Slow Cooker and Meal Prep Meals

Let's face it! We are all busy and when we aren't busy, we are tired. Sometimes the last thing we want to do is cook. It's the cooking and then the cleaning and then we are even more exhausted and don't want to do another thing, but the laundry needs doing, the kids need us, our spouse needs us to help with something, we've been meaning to call back a family member for weeks.

It's about making our life with cancer easier

We are just worn out with the simple demands that life brings not to mention those from a cancer journey combined with everything plus your career and a full-time job. We are tired, right?! It's often easier just to drive through your favorite burger joint and call it dinner. However, with a little planning, you don't have to do that unless of course you just want to.

I am going to share with you some simple recipes that might help you along the way. These are my favorite Crock-Pot meals. There's something so satisfying about throwing a meal in the slow cooker and knowing you are done with dinner as soon as that timer countdown is done.

Chicken, potatoes and green beans

1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts trimmed (fresh or frozen)
1/2 lb fresh green beans trimmed
1 lb red skin potatoes cubed (skin on)
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon Montreal chicken seasoning
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
2 cloves minced garlic or 1 tsp minced garlic
1 Stick of unsalted butter

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, add the lemon juice, olive oil, chicken seasoning, lemon pepper, salt, pepper, onion powder, and minced garlic. Whisk together.
2. To one side of the slow cooker, pile in the diced potatoes.
3. On the other side, pile in the green beans.
4. Layer your chicken breasts in the center.
5. Pour the lemon juice mixture evenly over the chicken, potatoes, and green beans.
6. Place the stick of butter on top.
7. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 7-8 hours without opening the lid.

*If you are sensitive to seasonings and salt, add olive oil on top and your seasonings of choice if any.

Slow cooker Mississippi pot roast

Chuck Roast
Ranch Dressing Mix (Powder)
Onion Soup Mix (Powder)
Pepperoncini Peppers (I use 4-6)
1 stick of salted butter

Directions

1. You can sear your roast in olive oil prior to placing in crock pot, but not neccessary.
2. Transfer meat to slow cooker and sprinkle the ranch dressing and onion soup mixes over pot roast.
3. Place the peppers on and around the roast.
4. Add stick of butter to top.
5. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

*You do not add any other liquid as the meat will create it's own juices.

Serving options

You may add potatoes, onions, and carrots on top of the roast also if you so choose. You may serve roast over top of mashed potatoes with a side of veggies. You may add the roast on top of sweet potato as a healthier open face idea. (This is my favorite!)

Cauliflower nachos

An easy, healthy, and incredible meal prep idea that we enjoy in my family is Cauliflower Nachos. My husband wasn't too sure of that when I first told him what was on the menu, but it is now a staple for us. This makes a ton and reheats well.

2 heads of cauliflower cut up
2 lbs of lean ground beef (can use ground turkey or ground chicken also)
2 packs of taco seasoning
Avocado Oil
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Black Beans (rinse and drain)
Diced tomatoes with green chilies (drain)
Shredded cheese ( I use a Mexican blend)
Greek Plain Yogurt (or sour cream)
Avocado
*Add any other nacho toppings that you enjoy

Directions

Prepare Cauliflower
Cut up cauliflower. Place in bowl. Add avocado oil to coat, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until well coated with the oil and seasonings. Roast on a cookie sheet for 15 minutes on 425.

Prepare Ground Beef
Brown ground beef, drain and cook according to the taco seasoning packet instructions.

Once the cauliflower is done and the ground beef taco meat is prepared, add the meat mixture over top of the cauliflower, add the rinsed and drained black beans, add the drained diced tomatoes with green chilies and cheese. Place back into the oven until cheese is melted. Upon serving add the greek yogurt, avocado, and any other toppings you'd like, and ENJOY.

Meals that can last for days

Any of these recipes can be divided into containers for the week's meals. This reheats well in the microwave.

All of these also make a good bit and keep in the fridge or even in the freezer for when you need something quick. I hope you found some value in these recipes and if you try them and I hope you enjoy.

What are your go-to, favorite crock-pot meals? Share in the comments!