I can't really help much because I don't use my crock pot. I have heard of people making tuna noodle casserole in the crock pot, cheap meat. Just thought I'd mention. Hope you have a good weekend!

If you can get a chunk of ham (1/2lb), just dice it up with four potatoes and a large can of baked beans and half an onion - hearty winter food for the crockpot.

You can likely take out the ham and it'll be good that way, too.

Thanks!

I made potato soup in mine just yesterday!

Dice 8-9 potatoes into 1-in chunks (or however many you want)
1 can of cream of .... (your choice, onion or potato is good)
2-3 cans (of the cream of) of milk
Seasonings (I use garlic powder, salt, pepper, rosemary, onion powder)
optional: add chunks of ham, bacon or some other meat, green onion

Throw it all into the crockpot and cook it on low for about 6-7 hours.

And don't forget to use a crockpot liner for easy cleaning!!

I make meatballs in mine. I also will do a spiral ham, ribs, fish and sometimes they have pork roast meals prepared and you just stick in there.

I started a crockpot thread not too long ago--

link

I've only used my crock pot a few times... Is there a way to make things not smooshy? I'd like to use it a little more often, specially in summer.

I adore my slow cooker and use it several times a week.

At the moment it is mainly for pasta sauce, soup, stew and dessert.

You can make any kind of soup just by adding your ingredients and some stock or water and cooking until tender then serving or blitzing to make a smooth soup.

It is great for just throwing things in and leaving them to do their thing while you do yours and having a magical meal appear.

Using it isn't a fast way to cook, as you ask, but it is quick as in you don't have to stand over the stove.