16 Make Ahead Crock Pot Recipes

Recently I stumbled across Organizer By Day's 20 Crockpot Meals Each Under $7. My oven was out of action for a few months and, in that time, I fell in love with my crock pot. However, the idea of having everything ready ahead of time and just having to throw it in there was a very appealing idea! I decided that I absolutely had to try this. I borrowed quite a few of her recipes and modified most of them to my liking.

If you're going to do all the prep for this all at once, I suggest doing it on a day when you have 6 to 8 hours to spare. Of course, I was alone with a three year-old and other distractions, so it might only take 4 to 6 hours for someone with less distractions and/or a little help from a significant other or older children.

Note the yield amounts please. These recipes will feed a maximum of 6 single servings, with a few exceptions. As suggested by Organizer By Day with her recipes, I added extra meat to some to make it more probable to feed my family. We are a family of four; two adults and two small children. If you're feeding a very small household, you can divide most of these recipes in half when you freeze them and make two meals.

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Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole Details Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 2-3 hours on high; 4-6 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 2-6 hours, depending on desired cooking temperature. Yields: 4-6 servings Ingredients 1 lb ground beef, cooked & drained 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1 lb green beans 1 can (approximately 10.5 oz) cream of mushroom 1 cup shredded cheese 21 oz bag of tater tots Instructions Brown ground beef and drain. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag. Label and freeze until desired day to cook. Cheesy Hashbrowns & Smoked Sausage Details Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 4-5 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 4-5 hours. Yields: 4-6 servings Ingredients 14-16 oz smoked sausage, uncooked & chopped 2 cans (approximately 10.5 oz each) cheddar cheese soup 1 1/2 cup milk 2 Tbsp butter 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp pepper 2 lbs frozen, shredded hashbrowns 1/4 cup parmesan cheese 2 tsp paprika Instructions Chop smoked sausage. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag. Label and freeze until desired day to cook. Chunky Chicken Noodle Details Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 5-6 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 5-6 hours. Yields: 4-6 servings Ingredients 2 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 can (approximately 10.5 oz) broccoli soup 1 cup milk 1 tsp salt 1 tsp basil 1 tsp pepper 1 lb bag frozen, mixed vegetables 1/2-1 lb egg noodles (cooked separately) Instructions Combine all ingredients in freezer bag, except noodles. Label and freeze until desired day to cook. Cook noodles separately and add to the chicken mixture just before serving. Lemon Garlic Chicken Details Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 2.5-3.5 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low. (DO NOT THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 3-6 hours, depending on preferred cooking temperature. Yields: 4-6 servings Ingredients 3-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1/4 cup water 4 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp butter 2 garlic cloves minced 1 tsp seasoned salt 1/2 tsp pepper Instructions Combine all ingredients in freezer bag. Label and freeze until desired day to cook. Scallop Potatoes & Chicken Details Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. (DO NOT THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 4-8 hours, depending on desired cooking temperature. Yields: 4-6 servings Ingredients 2 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts 4-5 potatoes, sliced 1 can (approximately 10.5 oz) cream of celery 1 soup can of milk 1 1/2 cups velveeta, cubed Salt Pepper Instructions Slice potatoes. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag. Label and freeze until desired day to cook. White Chicken Chili Details Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 4-5 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 4-5 hours. Yields: 4-6 servings (~1 cup each) Ingredients 2 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts 4 cups chicken stock 2 can great northern beans, drained 1 can chopped green chilis, drained 4 Tbsp olive oil 2 Tbsp corn starch 4 tsp cumin 4 tsp chili powder Salt Pepper Instructions Drain chilis and beans. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag. Label and freeze until desired day to cook. Crock Pot Macaroni & Cheese Details Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 4-5 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 4-5 hours. Yields: 4-6 servings Ingredients 1 lb elbow macaroni 4 cups shredded cheese 1 can evaporated milk 1 1/2 cups milk 2 large eggs 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 14-16 oz smoked sausage, uncooked & chopped Nonstick cooking spray Instructions Chop smoked sausage. