Cheesy Chili Bake

Serves 6

• 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
• ½ of a (30-ounce) package frozen country-style shredded hash browns (4 cups)
• 1 (15-ounce) can sloppy joe sauce (check for gluten)
• 1 (15-ounce) can chili with beans (check for gluten)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Use a 6-quart slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray. Add the meat to a large skillet on the stovetop over medium heat and cook, stirring to break up the meat, until browned. Discard any accumulated fat. Add half of the bag of hash browns to the prepared insert. Pour the meat, cans of sloppy joe sauce, and chili evenly over the top and add the cheese. Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours or on High for about 4 hours. The casserole is finished when the cheese has fully melted, and the top has begun to brown and pull away from the sides.

The Verdict

This is an award-winning casserole from the Southern Living magazine and website. If you don’t have frozen hash browns, you can also use Tater Tots, but you’ll need to chop them up a bit to get a good fit in the slow cooker.

Chicken and Baked Potato Casserole

Serves 4

• 4 Yukon Gold or russet potatoes, scrubbed (no need to peel) and cut into ½-inch cubes
• ½ cup diced white onion
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, diced
• 6 slices cooked crisp bacon, crumbled
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Use a 6-quart slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray. Add the potatoes to the prepared insert, and then the diced onion. Add the chicken and bacon. Top with the salt, pepper, and a few handfuls of the cheese. Cover and cook on Low for 7 hours or on High for about 4 hours.

The Verdict

I love making a dinner like this when we are low on groceries and I’m rummaging through the freezer and cupboards trying to figure out what to make. On its own, a pound of chicken and bacon isn’t going to feed the entire family, but once it’s layered with potatoes and cheese it turns into quite a satisfying and filling meal. Serve with toppings such as sliced green onion and sour cream.