There’s nothing quite like coming home to a warm, comforting meal after a long day. With a slow cooker, you can prepare hearty, delicious dinners with minimal effort. Simply toss in your ingredients, set the timer, and let the slow cooker do the work! These 5 simple slow cooker recipes are perfect for cozy dinners that will leave you feeling satisfied and relaxed.
1. Slow Cooker Chicken and Vegetable Stew
Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup frozen peas (added at the end)
Instructions:
- Place chicken, carrots, potatoes, onion, garlic, and thyme in the slow cooker.
- Pour in chicken broth and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- In the last 30 minutes, add frozen peas. Shred the chicken with a fork before serving.
Why It’s Cozy: This stew is packed with tender chicken and hearty vegetables, perfect for a chilly evening.
2. Slow Cooker Beef Chili
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, then drain excess fat.
- Transfer the beef to the slow cooker along with beans, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and spices.
- Stir everything together, cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, or avocado slices.
Why It’s Cozy: This rich, flavorful chili is the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd.
3. Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (added at the end)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil (optional garnish)
Instructions:
- Combine tomatoes, onion, garlic, dried basil, and vegetable broth in the slow cooker.
- Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
- Stir in the heavy cream and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Serve with fresh basil and a slice of crusty bread.
Why It’s Cozy: This creamy, flavorful soup paired with bread makes for the perfect warm and satisfying meal.
4. Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 3-pound beef chuck roast
- 4 cups beef broth
- 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 4 potatoes, halved
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper. Brown the roast on all sides in a skillet over medium heat (optional but adds flavor).
- Place the roast in the slow cooker and add carrots, potatoes, onion, and garlic.
- Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, and sprinkle with thyme.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 5-6 hours until the roast is tender and easy to shred.
- Serve the pot roast with vegetables and the broth as a gravy.
Why It’s Cozy: This classic pot roast is tender, flavorful, and perfect for a comforting dinner.
5. Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Lentil Curry
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 3 cups cubed butternut squash
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro (optional garnish)
Instructions:
- Add lentils, vegetable broth, butternut squash, onion, garlic, curry powder, and turmeric to the slow cooker.
- Stir to combine, cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
- Stir in the coconut milk and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with rice or naan bread.
Why It’s Cozy: This warming curry is creamy, rich in flavor, and a healthy, plant-based option for a cozy night in.
Conclusion:
These 5 simple slow cooker recipes are perfect for creating cozy, delicious dinners with minimal effort. Whether you’re craving a hearty stew or a creamy soup, these meals will warm you up from the inside out.
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