Manic Monday Meals ~ Crock Pot Season

It's getting cold and I'm trying to save money at home so guess what you get crock pot time! And don't forget the crock pot liners, those things ROCK!!! I'm telling you no having to soak your pot over night, you can take the bag out and tada it's ready to get the meal in there for the next night :).

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My First recipe is thanks to my google search I had pork & apple and up popped up this recipe.

Crockpot Maple Apple Pork Roast

Found on Finding Joy in My Kitchen Blog

Crockpot Maple Apple Pork Roast - Finding Joy in My Kitchen 1 large pork roast {ours was about 4 lbs} 6 medium apples, peeled and cut into quarters 2 C baby carrots 1/2 C sprite/gingerale {or, apple juice} 4 T maple syrup 1/2 tsp. ginger 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. pepper 1 tsp. salt 1/2 C cooked, crumbled bacon

Peel and slice the apples. In the bottom of the crockpot, place the sliced apples and carrots. Top with the roast. Mix together the soda {or apple juice} and pour over the roast. Then, sprinkle with the seasonings. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 6ish hours until the internal temperature reads done for pork. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon before serving. Allow the roast to sit for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

ALEXIS NOTES: So I of course didn't have any apple juice or Sprite so I used POM (use it's called being resourceful). And believe it or not I didn't have any bacon so I skipped that part. I served with a baked potato with some yummy cheese on top :) and corn for Caden!

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My second recipe is a super yummy one that I loved, the boys just thought it was ok. It was easy and kept me warm so it's a winner for me :).

Beefy Crockpot Tortellini

found on About.com

Ingredients:

1 lb Ground Beef

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

15oz Marinara sauce

8 oz sliced mushrooms

14 oz can tomatoes with seasonings, undrained

15 oz can tomato sauce

1/8 tsp pepper

9 oz package refrigerated cheese tortellini

1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

Brown ground beef together with onions in nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until beef is browned. Drain thoroughly. Mix all ingredients except tortellini and cheese in 4-5 quart crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Add tortellini, stir to combine, then sprinkle with cheese. Cover crockpot and cook on low for 15-20 minutes until tortellini is tender and cheese is melted.

ALEXIS NOTES: I didn't have any marinara sauce so I used a jar of spaghetti sauce I had on hand. I used a dry tortellini I buy in the bulk section and keep on hand in my tupperware. Makes for easy meals :). Since it was dry I put it in there about an hour before dinner for it to have time to cook.

Happy Monday everyone, hope you enjoy :).