Crock Pot Potato Dinner

The theme for our recipe group this month was "Potato Dishes". I scoured over recipes. I felt overwhelemd. It all just seemed too hard. So... I made this one up. My kids LOVED it!

2 lb bag frozen "country style" or "O'Brien" potatoes

16 oz Velveeta Cheese, cubed

1 polska kielbasa sausage, cut up*

8 oz sour cream

1/2 stick (1/4 C) butter

salt & pepper, to taste

Add all ingredients to the crock pot. Stir to mix. Cook on LOW 4-6 hours. Stir well before serving. Add salt & pepper as needed.

*You can also substitute Polish Sausage or Bratwurst. Also try adding 1 can drained corn kernels.

Valentine Torte Cake

I was in the mood for some loves - but of course just being me & the kids we decided food was the way to go! We had Chicken & Noodles for dinner with cornbread, baked in a heart-shaped pan. And then we made this for Dessert. It was a great treat to end our weekly family night with.

1 chocolate cake mix
eggs, oil, and water according to package directions
2 - 8oz pkgs cream cheese, softened and divided
2 C milk , divided
1 small box instant chocolate pudding mix
1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix
1 tub Cool Whip, thawed
Chocolate shavings or Hershey syrup for garnishing, optional


Mix cake batter according to package directions. Grease and flour pans. Pour cake batter into 2 same-shape pans. Bake according to box. Let cool completely

In small mixing bowl beat 1 pkg cream cheese till fluffy. Add 1 C milk a little at a time and continue beating. Add in chocolate pudding mix, and beat till smooth. Add a little more milk if too thick. Refrigerate at least 5 minutes. Repeat same process for vanilla pudding mix. Start by spreading chocolate cream on first layer of cake. Since it is cold, you'll need to work it gently with the back of a spoon. This will help it spread more evenly. Add second cake layer and fill in gaps with pudding.

Top second layer of cake with vanilla cream.

Finally, spread layer of cool whip. Garnish with chocolate shavings or drizzle with Hershey's Syrup, if desired. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

We decided to create a "broken heart" and share with our neighbors! It was fun to take it over to them. (Plus - I snagged the cool whip from her freezer, so it was only fair!)

Italian Meatloaf

serves 4-6

1 lb ground beef
1 sleeve saltine crackers, crushed
1 packet dry Lipton Onion Soup Mix
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 egg
1 C spaghetti sauce
1 C shredded cheese

Mix everything *except* sauce and cheese in mixing bowl. Pat into lightly greased 8x8 pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Pour sauce over meat and top with cheese. Return to oven another 10-15 minutes, till cheese is melted.

My kids love this with crusty garlic bread too!

*Can use Italian Bread Crumbs in place of saltines. Can also use Italian style diced tomatoes for extra flavor.

Amish Haystacks

feeds 12-14 people

4 C steamed rice

2 sleeves saltines, crushed

1 bag Doritos, crushed

1 head lettuce, chopped

3 lbs ground beef
1 jar spaghetti sauce
2 cans condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 soup can milk

2 cans diced tomatoes, drained

2 small cans sliced black olives, drained

2 medium onions, chopped

Cook rice, place in warming dish. Crush crackers and chips and place in separate serving bowls. Tear lettuce and place in big serving bowl. For meat, brown meat in large skillet. Add spaghetti sauce and heat thru. Place meat in warming dish. Cook cheese soup and milk in pan over medium heat. (Or can place in crockpot a few hours ahead of time.) Keep warm in crockpot. Dice remaining veggies and place in serving bowls.

Set ingredients out on serving table in order listed. Let guests serve themselves buffet style, layering all ingredients (omitting the stuff they don't care for). Enjoy!

Cream Cheese Choclate Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix
eggs, oil & water according to mix directions
1 egg
1/3 C sugar
1 - 8oz pkg cream cheese softened
1 C milk chocolate chips
Chocolate Frosting - click here for recipe


Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Pour into prepared 9x13 pan; set aside. In small mixing bowl beat egg with sugar. Add cream cheese and beat till smooth. Fold in chocolate chips. Spread over chocolate cake mix; swirl with knife. Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 min, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Let cake cool slightly. Microwave chocolate frosting about 10 seconds. Stir well. Pour warmed frosting over warm cake. Spread frosting slowly over cake. Let cool before cutting.

Very moist! Very good!!!

Chocolate Frosting

1 Stick Butter (1/2 C)
2 C powdered sugar
4 tbsp cocoa
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla

Whip butter till smooth and creamy. Add sugar a little at a time. Add cocoa, milk and vanilla. Beat till creamy. Frost on cooled cake. Can refrigerate for later use. Let sit at room temperature before frosting.

Apple Cream Pie (No-Bake)

This is a favorite No-Bake pie of mine and my kids. The combination of the cream cheese with apples gives this pie a light refreshing flavor! It is so simple anyone can do it, promise!

1 graham cracker pie crust
4-5 medium apples
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
2 Tbsp lemon juice (I just squeezed the juice from half of a good sized lemon)
1/4 C Butter (1/2 stick)
1 - 8oz cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 C milk
1 pkg (3.5 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
1/4 C raspberry or strawberry preserves

Core, peel and slice apples into thin slices; set aside. In skillet melt margarine with sugar and lemon juice over MED heat; stir often to dissolve sugar. Place slices in pan, and stir often. Cook apples till tender, about 10-15 min. Let cool. In mixing bowl beat cream cheese till fluffy. Gradually add milk 1/2 C at a time and continue beating till smooth. Try to get as many lumps out as possible. Add in pudding mix and beat well. Pour cream mixture into pie crust. Then starting on the outside edge of the pie, arrange apple slices. I like to overlap the apples, making a pretty pinwheel design as you get closer to the center. Melt the preserves in the microwave and brush entire top of pie. Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to serve.

Note: The original recipe called for apricot preserves, which will work just fine. We prefer the flavor or the berry, plus it is so much prettier for the holidays. Oh, and if you don't have a graham cracker pie crust, you can use a pre-baked regular pie shell too.