Crockpot + Me = LOVE

I have a love-hate relationship with evenings.  I hate it because it's the end of the day.  My house is a trashed.  Squeaks gets cranky.  I'm worn out.  Dinner.  Bath time.  Bed time.  I love it because Mav gets home.  But like I said, I'm worn out by this time and I try to muster up any possible left over energy to be the peppy, happy wife he deserves.  

But dinner usually gets in the way of my chipperness.  I'm not a great cook.  I'm not what you would call handy in the kitchen.  Cooking stresses me out.  Remember my last rave about dinner.  If you don't you can read all about it here.  Now I have a toddler that needs to eat her veggies.  Sure.  I can make spaghetti, tacos, top ramen, and mac-n-cheese.  Who can't?  

But I'm not about to spend my last drop of energy trying new meals.  So, bring on the hot dogs!!

And then, I discovered my old friend.  My crockpot.  My crockpot just might have changed my life. 

It's almost three in the afternoon and my dinner is cooking itself.  How awesome is that?!?  And my dinner is loaded with vegetables!  I can now enjoy my evening a little more.  

So what's for dinner, you ask.  Taco soup.  I made plenty to either feed an army or have left overs for a couple days. 

Wipe the dust off your crockpot and give it a try.  I'm willing to bet it might change your life too.  

Wanna try my recipe for taco soup?  Read on...

Here's my awesome taco soup recipe.  Feel free to  borrow it, if you'd like.  It's super easy and pretty darn yummy too.  

1/2 - 1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, chopped

1-2 can diced tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

1 can kidney beans

1 can corn

1 can black beans

1 can chili beans

1 can pinto beans

1 pkg taco seasoning

1 pkg ranch dressing

Brown beef and chopped onions together.  Drain grease from beef.  

In a large pot, combine all ingredients together.  Don't drain your cans.  Throw it all in the pot.  Let it simmer for about 30-60 minutes.  

If it looks a little thick to you, add some water. 

Tadah!!  Super easy.  And it makes a ton.  

Garnish with cheese, sour cream, Fritos, whatever you'd like.  I personally love corn bread with this. 

Now, I added some chopped cilantro last time.  It was amazing!  But I don't always have cilantro.  

I love this recipe because I usually have all these things in my pantry.  And you don't have to use all the canned goods.  I throw whatever I have on hand in the pot.  Or like today, into my crockpot.  I just browned the meat and onions on the stove and threw everything together.