{Cowboy Spaghetti}

We had this meal at a friend's house, she called it Cowboy Spaghetti with a link to The Pioneer Woman where I found it as Chicken Spaghetti. Around our house of {mostly} boys the Cowboy stuck! This is one of my kids absolute FAVORITE meals, in fact my daughter was trying to eat more healthy foods and would almost cry when I would make it because she knew she would have no will power.

Recipe adapted from The Pioneer Woman

1 lb. spaghetti, broken (I've used regular, thin and angel hair....all work fine)
2 c. cooked chicken breast cubed or shredded
2 cans cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
3 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided (okay, I wish I ONLY used 3 cups! Not sure of the exact amount but it's for sure not 3. Also, I've used mild, medium and sharp, obviously you'll get more flavor out of the medium and sharp)
1/4 c. chopped green onion
1-4oz jar diced pimentos, drained
2 cups chicken broth (or 1-15 oz. can....it's close enough)
1 tsp. Lawry's seasoned salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
Cooking spray

Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, do not overcook.

While spaghetti cooks combine in a large bowl the mushroom soup, 2 c. (or more) cheese, onion, pimentos, broth and seasoning. Mix well, then add the chicken and toss.

Combine the drained spaghetti with the soup mixture, stirring until the noodles are well covered. Place mixture in a 9x13-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining 1 c. (or more) cheese and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until bubbly.

Easy Slow Cooker Clam Chowder

Christmas Eve dinner! You can add extra cubed potatoes and sliced celery. If you are watching your waistline you need to avoid this recipe.

1 (10.75oz.) can condensed cream of celery soup
1 (10.75oz.) can condensed cream of potato soup
1 (10.75oz.) can condensed New England Clam Chowder
2 (6.5 oz.) cans minced clams, one can drained
1 quart half-and-half
1 pint heavy whipping cream

Add all ingredients in slow cooker, mix well and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours.

Black Bean & Corn Soup

Yes, I lied I don't have the nutrition information for this one yet, but I KNOW it's good for you!

This is a great recipe if you don't want a lot of hands on time, almost everything is from a can!

2-15 oz. cans black beans, drained & rinsed
1-14.5 oz. can Mexican stewed tomatoes, undrained
1-14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
1-15.25 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained
1-15.25 oz. can chicken broth
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. dried minced garlic
Favorite toppings (our favorites include: low-fat cheddar, broken up tortilla chips, low-fat sour cream, guacamole and salsa)

Combine all ingredients except toppings and cook in a slow cooker on high 3-4 hours. Serve with your favorite toppings.

Potato Chowder

A dear friend gave me this recipe when we lived in Rexburg. Our family loves this chowder and they devour it every time it's made! If you have these simple ingredients and 8-10 hours until dinner, I recommend THIS meal!

Potatoes, chicken broth, cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, an onion, some pepper (not pictured), bacon and a slow cooker....couldn't be easier!

Potato Chowder

8 c. diced, peeled potatoes
1/3 c. chopped onion
3 cans (14.5 oz. each) chicken broth
1 can (10 3/4 oz. each) cream of chicken soup
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 (8 oz. pkg) cream cheese, softened
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled

In a slow cooker combine first five ingredients (potatoes through pepper). Cover and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours or until potatoes are tender.

In a medium bowl place cream cheese. Ladle a little hot soup (trying to ladle potatoes) into bowl and whisk until creamy, add more soup and whisk again then return mixture to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Add the bacon and serve.