Easy Dinners for Hubby to Make While I'm Having a Baby!

Congrats on the new baby! I just discovered this new website this week and I LOVE it!!! It is www.crockpotgirls.com They also have a facebook page. It is all different kinds of crock pot recipes and they are broken down by category and main ingredient. I hope this helps. Good luck!!

I have given my college freshman son a few easy basics. I'll share those with you. He's one kid, so you may have to buy more chicken if there are more of you.
3 meals from a rotisserie chicken. cut legs, thighs and wings off. Then cut breast off into 2 seperate ziploc bags. Left in one bag, right in the other.
1) legs, thighs, and wing on a plate with stoufers stuffing and a veggie. I bought him several of the 88c bags of frozen veggies that he can just put in the microwave. So, boil water, put stuffing mix in and cover, put green beans in microwave for 2 minutes, cut legs and thighs off. Instant sunda dinner.
2) Chicken quesdallis - half of breast cut up. butter in a skillet with a tortilla, layer of cheese, chicken, cheese and another tortilla. Panfry until golden brown on both sides.
3) Chicken Alfredo - boil spaghetti noodles, drain toss with alfredo sauce and top with other half of chicken breast.

Can your Husband cook?
If so, then HE can think of things to make. Himself, AND do the grocery shopping for it, himself.
Allow him, to do that.
Then when he cooks, love that he cooks. Even if it is different than your style. And praise him.

Because, if he 'cannot' cook, then all the recipes in the world, ain't gonna help. He will need you, to 'show' him how to cook? Still.

My Hubby, can cook and will cook... but when he cooks, I am hands off and let him cook, whatever floats his boat.

My husband did best with things that didn't require cooking. Tacos with leftover rotisserie chicken (just chopping, no cooking). veggie burgers or sandwiches.
Stick to things he already knows how to make (for mine this is spaghetti and tortilla soup)
As for your mom, just ask her to give you and ingredients list you can buy so she can make things that are already part of her repetoir.

These are pretty easy:

http://littlelovables.blogspot.com/2011/01/smoky-corn-and...

http://littlelovables.blogspot.com/2011/08/upside-down-pi...

As for crockpots, bbq sauce and chicken wings. Doesn't get much easier than that!

Or roast, add in potatoes, celery, carrots, garlic and onions, mushrooms and an envelope of french onion soup mix. Put the veggies in the bottom and the roast on top

Crock pot Santa fe chicken (easy, we usually add a little bit of cream cheese at the very end and a can of rotel):
http://southernfood.about.com/od/crockpotchicken/r/bl106c...

Crock pot shredded beef, just add some bbq sauce, onion... shred the beef and serve on sub sandwich bread.
http://southernfood.about.com/od/crockpotbarbecue/r/bl105...

You can do crock pot tortilla soup:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/awesome-slow-cooker-pot-roas...

In a crock pot:
1/2 pork loin
OR 1 pork tenderloin
OR 4 Chicken breasts
OR 8-10 whole chicken wings, tips removed (16-20 of the pieces you get in a restaurant which are technically half the wing)

AND

1 can pineapple tidbits including juice
OR 1 can apple pie filling

AND

1/2 bottle of cheap BBQ sauce

Optional:

1/2 bottle of cheap beer

Serve over rice or egg noodles. The pineapple is a mock sweet-and-sour. The apple pie filing is more sweet and savory.

Also, have your mom send around a mealtrain.com or mealbaby.com invite to friends and co-workers who could help out. A friend of mine did this with friends and church members when my 9-day-old ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks and for the next 2 weeks after we got home! We had a meal almost every-other day. It was a great help :)

WOW!!! You are really taking care of your husband!!! I didn't do any of this when I was pregnant! I let him fend for himself! :)

CONGRATS on the new addition to the family!!

I would keep staples in the house - hamburger, chicken breasts, pasta and rice and let them figure it out for themselves...

Lasagna is easy to cook now and freeze..
Sloppy joes are easy to cook now, put in a ziploc bag and let them boil it in the bag to get 'em ready...all they need is the buns! :)

Crock Pot recipes mean that they will have to set it out and do it - so instead of trying to put it all together for them - let them do it...I know you want to be great (you already are) and such - but really - it's OKAY!!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!

