dining with debbie

Franny’s Fav Mac & Cheese {Crock-pot}

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Franny is a  mom of two and wife and a great cook! We met years ago in college and have reconnected through Facebook! One of my more exciting reconnections. Franny describes cooking as her guilty pleasure and says that the whirring of her Kitchen Aid mixer is like a tranquilizer ….calms all my crazy. (LOVE THAT!)
Franny’s Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
8oz elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
1 1/2 cups milk

1 large can evaporated milk

2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 tsp salt
dash (or 2) of pepper
3-4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Grease crock pot (or use a crock pot liner). Mix all the ingredients except 1/2 the cheese. Pour into prepared crock pot. Top with remaining cheese. Cook on LOW for 3-6 hours. I usually cook for 4.5-5 hours, but have gone longer.

Let me know what you think. This is one of my family’s favorites.
xoxox y’all!

For more great crock pot recipes visit Debbie!
I am so excited that Franny is going to share some of her yummy tried and true recipes with Mama Bird Nest! I look forward to more! Thanks Girl!
I made this last night and yes it was a hit! Super easy and made enough to have leftovers! yum.

Beef Paprika

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2 lbs stew beef meat

1 can of Cream of Celery
garlic
1/4 c catsup
2 Tb Worcestershire sauce
1 Tb brown sugar
1 Tb mustard
1 Tb paprika
dash of cayenne pepper
salt & pepper

If you have the time sear meat in a Tb of butter or olive oil then add all ingredients to your crock pot set on low for 6 hrs and serve with rice or egg noodles! How easy!! Enjoy

Chicken & Noodles {Crockpot}

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This is a SUPER EASY, family friendly meal. Comfort food!

Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breast (I put mine in frozen!)
1/2 can chicken broth
1 can cream of mushroom soup
salt & pepper to taste
1 tsp thyme
egg noodles, cooked apx 1/2 of suggested time
1/2 cup sour cream

Put chicken, broth, mushroom soup & spices in crockpot on low for 4-6 hrs. Just before dinner cook egg noodles and add to crockpot. Turn crockpot off. Stir well; cook 10 mins. Remove chicken, add sour cream and stir well. Delish!

Lackey’s Ragu

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This is a recipe that was shared with me years ago by a friend who is a mom to twin boys and is a great cook. I have shared this with many of my friends all who have raved. It’s sort of a soup, a stew & a pasta. It is just yummy! Perfect for a cool fall day!
Please note: I have adapted this for my CROCKPOT~ See notes in RED!
2 Tb olive oil
1 lg onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground turkey
3-4 Italian sausage, casings removed (I use 2 hot, 2 sweet)
2~ 14 1/2 oz cans tomatoes in juice with Italian spices
2~ 14 oz cans chicken broth
1 can Cannelli/white beans, drained
2 tsp oregano
2 tsp basil
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1/2 c small elbow macaroni
1~ 6 oz bag FRESH baby spinach
1/3 c grated Romano cheese

Heat oil, add onions & garlic. Saute 6 mins add ground turkey & sausage crumbles. Brown. (Put in warm crockpot and) Add tomatoes w/ juice, broth, spices, (I waited to add beans until 2 hrs prior to eating) beans and simmer at least 20 min. Add pasta cook 12-14 mins. (if using crockpot pasta may need a little longer) Add spinach & cook apx 3 mins (just before serving) Season with salt & pepper and serve with fresh grated cheese. (again, if using slow cooker… cook on low all day and add spinach apx 10mins before serving.) Yummy!!

For more great recipes visit my friends at Blessed with Grace and Dining with Debbie.

Birdie’s Cheese Steak

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This is one I just pulled out of my hat as I couldn’t decide what to do with the Stew Beef I had thawed. My original plan was satisftying my tastebuds so I concocted a new recipe. They sometimes just come to me!!
Stew Beef
1 Tb canola oil
s & p
1 Tb taco seasoning
1 can beef broth
I seared off my stew meat really quick in just a little canola oil & spices.
Then tossed it in the crockpot with a can of beef broth zapped on high as I did not start dinner till almost 2pm!
1 lg onion sliced
reserved pan drippings
1 Tb butter
2 Tb balsamic vinegar
3 hrs later I carmelized some onions in the same drippings I had from the meat. I added butter & balsamic just before adding beef back to onion mix.
Garlic Bread
Cheese (I used Swiss)
I had 1/2 of a garlic bread left from last night so I thought why not do open faced Philly Cheese Steaks. Garlic bread top with beef & onions and a slice of swiss cheese (again what I had on hand, you could use provolone, cheddar, whatever you have. Place under broiler for 3 mins just to melt cheese. It was fantastic!!

For more great Crockpot Recipes visit Dining with Debbie

Pumpkin Tomato Chicken

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Being at home this morning has led me to another adventure in the kitchen. Earlier today I thought I would do BBQ chicken. Fickle me went into the kitchen and just wasn’t excited about that so when I peeked in the fridge I saw pumpkin puree (leftover from muffins) and thought why not use it! And another strange but yummy meal is being created! And it is in the crockpot! 5 mins or less of dumping into said pot and my meal is virtually effortless yip-ee!Chicken breast (I used boneless/skinless straight from freezer)

1 cup pumpkin puree
1 can Tomato Soup
1 pkt Onion Soup mix
2 Tb apple cider vinegar
1 Tb brown sugar
1 Tb Worcestershire sauce
Dump everything in crockpot; give it a good stir, add chicken and cook on low all day! 6-8 hrs
Looking for more great Crockpot Recipes? Check out Dining with Debbie

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It’s Monday morning and I am wearing my thinking cap and scanning the freezer and pantry for meal ideas this week. I feel like I am getting sick as thinking of food this morning is making me fell worse. UCK!! Please say prayers that I am NOT getting the bug as I can’t, I have way to much to do!! If you are looking for more Menu Planning ideas check out Org Junkie!!

Wed~ Hotdogs & Tater Tots (Boys alone!)
Thurs~ Broccoli & Cheese Soup & sammies ~ Thanks Debbie!!
Fri~ Pizza
Sat/HALLOWEEN~ Pumpkin Chili (featured chef tues recipe)

Pammy’s Potato Soup

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This is the easiest Potato Soup and it is so yummy!! I thank my favorite nail guru for another great recipe. Little j LOVES it! ENJOY!!

1 bag Frozen Hash browns (I used Country style cubes)
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can cream of chicken
1 can each water, milk & chicken stock
1 onion, chopped fine
salt & pepper to taste
3 dashes worchestershire sauce
Put hash browns in crock-pot, mix the remaining ingredients and pour on top. Cook on low for 6hrs.