Children will love these simple, kid-friendly slow cooker meals! Choose from delicious dishes like pot roast dinner or chicken noodle soup; or give this tasty tater tot casserole a try.
These recipes feature nutritious ingredients that children will adore and require minimal prep work. Pair these meals with satisfying sides such as mashed potatoes, garlic bread or simple glazed carrots for an unforgettable family feast!
Roast Beef Po Boys
A roast beef po-boy (commonly referred to as “poor boy”) is one of New Orleans’s signature sandwiches. A delicious and filling meal that can be eaten alone or over rice or potatoes for an even heartier experience, the roast beef po-boy remains one of its signature offerings.
Every variation on this simple sandwich boasts its own distinctive taste. Ben Wicks of Mahony’s in Minneapolis has made his sandwich even more famous by cooking his Angus beef as pot roast until fork tender; then pairing the juicy chunks between halves of Leidenheimer or Gendusa bread with pickles, tomatoes, mayonnaise and shredded lettuce for something similar to beef bourguignon.
Mother’s in the Warehouse District takes an unconventional approach to its sandwich creation by opting for top round, an economically priced cut with more intense meaty flavors than bottom loin. Their signature sandwich oozes with gravy and comes close to debris-style perfection – but due to long waits at this iconic eatery it would make sense for homemakers to create their own version! Spread two pieces of Leidenheimer or Dong Phuong bread with mayonnaise before layering up roast beef, gravy, and pickles over top!
Chicken and Noodles
Tender egg noodles topped with chunks of chicken are covered in an irresistibly creamy chicken broth gravy for the ultimate comfort food and kid-friendly meal!
This simple slow cooker dinner requires just three simple ingredients, making it the ideal solution for busy evenings when time is short but your family still requires something nutritious and filling to enjoy a satisfying dinner together.
Begin by placing a whole chicken into your slow cooker for three to four hours at high. Once it’s cooked, remove from the slow cooker and allow to cool.
While the chicken cools, saute carrots, celery and onions in butter until tender. Combine flour with salt and pepper before stirring it into the butter mixture – stir continuously until a butter/flour roux forms!
Remove celery, onion and parsley from the chicken broth before discarding it. Pour four cups back into the pot along with egg noodles and simmer for 30 minutes while stirring every 10 minutes. Top off your meal with Parmesan and fresh parsley before serving!
Cheesy Chicken and Rice
With just a handful of ingredients and steps required to prepare it, this creamy chicken and rice casserole is quick and satisfying – everything your family desires in an easy dinner option that takes minimal prep time! Additionally, this dish makes great use of leftover rice and rotisserie chicken from previous meals or can save time by purchasing pre-cooked chicken from your grocery store!
Make this dish your own by customizing its veggies and spices to your tastes. Try swapping out for chopped steamed broccoli, green beans almondine or mandarin orange salad for some added fiber-rich nutrition or try sauteed mushrooms for an unexpected burst of flavor in your roux base!
This creamy cheesy chicken and rice casserole makes an excellent freezer meal! Simply cover and store for up to three months in your freezer before thawing out overnight in the fridge and baking according to recipe instructions. Plus it makes an awesome way to share a tasty dinner with neighbors or friends in need! Serve alongside crusty bread as a sidekick. Simply delicious!
Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Winter brings with it comforting foods. This kid-friendly slow cooker dinner recipe will become an instant family hit! A clever take on an all-American sandwich featuring its flavors in soup form!
Tender ground beef, flavorful potatoes and crumbled bacon come together in a comforting creamy cheese broth for an indulgent lunch or cozy dinner experience. Add toppings such as pickle relish, more crumbled bacon or green onions for an unforgettable meal!
Substituting whole grain pasta or rice for white will add an extra nutritious punch while also increasing fiber intake – something your children are unlikely to notice!
These delicious kid-approved slow cooker meals are easy and quick to make on both weeknights and weekends, pairing perfectly with kid-approved sides such as mashed potatoes or garlic bread. Looking to add more vegetables? Mixing pureed white beans or stir-fry vegetables into your slow cooker recipes could also do the trick without increasing cooking times!
Slow Cooker Taco Pasta
Your slow cooker pasta can easily become kid-approved by adding their favorite taco toppings, like cheese and tomatoes. Your family will surely love this delicious dinner option.
As is often the case, this recipe makes an ideal make-ahead meal on busy days. Simply cook and serve the beef, vegetables and sauce, then reheat taco pasta before topping as desired.
Can dry pasta be put in a slow cooker? Absolutely. Just ensure you use an appropriate liquid ratio and add the pasta at the very end of cooking so it doesn’t become soggy or overdone. This recipe specifically calls for rotini pasta, though any small shape would work equally well.
This crock pot taco casserole makes an easy slow cooker dinner perfect for Taco Tuesday or any day of the week! Packed full of hearty ground beef, tart tomato sauce and comforting pasta – plus your choice of taco toppings – this family friendly meal can only get better with time!
Poor Man’s Stew
Poor Man’s Stew (aka Shipwreck or Cowboy Stew) is an economical and budget-friendly slow cooker meal perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Tender beef and potatoes simmered in an irresistibly delicious gravy created from French onion soup mix, beef broth, ketchup and seasonings make this mouthwatering meal easy to prepare and deliciously filling! Pair this hearty stew with either mashed potatoes or noodles as an entree; alternatively it also pairs nicely with garlic bread sticks for dipping!
This recipe can easily be customized for different tastes and dietary restrictions, like turkey instead of ground beef for leaner protein and less fat content. Frozen carrots and onions may save time and money when making this dish if they’re available – you could also add kidney, black, or white beans for an additional nutritional boost!
To save time on cooking day, peel and chop vegetables the night before. Simply add them directly to the slow cooker alongside other ingredients.
Slow Cooker Rotel Tacos
Rotel tacos have become immensely popular, and this slow cooker version makes them easy, tasty, and kid-approved. Simply combine ground beef, taco seasoning, velvetta cheese, and one or more cans of Rotel tomatoes in your slow cooker before starting it to cook – adding mild or spicy Rotel depending on your desired heat level; simply adjust as needed or desired!
You can apply this same concept to other taco meats if desired, such as chicken breasts, shredded beef or pork, black beans, or any combination thereof. Add flavorful toppings like sour cream, chopped cilantro, fresh lime slices, pico de gallo and avocado slices for even greater satisfaction!
Combine chicken broth (optional), taco seasoning and one can of Rotel in a medium size bowl and pour onto chicken pieces in an open casserole dish. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees; once cool, shred with two forks before placing inside warmed small tortillas or taco shells to serve!
Slow Cooker Frito Pie
Not quite nachos and not quite pie, this cheesy comfort meal will delight everyone. In its traditional form, Fritos corn chips are topped with chili, cheese and additional toppings such as onions or jalapenos before being placed in the crockpot for ease of making at home! Crockpot versions make it simple.
Start this recipe off right by browning lean ground beef and onions in a skillet, draining any excess fat. Next, combine meat, beans, tomato sauce, Rotel salsa, taco seasoning and water in your slow cooker before topping with crunchy corn chips and grated Cheddar before baking.
To serve, spoon a small portion of chili into a bowl over a layer of Fritos and top with your preferred taco toppings – such as shredded lettuce, sour cream, pico de gallo, hot sauce, slices avocados and fresh squeezed limes – before topping with Fritos chips and garnishing accordingly. This delicious dish makes an excellent take-home gift for new moms, neighbors or anyone in need of comforting and hearty meal!
