The holidays are such a busy time, but pulling out the crock pots makes things a little easier. You can be sure someone is going to bring the Bacon Wrapped Smokies to a party! When I hosted a friend get-together I made sure this was on the menu.  I also served Crock Pot Cowboy Casserole. That was a huge hit!

I knew the casserole style crock pot would work great for the smokies.  If you have extras, you can double up, but when they are all lined up in the crock, they are cooked evenly.



Bring the kids in the kitchen to help out! Kids can get help wrap the smokies. I use a whole pound of bacon, cut the strips into thirds.

1. Spray casserole crock pot with Pam
2. Cut one pound of bacon. Cut the strips into thirds.
3. Wrap the lil smokies with a ⅓ of the strip. Place the smokies in the crock pot, seam side down.
4. Cover all smokies with brown sugar. Use up to one cup of brown sugar, or until completely covered.
5. Cook on high for 2 - 2.5 hours.

Cook in the crock pot for 2 - 2.5 hours.  Watch this closely, you don't want the smokies to start falling apart. This also works great in the oven. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up!




I linked up Watcha Crockin Week 23, Meal Plan Monday #44 and Weekend Potluck #255.

Crock Pot Cowboy Casserole is a hearty meal and combines all of our favorite ingredients into one dish. I knew this snowy weekend would be a perfect time to create a Crock Pot meal the whole family would love. 


This was our second weekend of snow.  Last weekend we went to the local Christmas Tree Farm to take our family pictures.  It was a beautiful picture with fresh snow on the ground.  Christmas cards were sent out this weekend.  For me, I am running way ahead of schedule. 

This weekend consisted of the husband hunting, the boys enjoying the Purdue basketball game, and Macie had basketball practice.  Sunday was a day to stay home and cook.  All day.  We had four crock pots going!  We didn't get as much snow this weekend as anticipated, but kids already have a two-hour delay on Monday morning.



I wanted to share this Crock Pot Cowboy Casserole. I made it last weekend, and the family and some girl friends were the first to try it out. Needless to say, it was a hit, and I had to make it again! 
When I think of a cowboy casserole, I know this is going to be a very hearty and healthy dinner!  Throw it in the crock pot and let it cook up.  This 6 quart Crock Pot is the perfect size.   I could see cowboys on the prairie throwing this meal in a big pot over the fire for their dinner.



  Cut up about 6 potatoes, peel them or keep the skins on them. These are from our garden, so the skins are thin and I think they are so good with the skins on!  Cut up a onion and mince garlic and add on top.



I added two pounds of sausage here. Brown it up and put it over the potatoes.  Sausage adds so much favor here, add ground beef if you like.


Add a can of diced tomatoes.  If you have stewed tomatoes from your garden, add a jar of that, and that is all the juice you need, don't add the water in the recipe.  Have a favorite vegetable your cowboys would love? Throw it in here! We added peas!


Drain and rinse a can of kidney beans.  Add over the tomatoes.  Add water.  Place crock pot on low and let it cook 7-8 hours.


Southern Bite Meal Plan Monday 41
Watcha Crockin' Week #21
The Country Potluck Week #252

Remove from heat and pour over the ham and cheese rolls in the casserole crock pot.

1. 1. Melt butter, brown sugar, Worchestershire sauce, mustard and poppy seeds in a microwave safe dish.  Stir well.
2. Unroll crescent sheet and layer ham and top with a cheese of your preference. Roll into a log and carefully cut into 12 sections with a serrated knife.
3. Spray casserole crock pot with Pam.
4. Place rolls in crock and cover with hot mixture sauce.
5. Cook on high for 2 - 2.5 hours.

I keep mentioning that harvest is close to being over. Well, I think we are finally done!



 One meal that is easy to make in the Pressure Cooker, or  Instant Pot, is Spaghetti.  I felt like I was really going out of my comfort zone, but this is so much more convenient. 






















This picture was taken on one of the last evenings I worked late at the elevator.  Beautiful colors in the sky, and it was transferred right over to the camera. 

We are still looking for simple dinners. Sports is keeping us busy in the evenings. I don't know if I want to admit it, or I am proud to admit it, but we love spaghetti.  We can eat spaghetti once a week! It's a simple dinner to throw together.  There are so many options with the different types of pasta available, but the angel hair pasta is our favorite.




Brown one pound of hamburger and one pound of ground pork with a chopped onion  You can do two pounds of hamburger if you want to. There is a brown option on the pressure cooker, but I did this step on the stove. Add one box of angel hair pasta over the hamburger. 


Add jar of spaghetti sauce, one can of traditional spaghetti sauce, one small can of tomato paste, and one cup of water.  Lock on the lid, set pressure cooker for 15 minutes. 



When 15 minute timer is up, push on valve and release. Watch for steam.  Remove lid, and this is what it looks like. 



Immediately stir spaghetti and serve! 







We could easily have this once a week, and leftovers are delicious! 



I linked up to:
Whatcha Crockin Wednesday - Week 17
Weekend Potluck #249
Meal Plan Monday #38