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🍗 Two-Week Reserve-Based Crockpot Menu: Chicken, Sausage & Beef Edition (Wk 27&28)

Because ovens are rude and we deserve ease.

Let’s be real — chronic illness, neurodivergence, parenting, and general life chaos don’t care that dinner still has to happen.
So here’s a two-week, reserve-based crockpot plan that keeps you fed without a meltdown.

You’ll cook just three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday) and still have enough food for reworks, leftovers, and “oops, I forgot to defrost something” days.


🐔 TUESDAY: Chicken Day

🥣 Salsa Crockpot Chicken

The OG lazy girl dinner. Don’t mess with perfection.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 jar (16 oz) salsa
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • Optional: 1 cup frozen corn or a can of diced tomatoes (drained)

Instructions

  1. Dump it all in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low 6–8 hours or high 3–4.
  3. Shred it up and mix before serving.

Serve With: Rice, tortillas, or potatoes.
Reserves: Use leftovers in quesadillas, nachos, rice bowls, or over pasta.


🍽️ Chicken & Veggie Bowls

Healthy-ish. Easy. Zero oven time. We love that for us.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs chicken (breasts or thighs), chunked
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 zucchini, sliced
  • ½ onion, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Toss it all in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low 5–6 hours or high 3–4.
  3. Stir before serving to coat everything evenly.

Serve With: Rice, quinoa, or in wraps.
Reserves: Toss leftovers into scrambled eggs or pasta for a second meal.


🌭 THURSDAY: Sausage Day

🍝 Sausage & Peppers Pasta

A classic one-pot wonder — but make it a slow cooker.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups broth
  • 8 oz pasta (add later!)
  • Italian herbs, salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Add everything except the pasta.
  2. Cook on low 5–6 hours or high 3–4.
  3. Stir in uncooked pasta 30–40 minutes before serving (add a splash of broth if needed).

Reserves: Bake leftovers with cheese or thin it out for soup.


🥔 Sausage, Potato & Pepper Hash

Like a diner breakfast but without having to move.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 ½ lbs potatoes, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • Garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper

Instructions

  1. Grease crockpot lightly with oil or spray.
  2. Toss everything in and mix well.
  3. Cook on high 3–4 hours or low 6–7, stirring halfway through.

Serve With: Fried egg on top or a warm roll.
Reserves: Wrap leftovers in tortillas for breakfast burritos.


🥩 SUNDAY: Ground Beef Day

🌶️ Lazy Chili Mac (No Beans)

It’s comfort food that won’t fight your stomach.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb cooked ground beef
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 2 cups elbow noodles
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Add everything except noodles to the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low 4–5 hours.
  3. Stir in noodles 30 minutes before serving.

Reserves: Serve leftovers over baked potatoes or tortilla chips.


🍚 Beef & Rice Bowls

Your freezer meal hero.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb cooked ground beef
  • 1 ½ cups uncooked rice
  • 3 cups broth
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt, pepper, paprika

Instructions

  1. Combine everything in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low 4–5 hours or high 2–3.
  3. Fluff before serving.

Reserves: Wrap in lettuce or tortillas, or top with fried eggs.


That should last us into November, wow it flies by, til next time gang, take care of yourselves, and each other.

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Two-Week Spoonie Menu: The “We Survived the Plague” Edition Week 25 & 26

We got hit hard this round — hubby brought home some sort of mutant cold that ran through the house like a toddler through a toy aisle. Everyone took turns coughing, whining, and refusing soup (because of course). The good news: we’re on the mend, and I’m finally feeling ready to cook again… in moderation.

So, this week’s menu leans heavy on reserves, comfort, and low-effort dinners that still taste like you tried. Three cook days (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday) with flexible leftovers and built-in sanity savers. Nothing fancy, just survival-mode delicious.

Week 25

Sunday – Crockpot Salsa Chicken

  • Cooking Method: Crockpot
  • Ingredients:
    • 2 lbs chicken breasts
    • 1 jar (16 oz) salsa
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1 tsp chili powder
    • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Directions:
    1. Place chicken in crockpot, pour salsa over it, sprinkle with spices.
    2. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
    3. Shred chicken and serve over rice, in tortillas, or with a salad.

Monday – Reserve Meal

  • Leftover salsa chicken over rice or salad.

Tuesday – Crockpot Italian Chicken & Veggies

  • Cooking Method: Crockpot
  • Ingredients:
    • 2 lbs chicken thighs
    • 1 cup baby carrots
    • 1 cup potatoes, diced
    • 1 cup zucchini, sliced
    • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
    • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Directions:
    1. Place chicken and veggies in crockpot.
    2. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and a little salt & pepper.
    3. Cook LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours.

Wednesday – Reserve Meal

  • Leftovers from Tuesday; can toss with pasta or eat as-is.

Thursday – Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies (not crockpot)

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 lb sausage (turkey or chicken)
    • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
    • 1 zucchini, sliced
    • 1 cup baby potatoes, halved
    • Olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder
  • Directions:
    1. Toss all ingredients with olive oil and seasonings.
    2. Roast at 400°F (205°C) for 25–30 minutes, turning once.

Friday – Reserve Meal

  • Leftovers from Thursday.

Saturday – Reserve Meal

  • Quick scramble, salad, or grain + protein from reserves.

Week 26

Sunday – Salsa Chicken (repeat, make extra for Monday)

Monday – Reserve Meal

  • Leftover salsa chicken.

Tuesday – Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken & Rice

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 lbs chicken thighs
    • 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
    • 1 cup broccoli florets
    • 1 cup carrots, sliced
  • Directions:
    1. Place chicken in crockpot, pour sauce over.
    2. Cook LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours.
    3. Add veggies in last 30 minutes of cooking.
    4. Serve with rice.

Wednesday – Reserve Meal

  • Leftovers from Tuesday.

Thursday – Crockpot Creamy (Light) Chicken & Mushrooms (dairy-light)

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 lbs chicken breasts
    • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
    • 1/2 cup chicken broth
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • Salt & pepper
  • Directions:
    1. Place chicken and mushrooms in crockpot, pour broth over.
    2. Season with garlic powder, salt, pepper.
    3. Cook LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours.

Friday – Reserve Meal

  • Leftovers from Thursday.

Saturday – Reserve Meal

  • Quick grain + protein + veggie, or scrambled eggs + toast + veggies.

Reserves / Backup Meals Ideas

These are quick, simple, and interchangeable for non-cooking days:

  • Rotisserie chicken + microwavable veggies
  • Pre-cooked frozen grains (rice, quinoa) + frozen veggies + protein
  • Eggs scrambled or hard-boiled + toast + fruit
  • Canned tuna or chicken salad (without mayo)
  • Salad kits with added beans, eggs, or cooked meat