Crock Pot Bacon Wrapped Smokies

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.

You don't have to use toothpicks, but if you do, don't use the colored ones.  The dye from the colored toothpicks cooks off on the bacon.  Place the bacon wrapped smokies in the crock pot, seam side down. 

If you have a casserole crock pot, that is why I recommend using one.  If have used other crock pots, and they work fine as well. Smokies will cook if you have to layer them, cook as much as you need, they will go fast.  

After the smokies are wrapped, add the brown sugar.  Make sure the smokies are covered.  The brown sugar cooks down to make a great syrup for the smokies.

Crock Pot Bacon Wrapped Smokies

PRINT RECIPE

Ingredients:

1 pound bacon

1 large package little sausage smokies

1 cup brown sugar

Directions:

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

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.

Check out this awesome Colts Crock Pot!  Once you have the troops rounded up, in my case, it's the indians! Add the shredded cheese on top.  Place the lid back on, and let the cheese melt.  Serve immediately.  Makes great left overs as well.  

If you like Crock Pot Cowboy Casserole, you will like Crock Pot Cowboy Chili! 

CROCK POT COWBOY CASSEROLE

PRINT RECIPE  

INGREDIENTS FOR CROCK POT COWBOY CASSEROLE:

1 onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 pounds ground pork

6 medium potatoes, cut into small cubes

1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can diced tomatoes w. Green chilis (or homemade stewed tomatoes)

¼ cup water

Salt and pepper to taste

4 oz shredded cheddar cheese

HOW TO MAKE COWBOY CASSEROLE IN THE CROCK POT:

1. Chop onion and mince garlic.
2. Brown sausage, add salt and pepper to taste, and drain
3. Layer potatoes on bottom of 6 quart crock pot http://amzn.to/2j8JOhx, add chopped onion and garlic.
4. Add sausage, beans, and tomatoes
5. Pour water in crock
6. Cover and Cook on low for 7-8 hours
7. Sprinkle shredded cheese in last 15 minutes, cover crock, and serve after cheese melted

I linked up to:

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