crockpot scalloped potatoes

Au Gratin Potatoes and Ham Ingredients

Difference Between Au Gratin and Scalloped Potatoes

There is a lot of confusion (me included) between scalloped potatoes recipes and au gratin potato recipes. SO, I did some research. And in researching, I found out there is one major difference. Cheese!

Adding cheese is the only difference between making scalloped potatoes and au gratin potatoes. Scalloped potatoes have a cream or milk base. Au gratin potatoes have a milk/cream AND cheese base.

So next time you’re browsing and see a recipe for cheesy scalloped potatoes and ham. That IS au gratin potatoes and ham recipe too. Not that is matters really. It just always confused me and I wanted to clear it up. Hopefully, it can help you as well 😊

Varying Your Ingredients

There are so many great things about this recipe. And there are so many ways to modify it too! I'm not talking about just the differing cooking methods, I mean the ingredients. All you have to do is modifying 1 or 2 ingredients to have a new, delicious variation.

So, why would you want to change up the recipe once you like it? SALES my friend. Sales and bulk buying. Planning your meals, shopping sales, and bulk purchases are super smart moves you can do to help your budget. And knowing what the heck to do with bulk buys, that's how to get a stock of freezer meals, saving money AND far being able to relax a little more in the evenings.

Ham & Cheesy Potatoes Ingredient Variations:

  • Yukon Potatoes – We’re using Yukon potatoes because they are easy to find, yellow potato. And yellow potatoes hold together better than white/Russet potatoes. They are great to keep the layers from falling apart and your instant pot scalloped potatoes and ham turning into mashed potato lumps with ham. Try using any “waxy” potato you’d like, check out this potato brochure for more ideas.
  • Ham or Bacon – I have SO many ideas here. I am thinking that any meat will work. Any leftover meat! Or even a mixture of meats will work. This means no waste of leftovers. I have a bag going in the freezer with about a half cup of cooked ground beef from my make-ahead ground beef recipe and maybe 1 cup of excess smoked kielbasa type sausage from making sausage kolaches. I just need a little more leftovers to try making a mixed meat scalloped potatoes! I’m betting it’s going to be delicious, simple, and amazingly budget-friendly.
  • Cheese – This one, well…vary away. Or just leave it out. Any sort of cheese would work here. Even a soft cheese like ricotta or cottage cheese. They are both great for making casseroles.
  • Mushrooms – Not everyone appreciates mushrooms. One of my best friends makes sure they aren’t on the menu before he comes to dinner. But they aren’t mandatory for this recipe. You can use any canned or frozen vegetable you want.
  • Dill Weed – You can always vary your herbs and spices. And changing those up makes a world of difference. Try using Tony Chachere’s Cajun seasoning and ground sausage as your meat. Or maybe our homemade Mexican seasoning with make-ahead shredded chicken.

Scalloped Potatoes & Ham Cooking Variations

Now, I’ve made au gratin and scalloped potatoes for YEARS for Thanksgiving. But I always made them in the oven or made this crockpot scalloped potatoes recipe. And I figured it was time to try an instant pot potato recipe...

So for this recipe, I experimented with making scalloped potatoes and ham in an instant pot. It took a couple of tries, but it was worth it. It turned out very well 😊

  • Instant Pot – This pressure cooker method is two-part. Potatoes go in the instant pot first, then you bake the ingredients. IF you don’t want to do two steps, then don’t bake it. Just follow the directions in the printable below but dump everything in the instant pot after draining the potatoes and use your saute function to complete the dish.
  • Slow Cooker – Making crockpot scalloped potatoes and ham is super simple. Potatoes go on the bottom of a well-buttered crockpot insert, then the meat and veggie your using. Repeat and pour the dairy mixture over the top. Cook it and done. This is for a regular, oval slow cooker if you are using a casserole crockpot, layer your ingredients using the oven-baked method and check your potatoes for doneness after 5 hours.
  • Oven-Baked – This method is super simple and traditional. It’s delicious and there’s nothing special you need to do. Potatoes go on the bottom and everything else goes on the top. Make sure you have a covered baking dish or aluminum foil on hand so your dish doesn’t burn on top. Pstt...the oval one in the link above is my FAVORITE. I've been using it for a couple of decades :) 
  • And, of course, our instant pot scalloped potatoes and ham recipe is freezer friendly. See below for that.
Freezer friendly, quick and simple ham and scalloped potatoes crock pot! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

crock pot scalloped potatoes and ham

More Simple Potato Recipe Ideas

Like I said earlier, I sometimes marvel at the variety of recipes you can make with potatoes. They are some of the most budget-friendly recipes out there. They make everyone happy and fill up those hungry bellies. Here are a few more tasty potato ideas for you to check out. Enjoy!

 

Recipe

Super easy, kid friendly scalloped potatoes and ham in crock pot! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Cheesy Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes &Ham [Slow Cooker, Oven-Baked, Freezer Directions too]

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
Amazingly simple, budget-friendly easy scalloped potatoes and ham! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Course Main, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 8 medium Yukon potatoes washed and sliced (peeling is optional)
  • 2 cups diced ham or bacon
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 6 tablespoons butter melted
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese optional
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dill weed
  • Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions
 

All Recipe Variations

  • Whisk 4 tablespoons of the hot melted butter with the flour. Add the cream and eggs and beat until well combined. Add dill, salt, and pepper as desired. Set aside.

Slow Cooker

  • Use the last 2 tablespoons of the butter to grease the crockpot insert.
  • Layer half the potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Toss 1/2 the ham and mushrooms over the first layer of potatoes; top with half the cheese.
  • Do a second layer of potato sliced, then the ham, mushrooms, and lastly the cheese.
  • Drizzle the egg mixture over the top.
  • Cover and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours.
  • When the potatoes are tender and the egg/cream mixture is set, your dish is done!

Instant Pot

  • Pour 1 cup of water or chicken broth into instant pot insert. Add sliced potatoes and close.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees sometime in here so it's ready.
  • Use your steam function and set it to 10 minutes. Allow to naturally release at least 10 minutes.
  • Remove insert and drain the remaining liquid. Add ham, mushrooms, and half the cheese. Stir.
  • Pour in the egg mixture and stir well. Pour into a buttered, oven-safe baking dish, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and cook @ 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Oven-Baked

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Use 2 tablespoons of butter to grease a 9x13 oven-safe baking dish.
  • Layer the potatoes on the bottom, then toss in the ham and mushrooms.
  • Sprinkle on most of the cheese, pour on the egg mixture, and top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake covered for 40 minutes. Remove lid/foil and bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes.

Freezer Meal

  • Label a 1-gallon freezer bag with recipe name and creation or "use by" date (6 to 8 weeks for this recipe). Make a note on the label and on your freezer meal planner that you will need 6 to 8 medium Russet potatoes when making this dish.
  • Toss the ham/bacon and mushrooms into the freezer bag.
  • Mix the egg mixture per the above directions under "all recipe variations". Pour into a sandwich bag, seal while removing as much air as possible, and toss into 1-gallon bag.
  • Pour shredded cheese into the second sandwich bag and toss it into a gallon bag.
  • Defrost in refrigerator before cooking. Knead the egg mixture baggie very well before pouring over the dish.

Notes

* If using bacon or a fatty ham, your meat should be precooked to at least 3/4's done. If using ham leftovers or any sort of precooked ham, disregard this note.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Quick & Easy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup [for Your Slow Cooker, Stovetop, Freezer & Instant Pot]

This cheap & tasty Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe is quick and easy, budget-friendly, and will warm your body and soul on a cold winter’s day. And the kicker is that there are several ways to make it! For this recipe, your cooking choices are using a slow cooker, pressure cooker, and stovetop. And, naturally, it is freezer friendly as well.

­­­­­­­I am astounded at all the meals you can do with chicken, it is so handy! Check out these recipes for some more slow cooker chicken inspiration; Creamy Chicken & Rice, Chicken & Potato Dinner and definitely check out 5-Ingredient Chicken Stroganoff!

5-Minute, quick and tasty chicken and rice slow cooker soup! With slow cooker, stovetop, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions! I hope this recipe helps you save some time and stress less. Enjoy! | SlowCookerKitchen.com
Amazingly Easy Chicken And Rice Soup In Your Crock Pot

This chicken and rice soup slow cooker recipe turns into an excellent freezer meal. And there are lots of ways to approach freezer-friendly recipes.

You have no reason to leap in immediately into making a bunch of make ahead meals. Just a few freezer meals now and then can help save your budget…

Before we go any farther, let's get the legal stuff out of the way…this post may contain affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you purchase through these links. This will NOT increase your cost in any way. But does give you awesome recommendations that have been tested by myself or someone I dearly trust.

Deliciously easy, kid approved chicken and rice soup crockpot recipe! With slow cooker, stovetop, instant pot, & freezer meal directions! I hope this recipe helps you feed & please the family. Enjoy! | Slow Cooker Kitchen

Kid Approved Instant Pot Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Freezer Meal Options

Here are a couple of ideas to start on a freezer meal journey:

  1. Throw together two batches of one recipe. This chicken & rice soup for the slow cooker, instant pot, or your stovetop...well, it's a great place to start. Now it’s simple. Make one for supper and freezer the other for next week. Do this 2 or 3 times for a couple of weeks. Make a log in a meal planning journal and don't forget to add a created or "consume by" date. The bulk of uncooked freezer meals will keep for up to 3 months... You will have made multiple freezer meals in just a couple of weeks!
  2. Select 3 to 5 recipes. Make sure and set the serving options inside the printable recipe for your needs BUT times two. Make a grocery list, go shopping if need be, and mix them up per the freezer meal directions on each recipe. You do 5 recipes like this and double it; you obviously get 10. And now! You've got meals made for at least ten days. Woo hoo!
  3. Or join our newsletter and to have a copy of my own make ahead meals prepping sessions. You'll get six recipes, menus, and simple to follow instructions. It's of no cost to you and you'll get notified when new ones are available.

