Recipes, Love, and my Crockpot

You can get the crockpot I use here (If you click the link, I may earn a small commission)

Today I’m going to share with you my top 5 recipes to make for my family. I love cooking. I love eating too. But I really do love cooking. When you cook for someone you are feeding them. You are sustaining them. Food is life and to share that is the true magic and love. That’s why I try to cook good, healthy family favorite meals as much as I can.

I’m not much of a measuring cook. I’m more a pinch of this, a dash if that kind of cook. These are those kinds of recipes too. I’m also the kind of cook who sees a recipe, but leaves out ingredients if they don’t fit my family’s tastes. I like lots of garlic. You may not and that’s ok. Make these recipes yours.

#1 Tortellini soup
This is my go to, number 1, oh my gosh, someone is sick, let’s fix this now remedy recipe. For one serving o tend to make one cup of broth, one cup of pasta and one chicken breast. Aside from that, play with the recipe and see what works for you and your family.

You need:
Chicken broth or bouillon
Chicken breasts
Tortellini (we like three or five cheeses)
Garlic (fresh is best)
Parsley
Basil
Thyme
Oregano
Lemon juice
Red chili flakes
Mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese
Garlic bread (the thicker the better)

Start the broth. Add the herbs, garlic, red chili flakes and let it come to a rolling boil before turning it down to a simmer. In a skillet, cook the chicken with a little lemon juice. When it’s all cooked, cut it up into smaller than bite sized pieces. Add it to the broth. Set another pot of water to boil the pasta in. Cook the pasta to just before al dente. Add it to the broth and let everything mix and mingle for about 15 minutes. Now here’s the fun part. Put a big chunk of garlic bread in your bowl and pour a big old ladle full on it. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and Parmesan. Rub a dub dub bring on the grub.

I love this recipe so much, I did a video of me making it. Train Wreck Kitchen: Tortellini Soup

#2 sweet and sour meatballs
My kids love this except for the green and red peppers. But my husband and I love them so we tell them one each and then they don’t have to eat anymore.

You need:
16 ounces frozen meatballs
8 ounces sweet and sour sauce
1/2 cup soy sauce
A little grated fresh ginger
Rice
1 can pineapple tidbits
1 green bell pepper
1 red bell pepper
Crunchy chow mein noodles

In your crock pot goes everything but the rice and crunchy noodles. Set your crockpot to high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Make the rice according to the package. Then put the rice on a plate, meatballs on the rice, chow mein noodles on top of it all. Yum yum give me some.

#3 pork tenderloin
Seriously, dinner doesn’t get any easier than this.

You need:
1-2 pound pork tenderloin
A jar of chunky applesauce

Put it in your crock pot for 6-8 on low or 4-5 on high. Sides are up to you, but we like mashed potatoes and green beans. How easy was that?

#4 pepperoni pizza pasta bake
This is a Friday night favorite. A little complicated, but totally worth it .

You need:
Pasta (we like rotini)
Pasta sauce
Pepperoni
Parmesan cheese
Mozzarella cheese

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Boil the pasta. Put it in a 9×13 dish. Cover the pasta with the sauce. Then add a layer of pepperoni. Then pile on the mozzarella cheese. Bake until the cheese is all melting and gooey and stretchy.

#5 pork carnitas
We are big taco fans here. I’m in love with my crockpot. Put those together and this is what you get.

You need:
1-2 pound pork tenderloin
1 jar salsa
1 can diced tomatoes (we like the garlic and olive oil ones)
Burrito tortillas
Cheese
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Sour cream

Put the tenderloin, salsa, and canned tomatoes in the crock pot for 6-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high. Drain half the juice and shred the pork. then go to town putting the pork on the tortilla then adding your favorite toppings.

Hope these help you come up with some new favorite meals for your family. What will you try first?