Great meals have gotten so much more difficult to prepare because we are all constantly on the go. Slow cookers have brought a decent dinner for the working family within reach! Try out these tasty meals, and you will thank us later!
French Onion Soup
Start by caramelizing four onions. Add 3 tbsp of flour, 8 oz of beer, 64 oz of beef stock, 2 tbsp of thyme, and pepper to taste. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. When done, add french bread croutons and a slice of preferred cheese and broil for a couple of minutes to melt.
Pulled Pork Nachos
To serve 4, just combine a pound and a half of pork loin with 1 cup of BBQ sauce, 1 onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 pepper of choice. Cook on low for 6 hours, shredding the pork with a fork about halfway through. When finished, lay on chips, add cheese, and broil for a few minutes to melt the cheese. Top to taste and serve!
Hot Apple Cider
Cut 9 apples and an orange into quarters and place in the cooker. Add 3 cinnamon sticks, a whole nutmeg, and 2 tsp of cloves. You can also add all spice if desired. Fill with water up to about a half inch from the top. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, mashing the apples with about an hour to go. You can sweeten with about 2/3 cup of any combination of brown sugar, maple syrup, or other desired sweetener.
Chicken Taco Chili
Combine 1 can each of black and kidney beans, 2 garlic cloves, 1 onion, 1 jalopeno, 1 green pepper, 10 oz frozen corn, 8 oz can of tomato sauce, 28 oz diced tomatoes, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tsp of oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Add two uncooked chicken breasts to the top and cook on low for 6 hours. Pull chicken apart before serving.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Combine the following: 14 oz (2 cans) of drained artichoke hearts, 10 oz of spinach, 8 oz sour cream, 1 onion, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, 3/4 cup of milk, 1/2 cup feta cheese, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, and pepper to taste. Cover with 8 oz of cream cheese and cook on low for 2 hours and 15 minutes, stirring in the melted cheese with about 15 minutes to go.
Chex Mix
Combine a mixture of 9 cups of Chex cereal (mix it up and use different varieties) with 2 cups of pretzels, and 1 cup each of Cheerios and peanuts. Mix 6 tbsp of melted butter, 1 tbsp of seasoned salt, and 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce and drizzle over the cereal mix in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 3 hours.
Italian Meatballs
Create meatballs out of 1 lb of meat, 1/4 cup each of breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and parsley, 1 egg, crushed garlic clove, and salt and pepper to taste. Combine meatballs in the cooker with a sauteed olive oil and garlic mix, and 28 oz of crushed tomatoes. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Bacon Wrapped Tenderloin
Wrap a half-tenderloin (3-4 lbs) in bacon securing with toothpicks and then brown the bacon in a pan. Place in cooker with juices, one onion, and 4 garlic cloves. Cook on low until internal temp is 100° (2-4 hours). Combine 3/4 beef broth, 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp dijon mustard, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1 tbsp of flour. Continue cooking until the temperature rises to at least 130°.
Sloppy Joe Dip
Brown hamburger on the stove with 1/2 a sweet onion and 1 bell pepper. Combine beef mixture with can of Sloppy Joe sauce, 8 oz of cream cheese, and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Cook on low for 2 hours and serve with chips.
BBQ Beer Pulled Chicken
Season 3 lbs of chicken breast with 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp each of onion powder and paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Combine in slow cooker with 8 oz of beer and 32 oz of bbq sauce. Cook on low for 8 hours and serve!
Chicken Tikka Masala
Combine the following: 1/2 onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 can tomato puree, 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt, 1 tbsp cumin, 1/2 tbsp paprika, 3/4 tsp each of cinnamon and pepper, and 2 tbsp each of ginger, olive oil, lemon juice, and Garam Masala. Cut 5 chicken breasts into 1 inch pieces and add to the mix. Combine 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 tbsp of corn starch and stir in. Cook on low for 8 hours.
Crock Pot Lasagna
Brown 2 lbs of ground beef on the stove and combine 1 lb cottage cheese with 2 cups mozzarella cheese in a separate bowl. Add thin layer of pasta sauce and beef to the bottom. Place a layer of noodles, breaking as needed to fit the shape. Then alternate meat and sauce layers with cheese, separating with noodles each time until all ingredients are used (you will probably need two jars of marinara sauce). Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Spiced Applesauce
Quarter 6 lbs of apples and cook with 3/4 cup water or apple juice on low for 6-8 hours. Towards the end of the cooking cycle, stir in 1 tsp of cinnamon and 1/2 tsp each of nutmeg and cloves. After cooking, run through a food mill to remove seeds and skin if desired. Alternatively, you can cut out seeds and skin before cooking.
Pulled Pork
Combine 3 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp salt, 2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp thyme, and 1 tsp each of cayenne pepper and garlic powder. Stir in 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, and 3 tbsp olive oil to form a paste. Add onion halves to the cooker followed by 3 lbs of pork shoulder. Top with paste and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
Coconut Hot Chocolate
Combine 4 cans of coconut milk, 2 cans condensed milk, and 2 tsp each of vanilla and coconut extracts. Stir in 8 oz of chopped dark chocolate and 1/4 cup cocoa powder. Cook on low for 2 hours stirring every 15-20 minutes. Garnish with marshmallow, cream, and even toasted coconut if you desire.
Baked Beans
Mix 1/2 cup each of BBQ sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar, along with 1 tsp dry mustard, 3 cans of drained great northern beans, 1 diced green bell pepper, and 1 diced onion. Add in either bacon or ham if desired and cook on low 8-10 hours.
Creamy Mac and Cheese
Combine 2 cans each of evaporated milk, cheddar cheese soup, shredded cheddar cheese, and cheddar jack cheese with 2 1/2 cups of water making sure cheese begins to melt. Add 1 lb of uncooked pasta and cook on low for 2-3 hours. You will want to add 1 cup of very hot water after cooking to thin the cheese mixture.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Combine 3 lbs chopped red potatoes, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 4 crushed garlic cloves, and 1/4 cup water: season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Add 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/3 cup parmesan, 2 tbsp milk, and 1/2 tsp each of thyme, oregano, and basil before mixing with a hand mixer.
Chicken Teriyaki
Combine 3 lbs of chicken with 3/4 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 3 tbsp orange marmalade, 1 tbsp ginger, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1/4 cup each of apple cider vinegar and honey. Cook on low for 4-5 hours. Strain the liquid into a saucepan, add 1 1/2 tbsp each of cold water and corn starch, and bring to a boil while stirring. Pour teriyaki sauce over chicken and serve.