Deliciously simple, cheap and easy chicken and rice soup crock pot recipe! With slow cooker, stovetop, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions! I hope this recipe helps you for a quick, budget-friendly dinner idea. Enjoy! | SlowCookerKitchen.com

Super Tasty Instant Pot Chicken Soup With Rice

Main Ingredients

There are so many reasons I love this recipe. And there are so many variations! Not only the varying cooking techniques but the actual ingredients. All it takes is switching out a couple of ingredients to have a new, delicious variation.

The main ingredients for this crockpot chicken and rice soup are:

    • Chicken – Boneless chicken of ANY type can be used for this recipe. But you can substitute ANY meat you wish. Just make sure if you go with pork that most of the fat is removed before proceeding. I also recommend pre-cutting beef or pork for soup. Sometimes it isn’t as easy to shred unless you cook it much longer, then your rice isn’t going to be happy.
    • Rice – Rice is the second key ingredient we’re using. But you can also use wild rice. This recipe turns into an amazing chicken and wild rice soup. And it’s very simple. BUT you can also use noodles. Do you remember eating chicken and stars as a kid? Barilla makes several delicious pasta noodles specifically for soup.  Any of these would be a great asset to stock your pantry. 

    • Chicken Broth – I use a lot of broth. I make broth. Seldom does a meat or vegetable scrape get tossed from this kitchen. It’s super easy and very good for you. But, there isn’t always time to go the homemade route. And my absolute favorite broth to keep on hand is Swanson. To me, it seems to be the most consistent in taste and seasoning. And, if you are short on space, my favorite bouillon is Better Than Bouillon. They have an amazing range of flavors to choose from as well as vegetarian and low sodium options.

Why Go to All That Trouble?

And the reason for changing up the recipe a bit? So we can shop for those meat sales and purchase them in bulk. Menu planning, sales shopping, and purchasing in bulk are the best things you can do for your food budget. And knowing what the heck to do with bulk buys, that is the ticket to get stockpiles make-ahead dinners, saving $$$ AND far less stress in your life.

This freezer meal cooking session is part of a bulk meal assembly by shopping meat sales. Of course, I don't intend to make and eat crockpot chicken and rice soup for that many meals back to back, that isn’t the end game either. And if you can shop the bulk meat sales for 2 or 3 weeks, you can rotate that stash. AND we made a printable meal prep calendar you are most welcome to download so we can all track our purchases and meal prep.

Super easy, deliciously tasty chicken & rice soup crock pot recipe! With slow cooker, stovetop, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions! I hope this recipe helps you feed your brood & brings smiles all around. Enjoy! | Slow Cooker Kitchen

Quick Easy Chicken And Rice Soup Crockpot Recipe

Cooking Variations & Options

This chicken & rice soup was made in the crockpot. It CAN be cooked in multiple ways.

  • Crockpot Method – This option is simple. It all gets tossed in and cooked. PLEASE be careful about the type of rice you get. Long-grained rice is the only rice I would cook in the crockpot for a full meal cook time. Short-grained rice will turn to mush. If you have short grain or instant rice, just leave it out until the end. Turn the slow cooker to high, stir the soup, and add the rice and veggies. It will take about an hour to cook if your vegetables are still frozen. About 40 minutes if you had defrosted them previously.
    Amazingly easy, kid friendly instant pot chicken and wild rice soup! With slow cooker, stovetop, pressure cooker, & freeze ahead directions! I hope this recipe helps you remove some stress about "whats for dinner". Enjoy! | Slow Cooker Kitchen

    5 Minute Chicken And Rice Soup In The Crockpot

  • Instant Pot Method – This is a great option if you forget to toss your soup in the crockpot before leaving. Or if you simply prefer pressure cooking. Both work. It takes, in total, about 45 minutes to make instant pot chicken & rice soup. 18 minutes is the actual cook time. You have warm-up and cool down in there too.
  • Stovetop Method – Cooking your soup on the stovetop is a great option if you are going to be in your kitchen. I wouldn’t recommend leaving your stove for safety reasons. But cooking it on the stove will take about the same amount of time as the pressure cooking method.
  • And, as previously mentioned, this works as a freezer meal too.

Check out the printable recipe (below) and see how easy it is to cook using each method. Slight variations may be necessary, but they are listed in the printable. Now and then one cooking method is more simple than another BUT if you don't remember to start your chicken and rice soup in the slow cooker before starting your day, you can still have a homemade, budget-saving dinner… without much fuss.

More Slow Cooker Chicken Soup Recipes

I adore slow cooker chicken recipes. They are amazingly easy, add to your stockpile AND supply a home-cooked meal.

Here are a couple of our most popular chicken and slow cooker soup recipes. Enjoy!

Recipe

7-Ingredient, amazingly easy crockpot chicken and rice soup! With slow cooker, stovetop, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions! I hope this recipe helps you for a quick, budget-friendly dinner idea. Enjoy! | SlowCookerKitchen.com

Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
Amazingly simple, 5-Minute chicken and rice soup in the crockpot! With slow cooker, stovetop, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions! I hope this recipe helps you with your dinner preps, meal planning, and budget management. Enjoy!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

Slow Cooker

  • Combine chicken, 4 cups of chicken broth, vegetables, and rice in a slow cooker.
  • Cover, and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
  • If your soup is too thick, add a bit more broth. Stir in seasonings and add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Recover and allow to rest 20 minutes before serving.

Stovetop

  • Add the chicken and 4 cups of broth to a boil. Turn burner to medium-low and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Remove chicken and use 2 forks to shred. Turn the heat back to medium-high. Add chicken, frozen vegetables, rice, and seasonings. Bring to boil.
  • Turn the heat back to medium-low and cook until rice and vegetables are tender. About 20 minutes.
  • Add more broth as needed for desired consistency. Allow the soup to rest 10 minutes before serving.

Instant Pot

  • Follow slow cooker directions and use the manual setting for 18 minutes with the vent closed.
  • Allow to naturally vent for 10 minutes, then quick release.
  • Add more liquid as desired if your soup is too thick for your taste. Recover and allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Freezer Meal

  • Label your freezer bag with the name and date. Add notes that you will need 4 to 6 cups of chicken broth and your seasonings when making this meal.
  • Pour the rice into a sandwich bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal. Set aside.
  • Add chicken and celery to a 1-gallon freezer bag. Toss in the rice bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal.
  • Stack and tape the chicken bag with the frozen vegetable bag.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Amazingly Easy 5-Minute Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup - Instant Pot, Stove-Top & Freezer Directions Too!

This cheap and easy Crock Pot Broccoli Potato Cheese Soup is amazingly easy, takes 5-minutes and will please everyone with a warm, comforting meal. It will fill those bellies and soothe your soul with its warm, creamy deliciousness.

And best of all there are several ways to cook it! For this recipe, your cooking alternatives are crockpot, stovetop, and electric pressure cooker. And, naturally, it works as a freezer meal too.

Cheap and tasty, quick and easy broccoli cheese soup crock pot! With crockpot, stove-top, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions!
Quick Simple Broccoli And Cheese Crockpot Soup

­­­­­­­I am personally astounded at all the varies of soup that exists. The list is amazingly detailed and goes on and on. The same for potatoes, you can list potato recipes all day and never hit the end. Still, when you add potatoes and soup together you get one of the most comforting, scrumptiously simple slow cooker meals you can think of.

For more delicious soup recipes, check out Creamy Hamburger Soup, Chicken Pot Pie Soup, or this Beef & Barley Soup.

And for a few super simple, slow cooker potato ideas, you can look at Sausage & Potatoes, Hamburger Potato Casserole, or this Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes.

 

Before we go any farther, let's get the legal stuff out of the way…this post may contain affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you purchase through these links. This will NOT increase your cost in any way. But does give you awesome recommendations that have been tested by myself or someone I dearly trust.

This broccoli cheese soup recipe that I made using my crockpot makes an excellent freezer meal. And there are lots of ways to create freezer-friendly recipes. You by no means need to jump in all at once into doing a month's worth of freezer meals. Just a few now and then can save you $$$…

Simple and tasty, deliciously easy potato broccoli cheese soup in crock pot! With slow cooker, skillet-cooked, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions!
Deliciously Simple Broccoli Cheese Soup In Crock Pot

Broccoli Cheese Crockpot Soup Freezer Meal Options

These are just a couple of ideas to begin on your freezer meal journey:

  1. Mix this broccoli cheese soup up as a double recipe. Make one for dinner and freeze the second for later. Do this 2 or 3 times with a couple of different recipes for a few weeks. Write it down in this freebie meal planner and log the date. The majority of uncooked freezer friendly recipes are good frozen for several months so you don't have any worries there... And then you'll have made multiple freezer meals in just a couple of weeks.
  2. Choose 3-5 simple slow cooker recipes. Make sure and set the number of servings for your needs (that's in the printable area). Make your list, go shopping if need be, and mix them up per the freezer meal cooking instructions on each recipe. If you prep 5 recipes using this method but x 2; you will have 10 meals. So there! You have meals prepped for at least ten days.
  3. Or join our newsletter and to get a free copy of one of our make-ahead meals prepping sessions. You'll get six recipes, menus, and simple to follow instructions. It's a freebie and you'll get notified when new ones are available.
Cheap Tasty Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup
Cheap Tasty Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli Cheese Soup Ingredients You’ll Need

There are so many reasons this recipe is on our rotating menu. And there are so many variations! Not only the varying cooking techniques but the actual ingredients. All you have to do is switch out a couple of ingredients to have a new, delicious variation.

