Saturday Swap

Welcome to Saturday Swap!  Grab a cup of coffee {or the beverage of your choice} and let's share some favorite recipes. 

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Please remember: Link directly to your post (not your general blog URL) below.  Please remember to include a link to Quit Eating Out in your post.
This week I'm so happy to welcome Heather from Gourmet Meals for Less as our guest recipe contributor:


{Photo courtesy of Heather}

 From Heather:  "I'm a stay at home, home schooling mom with a love for entertaining and cooking! While never having had formal training, I have enjoyed standing at the elbow of some of the greatest home chefs I know; my dad, my mother-in-law, my husband's Mamaw and my Uncle Billy Ray. All have inspired me through the years to become an even better home cook! As a mom, I believe in the importance of teaching our children where their food comes from by gardening, and how to prepare their own food though canning and preserving, as well as teaching them the art of cooking. I believe we can change the eating habits of this next generation by introducing them to the heart of the home...the kitchen! I've made it my mission this year to spend $10 or less on dinners for our family of four, thus Gourmet Meals for Less was created! A place to share my gourmet yet frugal recipes. It is my goal to decrease my family's food expenses while still maintaining healthy eating...and let's just face it we want it to taste good too! I post the meals we eat so you too can enjoy gourmet meals on a mac and cheese budget!"


{Photo courtesy of Heather}

Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli
Recipe by Heather ~ Gourmet Meals for Less

1 lb. very lean ground beef
1 cup diced onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup julienned carrot
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 14.5 oz. cans of diced tomatoes
1 15 oz. can regular tomato sauce
1 12 oz. can of regular V-8 juice
1 15 oz. can red kidney beans (do not drain)
1 15 oz. can great northern beans (do not drain)
1 Tbs. white vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried basil
1/2 lb ditali pasta (this is half of a box)

Prepare all of your vegetables. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Drain off any fat. Transfer meat to slow cooker.

Add remaining ingredients, except pasta, and cook on low for 4-5 hours.

Cook pasta according to directions just until al-dente. DO NOT OVERCOOK. You want them to be slightly tough still. Drain but do not rinse. Add drained pasta to slow cooker. Cook for another 20-30 minutes.

Thanks Heather!  Can't wait to try this.  Be sure to visit Heather's site for other great recipes.

If you would like to be a guest contributor, please email me at QuitEatingOut@yahoo.com.  You need not have a blog...  just a heart for cooking!