Jesse Sartain, Global Food Technology

Author: Kara Kelso

Crockpot meals are always easy, and very tasty as well. If you love a good cheesy meal or snack, these recipes are just right for you!

Recipe #1 - All Day Macaroni & Cheese

8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained

4 cups(16 ounces) shredded sharp Chedder Cheese

1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups milk

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Place the cooked macaroni in crockpot that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Add the remaining ingredents, all except 1 cup of the cheese, mix well.

Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese and then cover and cook on low setting for 5 to 6 hours or until the mixture is firm and golden around the edges. Do not remove the cover or stir until it has finished cooking.

Recipe #2 - Artichoke & Cheese Dip

1 lb. shredded Mozzarella

1 c. grated Parmesan

1 c. (8 oz. jar) mayonnaise

1 c. (8 1/2 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

Minced onions

Mix ingredients together. Bake in casserole at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or in lightly buttered 3 1/2 quart slow cooker/Crock Pot on (high) for about 1 hour. Serve with broken up French bread or wheat crackers.

Recipe #3 - Broccoli & Cheese Soup

2 c. cooked noodles

1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen chopped broccoli,thawed

3 tbsp. chopped onions

2 tbsp. butter

1 tbsp. flour

2 cups shredded American cheese

Salt to taste

5 1/2 c. milk

Author: Sherry Frewerd

Now that you’ve started using your crock pot slow cooker regularly, you’re probably wondering how you can adapt your traditional recipes to use in a crock pot. The ease of preparing a meal with a slow cooker has literally changed the lives of busy families. With the help of their slow cookers, families are eating healthier and consuming less greasy fast-food.

Here are some hints for adapting your favorite traditional recipes for crock pot cooking.

1.) Add vegetables like peas and broccoli to your recipe in the last 15 - 60 minutes. If you’re using frozen vegetables, remember to add them to your crock pot recipe during the last 30 minutes.

2.) Make sure to soak your dried beans so that they are completely softened before adding them to your recipe. If your recipe includes tomatoes, salt, or sugar, then your beans should definitely be soaked before cooking.

3.) If your recipe calls for pasta, any kind of seafood, milk or other dairy products, then only add them during the last 60 minutes of cooking, and cook pasta to just a bit tender before adding them to the cooker. Condensed cream soups are good alternatives to dairy products because they can withstand longer cooking times.

4.) When cooking a recipe with rice, add an extra ¼ cup liquid for every ¼ cup of rice.

5.) Always remember to reduce the liquid in your recipe by ½ when you’re using a traditional recipe in your crock pot.

6.) A good idea for cooking stews and soups that call for vegetables is to put the veggies on the bottom and sides of the slow cooker and then place your meat on top.

Traditional Recipe to Slow Cooker Use:

15-30min traditional = 1.5-2 hrs High or 4-6 hrs Low in Crock pot

35-45min traditional = 3-4 hrs High or 6-10 hrs Low in Crock pot

50min-3hrs traditional = 4-6 hrs High or 8-18 hrs Low in Crock pot