Your ingredients for this broccoli cheese crockpot soup are:

  • Onions – Onions add flavor. But they aren’t mandatory. If you’re not an onion fan. Delete them. OR if you are cool with them an excellent variation is leeks. You can substitute leeks very easily and there is nothing special that needs doing. Just sub them out a cup for a cup.
  • Butter – I haven’t tried substitutions with butter honestly. I like the flavor it adds. BUT in any sort o slow cooker soup, a healthy alternative would be olive oil. Using olive oil for this recipe and decreasing your cheese would add an extremely healthy twist for this recipe.
  • Hash Brown - Frozen, shoestring hash browns are an excellent shortcut. They usually aren’t out of our budget ballpark and they are already frozen for the freezer meal prep. This is a nice bonus. BUT you can always add regular potatoes. Fresh is cheaper and probably healthier too. Another excellent substitution would be sweet potatoes or maybe even butternut squash.
  • Chicken Broth – Now, the chicken broth. This is the base for your recipe. But here again, there are many alternative flavors and subs you could try. I’ve personally used beef broth and ham broth when making potato soup. And if you like your broccoli cheese soup with ham…just substitute ham flavored Better than Bouillon and add 2 cups of pre-cooked ham. Easy peasy.
  • Broccoli – Broccoli would obviously be a staple in any broccoli cheese soup recipe. But for substitutions, I’ve used spinach, kale, and cauliflower. The spinach and kale we enjoyed very much, the cauliflower I don’t personally recommend…you might like it though. Give it a shot if you want. I’d love to hear from you if it works out. Heck, write to me anyway! I’d like to know if you make the soup 😊
  • Heavy Cream – Cream adds the (snort) creaminess to the recipe. But if you can’t have dairy OR it’s got too much fat for your dietary needs you can always use a cornstarch slurry. You may need to add more spices, as cornstarch doesn’t add any flavor. It’s just a thickening agent.
  • Cheddar Cheese – Boy, oh boy.  HERE is where the flavor changes big time. There are SO many kinds of cheeses out there. And if it’s been on sale or in my refrigerator about to go bad, I’ve probably substituted it. Most have worked out very well. Some have just been okay. I’ve subbed mozzarella, swiss, smoked cheddar, cream cheese, and Velveeta that I can think of.  You need about half the cream cheese as there is listed in the recipe. I don’t recommend using cottage or ricotta as a substitute. Those were nasty in this recipe.

Why Substitute Ingredients?

But why would you want to change up the recipe once you like it? SALES my friend. Sales and bulk buying. Menu planning, sales shopping, and purchasing in bulk are the greatest moves you can do to help your budget.

And knowing the steps with your sales shopping purchases, that's how to get a stock of freezer meals, being thrifty AND far never wondering what's for dinner again.

 

Super easy, deliciously tasty slow cooker broccoli cheese soup! With slow cooker, stove-top, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!
Amazingly Simple Broccoli Cheese Slow Cooker Soup

This freezer meal excursion is part of the frozen meal prep. Of course, this isn't intended to eat just soup or just potatoes for multiple meals in a row, that isn’t my intention. But if you can hit the sales for a couple of weeks, you can start rotating those meals. AND we made a printable meal prep calendar you are most welcome to download it to keep track of your purchases.

Broccoli and Cheese Crockpot Soup - Cooking Variations

This broccoli cheese soup is cooked in our crockpot. It CAN be cooked in several ways. All cooking options are listed in detail in the printable at the bottom of this post.

  • Slow Cooker Method – Super simple here, just toss it in with the butter and onions on the bottom. This will actually slightly caramelize the onions and make them super soft. Save the dairy items until right before dinner. Save the broccoli too if you want larger, firmer chunks. If you don’t care, toss it in at the beginning.
  • Instant Pot Option – This one isn’t much different than the crockpot method. But it’s best to use your sauté function and precook the onions. They don’t always cook through for me if I don’t.
  • Stovetop – The old-fashioned way. But, I guess, slow cooker cooking is approaching old fashioned since it’s been around so long... anyway, using a Dutch oven is the best option. If you don’t have one then a stockpot or a large, deep skillet is best.
  • And, as previously mentioned, it’s a freezer meal as well. Freeze according to the directions in the printable below and enjoy this broccoli cheese slow cooker soup using any method listed above 😊

5-Minute, quick and tasty potato broccoli cheese soup slow cooker! With slow cooker, stove-top, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!
Amazingly Easy Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup

View the printable recipe and check out how simple cooking with each method can be. Occasionally one cooking technique is more simple than another BUT if you don't remember to toss your broccoli cheese soup in the crockpot with your morning chores, you can still have a homemade, budget-friendly meal… without hassle.

Crockpot Broccoli and Cheese Soup – Using Homemade Ingredients

Most of the ingredients in this soup are already from scratch, but there are a few you can change around and alternate to make it completely from scratch.

  • The main one would be chicken broth. Making broth from scratch is amazingly simple. And it doesn’t take much time either. You simply toss your chicken carcass in your slow cooker before bed, add veggie scraps if desired, cover with water, and cook it on low for 12 to 20 hours. That sounds like a lot, and it is. But cooking it so long will get all the flavor and nutrients out of the leftovers. You can read all about making bone broth here.
  • Secondly, you can make homemade hash browns. Or, you can opt to add peeled, diced potatoes when you put your soup on to cook. If/when I use fresh potatoes, I usually peel and diced them, rinse well, and put them in a bowl so the potatoes are submerged. I leave this in the refrigerator until the next morning. But, as previously stated, you CAN make hash browns. It’s a little time consuming, but not difficult. The Pioneer Woman has a great method for making them, and you don’t have to blanch the potatoes using her method either. I DO suggest a food processor though. It will make the job MUCH easier than a manual grater.
  • Lastly, you can shred your own cheese. You can actually MAKE your own cheese too. But I know little about how to do that. So, I will just leave it a shred your own cheese if you have time. It is supposed to be tastier and cheaper. I honestly don’t know if it is or not. I’ve never put the pen to paper on it. But if making homemade cheddar cheese is a thing you’d like to try, check out Cultures for Health’s article on making homemade cheddar.

Recipe

Super easy, deliciously tasty slow cooker broccoli cheese soup! With slow cooker, stove-top, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Deliciously Simple Crockpot Broccoli And Cheese Soup

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
Freezer friendly, quick and simple broccoli and cheese soup in the crockpot, instant pot, or stove-top! With freezer-friendly directions too! I hope this recipe helps you with a quick & easy dinner idea. Enjoy! | Slow Cooker Kitchen
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 7 hours
Course dinner, Main, Slow Cooker
Cuisine American, Comfort Food
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 1/2 pounds frozen hash browns
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3 cups fresh or frozen broccoli
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Slow Cooker

  • Use the butter to liberally grease the slow cooker. Leave leftover butter in the bottom of the crockpot insert.
  • Layer ingredients in the slow cooker in the following order: onions, hash browns, and broccoli. Pour chicken broth over the top.
  • Cover and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours. High, 3 to 4 hours. See Notes, please.
  • Turn slow cooker to high and use an immersion blender as described in the stovetop directions.
  • Slow stir in the cream. Add cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and allow the cheese to mostly melt.

Stove Top

  • In a large dutch oven saute onion in butter. Add potatoes and chicken broth.
  • Cover, bring to a boil, and cook it for about 15 minutes. Or until the potatoes are tender.
  • Use an immersion blender to puree to your desired consistency.
  • Slowly stir in the cream. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add the frozen broccoli and cook another 15 minutes.
  • Add cheese, stir, and heat soup through until cheese is melted.

Electric Pressure Cooker

  • Use the saute function to lightly brown the diced onion in the melted butter for 5-7 minutes.
  • Add hash browns and chicken broth. Cover and set to soup function for 20 minutes.
  • Open and use the immersion blender as described in stovetop directions if desired. Add broccoli, close, and cook another 10 minutes.
  • Unlock and remove the lid. Slowly stir in cream. Add cheese, salt, and pepper and stir again.
  • Cover and allow to heat through before serving.

Freezer Meal

  • Toss the onions and butter into a small sandwich bag. Set aside.
  • Label a gallon freezer bag with the name of the recipe and a note that you will need 1 cup of heavy cream when cooking.
  • Pour your chicken broth into the freezer bag OR make an additional note on your freezer bag that you'll need that as well (this is up to you, and completely depends on your organization strategy and how much freezer room you personally have).
  • Stack your bags. Hashbrowns on the bottom and bag with a label on top. broccoli, onion bag, and cheese bag in the middle. Use freezer tape or painter's tape to wrap ingredients together.
  • Freeze flat and freeze up to 8 weeks. Make a note on your freezer meal calendar so you don't forget about it :)

Notes

Time Saving Tip! Purchase pre-diced, frozen onions, and the frozen broccoli in the tip below, and this recipe will take you LESS than 5 minutes to toss in your slow cooker.
For the freezer meal option, use frozen broccoli. For the slow cooker freezer meal option: If cooking from frozen you may need to add another hour to the low cook time.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Slow Cooker Soup Recipes

I am occasionally awestruck by slow cooker soups. They are amazingly easy, stock the freezer, AND supply a home-cooked meal. Here are a few more crock pot soup ideas…

Super easy, kid approved broccoli cheese slow cooker soup! With crockpot, skillet-cooked, pressure cooker, & freezer meal directions!

Amazingly Easy Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup

Amazingly Simple Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Chicken Wings

These tasty Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Chicken Wings are amazingly simple, kid-approved, and will make a delicious movie night treat. And the cherry on top is that there are a number of ways to make this dish! For this recipe, your cooking choices include crockpot, oven-baked, and pressure cooker. And, naturally, this recipe is freezer friendly too.

Cheap and tasty, super simple crockpot honey BBQ chicken wings! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions! I hope this recipe helps you feed everyone & makes them smile. Enjoy! | Slow Cooker Kitchen

 

­­­­­­­I am often shocked by all the stuff you can create with chicken wings and especially chicken. It is so multipurpose. Check out these recipes for some chicken recipe inspiration; Slow Cooker Chicken & Rice, Chicken Breast Dinner with Gravy, and for sure this Chicken Pot Pie Soup.

Before we go any farther, let's get the legal stuff out of the way...this post may contain affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you purchase through these links. This will NOT increase your cost in any way. But does give you awesome recommendations that have been tested by myself or someone I dearly trust.

 

This slow cooker BBQ chicken wing recipe makes the perfect freezer meal. It's freezer-friendly before AND after cooking so there is absolutely NO waste.

I just love freezer meals. No waste, no stress, and so simple to prep. And there are SO many ways to do freezer meals.

