5 Simple Slow Cooker Recipes for Cozy Dinners

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:

1. Place chicken, carrots, potatoes, onion, garlic, and thyme in the slow cooker.
2. Pour in chicken broth and season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
4. 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:

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, then drain excess fat.
2. Transfer the beef to the slow cooker along with beans, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and spices.
3. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. 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:

1. Combine tomatoes, onion, garlic, dried basil, and vegetable broth in the slow cooker.
2. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours.
4. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
5. Stir in the heavy cream and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
6. 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:

1. Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper. Brown the roast on all sides in a skillet over medium heat (optional but adds flavor).
2. Place the roast in the slow cooker and add carrots, potatoes, onion, and garlic.
3. Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, and sprinkle with thyme.
4. 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.
5. 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:

1. Add lentils, vegetable broth, butternut squash, onion, garlic, curry powder, and turmeric to the slow cooker.
2. Stir to combine, cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
3. Stir in the coconut milk and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
4. 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.