Easy Meals for Busy NoCo Families

 

Hey Friends! Sports activities are back, and if you’re like our family, you currently have sports 3 weeknights a week 🤪. So, I’ve had to rethink my evening dinner routine and how to manage feeding kids later in our evening, but before it’s time to head to bed for another day at school. Here are a few of my favorite recipes that are easily prepped and/or ready to go by the time you’re home from a full work/school day! (Plus, they all make great leftovers!)

 

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

I’ve adapted this one over the years and is a great weeknight dinner and smells amazing all day. Add these ingredients to your Costco Instacart and you’re off to the races!  

1 Jar of 505 Green Chili Sauce (I use about 75% the large 40 oz one from Costco)

1 Rotisserie Chicken OR 1.5 lbs of cooked shredded chicken

 1 Can of White Beans ~15oz , undrained  

1 Can of Corn (optional*)

1 Large Bag of Shredded Cheese

1 Container of Sour Cream

 

Add ingredients to your slow cooker, and put on low for 8-9 hours, or High for 3-4 hours. With 1 hour remaining, I put in about a Cup of Sour Cream and ½ of Cheese to melt in there – mix well. This Can be a little “Spicy”  to littles, but mix in a little extra sour cream. Serve with Cornbread or Tortilla Strips! Serve with a Bag Salad or Fruit from Costco if you need a quick side! Freeze remaining contents if you have extra.. this can make a lot!

*I like to add the Corn and the White beans and it helps to pre-tone down the spice factor if you’re sensitive to that and don’t want to overdue the Sour Cream. *Use the remaining chili sauce and make breakfast tacos or burritos.

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches

3 (ish) lb Chuck Roast (or whatever you have on hand.. but does not have to be a fancy roast cut

2 Cups of Low Sodium Beef Broth or Beef Bullion

1 Jar of Pepperoncini’s, stems removed or go with Pre Cut (mild or spicy, based on Preference)

1/3 C Pepperoncini Juice

1 Italian Seasoning Packet

2 tsp Italian Seasoning

**Don’t have an Italian seasoning packet? If you have Italian dressing I’ll throw in a ½ C of that!

Hoagie Rolls, Sandwich Bread, etc. (Gluten Free if needed)

Provolone, Mozzarella, Roasted Red Peppers, Lettuce, etc., for Serving

Add all ingredients (minus the topping and bread) to the Slow Cooker and Put on LOW for 8-9 hours. Slice and toast your bread with and melt cheese on the inside for extra crunch and deliciousness. Top with all the things above. Enjoy!

 

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Here comes a Hum Family Recipe, and something my mom made for me as a kid, and now my kids beg for this for dinner too! You’re welcome.

1.5 lbs of chicken , cubed (Skinless Thighs or Skinless breasts are fine)

½ tsp of Seasoned Salt

12-14 oz of Broccoli, uncooked

2 Cans of Cream of Chicken Soup Mix (GF as needed)

½ -2 Tbsp of Curry Powder Salt to Taste

½ C of Mayo

1 C of Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Cooked Rice, for Serving

 

Preheat oven to 350. Cube Chicken and Sauté until cooked, season with your fave seasoned salt (or just regular salt.) Place in the bottom of a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Meanwhile, chop broccoli in bite size pieces and boil broccoli until fork tender. If using Frozen, cook and make sure to drain well (frozen holds extra water and will water down the flavor of the dish.) Drain and put Broccoli on top of Chicken. In a medium bowl, mix together the 2 cans of cream of chicken, ½ Cup of Mayo, and Curry Powder. Salt the mix to taste. Pour mixture over top the chicken and broccoli. Smooth so that it is even across the top of the casserole dish. Top with Cheese! From here, either put this guy back in the fridge until ready to cook, OR place directly into the oven and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Cook 2 cups of rice and set aside. Enjoy with ½ C of cooked rice as the base, topped with the chicken broccoli. Yum!

 

Instant Pot Apple Sauce

Totally an extra add that my family is totally into making right now but not a dinner, .. but I thought I’d throw it in! Our Apple tree is producing so much right now, and my kids love homemade apple sauce.

-8 Apples Cored, peeled and sliced) – grab yourself a peeler on amazon to make life easier . -1 Cup of Water -1 Tbsp Lemon Juice -½ Tsp of Cinnamon Peel ‘dem apples. Throw in the instant pot. Top with Water, Lemon juice, and Cinnamon. Secure the lid and put on High Pressure for 8 Minutes. Do a natural release (in other words, don’t release the steam trivet). Once all naturally released, open the hatch, and give it a good stir. The apples should mix and turn into sauce before your eyes (if it didn’t in the pressure process already). Depending on the apple you use, you may desire a small amount of Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup. Freeze, can, or just put in the fridge and ENJOY ! I make this recipe and do double or triple batches sometimes and my kids still gobble it all up in 2 weeks.

Have any to share that you love? Send em my way - it's a long sports season!

Ashleigh