Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

I saw a similar recipe on Pinterest, but then I thought... 

...I could definitely make this a crockpot friendly soup! 

And the best part is... it's only 225 calories!! 

Let me say that again. 225 calories. 

That's it! 

I also have to confess that I was skeptical about this 

as I watched it simmering in the slow cooker. 

But Hole. Lee. Cow. 

It is one of the best dinners I have EVER made. Ever. 

Just give this a whirl and your family will be thanking you. 

Your schedule will be thanking you (I mean its a slow cooker recipe!). 

Your tastebuds will be thanking you.

Your hips will be thanking you (225 calories! Did I mention that yet?!). 

You will be thanking you.

Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

 

 

Shopping List:

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 lb Ground Italian Sausage Meat

1 White Onion, chopped

32 oz Chicken Broth (sodium reduced)

1 15oz can Petite Diced Tomatoes

1 15oz can Tomato Sauce

1 tsp Crushed Red Peppers

1 Tbsp Minced Garlic

Pinch of Salt and Pepper

4 oz Whole Wheat Lasagna Noodles, broken into pieces

(About 4 whole noodles)

Mozzarella Cheese (topping)

Whole Wheat French Baguette

Method:

1. Brown sausage and chopped onion in olive oil.

2. Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, crushed red peppers, garlic, salt and pepper to slow cooker.

3. Add browned meat and onions.

4. Cook 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.

5. 10-15 minutes before serving, add lasagna noodles to slow cooker.

6. Serve hot topped with mozz cheese and a slice of whole wheat french baguette. Enjoy!

Easy. Peasy.

Don't forget about our new Facebook page!

Click HERE to check it out.

 

And in case you missed our 

St. Patty's Day Grasshopper Mini Bundt Cakes...

 

Click HERE for the recipe.

Valentine's Day Recipes: Cupcakes & Chocolate-y Chili

It's Valentine's Week!  

We have some super fun Valentine's recipes to share with you 

this week including a guest post from my sister Hannah, 

and a Valentine's Day Menu for You and Your Sweetie! 

And all of this while celebrating our 1 Yr Blogiversary! 

On Wednesday we will announce the winner 

of our Red Keurig Mini Brewer giveaway - which means you only 

have a few days left to enter!! 

Click HERE if you haven't had the chance. 

It's going to be a GREAT week! 

Let's start with two awesome recipes that leave your tastebuds feeling loved!

Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cupcakes 

with Peppermint Frosting

This was the first recipe on my blog I invented myself! 

I was nervous about how it would turn out. 

But I was so pleasantly surprised! 

They turned out so cute and sooo delicious!

Click HERE for the recipe.

Chocolate-y Crockpot Chili 

What is Valentine's Day without chocolate?! 

Ugh. I can't even imagine. 

In fact, this week our Valentine's Day Recipe for You and Your Sweetie 

is going to be chocolate-themed. Yes, you heard me. Chocolate-themed. 

As in chocolate is an ingredient in Every. Course. Yum. 

But this Chocolate-y Crockpot Chili is so good and super quick and easy. 

This week, choose a night you don't much time to spare, 

but still want to feel in the spirit of Valentine's. 

Your loved ones will thank you!

Click HERE for the recipe.

In case you missed our DIY Gift Ideas Post,
click HERE to see some great ideas
including this DIY House Warming Gift!

We will see you tomorrow for a guest post 

from my sister Hannah on some delicious Valentine's macaroons!!

Game Day Snacks: Buffalo Chicken Dip & Nutella Football Cupcakes

It's Game Day!! 

(It's also Downton Day - I feel I should point that out as well)

I hope you had a chance to check out my 

SuperBowl Sunday Menu from Friday.  

If not, click HERE to see it.

But it's Game Day. 

And maybe you are still in need of some last minute, 

super fast recipes for the big party tonight. 

No shame. 

I know how time gets away from us. 

So take a deep breath and relax. 

I've got you covered. 

You can throw this Buffalo Chicken Dip 

in the crockpot to be ready in minutes, 

or use a box mix for these delicious cupcakes that will decorate so fast, 

you're friends won't believe you when they see how cute they look! 

Game on!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Shopping List:

8oz pkg of Cream Cheese

1/2 C Ranch Dressing

1/2 C Frank's Red Hot Sauce

1/2 C Shredded Mozzarella

2 12.5oz cans Premium Chunk Chicken Breast, drained

Method:

1. Combine ingredients in slow cooker on high 2-4 hours, then on warm to serve.

2. Serve with tortilla chips or french baguette slices. Enjoy!

Nutella Football Cupcakes

Shopping List:

1 box Chocolate Cake Mix

Ingredients on box

(i.e. eggs, butter, oil, water, etc.)

