Perfectly Seasoned Slow Cooker Pinto Beans

• 1 pound (16 ounces) bag of dried pinto beans
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 4 slices of thick cut bacon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to your preference)
• 4 teaspoons chicken broth concentrate
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar

Pour the beans into a large bowl or slow cooker bowl and cover with at least 2 inches of water and allow to soak overnight. Alternately, you can boil the beans in a stovetop safe pan at a steady boil for about 10 minutes before you begin to cook them. Drain and rinse the beans after this step. Heat olive oil in a pan and saute onions and garlic until soft and fragrant. Transfer all of the ingredients to the slow cooker bowl and cover beans with at least 2 inches of water. Set slow cooker to high and cook for 4-6 hours, until beans are as soft as you desire.

Original recipe here. 

Red Beans & Rice

• 1 (8 ounces) package Vigo Red Beans & Rice
• 7 ounces smoked sausage, quartered and sliced
• 1-2 tablespoons oil or butter
• 3 1/2 cups water

1. In a large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, bring water to a boil.
2. While you are waiting for the water to boil, brown sausage in a skillet with the oil or butter.
3. Add Red Beans & Rice mix, sausage and oil to boiling water, stirring while boiling for 1 minute.
4. Cover saucepan tightly. Reduce heat to simmer, cook for 20-25 minutes. Fluff and serve.

Microwave directions: Combine mix, 3 3/4 cups hot water, oil, and sausage in a 1 1/2 quart microwave casserole dish. Cover and microwave on high for 22 minutes. Stir, Let stand, covered for 5 minutes.

What To Do With A Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner

I cooked my family a nice Sunday dinner and included a box of Best Choice Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese. It had great ideas for quick & easy meals that start with this classic.

Tuna Skillet Dinner

Using a prepared box of Mac & Cheese, add 1/2 cup milk and a can (10 3/4 oz.) of cream of mushroom soup. Stir until combined. Gently stir in a can (6 oz.) of tuna (drained) and a can (13 1/4 oz.) of Sweet Peas (drained). Heat to serving temperature.

Other Quick Dinner Ideas:

Combine one prepared box of Best Choice Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese with the following meat, vegetable and seasoning combinations.

#1-1 cup canned tuna, 1 cup cooked broccoli, 1/8 tsp. black pepper
#2-1 cup cooked ham, 1 cup sweet peas, 1/4 cup canned mushrooms
#3-1 cup cooked chicken, 1 cup cooked green pepper, 1/2 cup salsa
#4-1 cup cooked ground beef, 1 cup cooked red beans, 1/4 cup taco sauce

I hope these suggestions help you when you run out of dinner ideas!


**Disclaimer: Best Choice brand/Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. does not know I exist. Therefore, this post was not sponsored or in any way endorsed by them. I purchased all ingredients with my own money. The information shared in this post came straight off the box!