Slow-cooker recipes are a lifesaver for busy families, turning hectic days into opportunities for wholesome, home-cooked meals. These recipes require minimal prep time and effort, relying on hearty, kid-approved ingredients like ground beef, shredded chicken, pasta, and cheese to create dinners that everyone will enjoy.
The Magic of Slow Cooking: Why It Works for Families
Just like easy one-pot meals, these slow-cooker recipes mean fewer dishes and less time spent in the kitchen. They are perfect for those days when you simply don't have the time or energy for elaborate cooking. Many of these recipes are also great make-ahead options, allowing you to store them in the refrigerator for the week or freeze them for future use. This means all you have to do is reheat and eat, making mealtime a breeze.
Busy parents rely on the magic of a slow cooker, calling it the "easy button." Even food bloggers with a passion for cooking appreciate the convenience of throwing ingredients into a slow cooker and letting it do its thing. With a little meal planning, you can avoid takeout and fast food and enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals that are both time-saving and budget-friendly.
Kid-Approved Slow Cooker Recipes: A Culinary Adventure
Here's a collection of family-favorite slow cooker recipes that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters:
1. Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Chicken: This dish features chicken slow-cooked in a delectable peanut sauce that strikes the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors. Serve it with your favorite vegetables over a bed of rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
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2. Easy Crockpot Creamy Chicken Enchilada Chili: You can never go wrong with Mexican flavors, and this creamy chicken enchilada chili is a guaranteed hit. Wrap it in a tortilla for a fun and flavorful taco night.
3. Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup: With just 15 minutes of preparation, you can have a steaming bowl of tasty chicken taco soup ready for your family to enjoy.
4. Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup: Enjoy the classic flavors of lasagna without the time-consuming preparation. This slow cooker version is a comforting and easy way to satisfy your lasagna cravings.
5. Slow Cooker Kung Pao Chicken: Get all the great taste of takeout Chinese food with this healthier slow cooker version of Kung Pao Chicken.
6. Crockpot Red Lentil Curry: This flavorful and nutritious curry is a surprisingly popular choice among kids.
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7. Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal: Who says slow cookers are just for dinner? Prepare this apple cinnamon oatmeal the night before for a warm and comforting breakfast, or enjoy it as a breakfast-for-dinner treat.
8. Slow Cooker Sausage, Kale, and Tortellini Soup: This complete meal in a bowl is packed with flavor, perfect texture, and filling ingredients.
9. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies: The best part about this recipe is its versatility. You can choose your family's favorite vegetables or only include the ones your kids love.
10. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks: These drumsticks offer bold flavor with minimal effort, making them a perfect choice for game day or a casual family dinner.
11. Slow Cooker Creamy Chipotle Chicken Tacos: This is a family favorite way to eat tacos, perfect for any night of the week.
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12. Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup: Recreate the flavors of Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana soup in your own kitchen with this easy slow cooker recipe.
13. Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pizza Casserole: This family-friendly casserole combines the flavors of Hawaiian pizza with the convenience of a slow cooker. Tater Tots make it extra appealing to kids.
14. Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole: A potluck favorite that's easy to make in the slow cooker.
More Delicious and Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
Here are some additional slow cooker recipes with nutritional information included:
1. Mexican Pizza: This tasty pizza offers a new way to experience Mexican cuisine. Serve it at your next party and watch it disappear before your eyes.
- 1 serving (calculated without toppings): 643 calories, 35g fat (15g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 1870mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 35g protein.
2. Chili Mac: What could be tastier on a cold winter day than chili or mac and cheese? Put them together and you have a terrific dish that warms you up, and fills you up as well!
- 1-1/2 cups: 447 calories, 21g fat (10g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 646mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 35g protein.
3. Orange Chicken: This orange chicken recipe with orange marmalade is a family favorite and is sure to be a hit at your next get-together!
- 1 serving (calculated without rice or noodles): 379 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 962mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 1g fiber), 30g protein.
4. Chicken with Tomato-Basil Sauce: This is an easy and elegant dish that minimizes time in the kitchen. For game days, serve the chicken on submarine rolls with a bit of the sauce and some chopped lettuce. The chicken is also good cut in half and served on smaller buns as sliders.
5. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork: This recipe uses just three ingredients poured over the pork.
- 5 ounces cooked pork: 259 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 707mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 31g protein.
6. Saucy Bratwurst: Serve the saucy brats over rice for one meal and have them on buns for the next. For extra punch, add a splash of root beer concentrate to the sauce.
- 1 serving: 563 calories, 30g fat (10g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 1575mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein.
7. Beef Enchiladas: Enchiladas get a beefy boost of goodness from a slow-cooked roast. When the meat is done, assemble it with tortillas and bake. Top the enchiladas with lettuce and tomatoes if desired.
