I don’t know how I would survive without my crock pot sometimes, he is like my second husband. He makes great food and always needs a good cleaning after a days work!
Seriously though, a crock pot can make a working mom’s life so much better. Your dinner is quite literally cooking while you work! Let it work for you, Mamma!
I’ve tried several different methodologies in saving time when it comes to preparing meals after a days work. Freezer cooking, while a great concept, has never really stuck for me. Instead, I tend to default to a few great recipes that everyone in the family loves.
The night before I take a few minutes to prep the meal and throw it in the crock pot. Here are a few of my favorite crock pot meals.
Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 1.5-3lbs of Beef Chuck Roast
- Potatoes (any kind you like)
- Carrots
- 1 medium size white onion
- Frozen corn
- Mushrooms
- 1 can cream of mushroom condensed soup
- 1 packet of onion soup mix
Directions
- Place thawed beef at the bottom of the crock pot
- Add potatoes, carrots, onion, mushrooms and frozen corn (as well as any other veggies you’d like) until the crock pot is almost full
- Pour the can of cream of mushroom soup on top
- Put the onion mix on top of everything
- Cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours
Crock Pot Lasagna

Ingredients
- 6 lasagna noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet Italian seasoning
- 1 jar sauce of choice
- 1/4 cup water
- 16 ounces of cottage cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
Directions
- Brown beef and season with Italian seasoning
- Grease crock pot
- Break 3 lasagna noodles in half and place at the bottom of the crock pot
- Layer 1/2 of the beef on top of the noodles, followed by 1/2 of the sauce, 1/2 of the cottage cheese, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese and 1/2 of the water
- Repeat layers
- Cook on low for 4 hours
Shredded Buffalo “Crack” Chicken
I posted this recipe on my blog last week, it has been an instant hit in my house and is extremely versatile for lunch and dinner. You can check out the recipe here.
My crock pot has been a lifesaver, can’t hurt to try, right?
Love, love, love, Monica. Thanks for sharing these recipes! I seriously need to use my crockpot more often, and these are just the kind of meals my family will love.
I would love to be a member of this group 🙂 Is it free to join? I would also love to contribute articles 🙂 I have an 8 month old baby girl and will be going back to work in 2 months time. I work as a team supervisor, human resources department, here in Québec City, Canada.
I tried the beef stew and its good, and fast . Thanks !
Not that fast. I meant, easy …to prepare. (I cooked the beef for 3 hours…)
Not that fast. I meant, easy to prepare. ( I cooked my beef for 3 hours.)
I printed the lasagna but not sure the size sauce jar you used.