Btw, if you're interested in trying freezer meals, you do NOT have to jump in feet first into making a bunch. Just a couple of make ahead meals here and there can save you a ton of money…

BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Wings Freezer Meal Options

Here are just a few options to begin on your freezer meal journey:

  1. Toss together two batches of one recipe. Make one for dinner and freeze the second for later. Do this 2 or 3 times for a couple of weeks. Make a log in this meal planning journal and don't forget to add a created or "consume by" date. Most cooked freezer meals are fine for up to 3 months. You will be stocked up in just a couple of weeks.
  2. Pair this easy BBQ chicken wing recipe with maybe 3 more recipes. Be sure to click the button for the number of servings you'll need for your family.
    1. Next, make a grocery list and go shopping if necessary.
    2. Now, toss them together per the freezer-friendly recipes instructions on each recipe. You do 5 recipes like this and double it; you obviously get 10. Taa Daa! You've got meals made for at least 10 days.
  3. Or join our newsletter and receive one of our own freezer meals cooking sessions. You'll get 6 recipes, a printable menu, and step-by-step directions. It's free and you'll get notified as new publications and recipes go live.

Quick and easy, budget friendly honey bbq chicken wings! With slow cooker, oven, pressure cooker, & freeze ahead directions! | SlowCookerKitchen.com
Quick Tasty Sticky Sweet Chicken Wings

Slow Cooker BBQ Wings Ingredients & Variations

These are your main five ingredients for making some yummy honey bbq chicken wings. But there are SO many interesting ways you can vary your ingredients. Each and every swap out gives you a new kind of deliciousness :)

Main Ingredients & Optional Subs

The main 5 ingredients you need for these barbecue slow cooker chicken wings are:

  • Chicken Wings – But do you NEED chicken wings? Nope! Why not use chicken tenders or chicken thighs?
  • Barbecue Sauce – Is barbecue sauce a must? Nope. Some sort of sauce is but you could also use Sriracha sauce or teriyaki sauce too! Both would be yummy following these exact directions.
  • Honey – Now, I’ll be honest…I’m a super honey fan. This one is our absolute favorite. It's excellent and SO good for you. BUT you can always change stuff up so it doesn't get boring. And you can jazz this up with a little maple syrup? And I mean the good stuff that comes straight out of the tree. Well, not STRAIGHT out of the tree. But close. The consistency is pretty close to honey, so you’d not need a thickening agent at all.
  • Soy Sauce (this one is our favorite) – Or Bragg's soy alternative. I prefer soy myself but aminos work better for some. And as far as changing up the recipe, substituting soy for Worcestershire sauce works very well in this recipe and many more.
  • Sesame Seeds – Sesame seeds are delicious. They are also VERY good for you and add a nice texture. But there is no reason that chopped chives or diced green onions couldn’t be used as a sub here.

So. Do you get me? You can vary your recipe is SO many ways it isn’t even the same recipe anymore 😊

Why You Should Vary Your Recipes

And the reason for changing up the recipe a bit? SALES my friend. Sales and bulk buying. Meal prep, bulk buying, and sales shopping are the best things you can do for your food budget.

And knowing the steps with your sales shopping purchases, that is the ticket to get a stocked freezer, saving money AND far less stress in your life.

Quick and tasty, cheap and easy crockpot bbq chicken wings! With slow cooker, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions! | Slow Cooker Kitchen
How To Make Chicken Wings In A Crock Pot

This freezer meal excursion is part of cooking in bulk by utilizing meat sales. Now, you may not want to eat honey BBQ slow cooker chicken wings for a whole week, BUT that isn’t the goal here. See all the excellent substitute ideas above if you want to make LOTS of delicious chicken wing recipes.

But again, that isn't our goal. Not 5 pounds of BBQ chicken wings. It's about shopping sales for 2 or 3 weeks and rotating your meal prep. You can use this printable freezer meal calendar so we can all track our purchases and meal prep.

BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Wings - Cooking Methods

These barbecue chicken wings were made in the slow cooker, then baked for just a bit to a slight glaze and crunch, THEN they went back in the in my Cuisinart Multi Cooker to be kept warm and ready all through our movie.

But, is all that necessary? Or do you HAVE to make them in your slow cooker? Nope again 😊 They CAN be made in several ways.

  • They can be made exclusively in the slow cooker, the oven step only adds a bit of crispiness.
  • BBQ chicken wings can also easily be made in the instant pot as well.

Note: BOTH slow cooker BBQ wings and pressure cooker chicken wings will be tastier if you toss the cooked chicken wings into the oven for 5 to 10 minutes on broil. THEN return them to the slow cooker's warm setting to keep tasty for several hours and snacking.

  • You can also JUST bake your honey barbecue chicken wings, but they will not be as tender or juicy.
  • And, as previously mentioned, slow cooker BBQ wings make an excellent freezer meal.

Cheap and easy, deliciously simple slow cooker honey bbq chicken wings. With slow cooker, baked, instant pot, & freezer friendly directions! | SlowCookerKitchen.com
Easy Chicken Wings In Crock Pot

You can check out the printable recipe (see below) and see the exact cooking times and required variations per recipe. Sometimes one cooking method is far easier than another.

BUT if you forget to toss your BBQ wings in the slow cooker before you get busy with other stuff, you'll still be able to have your own homemade, budget saving snacks… without much fuss.

Barbecue Slow Cooker Chicken Homemade Ingredients

Any kind of chicken wings recipe is awesome. Now, for me, honey BBQ chicken wings made in my slow cooker are the fav. I LOVE the tender juiciness that crockpot cooking offers. But again, broiling them for just 5 minutes can add a delicious, caramelized coating that throughs this recipe right over the top.

Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce

Though I don’t do it often, I sometimes make a homemade barbecue sauce that works well for just about any barbecue recipe. It does take a little cook time. But when I need it, I toss my ingredients in the crockpot in the evening…and it’s ready the next morning.

Kid approved, amazingly tasty crock pot honey barbecue chicken wings! With slow cooker, baked, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions! | Slow Cooker Kitchen
Amazingly Easy Chicken Wings Crock Pot Bbq

It can then be refrigerated to use in the evening. It can also be refrigerated for up to 3 weeks to use when you need it.

BTW, the links below are to the ingredients I use. You can purchase them in bulk and save money on this part of cooking too. Or you can purchase them at the grocery as you need them, your choice :)

Recipe

homemade honey bbq sauce

Homemade Crock Pot Barbecue Sauce

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
Cheap and tasty, super simple homemade honey bbq sauce! I hope this recipe helps you with a quick & easy budget friendly recipe. Enjoy! | SlowCookerKitchen.com
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Sauces
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Spray or oil your slow cooker insert.
  • Combine all ingredients and stir well.
  • Cook for 6 to 8 hours on low; or even overnight.
  • Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Homemade Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Wings

Homemade Recipes & Substitutes for Soy Sauce

I have never made homemade soy sauce, but there are several substitutes that are available. Some folks can’t have soy sauce due to the gluten. Coconut aminos are a great alternative if your system can’t handle gluten.

And this Healthline article can tell you all about the different alternatives. It also offers links to several homemade soy sauce substitutes.

Honey 101

There is no substitute for honey. And we can’t make it, our friendly neighborhood bees do that for us. And all we must do is supply them with flowers and blooming plants. They do the rest.

My father-in-law used to have several beehives on our farm before he passed. I never got into it myself. It’s something I intend to try when we aren’t traveling for work so much.

So, if you’d like to learn about having your own hobby bees check out the aptly named Backyard Hive’s Beekeeping 101.

More Slow Cooker Chicken Deliciousness

I do love slow cooker chicken recipes. So below, there are links to MORE delicious chicken recipes you might like. Each and every one of them works as a freezer meal AND can be prepped in less than 10 minutes. Most in 5 minutes or less.

But why do I love those chicken recipes so much? Several reasons. But mostly because they are quick and simple, fill up the freezer AND feed those hungry bellies. Check out a few more of the recipes we have to offer. Let me know if you have any questions.

Recipe

Amazingly Easy Chicken Wings Crock Pot Bbq 1

Asian Twist Honey BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Wings

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
Cheap and easy, kid friendly slow cooker honey BBQ chicken wings! With crockpot, oven-baked, pressure cooker, & freeze ahead directions! I hope this recipe helps you with your meal preps, saving money, and having an EXCELLENT movie night snack. Enjoy! | Slow Cooker Kitchen
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups barbecue sauce
  • 1/4 cup sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup hot sauce
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup cold water
  • 2 chili peppers
  • 2 sprigs rosemary optional
  • 20 chicken wings
  • 2 limes
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions
 

Slow Cooker:

  • Mix the cornstarch into the cold water. Mix until well incorporated and no lumps are left.
  • Add the barbecue sauce, sesame oil, hot sauce, white vinegar, honey, soy sauce, garlic powder, and chili powder. Stir well.
  • Pour over chicken wings in a slow cooker. Low 5-7 hours; High 3 1/2-4. If frozen 7-9 hrs on low.
  • OPTIONAL STEP: Preheat the oven to broil and broil wings on a single layer on a parchment-lined cookie sheet for 4-5 mins.
  • Flip the wings. Brush or pour (depending on how saucy you want the wings) sauce from the crockpot over the wings.
  • Return to oven and broil an additional 5 minutes.

Freezer Directions:

  • Mix sauce as per steps 1 & 2. Seal in bag #1.
  • Add chicken wings to bag #2. Wash the limes and toss whole into the bag with the chicken wings.
  • Place sesame seeds in a sandwich or snack-sized bag and toss in with the chicken wings too.
  • Tape the bags together using freezer or painters tape. Label and freeze.
  • Remove the limes and sesame seeds from the chicken bag before cooking. You will need them when serving.

Instant Pot Directions:

  • Freeze chicken separately from the sauce.
  • Add chicken wings to instant pot plus 1 cups of water.
  • Cover, seal, and manually set to high pressure for 8 minutes. Natural release for 10 minutes.
  • Pour the premade sauce into a bowl. Use tongs to add cooked chicken wings to the sauce. Toss to coat.
  • Broil as directed in the "OPTIONAL STEP" listed above.

Oven-Baked Method:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Add the chicken wings to the sauce bag. Close and shake well to coat.
  • Spray a 9x13 baking dish.
  • Place the wings in a single layer in the baking dish.
  • Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, turn wings, brush or dap with more sauce and return to oven for 20-25 more minutes.

