when we moved in we knew that the heater was shot.
done.
adios.
turn it on and you all will die, broken.

but in my cali way I was convinced that
we could go the entire winter without one.
It only took four days of indoor temps dipping below 55 to change my mind.

our high maintenance children like to be warm when they sleep.
I know... demanding!

so today we have a new heater.
the drama queens only have to wear one pair of pajamas to bed.

an upside to all of this frostiness
has made me crave cozy warm food.
food that I can dump in the crock pot so I have time to work.

my fave meal.
by way of alicia, by way of carolyn.

enjoy....

Santa Fe Soup

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef/ turkey/ whatevs/ browned and drained
1 can kidney beans
2 cans Ro-tel
1 can stewed Mexican style tomatoes
1 can corn (drained)
2 Tbs. taco seasoning
16 0z. Velveeta cubed

Don't give me that
"ewwww.... Velveeta is creepy!" face.
Yes. Velveeta is creepy.
Super creepy.
But sometimes creepy things are really awesome things in disguise. Plus, it doesn't work with regular cheese. I've tried. Talk about creepy.
So get over it.
I promise you won't regret it.


Dump everything in your handy dandy crock pot.
Stir.


Cook on high for three hours.
Stir once halfway.
Done.

I really heart my crock pot.

I heart this meal.
But want to make it
the. best. meal. ever?

I am pretty much 99.9% sure it is why God created corn.
Just saying.



38 Comments

  1. I think I might like that - but what is Ro Tel???

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    2. Haha ro-tel...their canned chilies and tomatoes. Their slogan " ro-tel the difference"

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  2. I will have to try this one!

    My taco soup is similiar except there is no velveeta and we add beans. (Everything else is the same though!)

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  3. I meant we add MORE beans (too early in the morning)

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  4. OOOh, if you like taco and crockpot goodness you have to try a taco roast. Just take a regular 2-2.5 lb pot roast (chuck tender or whatever is on sale) and put it in the crock pot. Mix 2 cups of water with one packet of taco seasoning and pour over the roast. Cook on high for 5-6 hours. Remove the roast, shred the beef and then add it to a skillet with some of the left over juice. Allow it to cook down and reduce and then serve it in warm tortillas or regular taco shells. SO YUMMY! Will have to try this cheesy chili too.

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  5. Davine, RoTel is diced tomatoes and green chilies (copied the ingredients off a can in my pantry). I think RoTel is the brand name. I grew up on this stuff. My mother makes a Velvetta cheese chip dip - the only ingredients are the cheese, RoTel and little bit of milk. She made hers on the stove, I use the microwave. Wonderful!!

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  6. That sounds fabulous! Great food for a chilly night.

    Glad that you will now be warm.

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  7. I make a taco soup similar to that...i'm definitely going to try adding the velveeta to it now. Thanks for the tip!

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  8. YUMMMMMM.
    i will make it.
    i love easy stuff. and velveeta. :)

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  9. This one is getting posted on my blog - it must. It's making me hungry! YUM!

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  10. Okay, so first of all, this looks really good...but yes, I would add more beans! LOL! Second of all - LOVE your little shpeal on Velveeta! LOL! That is too funny. And a bit true.

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  11. I'm a big fan of any kind of dinner that requires zero cooking skills, since I am sorely lacking in that department. Thanks for the recipe!

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  12. Love my crockpots! Yes, I have more than one!?! Here are a couple of great blogs with lots of crockpot recipes!! http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/ and http://365daysofcrockpot.blogspot.com/

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  13. Wow, that sounds yummy! I will have to make that as we're not scared of Velveeta in THIS house.

    I'm also finding just as yummy, that blue sign in the background. Does it say 'kitchen closed' and if I may dare ask, where
    ever did you get it?

    Have a great weekend!

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  14. Creamy, cheesy, soup? Made in the crockpot? Yes, please!

