When you have a husband who doesn’t get home at the same time every night, you need some good slow cooker recipes in your back pocket.  This easy to make slow cooker recipe is a winner in my house. It also will leave you with leftovers to eat and enjoy.

1 lb ground beef
1 onion chopped
2 tsp minced garlic
1 (29 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1 (12 oz) package of lasagna noodles
12 oz cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 lb shredded mozzarella cheese

In a skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until brown.  Stir in the the tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, and oregano.  Cook until heated through.

In a bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese.

Spoon a layer of the meat mixture onto the bottom of the slow cooker.  Add a double of layer of the uncooked lasagna noodles.  Break to fit the noodles into the slow cooker if needed.  Top the noodles with a portion of the cheese mixture.  Repeat the layering of sauce, noodles, and cheese until all the ingredients are used.

Cover and cook on low heat in a slow cooker for 6-8 hours.

My family and I recently got the opportunity to try several Pillsbury products.  Needless to say, they were a big hit in our house.  The first item we tried was the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. We have both the normal sized ones and the mini ones.  I love how easy they are to make. All you need to do is open the package, put them on the cookie sheet, and throw them in the oven. It is so easy that Madison (my four-year-old) can do it.  We made these with her on Sunday morning before my parents left to go home (back to Green Bay). The mini cinnamon rolls are the perfect size for little kids. Both of my kids love them. If you are watching your portion control, these are great for you also.  All of the rolls were eaten for breakfast Sunday morning.

Tonight, we tried making pizza with the Pillsbury thin pizza crust.  Normally, pizza making is my husband’s job.  With two little ones underfoot, it is a pain to have to take dough and shape into a pizza.  It just takes way too long.  We were both pleasantly surprised when we open the thin crust pizza dough and found that it fit right into our cookie sheets. Actually, my husband was ecstatic.  Since we did not have to shape the dough, pizza making took half the time it normally does.  We actually like to make homemade pizzas, because it becomes a family event.  We are able to include Madison, and she truly enjoys that.  In a couple of years, Will will be able to join us also.  The pizzas only took about nine minutes to cook.   The cheese was melted, and the crust was cooked to perfection.  What more can you ask for?

The only thing we have left to try are the Crescent Recipe Creations. They are just like the crescent rolls, but without the perforations! I am hoping to try those within the next couple of days and let you know how they are.

Right now, I have been told by my husband that I need to buy these two items (especially the next time I go shopping, because they are a huge hit here!  Have you tried these yet?  If not, what are you waiting for?