I’m a stay at home mom trying to answer one of life’s most mysterious questions…what is for dinner?
In January 2009, I set out on an interesting journey. I decided to see if I could cook 365 different slow cooker recipes in 365 days. I did it without any repeats! I have done everything from main dishes, sides, desserts, breakfasts and breads. I rate all the recipes and let you know if they’re worth cooking up. Since finishing my project I’ve been able to do a lot of media appearances and I’ve put together 2 cookbooks of all my best recipes. I also continue to update my blog a few times a week with new and improved slow cooker recipes (along with other things I find interesting and fun like baking, travel, etc.).
The slow cooker is a wonderful appliance that can give you the freedom to cook dinner at any time but dinner time (which is often the most busy and crazy time of the day). It frees your mind so you don’t have to think “what am I going to make for dinner” all day long. Because my blog is all about slow cooking, it’s all about recipes that are (hopefully) 1. Easy 2. Tasty 3. Budget-friendly. Also, I have a life other than cooking dinner…so I try to make my recipes something that ANYONE can put together in a few minutes (with as few dishes to clean up as possible). I’m about practical and functional, functional and practical!!!
So come follow me on my slow cooking adventures and get some great recipes and slow cooker tips in the meantime.
If you want to ask me a recipe question or contact me about something else click here.
Hi, Karen. I love your recipes. I recently made the Crock Pot Million Dollar Pasta using my slow cooker. I followed the instructions but unfortunately, the cooking time for the cavatappi pasta was way too long, and my dish ended up more like a hot dish. It’s delish, but I’m wondering if you could help me out and give me the measurements and instructions for if I wanted to cook the pasta and then layer in a casserole dish and bake in the oven? Thanks!
Hey Laurie,
I do have an Instant Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti recipe: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/instant-pot-cream-cheese-spaghetti/
Is that the one you tried?
If so, as you realized it’s not a good candidate for the crockpot.
I haven’t tried making this in the oven. But I did get the idea for this recipe from Buns in my Oven. You could try her oven based recipe: https://www.bunsinmyoven.com/creamy-baked-spaghetti/
I am no longer receiving your recipes via my email. Sure would love getting them again!
Sure I’ll sign you up again. It looks liked you “complained” on April 9th which probably means you hit the spam button by accident.
I use your recipes almost exclusively. They are so good and use ingredients that I usually have on hand.
I have to share a story with you. You don’t need to post it but in case you ever have a similar question, you will have the answer, if you don”t already have one.
I gave an Instant Pot to both of my daughters-in-law. Of course I told them about how wonderful hard boiled eggs cooked and pealed from the Instant Pot. Both were very happy with them and used them. Both are outstanding cooks. It was much later, my one daughter-in-law, confided that she didn’t know what she was doing wrong but her eggs were terrible to peal. I told her the only thing I could think of was that she has the softest water I have ever felt. You feel like you can’t get the soap off your body. The next time I talked to her my grandson, 14 years old, had solved the problem. He added salt to to the water! Who would have thought.
Wow that is so crazy! I will suggest that when someone has this problem. Thank you.
Karen-
I don’t subscribe to many things, but I love your site/emails. They are informative, fun and useful. I thank you for the hard work you put in so the rest of us can make a wonderful meal for our families. I even recommended you to my mother in law.
Thank you so much and God’s blessings.
Thank you Carol!
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Thanks for compiling such a huge list of your recipes I did not think it possible to do so much with one appliance. Well done. What made you come up with such a challenge?
Hi,
Please, I am wondering if you can help me with this, I want to buy Crock-Pot® 6-Quart Digital Slow Cooker with iStir™ Stirring System, but I need to know if it can stir non stop for 8 hours?!
no, it doesn't stir non stop. It stirs every hour for 30 seconds. Hope this helps!
oliva, that is too funny! Ha ha! Now you can make it at home too 🙂
I was babysitting today and the lady that I was babysitting for had your Beef Burgundy cooking in her CrockPot and I could not resist the smell and I tried "some". I was so embarrassed when she came home because I NEVER eat other peoples food but I could not resist. Now I am sitting at home with my new crockpot and 365 days of deliciousness waiting for me. THANK YOU! I am a busy student and practical and functional is what I live for!
Hey Mandy, good question. Here is my answer: refer to this post…
http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/2009/09/day-225-stuffed-flank-steak.html
Aren't you just copying the original 365 days of slow cooking website from 2008. I think her name was Stephanie Dea.
Found your site on RecipesUS and thought I'd stop by and check it out. I have subscribed to your feed and can't wait to see what the next post will be!
I was thinking you cooked gluten free, but i guess its not you. There is a lady who did the crockpot a day blog, only all of the recipes are gluten free and she has a cookbook out.
Patty, refer to this post…
http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/2009/09/day-225-stuffed-flank-steak.html
Maybe at least you should have credited Stephanie O'Dea, who did this in 2008. I found your site accidentally looking for hers and was SO confused by the eerie similarity in name and theme. I'll use your site too but come on! Be a good sport and give Steph the credit!
I just stumbled upon your blog and forwarded your Tortilla Soup recipe to all my friend whom I know LOVE to cook with a crock pot. I look forward to giving it a try.
Hi Karen,
It was a pleasure to meet you this past Wednesday evening.
As a "slow cooker" myself, I was encouraged by your information!
Thanks…time to take that first step!
Will get your book later; slow cooking is easier on the money, so when I've saved enough… 🙂
Saw your article in BYU Today and tried your Tomato Basil Soup. Yummy! Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to visiting your site for more recipes.
Karen –
As a grandpa to a wife who is weary of cooking but one meal a day, I felt inspired Saturday to use your Tomato-Basil Parmesan Soup recipe as featured in the BYU Magazine. It worked out great and my grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law partook too when they dropped by Saturday evening. (They are picky eaters.) It but barely lasted until Sunday! Mike in Payson
I looked at your website and saw the comment about crockpot liners! I didn't even know they had been invented. Ya–hoo! Which stores carry them? Thanks for your website. I enjoy reading what to fix for dinner. Thanks for doing my homework! [email protected]
I am trying the recipe in the BYU Today magazine tonight and I am excited to try your other recipes. Great idea for a blog!
I also just saw your article in the BYU Today magazine. Reading your article inspired me to go ahead and try a challenge myself. I am going to read a book every week and post a review on my blog, along with a recipe that relates to the story. It's something I've been doing off and on for awhile now and I'm going to take the plunge and go for it! Thanks for the inspiration!
Christy http://www.dearestdreams.com
i can not figure out how to follow you i love this i need this i have such a hard time with meals please help me
I am totally obsessed with my crock pot too! Glad to find others that are too…. I'm following you from http://crockpotrecipeexchange.blogspot.com/
I just read about your blog on BYU Today as well. Looks like I need to try some of your recipes!
I just read about your crockpot adventures in the BYU Today–Alumni Connection. Sounds like you have had a lot of fun… Now I am going to have to try some of your recipes.