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag. Label and freeze until desired day to cook. Day of, spray the crock pot with non-stick cooking spray liberally and check macaroni at 4 hours. Loaded Potato Soup Details Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 2-4 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 2-4 hours. Yields: 4-6 servings (~1 cup each) Ingredients 6-8 large, russet potatoes, baked 12 bacon slices, cooked & chopped 2/3 cup butter 2/3 cup flour 4 cups chicken broth 3 cups milk 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese 1/2 cup velveeta, cubed 1 cup sour cream 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 1 can (approximately 10.5 oz) cream of potato 1 lb precooked ham, chopped Instructions Peel potatoes, if desired Bake and chop potatoes. Cook bacon and chop. Cube velveeta. Chop ham (may substitute 1 lb smoked sausage) Combine all ingredients in freezer bag. Label and freeze until desired day to cook. Chicken Fajitas Details Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. (DO NOT THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 4-8 hours, depending on desired temperature. Yields: 4-6 servings Ingredients 2 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 green peppers, sliced or chopped 1 cup chicken broth 2 taco seasoning packets 2 tsp chili powder 1 tsp paprika 2 tsp salt Instructions Cut green peppers however you prefer. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag. Label and freeze until desired day to cook. Pot Roast Details Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. (DO NOT THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 4-8 hours, depending on desired temperature. Yields: 4-6 servings Ingredients 3 Tbsp olive oil 2 lb beef roast, cubed 3 cups beef broth 5 potatoes, cubed 3-4 carrots, sliced Seasonings Instructions Cut roast and vegetables. Season however desired. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag. Label and freeze until desired day to cook. Chili Details Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. (DO NOT THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 4-8 hours, depending on desired temperature. Yields: 4-6 servings Ingredients 1 1/2 lbs ground beef, cooked & drained 1 can light red kidney beans, drained 1 can dark red kidney beans, drained 1 can chili beans 1-2 cans mushrooms, drained 1 can tomatoes 2 small cans tomato sauce Instructions Brown ground beef and drain. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag. Label and freeze until desired day to cook. Crock Pot Sloppy Joes Details Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 4-6 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 4-6 hours. Yields: 8-10 sandwiches Ingredients 2 lb ground beef, drained 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce 1/2 cup ketchup 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup flour 1 tbsp chili powder 1 tbsp cider vinegar 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup BBQ sauce Instructions Brown ground beef and drain. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag. Label and freeze until desired day to cook. Serve on rolls, buns, or bread. Crock Pot Pulled Pork Details Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 6-8 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 7-9 hours. Yields: 8-10 sandwiches Ingredients 2 lb pork 1 can root beer 1 bottle BBQ Instructions Combine pork and root beer in freezer bag. Label and freeze until desired day to cook. When finished: remove, drain, and shred pork. Combine shredded pork and BBQ and serve. Serve on rolls, buns, or bread. Meatballs Details Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 8-9 hours on low (THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 9-10 hours. Ingredients 1/2 lb ground beef 1/2 lb ground turkey 4 oz bread crumbs (or 1/3 cup oatmeal) 4 large eggs 1 cup milk 1/2 cup parmesan cheese 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese 3 Tbsp onion powder 2 Tbsp diced garlic Tomato sauce Instructions Combine all ingredients, except tomato sauce. Roll into golf ball sized meatballs. Label and freeze, preferably in tupperware, until desired day to cook. Put meatballs in crock pot and fill with desired tomato sauce roughly half way. Cook as directed. Turkey Loaf Details Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 2.5-3.5 hours on high or 5-7 hours on low. (THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 4-9 hours, depending on desired cook temperature. Ingredients 2 eggs 1 tsp pepper 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 cup bread crumbs 2 minced garlic cloves 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 tsp salt 1/3 cup milk 8 oz mushrooms 1 1/2 ground turkey Instructions Cook garlic for 1 minute in oil. Add mushrooms, salt, and pepper for 2-3 minutes. Mix ketchup and Worcestershire in a bowl and add mushroom mixture. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Combine milk and bread crumbs and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Combine both mixtures and add in egg and turkey. You may freeze until ready to cook. Thaw before cooking in slow cooker. Man's Meat Loaf Details Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 2.5-3.5 hours on high or 5-7 hours on low (THAW FIRST.) Total Time: 4-8 hours, depending on desired cook temperature. Ingredients 2 lb ground beef 1/2 cup ketchup 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce 1 large egg 1 bag croutons, crushed (can completely substitute with oatmeal if desired) 1/2 cup oatmeal 1 cup BBQ sauce Instructions Combine ground beef with ketchup, BBQ, and Worcestershire sauces. Mix in egg, oatmeal, and crushed croutons. You may label and freeze until desired day to cook. Thaw before cooking. You might also like 20 Different Freezer Crock Pot Recipes or 20 Meals in 2 Hours - Slow Cooker Freezer Meals!

And even more preparation pictures!