Spaghetti with some frozen meatballs and a jar of sauce.
Chicken casserole- chop up some cooked chicken, throw in some cooked egg noodles, a can of cream of chicken soup, some veggies and top with cheese. Then bake.
Burritos- I make a whole bunch and wrap them in clear wrap and put them in the freezer.
Pulled pork sandwiches- throw in a pork roast, some onions and a can of soda and cook in the crock pot, then when it's totally done, add in a jar of bbq sauce and eat with some hamburger buns.
Hot dogs & Hamburgers
Pizza- either delivery, or buy the pre-made dough at the store and top with cheese and your favorite toppings.

My husband would be able to do:

- chicken nuggets and mac n cheese and frozen peas
- chili dogs
- frozen pizza
- salad w/ meat or beans on top (taco salad?)
- tacos (buy a chicken, shred it, heat in skillet with salsa on top, whatever toppings you like on crispy taco shells, nacho chips, or soft tortillas)
- grilled pork chops
- sandwiches (good toasty hot sandwiches with cheese and lunch meat on fresh sourdough bread)

Wish I was more of a crock-pot user. I have a cookbook for the crockpot, but hate washing that darn thing, that I don't use it very often.

What about chicken alfredo or tortellini? boil noodles add chicken and sauce or tortellini boil noodles throw in ham and peas. easy and yummy

We make "gerbers" basically a toasted ham sandwhich w cheese. Get loaf of bread like you'd use to make garlic bread. Add some butter and garlic powder, add some chopped ham and top w your favorite cheese (we love monterry jack and provel) then bake in the oven til bubbly...

Crock pot chili - can be vegetarian (veggie crumbles) or whatever meat.
Pound of meat,
med onion-diced,
2-15 oz cans kidney beans,
2-15 oz cans diced tomatoes,
salt, pepper,
1/2 bottle of salsa - your "heat" preference,
tablespoon of sugar,
dash of pickle juice.

Stir, heat on high for about 4 hours, then low for however long you want till you're ready to eat it. I drain the kidney beans, and use mashed potato flakes to thicken to the consistency I like (flour also works).

Some of my favorites were "breakfast for supper": pancakes, eggs, sausage, fruit, etc. I also became a HUGE fan of sandwiches (just make sure all your favorites are in the refrigerator) and chips and salsa for supper (I added black beans, corn, and crazy amounts of cilantro--a very good meal!).

go to kraftfoods.com they have great easier recipes. i like the "marvelous mini meatloaves" on there.

also, easy for the crockpot:
put in a few chicken breasts (works when they are frozen or thawed) with some BBQ sauce OR salsa. cook on low 6-8 hours, and then shred with 2 forks. use the BBQ chicken on rolls for sandwiches with some cole slaw on the side (buy in bag with marzetti's slaw dressing). use the salsa chicken for tacos or taco salad. add some lettuce, tomato, olives, cheese, etc.

another great, easy dish is chicken and stuffing casserole. mix a can of campbell's cream of chicken soup with some milk and pour over chicken in a baking dish. then mix stuffing with water, put over top and bake. the actual recipe is usually on the back of the stove top box.

do you have a costco or sams membership? they usually have great frozen ravioli.

have you tried bear creek soups? they are really good. we love the sante fe chipotle one, or the creamy ones too (a little more fattening :(

another great tip: look for Rhodes frozen bread dough. it is sold in loaves. you can let it thaw on the counter, cut it into 6-8 pieces and then let it rise a few hours. bake and they are delicious rolls. you can also make it into bread, or even hamburger rolls for the BBQ sandwiches if you shape them a little flatter.

blessings on your delivery!

Hi K., congrats on the baby! I have collected a ton of "easy" recipes that have very little ingredients and are easy to make. If you or anyone else messages me your email address, I will be happy to send it to see if there are some on there you could use. Good luck!

Rigatoni with Sausage and Broccoli - very easy to make and delicious. The recipe I'm posting here says "roasted" sausage, but I slice the sausage and just saute it--easier and faster.

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes...

Creamy Chicken Tacos in the Crock Pot:
4 FROZEN chicken breasts
1 1/2 C salsa
2 cans cream of chicken soup (I use 98% fat free)
2 1/2 T taco seasoning
1 T maple syrup
1 t lime juice (you can use bottled)
1 T butter
1/2 C sour cream (I use light)

1. Spray the inside of your crock pot with cooking spray and place the FROZEN chicken breasts inside.
2. In a small mixing bowl stir together all other ingredients but the butter and sour cream.
3. Pour the sauce over the top of the chicken. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.
4. Take the chicken out of the crock and onto a plate. Shred it all up with a fork and throw it back in.
5. Add the little pat of butter and the sour cream, stir it all around until incorporated.
6. Cook for 1 more hour.