    {And...do I have it on good authority to think that I should be wishing you a Happy Birthday today? Hope it's a great one. And I'm just only slightly jealous of your awesome girls crafty weekend. Enjoy!}

    ~Keri

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  15. Guess who's going to be buying some "scary" Velveeta tomorrow? :) Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Oh, this sounds yummy! Especially perfect for the neg temps we've had where I live lately! Thank YOU!

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  17. I was totally going to throw this recipe out the window when I saw the Velveeta . . . until you shot down that elephant in the room, you know the creepy Velveeta?

    Peace.

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  18. Never knew Velveeta was creepy!? lol Love this recipe!

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  19. Just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for this project over at sew mama sew.
    http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=4224#comment-180557

    GReat job to all the ladies.

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  20. I just made this and the baked corn tonight. It was a big it. It even impressed my super picky husband. Thank you:)

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  21. So my hubby just informed me this is like crack! He said I must take it away b/c he cant stop eating it... LOL it is really good, I also made the corn crack too ! man what an awesome dinner.

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  22. i just made this. i added 3 tbsp. of taco seas. instead of 2. it is SOOOOOOO yummy!! thank you!!

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  23. Hey Julie! I love love your blog! I follow it religiously! No lie! I made the bandana dress for my daughter and everyone for christmas is getting a scarf! (well just the women) But the cozy one since we got lovely ny snow over this way... =(

    I want to make this tomorrow night for dinner but what if you don't have a crockpot? (OR a husband-that-don't-like-food-thats-been-cooked-in-a-crockpot-kinda-guy?) I have everything even for the yummy corn bread crack. Could I cook it on the stove in a pot all day?

    Well no rush I can always make it another night since this week is christmas and all. You're an inspiration to me and help me get my craft on. Esp, being a young mom to two girls!

    Karin Marie :)

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  24. Karin Marie,
    I don't see why you couldn't make this in a normal pot on the stove. I doubt it would even take all day. Just long enough for the cheese to melt and the flavors to meld. If it works out let me know!

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  25. Oh, Thanks! Of course I will let you know! My MIL lives down the street and even gave me her crockpot but I'm fearful of it because I know my husband isn't a fan of the crockpot. But either way I will let you know of the outcome! I'm super excited!

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  26. o i love the first comment 'what is rotel'... too hilarious!! a staple in my texas pantry for sure :) anyway, not too sure about adding a cup of butter to my family meal but the corn casserole and soup sound o so yummy on this very cold night! thanks!

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  27. i finally made this soup and it was amazing!! thanks for the recipe!!

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  28. I made both recipes last night and they're both incredibly yummy! And wow, it makes a TON of food - we'll have leftovers all week. That is a BIG post of soup for 2 people. lol!
    I did NOT use a cup of butter in the corn recipe, it came out just fine with less. I also used Kraft American singles instead of Velveeta (hey they were on sale for 99¢ this week!) And like someone else up there, I used 2 cans of beans as well.
    I made a little pile of the cornbread stuff on the side of my bowl, then filled in the other side with soup and ate it together. MMMMM! Totally perfect cold snowy night food!
    Thank you for sharing the recipes. I love how easy they are and how affordable the ingredients all are - Aldi's version of Ro-Tel is only 45¢ a can! Gotta love it.

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  29. Hi Joy, thank you so much for writing about RO*TEL. We love this recipe and think you should enter it into our recipe contest for a chance to win $2,000. For more info visit http://www.rotelacrossamerica.com

    - The RO*TEL Across America Team

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  30. we always made the corn casserole (love!) but this soup is a new (and super easy) fav! thank you!!!!!

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  31. Making this for supper tonight! Can't wait!

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  32. You've got to try this recipe...

    Cheese Apple
    4-6 granny smiths, peeled & chopped
    1 stick butter, softened
    1 cup sugar
    3/4 cup flour
    1/2 lb Velveeta, cubed

    Mix sugar, butter, and flour until combined. Stir in apples and cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 for 40-45 minutes until lightly golden brown. Serve as a side dish with ham, turkey, or chicken.

    Always a holiday fave in our house!

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