Old Farmhouse Roast Beef in the Crockpot

1 Beef Roast

1 pkg. Brown Gravy Mix

1 pkg. Italian Salad Dressing Mix

1 pkg. Ranch Dip Mix

Combine mixes in a bowl for good distribution of  flavors.

When purchasing a roast, allow 1/2 pound per person.

Look for good marbling, as it adds flavor, tenderness and juiciness.

The Bread and Butter Roast is one of my favorites.

Press seasoning onto both sides of the roast 

and place in crockpot.

Cook on low for 8 hours.

Add liquid if needed.

Allow to stand for 20 minutes before carving.

Serve with the Au Jus.

Lasagna in the Crockpot ~Old Farmhouse Style

Old Farmhouse Lasagna

1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey

1/2 lb. Italian sausage

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (24 oz.) prepared spaghetti sauce

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

fresh oregano & basil or 1/2 tsp. each of dried

15 oz. ricotta cheese

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

2 sprigs fresh parsley

1 egg

6 - 8 lasagna noodles

8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian blend

In a medium skillet, brown the beef or turkey, 

 Italian sausage, onion. and garlic.

Drain any grease that has accumulated in the pan.

Add the sauces and herbs.

Simmer until warm. 

Stir together the Ricotta, parmesan cheese, 

egg, and fresh parsley.

Spoon a layer of meat sauce into the bottom of your crockpot.

Add a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles, breaking them to fit.

(this will be our secret, as no one will see the broken noodles)

Spread a portion of the ricotta mixture on the noodles,

and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Repeat the layers.

Make sure you end with sauce and cheese.

Cook on low for 4 hours.

Everyone's crockpot is different.

Adjust your cooking time and amount of liquid used

according to your personal preference.

Old Farmhouse Creamy Penne Pasta

Old Farmhouse Creamy Penne Pasta

2 cups penne pasta, cooked according to package directions

3 strips bacon

4 tbsp. butter

1 clove garlic, minced

1/3 cup onion, diced

1/4 cup flour

2 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

red pepper flakes, optional

fresh basil for garnish

Cook bacon in medium saucepan until crisp.

Remove from pan and cut into bite size pieces.

Add butter to bacon drippings in pan.

Saute onion and garlic until translucent.

Add sun dried tomatoes and cook until all are tender.

Add flour and cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add broth, stirring frequently until sauce comes to a simmer.

Remove from heat.

Add sour cream and parmesan cheese.

Mix thoroughly.

Choose light or fat free

to reduce the calorie content.

Be sure the pasta is well drained and add to the sauce.

Garnish with fresh basil and red pepper flakes.

This pairs well with Grilled Chicken.

Today, I added peas to the leftovers.

It is a tasty summer side dish!

Tuscan White Bean and Roasted Garlic Soup

A beautiful creamy white bean soup with yummy roasted garlic, garnished with sage...need I say more? Yes...healthy too!!! With winter starting to wind down, we tend to start thinking about shedding some of our winter comfort in order to get ready for warmer weather. This soup will help us to get and stay healthy. Oh, did I mention that it freezes well too? For the recipe, visit Gina at Skinny Taste by clicking on the photo above.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Chicken Pot Pie

Okay, I know, Chicken Pot Pie is definitely not Soup but it sure is "super"!!! It is probably one of the best comfort foods I enjoy in the winter. Even though this recipe freezes well, it never does seem to make it there. Maria and Josh at Two Peas and Their Pod posted this awesome recipe with lots of yummy pictures! For the recipe, simply click on the photo above. This is definitely a must make AGAIN!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Sloppy Joes ~My Mom's Recipe

Sloppy Joes

1/2 cup onion, minced

1/4 cup green or red pepper, diced

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1 lb. ground beef, browned

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

1/4 cup tomato juice

1/4 cup catsup

1 tbsp. vinegar

1 tbsp. brown sugar

1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

I use half turkey and half beef...

it is your preference.

Brown the ground meat together in your skillet, 

breaking it into bite size pieces.  

Cook until no pink remains.

While the meat is cooking, chop your vegetables.

Drain the browned meat in a colander.

Saute the onions, peppers and celery in the same pan.

To the meat and vegetables, add the rest of the ingredients.

Simmer approximately 1 hour...

or until the desired consistency.

Serve on a bun with your favorite sides.

Green Olive Dip

8 ounce package cream cheese

small jar pimiento stuffed green olives

heaping tablespoon ranch dressing

green onion

Slice 4 green onions

Drain and chop olives, reserve juice.

Mix cream cheese with ranch dressing (or mayonnaise or greek yogurt)

and some of the olive juice to desired dipping consistency.

Stir in the olives and onions.

Serve as a dip for vegetables

or a spread for crackers.

Lasagna Soup in the Crockpot

1 pound ground beef

1 pound Italian sausage

1 medium onion

3-4 cloves garlic

2 tsp. dried basil

2 tsp. dried oregano

2 tsp. dried parsley flakes

1 can (24 oz) prepared pasta sauce

1 box (32 oz) chicken broth

1 can (15 oz) stewed tomatoes

6 to 8 lasagna noodles

salt and pepper to taste

Brown ground beef and Italian sausage. Drain off the grease.

Add to your crockpot with the pasta sauce, 

stewed tomatoes and broth.  (Beef broth is good too!)

Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and seasonings.

Cook on high for 4 hours.

About an hour before you are ready to serve, 

add the broken lasagna noodles.

(You may need to add some water.)

Top with shredded Mozzarella or Parmesan Cheese.