Notes

Chili peppers tip: Remove seeds if you want a milder flavor, leave them if you want it HOT. PS: WHERE GLOVES.
Serving Suggestions: Squeeze lime over the chicken and sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
Keyword sticky bbq chicken wings, slow cooker bbq chicken wings, pressure cooker bbq chicken wings, slow cooker bbq wings, crock pot chicken wings bbq
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Deliciously Simple Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Crock Pot Beef and NoodlesCan You Say Comfort Food?

If you're looking for comfort food to the extreme you need to try this crock pot beef and noodles recipe!  Amazingly simple and uber delicious it is :)

  • It takes about 5 minutes to prep...
  • You can make it with 5 to 7 ingredients...
  • You will be DROOLING when you smell it cooking...
  • It's even better the next day...
  • You can freeze the leftovers up to a month, but probably won't have any!

Homemade Beef and Noodles Recipe Table of Contents

Recipe Video

Click here for Pinnable & Printables

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles Step-by-Step

Step 1: Gather your ingredients

beef and noodles ingredients

Spray, oil or butter your slow cooker insert Trust me, don't skip this step...you'll hate yourself later if you don't

Step 2: Dice up the meat...

beef roast cut into tipsToss it in the slow cooker

Step 3: Mix your canned soups, soup mix, and gravy mix...

beef and noodles prep

Add 4 cups of water...

beef & noodles
Pour over the beef tips & stir it all up...

slow cooker beef
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours

Step 4: 30 to 45 minutes before serving this is what it'll look like...

crockpot beef and noodles
Turn the crockpot to high before proceeding so it'll heat up...

Step 5: Add the seasoning sauce, mushrooms, and noodles...

crock pot beef & noodles
Stir and squish down the noodles to be under the liquid

Step 6: Cover and cook on high for 30 to 90 more minutes... this is going to vary as a matter of personal preference :)

beef and noodles

Epic deliciousness awaits you!

Beef & Noodles Printable

Recipe

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen
This simple and easy slow cooker beef and noodles recipe is amazingly delicious! And we're providing alternate cooking options here too. So even if you forget to toss it in the crockpot, you can still make it in your instant pot, on the stove-top or bake it in the oven. You can also opt for making it a freezer meal. Then you can have it on hand any time you want to enjoy homemade beef and noodles :)
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 7 minutes
Servings 8 -10 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds of beef roast or beef tips
  • 2 12-oz cans cream of "something" (My personal favs are a can cream of mushroom & a golden mushroom soup)
  • 1 packet Au Jus Gravy mix
  • 1 12-16 ounce package frozen egg noodles
  • 1 packet beefy onion soup mix
  • 1 tablespoon of Kitchen Bouquet Browning & Seasoning Sauce (optional)
  • 12 ounce can of sliced mushrooms (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (depending on cooking method)
  • 4 cups water or beef broth (depending on cooking method)

Instructions
 

Slow Cooker:

  • Spray, oil or butter your slow cooker insert Trust me, don't skip this step...you'll hate yourself later if you don't
  • Dice up the meat and toss it in the slow cooker
  • Mix your canned soups, soup mix, and gravy mix with 4 cups of water. Pour over beef tips.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
  • 30 to 90 minutes before serving: Turn the crockpot to high. Add the seasoning sauce, mushrooms, and noodles. Stir well and "squish" noodles under the liquid. Cover & cook on high 30-90 more minutes.

Stove-Top:

  • Cook your noodles according to package directions, drain and set aside.
  • In a nonstick skillet or Dutch oven, brown the beef tips (and fresh mushrooms, if using) in butter or oil; over medium heat. Remove beef and set aside.
  • Turn heat to medium-low and scrape the pan (leave this, it will add a lot of flavor).
  • Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup water (or beef broth),the cream soups, canned mushrooms (if you are using them), Au Jus Gravy mix, onion soup mix, and browning sauce (optional). Stir and cook until bubbly.
  • Turn to low, cover, and continue to cook for 7-10 minutes.
  • Add the cooked beef and drained noodles. Stir well and remove from heat. Cover and allow to set about 20 minutes before serving.

Oven-Baked:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Follow steps 1 thru 5 for stove-top directions.
  • Combine your sauce, pre-cooked noodles, and pan-seared beef. Mix well. Pour into a buttered (or oiled) 9x13 baking dish.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the dish is bubbly and begins to brown.

Pressure Cooker:

  • Optional Step #1: Brown the beef tips in the butter using your saute function before proceeding.
  • Add the beef tips to the pressure cooker insert. Sprinkle with onion soup mix and Au Jus Gravy Mix.
  • Next, we'll be adding layers. Mushrooms THEN the frozen noodles. Order of layers is very important for proper cooking.
  • Sprinkle with the browning sauce and pour 4 cups of water/beef broth over the top. Spoon on your cream soups.
  • Close and lock lid. Use manual high setting for 25 minutes. Quick release and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Freezer Meal:

  • Slow Cooker Freezer Meal ONLY:
  • Dump the creamed soups, Au Jus Gravy, onion soup mix, 1/3 cup beef broth (optional), and browning sauce into a one-gallon freezer safe bag. Zip closed and knead to combine ingredients. Open and add beef and mushrooms (optional).
  • Zip closed and remove as much air as possible. Lay flat stacked on top the bag of frozen egg noodles. Use freezer tape or painter's tape to attach bags together (a couple wraps works very well).
  • Label and freeze up to 3 months. Defrost overnight before cooking if possible, if not add 1-1 1/2 hours to cook time. Low only if frozen.
  • Multi Meal Freezer Prep:
  • Pour beef stew meat and mushrooms into a one-gallon freezer bag. Add butter, browning sauce, onion soup mix, and Au Jus gravy mix. Zip closed while removing as much air as possible. Lay on top frozen noodle bag.
  • Pour water (or beef broth) and soup into another one-gallon freezer bag. Do not stir. Squeeze out as much air as possible. Lay flat on top of the beef bag. Alternately, you can add a note on your freezer label to add these when you cook!
  • Use painter's or freezer tape to wrap and tape all three bags together. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. Must be defrosted overnight to cook all methods except crockpot cooking option.

Video

Notes

Slow Cooker Notes: Your noodle cooking time, in the end, will probably vary from 30 to 90 minutes. It's going to depend on a lot of factors. The biggest two will be how hot your crockpot cooks and how doughy or done you prefer your noodles. 
Freezer Prep Notes:
The freezer meal option can be done one of two ways:
1. You can prep it for any and all cooking methods. Which is a few more steps but a great option if you have no idea HOW you plan to cook this meal.
2. Prep for slow cooker cooking only. This prep method is easier but limited, as the sauce and beef are mixed and doesn't work for other cooking methods.
When cooking from multi-meal freezer prep in the instant pot, the broth/soup bag will have liquid and lumps. Open one corner of the defrosted bag and pour as much of the broth over your noodles as possible before allowing the soup(s) to pour out on top. This will mimic the prep method outlined in the pressure cooking directions and seemed to work the best for me.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Pinterest Pinnable Version

slow cooker beef and noodles pinterest image

Crockpot Beef and Noodles

Crock Pot Beef & Noodles. Find this and more deliciousness @ https://www.slowcookerkitchen.com

Beef and Noodles Recipe Alternatives:

When I first made this recipe I had no idea it would go over so well.  It was made on the fly when I had 10 minutes to toss something in the crock pot.  I had a 10-hour farm day ahead of me...  "Good for me", low sodium and how many servings were the last thing on my mind at the time.  I grabbed stuff out of the freezer and the pantry, tossed, took a couple photos and went to work.

So with that explanation out of the way, I've since tried a couple different versions since.  None are exactly the same, but they are decently close.  They are good, the house smells incredible and all that jazz.  But again, they are not exact.

Also, I did NOT make homemade noodles.  I don't like to make homemade noodles, mine have never been that grand.  My mother-in-law makes really good ones.  I'll see if she has time to teach me this winter.  If she does, I'll add another update.

Low Sodium Alternatives Cream Soups

If you still want to do quick and easy...and I mean you still want the stuff on the shelf and you can be ready to toss it in the crockpot in just a few minutes... then purchasing pre-canned low sodium versions is a great option.  Campbell's Healthy Request Low-Sodium Cream of Mushroom has 60 mg of sodium in the entire can.

If this is the route you decide to go, just use two of these instead of 1 cream of mushroom and 1 golden mushroom.  You can purchase it at most any grocery or big box store.  You can also grab it online at via Amazon.  They have a 12-pack available, both via subscribe & save or a one-time purchase.  If you get a lot shipped, subscribe and save is a great option.  It saves us a lot of money and hassle.

If you'd prefer to go homemade on the cream soups Salad in a Jar has a good one.  I've not been able to improve on it and it's rather handy.  Their version has salt, but you can always leave it out.  It takes about 8 minutes to make and works with this recipe.

Salt-Free Beef Broth

Swanson's now has a salt-free beef broth.  It isn't sodium free,  but there is no additional salt added. It has 75 mg of sodium per cup according to the label.   I tried the recipe using 3 cups of beef broth and 1 cup of water.  It worked well.

This is actually a two-step substitution.  It will sub out the au jus gravy mix and the onion soup mix.  You'll only need to add your own spices to taste.  Here's the recipe I came up with we liked the best.

Low-Sodium Beef and Noodles Recipe

Recipe

Low Sodium Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

SlowCookerKitchen.com
This is the low sodium version of our crock pot beef and noodles recipe. It was made through trial and error and per the request of several folks. It isn't the exact same but its still very good! Well worth making and delicious of it's own right.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 -10 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds of beef roast or beef tips cut into bite sized pieces
  • 2 cans of cream of low sodium cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 12-16 ounce package frozen egg noodles
  • 1 large can of sliced mushrooms optional
  • 3 cups salt-free beef broth
  • 1 cup water + 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 2-3 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1-2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/2-1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Spray or butter the slow cooker insert
  • Dice the meat into bite-sized pieces and toss in the crockpot
  • Mix the COLD water and cornstarch until all the lumps are gone
  • Add the cream soups, spices, and beef broth to the water mixture, stir well
  • Pour mixture over the beef tips
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours
    '30 to 90 minutes before serving:
  • Turn the crockpot to high
  • Add the mushrooms and noodles
  • Stir and squish down the noodles to be under the liquid
  • Cover and cook on high for 30 to 90 more minutes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

I appreciate your interest in this recipe.  It's humbling on one hand and very cool on the other.  I am not sure whether I should be wearing a big goofy smile or stand shell shocked in amazement.  Either way, I really do appreciate it and you.