Serve over Tortilla chips or Tortillas. Also good over rice.
Top with tomatoes, onions, cheddar cheese, lettuce, whatever you'd like!

Finger Lickin' Black Beans (not in the crock pot but easy!):

1 Can Black Beans
1 Can Sweet Corn
1 Onion
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 Cup Water
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 tbsp Fresh Cilantro, diced
3 cloves of garlic (more or less depending on your taste)

Saute onion and red pepper in olive oil. When almost done, add garlic and saute until cooked. Add can of black beans, corn, water, vinegar, cilantro, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. When mixture has reduced somewhat (usually 15 to 20 minutes) dinner is served!

I made a pork tenderloin in the crock pot and served it with these beans on tortillas (rice would be good too!).

Slow-Cooked Southwest Chicken:
2cans(15oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can(14.5oz) reduced sodium chicken broth
1 can(14.5oz) diced tomatoes w/mild green chilies,undrained
1/2lb boneless,skinless chicken breast
1 jar(8oz) chunky salsa
1 cup frozen corn
1tbs dried parsley flakes
1tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp pepper
3 cups hot cooked rice
Step 1: In slow cooker, combine all ingredients.Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hrs or until meat therm reads 170'.
Step 2: Shred chicken, stir mixture around. Serve over rice.
Says it feed 6. We enjoy it with a little feta cheese sprinkled over the top as well.

Congratulations, I hope all goes well for you!

Super Easy Crock Pot BBQ Pork

1 pork shoulder loin (4lbs)
1 big bottle of BBQ sauce (we use Sweet Baby Rays)
2 medium white onions
1.5 cups water

Slice the onions really thin. put half in the bottom of the pot. put in the pork. Cover the pork with the rest of the onions. pour in the water. Cover and cook 8-10 hrs (low) or 4-5 hrs (high). Drain the liquid from the slow cooker. Pull out the meat and chop it coarsely (chunks about 2-3 inches square) and discard excess fat. Put the pork and onions back in the pot add the BBQ sauce. Cook another 4-6 hours on LOW. Stir occasionally. Serve on sandwich buns.

TIPS: This will make 2-3 meals worth of pork - freeze the part you don't eat in a ziplock. It is easy to thaw and reheat in a few week when you need another easy meal.

Also, this is super fragrant when it's cooking, we put our crock pot outside or in the garage to cook this.

Blessings on you and your baby and kudos to your husband for taking on the cooking responsibility!

HEARTY TUNNA CASSEROLE

Prep time: 15min Cooking time 1 hr

¾ lb Kraft Process American Cheese, cubed (or Velveeta)
1 can mushroom soup
1/3 cup milk
3 cups cooked noodles, drained
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen peas, thawed, drained (if freezing no need to thaw)
1 can tuna, drained, flaked (I use 2 cans)
¼ cup finely chopped onion (optional)
½ tsp salt
½ cup crushed potato chips (or nacho Doritos)
Heat oven to 350. stir cheese, soup, and milk in large saucepan on low heat until melted, stir often. Stir in noodles, peas, tuna, onion, and salt. Spoon into greased 2-qt casserole. Top with crushed potato chips. Bake 1 hr. Makes 6 servings.

Chicken & Broccoli

1 can cream of chicken soup
2 Tbsp milk
¼ tsp. curry powder
2 pkg frozen broccoli (or bundle of fresh cut sm. Pieces)
2 cups cooked chicken (cubed or shredded)
2 Tbsp. butter
½ cup sour cream
½ cup slivered almonds (optional)
¼ lb grated cheddar cheese
½ cup bread crumbs

Cook broccoli. Combine soup, milk, sour cream, curry powder; stir til smooth. Place broccoli in greased casserole, cover with chicken. Pour soup mixture over top; sprinkle with cheese, almonds. Melt butter and use to cover the bread crumbs, then top casserole with bread crumbs. Bake 35 min. at 350. (may have watery stuff at bottom of casserole just use slotted spoon )

Frito Chili Pie Casserole

3 cups Fritos brand Corn chips
1 large onion (optional)
1 can chili
1 cup grated American cheese or cheddar cheese

Place 2 cups of Fritos in a greased baking dish. Arrange chopped onion and half of grated cheese on the corn chips. Pour chili over onion and cheese. Top with remaining corn chips and grated cheese. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minuets. Makes 4-6 servings.

