Creamy Ranch Chicken

Back to Routine

Labor Day is over!!!  The unofficial end to summer has come and gone.  I know we started school a whole month ago, but doesn't it seem that we don't REALLY get into a groove of a routine until after Labor Day.  Football Season starts, people start pulling out their wreaths donned with beautiful fall foliage and we just get a sense of preparedness.  It seems we are all gearing up to get to our routines of school, chores, sports, and church events up and running.  Well, I am no different.  I haven't quite pulled out all my Halloween décor, but I am printing kid chore sheets, organizing closets and setting up a NEW normal.  Before y'all totally dismiss me, remember I have LOTS O' KIDS!!!  If I am not organized and putting these kids to task, my house runs me and not the other way around.  Scripturally, I am called to be a manager of my home.  I haven't always taken that role seriously.  Soooo, here I am trying...AGAIN.

Todays Mealtime Monday is Creamy Ranch Chicken from Betty Crocker.  Yes, I too used to call her Betty Crock-O-Crap but if you are wanting some great meal ideas on a budget, her website is handy dandy.

Its an easy Monday Crockpot Meal and just another way to try to regain some semblance of a routine.

https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/slow-cooker-creamy-ranch-chicken/530a2a1c-c2db-4c65-80e2-e26469c1e49b


For the rice portion, I will put some long grain Jasmine Rice in my Instapot either morning of or as soon as I get home from school.  (See pot or rice cooker settings for instruction.)


I know meal planning, house cleaning and organization isn't everyone's cup of tea. I know Id prefer a Coke.  I just want to offer you words of wisdom from my Pastor (also my super cute husband).  "Just do the next right thing."  That's what I hope we can all find joy in doing. 

The BEST Open Faced RBS EVAAAHHH!!!

 

 

 

 

 

You might assume that my family of 10, living on a tight grocery budget, might eat whatever I throw at them.  Well, THEY DONT!!!!   I have to flavor and sauce the snot out of everything I make.  I keep a plethora of seasonings and flavors on hand just to please the pickiest of pallets.  If all else fails, I pull out the ketchup or honey mustard. 

 

 

This recipe, however, doesn't need a single addition. Its ALL thrown in the crockpot on Monday Mornings.

 

How I shop these ingredients.

I buy 99% of my meats at Food City.  Its a local store that gets their meats from a local meat processing company that gets their meat from local farmers. 

They have their roasts on sale usually every 3 weeks for $2.99/#.  I usually pick up the $7 roast.

 

All other items I purchase at Aldi.

Onions Soup Mix...$.79 for 2 packs in a box making them ~ $,40 each

Cream of Mushroom Soup....$.49

Ranch Packet...$.70

Brown Gravy....$.33

Sandwich Bread...$.85/loaf  OR  Artisan Bread...$3.79 loaf

2 cans Fruit...$.1.70

Chips....$1.49/bag

Total Meal Cost..............  $12.97 to feed 10 people

 

 

 

 

Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwiches

~2# Roast of your choice  (whatever is on sale)
1 packet Onion Soup Mix
1 can Cream of mushroom Soup
1 Packet Ranch Seasoning
1 Packet Brown Gravy Mix
1 cup water

Put roast in bottom of Crock Pot with cup of water
Cover with all the other ingredients
Cook on High for 8 hours

When you get home, shred beef in crockpot and smother with the gravy its been bathing in ALL DAY.
Serve over choice of toast and a side of chips and fruit.
My kids also like the little Easy Mac cups as a side.  $1.79 for 4.

Feel free to add baby carrots to roast in am, just place them UNDER the roast so they cook all the way through.

My family loves this quick and easy recipe.  When we walk in the door following a crazy Monday at work and school, the smell of house defines comfort food.


NomNom!!

Two Two Two Times Easier

 

 

 

 

Its been another busy week.  We've had 2 Birthdays and have 1 more to go.  This week I am including 2 SUPER easy recipes.  Seriously, I cant imagine people don't already have these in their a "Oh LAWD I don't want to cook tonight" arsenal.

 

 

1.  Meatball Subs

 

1 bag frozen Meatballs.  I buy the Moma Cossi Original Meatballs but the Italian are good too.

2 loaves Italian bread from the Deli.     Walmart has my fave.

1 jar Spaghetti sauce

Garlic Powder

Sugar

Mozzarella Cheese 

 

 

In crockpot add meatballs, sauce, a few shakes of the garlic powder and 1 tbsp. sugar

Cook on low 8-10 hours or High for 3-4

Cut Bread down center and scoop out a "boat" in the center. 

Add prepared meatballs and top with cheese

Broil til cheese melted and sandwich is TOASTY.

DONE!!!!!

 

 

 

2. BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

 

Bone in Pork Roast

2 jars BBQ Sauce

Hamburger Buns

 

Add Roast to Crockpot with 1 cup water

Cook on High for 6 hours or Low for 8-10

Pull out of water and remove bone

In a large bowl, shred Roast and add jars of fave BBQ sauce

Put on Buns and EAT!!! 

These are great with a side of slaw (premix) and baked beans warmed in the microwave.

 

 

NOW, these are SUPER easy throw together meals and they are very easy on a budget.    

 

B



 

 

 

 

 

BACK TO SCHOOL!!  As we prepare for another busy Monday, I decided to start sharing some of my favorite tried and true crock pot and prepare ahead meals.  I find having a Monday Dinner Plan helps me relax when I get home from a long day at Co-op, makes sure my family doesn't have to wait to eat and best of all saves me $$.

 

 

Today I'm sharing what WE are having this Monday.    Salsa Chicken is one of my easiest meals and it serves a crowd.   

 

Salsa Chicken

4-5 Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts

1/2 cup water

1 Large Jar your choice of Salsa

1 packet Taco Seasoning (or your own choice of homemade spices)

1 bag frozen corn OR canned corn  (optional)

1 can black beans drained (optional)

 

Rice of your choice  (I like putting jasmine rice in the instapot before I leave.  You can use instant rice, brown rice, whatever.)

 

Place chicken breast (frozen OR fresh) in crockpot with water.

Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.

Drain crockpot of extra liquid and shred chicken (Y'all I put this in my stand mixer to shred.  Oh LAW!)

add Salsa, and optional corn and beans

Cook for another hour on high

 

Serve over rice.  We like a side of refried beans and cheese.