Ever since starting this little food blog a few years back, I've been on a mission. Not only to help people to spend less $$ on groceries, but also to help you learn to love new meals and try new foods (maybe that you were afraid to buy because you didn't know what to do with them). Butternut squash is one of those items that people are afraid to buy because they don't want … [Read more...]
Southwest Macaroni ‘n Cheese
This is a creamy, creamy and delicious version of mac n cheese with a little zip and zest mixed in! Balance the zip and zest with some black beans and corn and you've got the perfect one dish dinner! So many homemade mac 'n cheese recipes call for making your own cheese sauce. This can be intimidating, I know. Which is why I created this recipe for you...no homemade cheese … [Read more...]
Vegetable Pizza Burritos
Pizza? Burritos? I find that both of these meals win me big smiles from the family come dinner time. So I decided there was no reason not to combo them! This is a one-pot meal. (Yeah for fewer dishes!) Plus if you wrap the burritos individually in parchment and then in a plastic zip-top bag, you get a freezer-pizza-burrito, which means dinner is make-ahead and … [Read more...]
Sweet Potato & Chicken Curry
More chicken curry meals in the slow cooker. This meal is actually a regular part of our family rotation. The list of meals that we have repeatedly is very short, given that we are always trying new recipes for the website. But this one has been on the list for a few years and will remain. Mainly because everyone at the table polishes their plate. It's rare for that to happen … [Read more...]
Beef Roast with Apple, Carrots, Onions, and Red Potatoes
While I love beef roasts in the oven, especially for the holidays, I super-duper-love beef roasts made in the slow cooker for everyday meals, or for Sunday supper. Comfort. Warm. Hearty. Flavorful. And affordable too. I may purchase a nicer cut of roast for a holiday feast, but for everyday meals a round roast will do just fine. And my frugal cooking heart does a leap … [Read more...]
Best Tips for When to Add Rice & Pasta to Slow Cooker
Making some meat or chicken with a sauce in the slow cooker can make for a wonderful meal. But cooking the rice or pasta “on the side” is not always necessary. With many recipes, you can add the rice or pasta right in and let it cook during the last bit of cooking. However, adding rice or pasta in at the beginning with the meat means you are going to have a mushy mess at the … [Read more...]
Spinach & Tortellini Soup
There's just something about tortellini - it may very well be the perfect pasta. It is the perfect shape for a fork or a spoon and they are the perfect size for one delicious bite. It freezes beautifully too, if for some reason you can't eat them all at once, or if you find them on special and buy a few extra packages. Douse with marinara sauce and some Parmesan cheese for a … [Read more...]
Beef Roast with Winter Vegetables
Gone are the days of summer, the abundance and lower costs of fresh fruits and vegetables. I've come to appreciate the importance of eating seasonally over the past few years. Until five years ago, I hadn't lived in a climate that has actual seasons. Because of this, I didn't pay close attention to changes in the produce because the produce stands and section in the grocery … [Read more...]
Winter Vegetable Chili
We hear it all the time when talking about cooking, shopping and frugality: eat seasonally. But what if you don't know how to cook seasonally. You can't eat seasonally if you don't know how to cook seasonal vegetables. Winter vegetables: sweet potatoes, potatoes, broccoli, kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, turnips and winter squash like acorn, butternut … [Read more...]
Chicken Spaghetti with Spinach
One dish dinners. They scream simplicity. They scream ease. And they scream quick. 5 ingredients. Most of which you likely already have in your pantry and freezer. 20-ish minutes. Or however long it takes you to cook the spaghetti and then toss it with the other ingredients. You could serve it with a side of bread, or simple side salad - but it really … [Read more...]