Please feel free to ask any questions you have.  The comments on this particular Facebook post have become a bit overwhelming.  That isn't an argument or complaint, it only makes response time via Facebook take longer as I can't do it while mobile.  If you'd rather have a more immediate response time you can use the contact form.  If I'm within signal range, I can usually respond within a few hours.

Thanks again :)  Sure hope this is one of those recipes that "Rock's Your Crock"!

 

If you like this recipe you might also want to check out these:

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Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles
Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

10-Minute Crockpot Meatloaf Dinner!

simple recipe for crockpot meatloaf

simple recipe for crockpot meatloaf

 

 

Meatloaf in the Crockpot?  You betcha!  And it's super easy too.  It's such a wonderful comfort food. It's one of those dishes that can please almost anyone. The great part about this one is its crockpot meatloaf and that means no babysitting needed.

It takes just a few minutes to mix this up... It'll cook all day... Then if you add the optional veggies mentioned, you'll be ready to dish up. It makes a full meal everyone will love :)

Everyone eats, everyone wins. You just can't beat that at the end of a long day!

Crockpot Meatloaf Links:

We used shredded cheddar cheese in our meatloaf recipe this round.  It's completely optional but adds a delicious flavor.  If you decide against it, you might need to add a bit more breadcrumbs or crackers...

If you decide against adding the sliced veggies to the crockpot...mashed potatoes are always an awesome option to serve with crockpot meatloaf :)

Slow Cooker Meatloaf Printable

ingredients to make crock pot meatloaf dinner

Recipe

Cheesy Crockpot Meatloaf

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
Classics are classics for a reason. They are warm, delicious and comforting! Here's a classic without much of a spin. Excellent for a home cooked meal any time of the year.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Cuisine Comfort Food
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 to 1 1/4 pounds ground beef
  • 1 large onion 2/3's sliced thin and 1/3 diced fine
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 1 cup catsup
  • 3 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup bread crumbs or crushed crackers
  • 1 to 2 cups cheddar cheese
  • 1 packet onion soup mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 to 3 cups of carrots (optional)
  • 2 large potatoes sliced (optional)

Instructions
 

Slow Cooker:

  • Use a large bowl and mix the following together: Meat, diced onion, garlic, both eggs, the soup mix, all the shredded cheese, all the bread crumbs/crackers, about a 1/4 cup of the catsup, and about 1 tablespoon of the Worcestershire sauce.
  • Mix it up well and form into a loaf, ball, or some sort of shape that sticks together.
  • Butter or spray the crockpot insert and layer your potatoes in the bottom.
  • Place the meatloaf on top and surround with carrots and sliced onions.
  • In a separate bowl mix the remaining catsup and Worcestershire sauce with the honey and garlic powder.
  • Pour the sauce over the top of the meatloaf. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Pressure Cooker:

  • Follow steps #1 and #2 from the slow cooker method.
  • Pour 3/4's cup of water into your pressure cooker.
  • Mix the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, honey, and garlic powder. Set aside.
  • Spray your steam rack with non-stick spray and place it in the pressure cooker insert with the handles up.
  • Layer sliced potatoes over the rack, season with salt and pepper if desired. Place meatloaf in the center of potatoes and surround it with the carrots and onions.
  • Close and lock the lid. Program high pressure for 25 minutes with the vent closed.
  • 2 Options from here
    Some folks prefer to bake their homemade meatloaf at this stage. Some just don't have the time or want to do the step. Like browning meats before slow cooking, it DOES add flavor and improve the texture. BUT it is totally optional.
    Here are your two options:
    1. Preheat oven to broil. Quick Release pressure cooker and carefully remove rack. Transfer to oven and broil for 5 minutes. Pour and brush sauce over the meatloaf. Broil for 4 additional minutes.
    2. Quick Release. Remove lid and allow steam to escape for 3-5 minutes. Brush the sauce over the meatloaf, cover with the lid and allow to rest for 10-20 minutes before serving.

Oven-Baked:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. And spray or oil a square or oblong casserole dish.
  • Mix ingredients per slow cooker directions above (see steps 1 & 2). Mix the sauce per slow cooker method line #5.
  • Place a layer of potatoes in the bottom of the dish, add the meatloaf to the center, and surround with carrots and onions. Pour and spread sauce over the meatloaf.
  • Bake for 1 hour until juices run clear and vegetables are tender.

Freezer Meal:

  • Meatloaf - Mix and form your meatloaf as desired per the directions under the slow cooker method. Oil or spray a baking sheet and lay meatloaf on it. Freezer overnight (or at least until frozen hard enough to handle without coming apart, usually 3-4 hrs).
  • Sauce - Pour the ketchup honey, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce into a sandwich bag. Zip closed while removing as much air as possible. Knead to combine ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to add to the freezer bag.
  • Freezer Prep - Transfer frozen meatloaf and sauce bag to 1-gallon freezer bag. Add a label with the reminder you will need carrots, potatoes, and onions to round out this dish. Freeze up to 3 months.

Notes

Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before cooking with any method. Given the denseness of raw ground meats I have never attempted, nor would I trust, cooking them from frozen. Try this option only if you use a cooking thermometer to check. Internal temperatures need to reach at least 160 degrees for safety.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Easy Meatloaf Recipe Pinnable

easy cheesy crockpot meatloaf dinner

 

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken & Potatoes

Simple Chicken Breast Dinner with Potatoes, Green Beans, and Gravy

Simple Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans and Gravy

This quick & easy slow cooker chicken recipe only takes 5 minutes! The base recipe only takes 5 ingredients too. There are several ideas for optional ingredients. And you can mix and match them with your own ideas for an amazingly delicious, SIMPLE slow cooker meal.

Chicken breasts cook up great in the crockpot.  Heck, most all types of chicken do. And this slow cooker chicken breast recipe is proof positive of that too! Just toss everything in before you leave for the day and come home to a delicious meal.  Everyone around here loves it.

This is a great recipe to serve just about any time.  It's easy enough to do up for a weeknight meal. But it's pretty enough for company too. We recently added the stove-top, pressure cooker and freezer meal directions in with the printable recipe, so that'll save you even more time.

All You Need to Know About Chicken & Potatoes

 

Optional (Additional) Ingredients

Mushrooms

First of all, there are mushrooms. We like mushrooms. Not everyone does though. Mushrooms seem to be a lot like cilantro.

I mean I know there is a scientific reason people like or dislike cilantro...and that isn't what I mean. I just mean people either love them or hate them.

But, we like them a lot. I cook with them a lot. BUT they are totally optional with this recipe. It works great with just potatoes and green beans.

Chicken Broth

Another optional ingredient is chicken broth. You can use water or chicken broth when making the sauce for this recipe. Chicken broth is going to give you a stronger flavor. Water gives you a milder one.

Butter

And lastly, there's butter. That's not mandatory either. It's going to add depth to the dish. And give you a richer flavor. But it's totally optional.

If you're on a calorie-restricted diet, don't add it. Margarine is not recommended, but that's a totally different story and I'm not a dietitian. 

Carrots

You can add carrots and take away the green beans. You can add 1/2 carrots and half green beans. The choice is yours. Both cook up very well.

Cooking Options

Making this meal in your electric pressure cooker or in the skillet is also an option. It works great for those days you forget to toss your freezer meal into the slow cooker before starting your day. You can still eat the meal you had planned and all is well.

Not all crockpot meals can be cooked any which way (I'm pretty sure that works across the board on all meals). But for this recipe... for making chicken breasts and vegetables in your slow cooker, you can cook it as follows:

  1. Slow Cooker
  2. Electric Pressure Cooker
  3. Stove-Top
  4.  Oven-Baked - Maybe, I've never tried this. I am GUESSING 375-400 degrees in a covered casserole dish for 30-50 minutes. That time would depend on the size of the vegetables.
  5. Freezer Meal - This one would be prepped for cooking numbers 1-3 (and #4 too if you are interested in going that route).

All cooking methods can be found below in the printable recipe. It's close to the bottom of the page, just scroll on down :)

Chicken Dinner

Printable Recipe

Recipe

Chicken Breast Dinner

Slow Cooker Chicken Breast and Potatoes with Gravy

Gwen
This is a great slow cooker chicken breast meal! Here, we made this one pot meal in our slow cooker. But we're also providing electric pressure cooker, stove-top and freezer meal plans as well.
Cook it whichever way best suits your needs :) Enjoy!
4.50 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 5 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken strips
  • 4-6 red potatoes washed and cut into wedges
  • 1 pound fresh or frozen green beans
  • 1 small can sliced mushrooms (optional)
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 packet chicken gravy mix
  • 1 cup water (or chicken broth)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Freezer Meal Directions:

  • Place chicken strips, green beans and mushrooms in a large freezer bag.
  • Mix the broth and seasonings as in step #2 above. Pour over chicken mixture.
  • Make a note on your label (and maybe your calendar) that you'll need the potatoes to make this recipe.
  • Lay flat, squeeze out as much air as possible, label and freeze for up to 6 weeks.
  • To Cook: Defrost the chicken mixture overnight in the refrigerator. Wash and cut the potatoes and lay in the bottom on the slow cooker. Pour chicken mixture over the top. Cook per directions below.

Slow Cooker:

  • Spray, butter, or oil your crockpot insert.
  • Combine the water/broth, melted butter and seasoning packet and Italian seasoning. Set aside.
  • Layer chicken, potatoes, green beans and then the mushrooms.
  • Pour liquid mixture over the top.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours. Or on high for 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Electric Pressure Cooker:

  • Place the chicken, potatoes, green beans and mushrooms into the pressure cooker insert.
  • Combine the water (or broth), melted butter, and Italian seasoning.
  • Close the lid, turn to "High" and program for 15 minutes.
  • * While the pressure cooker is chugging away - Mix the gravy packet with an additional 2-3 tablespoons of water and set aside.
  • When the pressure cooker is done, turn the valve to quick release. Open and carefully remove your vegetables.
  • Whisk the gravy mixture you priviously prepared into the seasoned broth. Whisk vigerously until well combined.
  • Pour gravy over chicken and potatoes. Add salt and pepper as desired and serve.