Other option is to have buffet line; put chips in bottom of bowl, top with chili and cheese.

Hamburger Pie (Quiche)

1 lb hamburger, sausage, or ham
1 chopped onion (optional)
1 can drained sweet corn (optional)
Green pepper (optional)
Salt & Pepper (optional)
Cheddar Cheese
Brown beef & put in center of greased pie plate or casserole dish. Top with onion, corn, green pepper. Sprinkle cheese.
3 eggs
1 ½ cup milk
¾ cup bisquick
Beat and pour over all. Use spoon to push down until all is moist.
Bake at 400 for 45 min. or lightly browned.

Beef Taco Bake

1 lb ground beef
1 can Tomato soup
1 cup salsa
½ cup milk
6 flour tortillas or 8 corn tortillas (cut or torn in 1 inch pieces)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Brown beef and drain. Add soup salsa, milk, tortias, and ½ of the cheese. Spoon the mixture into greased 2 qt shallow baking dish. Bake 400 for 30 min or until hot. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Serves 4

Beef Enchiladas

1 lb ground beef (browned)
1 can enchilada sauce (Pace or Hyvee Brand)
1 cup sour cream
1 jar (16 oz) salsa
Flour tortillas
Monterey/Jack cheese
Brown Beef and drain beef. Combine sour cream, salsa, most of the enchilada sauce. Warm tortia for 7 sec in microwave. Place spoonful of beef in middle of tortia add scoop of sauce and some cheese. Roll tortia put in greased dish continue with rest. Pour remaining combined and plain enchilada sauce on top, try to cover completely. Bake 400 for 20 min. Sprinkle with cheese and bake additional 5 min.

Stovetop Chicken or Easy Chicken Bake

1 pkg Stovetop stuffing mix
1 ½ lb boneless chicken breast (I use 1 ½ raw chicken breast)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/3 cup sour cream
1 bag (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup hot water
Sprinkle ½ cup dry stuffing mix onto bottom of 13x9 inch dish, top with raw chicken cut in cubes. Mix soup, sour cream and vegetables; spoon over chicken set aside. Mix rest of stuffing with hot water, stir just til moistened, spoon over vegetable mixture. Bake 400 for 30 minuets. Makes 6 servings.

Italian buffet stew

2 lbs boneless beef chuck roast
2 medium onions cut into 1 in chunks.
1 large red sweet peppers cut into ¾ in pieces
1 14oz jar spaghetti sauce
1 ½ pound zucchini cut into ¾ in chunks
Salt
Pepper
Hot cooked spaghetti (optional)

Trim fat from roast. Cut roast into 1 inch cubes. In a 3 ½ to 4 quart electric crocker cooker layer beef, onions, and red sweet pepper. Add spaghetti sauce. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 9 to 10 hours or on cook high-heat setting for 5 hours.
If cooking on low turn cooker to high. Add zucchini; cook 1 hour more or until meat is tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over hot cooked spaghetti, if desired.

Crock-pot Chicken Enchiladas

2 can cream of chicken soup
1 sm onion chopped and sautéed in butter.
4 chicken breasts, cut up
1 pkg flour tortillas
1 jar medium salsa
1 pkg shredded cheddar cheese

For sauce: mix soup, onion, and cut up chicken together. Tear up tortilla shells. Layers in crock-pot, (sauce, shells, salsa, & cheese) and start over. Cook on high for several hours.

Pizza Potatoe Crockpot Casserole
1lb browned ground beef
1pkg frozen hashbrowns
2 jars pizza sauce
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
italian shredded cheese

Mix all except cheese in big bowl, layer 1/2 mixture then cheese and repeat. Cook Low 8-10hrs.

Beef Stew of Mashed potatoes (crockpot)
1 1/2 lb. beef stew meat
1 pkg dry onion soup mix
1 or 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
put all in crockpot (doesn't need mixed) cook low for 8-10hrs.
Serve over mashed potatoes.