Bert Swope
If you’re in search of a fast and effortless way to cook dinner, look no further than your slow cooker. These recipes will ensure your family loves each meal you create – guaranteed!
These crockpot dishes can be tailored to any size family, with many being quick-and-easy dump-and-set recipes that require only minutes of prep work. Plus, these budget-conscious meals use ingredients that cost-effectively feed a family for $20 or less!
Red Beans and Rice
Red beans and rice is an effortless comfort food dish perfect for any celebration. Plus, this recipe can easily be prepped ahead of time, so it’s ready to eat on the same day or frozen for later use.
This deceptively easy recipe for a hearty and economical dinner will feed your family or guests, and all of the ingredients can be put into the slow cooker for maximum convenience! All that’s left for you to do is dump everything into the pot and let it do all of the work – easy as that!
This dish comes alive with just a few spices. Garlic, thyme, oregano, paprika, and cayenne pepper add subtle yet robust flavors without overpowering other components. I like to finish off by adding a bay leaf and chopped green onion for additional fragrance and bite.
If you prefer a milder version of this dish, omit the cayenne or reduce it by half. Alternatively, add more cayenne pepper to taste if you like things extra fiery.
You can make this recipe on the stove top, but it’s much simpler to do in a slow cooker! Simply combine all of the ingredients into the pot and cover; cook on low for 4-5 hours until your beans are tender and flavorful.
Once the beans have cooked through, remove the lid and stir in uncooked rice. Continue simmering for around an hour, or until all of the broth has been absorbed by the grains.
This dish pairs perfectly with steamed veggies or fresh fruit for a light, healthy side dish. It’s ideal for Mardi Gras or any other special holiday or event; it even makes an excellent weeknight dinner choice!
Taco Soup
Taco soup is the ideal weeknight dinner to make in your slow cooker. It’s simple to put together and can be customized with your favorite toppings.
This delicious meal is enhanced with ground beef, beans, and corn. For an added protein boost, feel free to add some rotisserie chicken for additional flavor!
Begin by browning the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat and stir in onions and garlic; cook until softened.
Finally, add in the broth, tomatoes, and water and stir until fully combined. If the soup appears too thick, thin it out with additional water during simmering.
For added flavor, you can also use taco seasoning or create your own homemade blend from chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt. A good combination will have chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt for a true Latin taste.
Utilizing a packet will save you time and make it simple to customize the flavor of your recipe. Add more chili powder, paprika, or any other spice you desire for added heat or mildness.
Once the recipe is complete, you’ll have a delicious soup that everyone will love. Top it off with tortilla chips, cilantro, shredded cheese, and more for the ultimate Mexican dinner!
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to three months. You may also reheat them in a large pot over the stove top or microwave until warm.
Make this delicious soup with leftover taco meat! It’s the ideal way to use up any leftover tacos or fajitas you have in the fridge!
Meatballs
Crockpot meatballs are tender and juicy on the inside with perfectly browned exteriors. To keep them extra moist, they’re baked at a high temperature before adding them to a slow cooker; this step helps prevent them from sealing shut and falling apart during preparation.
These deceptively simple yet flavorful meatballs are made with a variety of seasonings and coated in panko breadcrumbs for extra texture. Perfect for family dinner or an appetizer at your next party, these meatballs have it all!
These meatballs require only a few ingredients and take just minutes to prepare. Begin by mixing ground beef with eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Once mixed well together, roll each meatball in your hands for extra texture.
Mix all ingredients until fully combined, then shape into meatballs. Place in your slow cooker and top off with 26 ounces of marinara sauce.
If the sauce is too runny, combine 1 teaspoon cornstarch with an equal amount of water and stir it into the bubbling meatball mixture during the last hour of cooking. This will thicken the sauce just enough to achieve that dreamy creamy consistency you crave!
These meatballs are delicious on their own or you can add them to pasta, rice, mashed potatoes or other dishes for a quick meal or as an appetizer with toothpicks! They make for the perfect quick meal or appetizer!
You can freeze these meatballs individually to save for later. They’ll last several months when frozen, making them a great recipe to have on hand when you need an easy meal quickly. Just label the meatballs and store them separately from the sauce when freezing.
Burgers
Burgers are an effortless dinner that you can prepare in no time with a slow cooker, perfect for when you have a hectic day. Not only are they low in fat but also easy to prepare – plus, you can customize them according to your personal tastes with various toppings!
Make a burger using lean ground beef or any combination of ground meats. For added flavor and tenderness, cook your patties with vegetables like onions or mushrooms over low heat. Be sure not to overcook as this will lead to dryness and inedibility.
Begin by shaping the meat into four equal-size patties. Season with oregano, onion powder, lemon pepper, and salt to taste. Place these burgers into a slow cooker and top off with your favorite barbecue sauce for an irresistibly flavorful dish!
While your hamburgers are cooking, chop up an onion and melt some butter. This will help caramelize and brown the onion for a tasty burger topping.
Once the burgers have cooked, you can top them off with your desired cheese and toppings. You may even wish to add ketchup or mustard before serving for added flavor!
When ready to serve the burgers, take them from the slow cooker and place them on your favorite buns. For extra color and texture, add a few slices of tomatoes or lettuce to each burger for visual interest.
To save time, you can purchase pre-cooked burgers and skip the preparation part altogether. Just remember that they need to be cooked a little longer as they will likely turn out grayish rather than browned. To prevent this, pan fry the burgers before adding them to a slow cooker for extra flavor and color.
Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is an iconic American meal that’s easy to prepare in the slow cooker. It’s great for busy weeknights since you can prepare it ahead of time and store in your fridge or freezer, then just throw everything together for lunch – tacos, nachos or whatever takes your fancy!
Making tender, flavorful pulled pork in the slow cooker requires cooking it slowly for an extended amount of time. This gives the meat time to absorb flavors into its fat and connective tissue, resulting in moist and delicious pulled pork each and every time!
It is essential to use a cut of pork that isn’t too tough, like a pork butt or shoulder. These cuts have more fat and connective tissue which makes them tender when cooked slowly.
Ree recommends applying a spice rub before cooking the meat in the slow cooker to enhance flavor infusion. Doing this helps prevent the rub from being washed away in the braising liquid. Additionally, sear the pork before cooking it is essential; this adds another layer of flavor and guarantees tenderness when shredded.
When serving, take the pork from the slow cooker and shred it with a fork. Then stir in some barbecue sauce for extra zest and heat.
Once you’ve shred the pork, store it in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can also freeze it for up to three months. Reheating this meal is great in either the microwave or grill; just remember to remoisten before each heating cycle.