Saving your Sanity (and Your Money) with the Crock Pot

Cooking and planning meals is not my biggest passion.  I married a chef for a reason.  Burnt food and flopped meals have graced my table more than once.  I have even watched a brand new microwave go up in flames. That is why you won't see the focus of this blog on cooking, baking days, or meals!

But we still have to eat at my house and for the last year I have been creating successful, stress free Crock Pot meals!  Crock Pot cookbooks have helped me find some great meals along the way.  I place my meals in the Crock Pot the night before, or after breakfast.  The biggest relief for me, is knowing my meal will be done when we need it and I don't spend time cooking when my kids get off the school bus.  The Crock Pot has taken a great deal of stress out of my day!

One of my goals in Crock Pot Cooking is using the ingredients I have on hand or get inexpensively with coupons.  Hence, the awesome enchilada casserole below was born!  It is a weekly favorite that all five members of my family eat with enthusiasm!

Cheese and Chile Enchilada Casserole
from the Today's Creative Crock Pot Cookbook -2nd Edition

1 Large Yellow Onion
2 Cloves Garlic
2 Lbs Lean ground beef or chicken
1 pkg Taco Seasoning
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 4-0z can of green chiles
12 corn tortillas
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup jack cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 cup salsa
1 4oz can black olives (optional)
1/4 cup green onions (optional)

Saute the onion, garlic and ground beef in a skillet.  Drain the fat and add the taco seasoning.  In another bowl combine the mushroom soup and green chiles.  Spoon several tablespoons of soup mixture into the bottom of the Crock Pot and spread to cover the bottom.  Layer 3 corn tortillas, soup mixture, ground beef, combination of cheeses evenly until all are used.  Do not stir.  Cover, cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Combine the sour cream and salsa and use for a topping -this is a must!!!  Sprinkle with sour cream/salsa, black olives and green onions to serve.  I have definitely tweaked this recipe to our tastes.  We found that a little more sauce and chiles is to our liking!

I have this in the Crock Pot today and it smells awesome and I am stress free!  And by the way, my chef doesn't cook for me anymore, but requests this recipe so I must be doing something right!