Adding 1 tsp of oil to cooking water keeps pasta from sticking together.  It also prevents the water from boiling over in the pot.

I always love easy to make slow cooker recipes. I love being able to throw together a few things in the morning, and then have supper ready for that evening. Like tonight, Bill was over an hour late, but the kids and I were able to eat.

1 cup beef broth
1/3 cup Italian dressing
1/4 cup BBQ sauce (I used Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce)
1 tsp oregano leaves
1 lb beef stew meat
4 potatoes
1 bag baby carrots (16oz)
1 large onion, cut into chunks
3 tbsp tastefully Simple Bacon Bacon Seasoning (A couple pieces of chopped up bacon should work too)
3 tbsp flour
3 tbsp water

Mix broth, dressing, BBQ sauce, and oregano in a bowl. Put all remaining ingredients in the slow cooker except for the flour and water.  Pour bowl mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low for 8 - 9 hours (or 4 - 5 hours on high).

Fifteen minutes before you want to serve, use a slotted spoon and transfer meat and veggies to a serving bowl.  Cover with foil.

In a bowl, mix the flour and water until well blended.  Stir into slow cooker.  Cover and cook on high for 15 minutes.  Spoon over meat and vegetables.

Now, this is a very simple recipe since this was the first time I made this! We fed 6 adults and two kids with this and still had leftovers. It is not spicy, so everyone should be able to eat it (I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old so spicy is out of the question here).

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion chopped
2 cups of elbow macaroni
28 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 can kidney beans
2 15 oz cans of tomato sauce
1 46 oz bottle of tomato juice (this can actually be smaller however that is what I bought)
1 pkg of chili seasoning

Brown ground beef and onion together and drain. Also, make the elbow macaroni noodles as directed on the box.

In the meantime, put the diced tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce, and chili seasoning into a stick pot and stir together. Pour the beef and noodles in when done. Stir. Bring to a boil, then cook on low until you are ready to eat. Add in the tomato juice when and if you feel like the chili is becoming too think. I ended up using about 23 oz of the tomato juice, because we ate this during a football game.

You are able to add whatever topping you like when serving. I personally did shredded cheese while my husband added hot sauce, shredded cheese, and oyster crackers.

1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1 inch pieces
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/8 tsp pepper
2 cups sliced fresh carrots (its about 4 medium carrots)
2 cups frozen potatoes O’Brien
1 jar chicken gravy
1 can Pillsbury Golden Layers refrigerated buttermilk or original flaky biscuits
1/2 tsp garlic powder

In a skillet, heat oil. Add chicken, sprinkle with salt, 1/2 tsp thyme, and the pepper. Cook for 5 minutes stirring frequently until chicken is browned.

Move chicken to 1 side of the skillet. Add the carrots and potatoes; cook for 5 minutes. Stir in gravy and heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 20-25 minutes stirring occasionally until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the vegetables are tender.

During the last 15 minutes of cooking, heat the over to 400 degrees. Separate dough into ten biscuits. Cut each into quarters and place in a large bowl. Sprinkle garlic powder and the remaining teaspoon on thyme over the dough. Toss to coat. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and cook 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Scatter over top of cooked chicken mixture before serving.