Family Favorite Casserole

...That is the official title anyway. I would have personally named it something like "homemade hamburger helper". But whatever, I don't pick the names; I just cook them and eat them. As usual Sundays and Thursdays are crockpot cooking days for our family due to our crazy schedules on those days. So, I found this recipe and gave it a try this past Thursday.


Here is what you need.

1 1/2 lbs ground beef (I used 3/4 to 1 lb since we have a small family)
1 onion (I used minced)
1 1/2 Cups diced potatoes (I used 3 medium)
1 1/2 Cups sliced carrots
1 1/2 Cups peas
1 1/2 Cups maccarroni (added at the end before serving)
1 Can cream of celery, chicken, OR mushroom soup
1/2 lb shredded cheese
2 Cups milk
-Seasonings to taste

1) Cook ground beef on stove until brown. Drain off grease.
2) Line or spray slow cooker. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker except maccaroni.
3) Cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 4 hours. (I cooked mine on low for 1.5 hour and then high 2.5 hours--but I am home during the day and realized the carrots and potatoes were still crunchy)
4) 10 or 15 minutes before serving, cook maccaroni. Drain. Add it to the slow cooker and mix it in.
5) Serve with additional cheese, if desired.

We really really enjoyed this meal and I guarantee we will be having it again. I also love that it is a recipe that you can swap things...for example, don't like peas? throw in corn! or whatever:) I did use fresh carrots but I think that any frozen vegetable will work too.