Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow cookers are amazing tools for busy homemakers who don’t have the luxury of time, but still, want to make delicious meals for their loved ones. The best part is that there’s seemingly an endless amount of recipes you can make using this handy kitchen gadget. In this article, we’ll be showing you ways to cook everything from soups to desserts.
Nacho Soup
Let’s kick things off with some nacho soup. All you need to do for this recipe is add onions, garlic, a pound of cooked beef as well as assorted vegetables such as corn, beans, and tomatoes to a five- to six-quart slow cooker. Add some chicken or beef broth, as well as some salt, pepper, chili powder, and chili flakes. After four hours, shred in some of your favorite cheese and whisk it together with some flour and heavy cream. Continue cooking for half an hour then top it with chopped green onions and tortilla chips.
Potato Soup
Another soup you can make in a crock-pot is hearty potato soup. To start, all you have to do is to chop up a whole bunch of potatoes, preferably Yukon gold ones. While you’re at it, chop one big yellow or white onion and some bacon as well. Add some chicken or vegetable stock, and let it cook for three to four hours on a high setting. Add some heavy cream and mash up the remaining potatoes to thicken up your soup. Alternatively, you can add a roux made with butter, milk, and flour to add consistency.
Baked Ziti
Slow cookers are also an ideal way to cook pasta since it all happens in a one pot. Take for example a baked ziti, which you can easily make by adding cooked turkey, crushed and diced tomatoes, oregano, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, pepper, and water to your slow cooker. Cook on a high setting for three hours or on low for six hours. After the required cooking time has passed, stir in some penne and continue cooking on a high setting for 12 to 25 minutes, constantly checking if the pasta is done. When the pasta is al dente, turn off the slow cooker and finish by adding a cup of shredded mozzarella.
Spaghetti Squash And Meatballs
If you’re on a low-carb diet, a great alternative would be turkey meatballs over a bed of spaghetti squash. All you have to do for this one is to add your spaghetti squash, tomatoes, garlic, red wine, water, and a pinch each of salt and pepper to your crock-pot. Before you put the squash in, poke holes around it with a fork so steam could escape. Cook on a high setting for 30 minutes. Remove the squash and cut lengthwise. Use a fork to make strands from the flesh. Top with the sauce and some meatballs.
Herbed Chicken With Beets And Brussels Sprouts
For your entrée, you can make some herbed chicken with beets and Brussels sprouts. Start by seasoning your cleaned chicken with some salt, paprika, dried thyme, and pepper. Place a lemon into the cavity and with some kitchen string, tie the legs together and fold the wing tips underneath. Place the chicken breast side up in the slow cooker over a bed of celery, onion, and garlic. Cook on low for eight hours. You can add the Brussels and beets in the last few minutes, or roast them in the oven.
Chicken And Dumplings
Chicken is a pretty versatile ingredient, and chicken prepared in a slow cooker is no exception. Another poultry recipe you can make is a plateful of mouthwatering chicken and dumplings. To make this dish, place some chicken breasts and add them to a slow cooker together with butter, cream of chicken soup – the canned variety will do fine – and diced onions. Add water to cover. Cook for five to six hours on high. In the last 30 minutes, add torn up biscuit dough to make dumplings to go along with the chicken.
Roast Beef Sandwiches
Another main you can make is roast beef, which is perfect for sandwiches. Begin by seasoning your roast with salt and pepper, and browning it on a large skillet. Place onion, thyme, and garlic in a slow cooker and add some dry red wine. Cook on high for four hours or on low for six hours, at least. Once done, take the roast and shred it using a pair of forks. Return the bite-sized pieces of pork to the slow cooker. Take some of the meat and put it on bread topped with some mayonnaise and various greens.
Pot Roast
If you’re a big meat lover, then you’ll absolutely adore this pot roast, which only takes 10 minutes to prepare and basically makes its own gravy. All you have to do for this recipe is to combine two cans of cream of mushroom soup with a package of dry onion soup mix and water. Place your roast in the slow cooker and top it with the pre-made soup mixture. Cook this on a low setting for eight to nine hours, or on a high setting for three to four hours. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Peach Cobbler
They say that there’s always room for dessert, and that saying also holds true for a slow cooker. One amazing dessert you can make in a crock-pot is peach cobbler. To make this, mix together sugar, oats, flour, nutmeg, baking powder, allspice, and salt in a large bowl. Combine these ingredients with some butter until it reaches a crumbly consistency. Then, add the peach slices. Before you add this mixture to the slow cooker, butter it thoroughly to avoid sticking. Cook on low for three to three and a half hours.
Brownie Cake
Those with a sweet tooth can’t get enough of this gooey brownie cake, which you can whip up in a slow cooker. Simply combine sugar, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, flour, vanilla, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Gently fold in your desired amount of chocolate chunks or chips. Place this mixture in a crock-pot lined with buttered foil. Cook on low until the edges are set, but the center is still moist. This should take about three hours. You can eat this by itself or top it with ice cream to make it a la mode.
There you have it. Ten scrumptious recipes – from soups to dessert – you can make in a slow cooker. You can leave these bubbling away while you do loads of other things. What’s even better is that there’s minimal cleanup required.
Sources:
- 65 Super Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Your Busiest Weeknights, Country Living
- Slow Cooker Recipes to Make in Your Crock Pot, Food Network
- Slow-Cooker Dessert Recipes, Food Network