Stove-Top:

  • Melt the butter in a deep skillet over medium heat.
  • Stir in the Italian seasoning and then the chicken.
  • Saute for 4 to 6 minutes, until the chicken is slightly browned.
  • Add the potatoes, green beans, and water/broth. Stir well.
  • Cover with a tight-fitting lid and turn the burner to medium-low.
  • Allow it to cook 15-20 minutes Time will vary depending on the cut of your potatoes. Test with a fork for doneness.
  • Use a large ladle to carefully remove the chicken and vegetables.
  • Mix the gravy packet with 2 to 3 tablespoons of additional cold water. Pour into the seasoned mixture in the skillet and whisk until well combined.
  • Pour over chicken and potatoes and toss to coat.
  • Season with salt and pepper as desired to serve.

Video

Notes

Freezer Meal Note: This freezer meal is designed for the slow cooker. If you don't intend to use it as solely a slow cooker freezer meal or you just aren't sure, just tape the gravy packet to your freezer bag. 
You can add it when it's time to cook and there won't be any worries of not being able to cook it using any cooking method you choose!
 
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

super simple slow cooker chicken breast and vegetables

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Dinner! Find this & more yummy recipes @ https://www.slowcookerkitchen.com

Easy Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna Recipe

 

This incredibly easy crockpot ravioli lasagna recipe is amazingly delicious! Any slow cooker lasagna we make here takes less than 20 minutes to toss together…but THIS lazy day lasagna takes LESS than 10!

To make this recipe you need 4 very easy to find ingredients. You need ground beef, spaghetti sauce, frozen ravioli, and shredded mozzarella cheese.

 

Legal Stuff: This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on a link within this article, Slow Cooker Kitchen may receive a small commission from items you purchase. This is NO way increases your costs. But allows us to offer a free recipe service to you, by food for recipe experimentation, and pay the electric bill. Thanks for your help supporting Slow Cooker Kitchen!

So WHY do I think this crockpot ravioli lasagna rocks? Well, I’ve traveled a decent amount. A little for pleasure, a lot for a previous job I had, but mostly now, it’s for my spouse’s work. And it seems, I’ve cooked mostly everywhere I go.

If we’re traveling in our RV (and don’t be envious, as that’s 98% work) or if we’re in hotels (still 80% work) …I generally have a slow cooker in the process of cooking something….

Not that I haven’t enjoyed my share of street vendor foods in LA. And a freaking AMAZING baseball sirloin from Rib and Chop House in Montana…

But I’ve been a lot of VERY rural places in the country. A few so rural, if you don’t cook, you don’t eat. So, I cooked a lot even before I started Slow Cooker Kitchen.

AND the point of that little babbling session? I’ve made a LOT of crockpot lasagna recipes. And I know (though the numbers aren't documented anywhere) that means triple figures… I’m just not sure how high in the triple figures 😊

­SO, when I say THIS crock pot lasagna is easy AND delicious…I am not pulling your chain!Deliciously easy slow cooker ravioli lasagna

Super Easy Crockpot Lasagna Freezer Meal Prep

M’kay, I’ve said EASY like 4 times already. And I’ve already told you the ingredients. But if you missed it, they are frozen lasagna, ground beef, mozzarella, and spaghetti sauce.

And I’ve also stated less than 10 minutes of prep time. And that’s true. BUT that includes the amount of time it takes to brown the ground beef.

So, you can cut back on the amount of time it takes to make this recipe to less than 5 minutes too. HOW you say? It just takes a little meal prep. Then, you’ll be able to pull this recipe off even faster.

To set yourself up for making the yumminess of this (or any) slow cooker lasagna you just need to cook your ground beef ahead of time and freeze it. You can do this in your skillet as most folks do, or you can use our make-ahead ground beef recipe.

Then you simply freeze the ground beef in 1-pound packages per the directions on that article and your done. IF you’d like to make your life even easier, then wrap your ingredients together as I did with this Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie recipe. 

I wouldn’t personally freeze the spaghetti sauce. I’d just tag it in the pantry for this particular recipe. Then mark your lasagna freezer meal as needing that ingredient. Easy peasy!

Lazy Day Crock Pot Lasagna Step-by-Step

step by step easy ravioli casserole

There’s not a big secret to making this lasagna recipe. Not really. The only semi-mandatory thing to do is layers. If you don’t do this in layers, it’s still going to taste the same. Delicious in fact. But it’s going to come out more like big people Chef Boyardee.

And that’s a fine thing. It’s still yummy. Thus, you can use this exact same recipe as a stove-top 20-minute meal if you’d like. But the directions for that are on down the page a bit. This section is for the step-by-step directions for making this into an easy slow cooker lasagna recipe.

BTW…you do NOT have to make the layers in this order. Spaghetti sauce really should go on the bottom. This gives everything a nice base and helps the layers stick together. It also keeps ravioli from sticking to your crockpot casserole insert.

Adding the sauce to the bottom helps you have less cleanup time and that's always a fine thing. Bonus points and half your clean up time if you oil or spray the slow cooker insert.

But the rest…that’s just my personal preference. It isn’t mandatory. So, just FYI there. NOW. Here are the step-by-step layering directions for our easy crockpot ravioli lasagna recipe!

Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Layers

  1. Step 1 for Easy Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna is spaghetti sauce. After you lightly oil the crockpot insert, just pour in about half the jar... Step 1 for Easy Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna is Spaghetti Sauce
  2. Next...Step 2 for Slow Cooker Ravioli is Frozen Ravioli Layer #1. Just layer on about half a bag of frozen ravioli...Step 2 for Slow Cooker Ravioli is Frozen Ravioli Layer #1
  3. Then comes step 3 and that's pre-cooked ground beef layer#1. Again, about half. It doesn't have to be exact.Step 3 for Easy Crock Pot Ravioli is Pre-Cooked Ground Beef Layer #1
  4. Step #4 for ravioli lasagna is about half the shredded mozzarella cheeseStep 4 for Ravioli Lasagna is Shredded Mozzarella Cheese Layer #1
  5. Next, layer the last of your ravioli...Step 5 for ravioli lasagna in your crock pot is frozen ravioli layer #2
  6. And then the remaining ground beef...Step 6 for making lazy day lasagna in a crock pot is ground beef layer #2
  7. Top with the remaining sauce...Step 7 for making ravioli crockpot lasagna is spaghetti sauce layer #2
  8. AND last, top with cheese...Step 8 of crockpot lasagna easy is finishing of with mozzarella layer #2

AND that’s our easy ravioli crockpot lasagna recipe! Made in the slow cooker and done in a couple of hours. Super easy and yummy!

I made this batch on high for 3 hours and it works perfectly using the Casserole Crock-Pot. It’s flat and casserole shaped as you can see in the images.

BUT if you need more time-wiggle-room…you can cook it on low for 5 ½ to 6 hours. I have never tried to cook it longer; I don’t know if it will burn or not.

Theoretically, you could use a deeper oval slow cooker and increase the cook time by an additional hour or two. The ingredients would be stacked higher and have less surface area. So that would increase your cook time some. It’s a viable option if you already own a traditional oval or round slow cooker.

Another practical option for a longer cook time would be to double the recipe. The higher the stack... the longer the cooking time. And the leftovers freeze beautifully.

Optional Cooking Methods for Lazy Day Ravioli Lasagna

So, you’ve made up your crockpot freezer meals. You toss that puppy in the refrigerator before bed. You get up late, have a cup of rushed coffee, nothing goes as planned. Then you forget to toss dinner in the slow cooker.

Life happens. This recipe is one of those that can easily remove just a little bit of the issues like forgetting to get dinner going before you leave. Things like this just plain HELP. And it helps because this exact recipe works in your slow cooker, your oven OR on your stove-top in a skillet.

Oven-Baked Ravioli Lasagna

I’ve made this recipe in the oven 3 times. The first round, I added the last layer of cheese in the beginning. Yeah, don’t do that unless you want it crunchy or gloppy runny. Half the pan turned out crispy and the other half was too melted to tell it was cheese.

The best oven-baked method for converting this easy crockpot lasagna is to oil your pan, add the layers as per the step-by-step directions and the video, and bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes. Then, toss on the top layer of cheese in the last 15 minutes. And that works out perfectly!  Then, just add a Caesar salad and classic garlic bread. They work perfectly to complement this recipe.

So, you can add the cheese in the last 20 minutes and put the garlic bread in the oven at the same time. Then make your salad while those are finishing off. Dinner is served and you still only have 15 minutes total prep time. Woo Hoo!

Easy Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna ready to eat

Stove-Top Lazy Day Ravioli

You can also make this ravioli lasagna dish on your stovetop. BUT you may need to add an additional bit of water when cooking it.

I can’t tell you the exact amount of water to add. That is going to vary depending on your type/brand of spaghetti sauce, ravioli, humidity levels, pan-type, etc.

It isn’t a scientific experiment. But it is a "watch and see" the first time you convert crockpot ravioli lasagna to a skillet dinner. After that, you’ll get a general feel for it.

The printable recipe is just below. Scroll down there to see the detail on the stove-top conversion method.

DIY Ingredient Options for Slow Cooker Lasagna

There are times when you want (or need) food prep to be quick and easy. AND there are times when you want to do homemade and healthier. I personally appreciate both.

For us, it’s a balancing act. I tried the completely from scratch and nothing processed for almost a year. It didn’t work. Yes, we felt amazing. But I had NO time for anything else.

I cooked. I studied. Then I cooked some more.

My gardens were neglected. The farm was neglected. And sadly, so was this website. I managed to keep the house was generally clean, but there was no time for fixing stuff and larger projects either.

BUT homemade/DIY, from scratch, and home-grown ALL have their place around here. So, as I’ve time, experiments occur on occasion.