1/2 C Nutella

Cupcake Papers

Frosting:

1 container Chocolate Frosting

1/2 C Nutella

Piping Bags, Tips, and Couplers

White Gel Icing in writing tube

Method:

1. Preheat oven according to box and line cupcake tins with cupcake papers.

2. Prepare box mix according to box instructions. Before mixing, add 1/2 C Nutella.

3. Bake according to box instructions. Allow to cool.

4. In a small mixing bowl, combine chocolate frosting and 1/2 C Nutella.

5. Place appropriate tip and coupler on piping bag and fill piping bag with frosting.

6. Pipe football onto cooled cupcake (see picture). Draw lacing on using white gel icing. Enjoy!

May the best team commercial WIN!!

We'll see you Tuesday as a share a special DIY project 

(but this is a cooking blog you say!) 

that'll have you feeling a little more warm about this freezing cold weather!

SuperBowl Sunday Menu

This weekend is the SuperBowl! 

I love the SuperBowl - not so much because I care about football 

(or at least NFL football - this family is allllllll about Penn State Football!), 

but because I do love watching a good game, 

I looove funny commercials, I Loooooove SuperBowl food, 

and I LOOOOOVVVEE any excuse to have a party with friends. 

So whether you will be rooting for the 

Denver Broncos for the Seattle Seahawks, 

you are gonna need some delicious munchies for you and your guests! 

And Quick and Easy is best because who wants to be slaving away 

in the kitchen while the game and all your guests 

are in the living room crowded around the tv?!

Let's start with things you can use as the main meal. 

I'm fine to snack on appetizers all night, 

but my friend Ryan says we have to have "something substantial." 

Well for all of the Ryan's in the world, here are some suggestions:

Meatball Subs

Now there is nothing special about this recipe. 

In fact, I really didn't make any of it. 

But we said quick and easy, right? 

Throw these puppies in the slow cooker, 

set out some buns and cheese, 

and you have a self-serve meal that is ready all night.

Click HERE for the recipe.

Slow Cooker Cola Pulled Pork

Pulled Pork is another recipe you can throw in the slow cooker, 

set some buns beside and walk away. 

Always warm, always ready to eat. 

And this fun recipe has an extra fun taste 

by adding a can of your favorite soda!

Click HERE for the recipe.

Chocolate-y Crockpot Chili

When I think of SuperBowl food, 

I automatically think of Chili. 

Make ahead in the crockpot, 

and set out a fun toppings bar! 

Some cheese, sour cream, diced green onions, 

maybe some fritos! So good! 

Annnd! This recipe will have you ready for 

Valentine's Day at the same time! 

CHOCOLATE is an ingredient. Yes, I said it. Chocolate.

Click HERE for the recipe.

Meat & Veggie Stromboli

Stromboli's are another perfect football-watching food. 

And you can stuff them with several different things 

to have a variety for your guests! 

Here are two recipes for Meat and Veggie Strombolis. 

Excuse the poor photo quality. 

This was my first recipe on Teach Me How to Cookie!

Click HERE for the recipe.

Ok, let's switch gears to appetizers. 

Here are some Awesome Apps your guests will love to snack on!

Quick and Easy Guacamole

Last night I bought a huge bag of avocados. 

With several parties this weekend, 

I plan to be making lots of guac. 

This recipe is so simple, yet sooo good!

Click HERE for the recipe.

Originally this was a Halloween recipe, 

so you can ignore the cute little Frankenguac cup 

and just make the guacamole. 

And you may want to double triple this recipe!

Crescent Pizza Rolls

These are one of my favorites! 

And your kids will love this one too. 

3 ingredients and done.

Click HERE is for the recipe.

Mandy's Fresh Avocado and Feta Salsa

My friend Mandy shared this wonderful recipe a few months ago. 

It's a fun twist on traditional salsa, and since everything is fresh, 

it is actually a more HEALTHY option!

Click HERE for the recipe.

Cabbage & Ramen Noodle Salad

Now this recipe isn't technically an appetizer, 

but this salad is such a hit, I just had to include it. 

I have had so many people tell me how much they love this salad, 

or that they took it to a party and it was gone as soon as they served it. 

It's one of my top 5 viewed recipes! 

Your guests will LOOOVE this salad!

Click HERE for the recipe.

That's all for today! 

But on Sunday, I will be sharing 2 last minute recipes 

for those of you who are still scrambling. 

Nutella Football Cupcakes and Buffalo Chicken Dip. 

Both quick. Both easy. 

See you on Game Day!