- 1 enchilada: 551 calories, 26g fat (11g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 1388mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 38g protein.
8. Zesty Chili: Combine everything the night before, load the slow cooker in the morning, and let it do the work.
- 1 cup (calculated without rice and toppings): 278 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 863mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein.
9. Potluck Chili: This slow-cooked potluck chili makes an awesome filling for a little bag of walk-around nachos. Cut the bag lengthwise to make loading your fork easier.
- 1 serving: 282 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 482mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 12g protein.
10. Tropical Chicken: Exotic fruits such as mango and pineapple beautifully complement the chicken and lend a pleasant hint of sweetness that’s balanced by a bit of soy sauce.
- 1 cup: 299 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 760mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein.
11. Chicken Tortilla Stack: Serve each slice with additional chopped cilantro and a dollop of sour cream if desired.
- 1 serving: 541 calories, 27g fat (15g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 1202mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 6g fiber), 39g protein.
12. Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice: An economical dish with authentic Tex-Mex flavor.
- 1-1/4 cups: 378 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 632mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.
13. Simple Meat Loaf: This simple, easy-to-make meat loaf is a crowd-pleaser.
- 1 cup: 315 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 644mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein.
14. Stuffed Shells: There's no need to precook the shells in this simple pasta dish. Add garlic bread and you're golden!
- 4 stuffed shells: 303 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 377mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein.
15. Fiesta Chicken Casserole: Tortilla chips and a side salad turn this savory casserole into a fun and festive meal with very little effort.
- 1 serving: 568 calories, 35g fat (16g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 1610mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 31g protein.
16. Hungarian Goulash: Paprika and caraway add wonderful flavor, and sour cream gives it a creamy richness.
- 2/3 cup goulash with 1 cup noodles: 388 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 285mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 31g protein.
17. Beef Fajitas: The beef comes out tender, juicy and flavorful in the slow cooker. Serve with a side of Spanish rice.
- 1 fajita: 340 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 549mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
18. Peanut Chicken Thighs: These very tender and moist chicken thighs come with a tangy peanut butter sauce that is irresistible.
- 1 chicken thigh with 1/4 cup sauce (calculated without rice): 261 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein.
19. Crockpot Roast and Potatoes: Slow-simmered and seasoned with rosemary, mustard and thyme, this tender and tasty roast is easy to make and always a hit.
- 1 each: 352 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 657mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 35g protein.
20. Cheesy Potatoes: This is a hearty dish that's good as a main course or a side dish.
- 1-1/2 cups: 401 calories, 21g fat (7g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 1495mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
21. Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole: A comforting casserole with mass appeal. For added convenience, this recipe stays warm in a slow cooker.
- 1 cup: 329 calories, 19g fat (8g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 885mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.
22. Chicken Stew: This chicken stew makes the house smell wonderful as it gently bubbles in the slow cooker.
- 1-1/2 cups: 405 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 922mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 5g fiber), 29g protein.
23. Creamy Pork Chops: Everyone will enjoy these fork-tender, slow-cooker pork chops with a creamy, light gravy.
- 1 pork chop: 279 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 606mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein.
24. Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole: This easy dish has few ingredients and little preparation.
- 1 cup: 408 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 1592mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 16g protein.
25. Tender Turkey Breast: This recipe yields tender turkey.
- 1 serving: 205 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 231mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 32g protein.
26. Slow Cooker Lasagna: Convenient no-cook lasagna noodles take the work out of this traditional favorite.
- 1 cup: 405 calories, 22g fat (10g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 1340mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein.
27. Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes: This dish is a crowd-pleaser and makes amazing meatball sandwiches.
- 8 ounces cooked chicken with 3/4 cup potato mixture : 616 calories, 30g fat (8g saturated fat), 183mg cholesterol, 1346mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 61g protein.
28. Ranch Chili: Ranch dressing mix and taco seasoning give extra-special flavor to this hearty chili.
- 1 cup: 342 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 1368mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 9g fiber), 25g protein.
29. Chicken Noodle Soup: This satisfying soup with a hint of cayenne is brimming with vegetables, chicken and noodles.
- 1 cup: 199 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 663mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein.
30. Creamy Tomato Soup: This creamy tomato soup is a twist on a classic dish.
- 1-1/3 cups: 447 calories, 27g fat (14g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 1512mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 14g protein.
31. Cheesy Chicken and Rice: This is a nice little twist on a classic dish. If you love cheese, feel free to add more, and green peppers provide a great taste if you want some vegetables.
- 1 cup: 402 calories, 19g fat (6g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 1063mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein.
32. Chicken and Dumplings: This homey dish is a classic comfort food.