That being said, store-bought spaghetti sauces and frozen ravioli are used for this recipe. But you can also make your own. I didn’t for this time around. These from-scratch options are just FYI. They are a fun, worthwhile option for when you have time to play and experiment 😊

Homemade Spaghetti Saucehomemade crockpot spaghetti sauce prep. Adding seasonings and spices before cooking overnight

I tried to make homemade spaghetti sauce for years. And I mean like close to 20 years. It never came our right. It was ALWAYS lacking, and I couldn’t figure out why.

THEN I got fed up with everyone appreciating store-bought more. Even me! SOOOOO after reading a lot, asking a couple of professional chef friends AND consulting the older generation…well, I found the “secret ingredient” for the taste we prefer.

BEEF STOCK! Or beef bouillon. Whichever of the two you personally prefer will work. I had no idea it would make such an amazing difference!

And am not kidding. It works. It's absolutely delicious! My own homemade slow cooker spaghetti sauce I had tried to tweak for years only needed a good quality beef bouillon added.

And I have my personal favorites. I prefer the Better Than Bouillon brand. They have organic, gluten-free, and reduced-sodium varieties. They also have multiple flavors and when I can't find a flavor I need, I can find it online pretty easily. 


Knorr also has a packaged bouillon paste that I've had success using. I just happened upon it in a grocery store while we were traveling. So I have no idea which state we were in at the time. I do know I can't find it locally very often. Happily, it is also available online.



Knorr's condensed stock also comes in multiple flavors and a reduced-sodium version too. So, if you're shopping locally, you can probably find one or the other. But online shopping can be a lifesaver when you can't find what you need close to home.

How to Make Ravioli from Scratch

Did you know you can make your own homemade ravioli? I don’t personally do it often, but it’s an amazingly simple process when time allows.

The beauty of a DIY ravioli recipe is you can change up your ingredients. Cheese ravioli is almost always available frozen. Well, not in those incredibly rural places I was talking about earlier…but if you have a decent-sized grocery store around, or a big box store that sells groceries…you can usually find it.

But what if you want to make something like “chicken asiago spinach ravioli”? And no, I don’t have a recipe for that as the moment. I just made it up as an example...This ravioli is a 3 Cheese Spinach Ravioli :)

My point is…if you make your own homemade ravioli recipe, you can make any flavor you want. Another excellent point about homemade ravioli is that it freezes beautifully.

So, don’t limit yourself to just cheese ravioli. Next time YOU have time…here’s our easy homemade ravioli recipe to try…

how to make homemade ravioli step by step

Making the Filling for Homemade 3-Cheese Spinach Ravioli

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced fine
  • 8-ounces Ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • ½ cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:

  1. Pour a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a hot skillet and add your spinach leaves. Toss them around a bit to get them nice and coated, then let them simmer lightly on medium-low heat with no lid, to allow the leaves to wilt and all the fluid to steam off. About 10-15 minutes.
  2. Beat your egg. Then combine with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and garlic in a large bowl. Remove spinach from skillet and chop finely, then gently fold it into the cheese mixture. Salt to taste.
  3. Smells good, right? Once the filling is well combined, put the bowl in the refrigerator and let it chill. Trust me, the filling is way easier to work with if it’s chilled.

You’ll know the filling is chilled enough when you can pinch off a quarter-sized piece and roll it into a ball without it crumbling (too cold) or deflating (too warm).

Pasta Dough Options

Now we’re to the pasta dough option. And you must choose. Do you want to do semi-homemade or from scratch homemade?

You can make your own pasta dough, or you can plan to purchase it. IF you have a good stand mixer, you can mix the dough using it. And then making homemade ravioli isn’t too difficult. Even if you don’t have a pasta sheet roller, you just roll it out on your cutting board. So, it still isn’t too bad or time-consuming…

But, if you don’t own a stand mixer and still want to make your pasta dough from scratch, it’s a bit time-consuming. If you already make bread. Or know how to knead bread, you know what to expect. If you don’t, well it’s somewhat therapeutic and a great way to relieve stress or anger. Because you can work a lot of frustration out on that pasta dough!

I’ve made it with a stand mixer and completely from scratch on a cutting board. And I’ve purchased pasta dough on occasion when it was available too.

But, the first time I decided to make it, all my major kitchen appliances were in another state over a thousand miles away! Sure, it would have been wonderfully easy if I had the attachment to my KitchenAid mixer that makes pasta sheets. But it was and still is on my wish list, not in my possession.

Once I get that puppy, will I make my own homemade ravioli pasta dough regularly? You bet!

Homemade Pasta Dough for Ravioli

how to make homemade ravioli

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 tsp Himalayan salt
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 tble hot water

Directions:

  1. Mix the flour and salt together and mound on a cutting board. Make a well in the center.
  2. Beat the teaspoon of olive oil, eggs, and water in a bowl. Pour half the mixture into the well.
  3. Mix the egg with the flour with one hand. Use your other hand to keep the flour mound steady.
  4. Add the remaining egg mixture and knead until well combined and smooth. 8 to 10 minutes.
  5. Form the dough into a ball and tightly wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  6. Remove dough from plastic wrap and divide in half. Form into a ball.
  7. Use a cutting board and rolling pin to roll the dough about 1/8 inch thick. Dust with flour. Flip and dust the second side with flour.
  8. Gently move it out of your way and repeat with the second half of dough.

Store-Bought Pasta Sheet Method

You can also opt to go semi-homemade on making your homemade ravioli. If you decide to go the store-bought route, as I said earlier…you can look for it in the refrigerated or frozen section. A lot of big box stores and bigger supermarkets carry them.

IF you can't find them locally, there are now places you can purchase frozen pasta dough online. This one really IS new to me. I have not purchased from any of these companies yet, these links are provided so you can check them out if you don’t want to fool around with making your own:

How to Assemble Your Homemade Ravioli

NOW, it's time to make assemble your own homemade ravioli! Here's the easy step-by-step process...

  1. Grab your pasta dough and roll it out flat on a cutting board or another flat surface. It needs to be chilled as well or it will stick to everything.
  2. When the dough is rolled out to about the thickness of a quarter and even, brush it with an egg wash. Grab yourself a teaspoon or melon baller scoop. I personally like using the melon baller best. It didn't purchase one for several years but they come in very handy! You can also just use your fingers if you prefer (just try to keep the portions consistent or it’ll throw off your cook time). Drop balls of filling evenly across your dough.step 1 of how to make ravioli step by step = add filling to dough
  3. Place the second sheet of dough on top. Do another egg wash on the outside of the top sheet. Then seal the edges.step 2 of how to make ravioli step by step = use water or egg wash to seal the edges of your two pasta dough pieces together
  4. Start slicing off the excess dough around the edges. If you don’t have a ravioli cutter, you can just use a knife or pizza cutter, your pasta just won’t have those cute, crinkly edges.Slice vertically and horizontally between the filling pockets. At this point, you should be able to tell if your dough is getting too warm. If it starts sticking or gets hard to work with, just sprinkle the top and your work surface below with a LITTLE BIT of flour. Careful. Too much will make it taste starchy.Step 4 of making your homemade ravioli is cutting it into squares. Ravioli is now ready to freeze or cook as desired.
  5. Keep going until you end up with pretty, little individual ravioli pockets.Finished Image of Homemade Ravioli Recipe

Now, you can discard the excess dough and cover and freeze the extra filling. Or, if you’re thrifty, you can form the dough trimmings into a ball, roll them out flat to form another sheet of dough, divide that sheet in half to form two sheets of equal size, and start the process over again until you’re out of material.

Next step is to drop your ravioli into a pot of boiling, super-salty water (think seawater). Don’t put too many in the pot at once, like 10 or 12 at a time is best. Take the water down to a hard simmer and let them go about 3-4 minutes.

You can serve these beauties with a tasty sauce, a simple sprinkling of olive oil and fresh herbs OR you can use them to make ravioli lasagna casserole!

Printable Recipe for Lazy Day Crock Pot Ravioli Lasagna

Here is the printable version of our crockpot ravioli lasagna! If you enjoy this recipe, you should also check out our 5-Ingredient Meatball Ravioli Casserole too! AND there's also our Easy Slow Cooker Spaghetti to consider as well. Both are delicious, easy and excellent options to Rock Your Crock!

Recipe

Deliciously easy slow cooker ravioli lasagna

Easy 4-Ingredient Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
This easy crockpot ravioli lasagna is super easy! It makes a GREAT freezer meal. AND you can cook it using your slow cooker, make it in a skillet OR bake it in the oven too!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1- pound lean ground beef
  • 24 oz jar spaghetti sauce
  • 16 oz frozen ravioli of choice
  • 16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions
 

Slow Cooker Directions:

  • Lightly grease, oil, or spray your crockpot insert.
  • Layer ingredients. Half the sauce, half the ravioli, about half the ground beef, half the cheese. Top with remaining ravioli, ground beef, sauce then shredded cheese.
  • Cook on high for 3 hours. Or low for 5 ½ to 6 hours.

Stove Top Directions

  • Add the ravioli, sauce, and ground beef to a large skillet. Add 1 cup of water and stir. Turn to medium-high heat. Cover and bring to a slight boil.
  • Stir and turn heat to low. Cover again. Allow it to cook as per the boil directions on the ravioli (usually about 18 minutes). Check after 7 or 8 minutes to stir and make sure the ravioli isn’t sticking. Then once more about 5 minutes later. Add more water as needed.
  • Turn heat off. Add shredded cheeses to top, cover and allow to sit for 10 minutes for cheeses to melt.

Oven-Baked Directions:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Layer the ingredients as with the slow cooker method, but don’t add the last layer of cheese.
  • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Add the last layer of cheese. Bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve this easy crockpot ravioli lasagna with buttered French bread and a Caesar salad for a complete meal.

Video

Notes

You can double or even triple this recipe. If you do, your cook time will need to be increased by about a half-hour per recipe made. I don’t recommend triple quantities to be cooked on high. Doubling it and cooking on high works out fine but tripling it doesn’t always cook evenly.
For both the crockpot and oven-baked versions… I personally think the ravioli cooks better if your second layer of sauce goes over the last layer of ravioli. But the exact order doesn’t matter if you put half the sauce in the bottom of the crockpot insert.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Pinnable Options for Easy Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna