Crazy schedules, long work hours, and tempting takeout menus make it tough to even?think?about cooking most nights during the week. Despite the inconvenience, firing up the stove or oven is almost always cheaper and healthier than ordering in or eating out. How about a compromise? Making dinner with a slow cooker ? Crock-Pot is the go-to brand in the U.S. ? is an easy way to get in all those vitamins and minerals without slaving over a hot stove for hours at a time. Most of these recipes involve mixing up ingredients and popping them into a slow cooker for a prescribed number of hours. Save even more time by starting some of these dishes overnight or first thing in the morning and reaping the delicious, healthy benefits later in the day.
Breakfast
Photo: Amber Massey / Chocolate Broccoli
1.?Cinnamon Apple OatmealTart apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, and walnuts ? what?s not to love? Start this recipe the night before and wake up to a delicious-smelling house and a hot, healthy breakfast. 2.?Banana Bread QuinoaWhy not begin the day with a protein-rich?superfood?like?quinoa? This recipe highlights why people love slow-cookers: Just dump the ingredients into a Crockpot and let them hang out together for a few hours. Insta-breakfast. 3.?Vegetarian Breakfast BurritosThis vegetarian burrito filling includes loads of vegetables, beans, and?eggs. Cook vegetables, spices, and beans together in the slow cooker overnight. Stuff tortillas with the filling and fresh scrambled eggs in the morning. 4.?Greek YogurtMaking yogurt from scratch is takes some time, but it?s hands-off with a slow cooker and it?s much cheaper than buying it at the supermarket. Heat milk for about two hours using the high setting of the slow cooker. Unplug the slow cooker and let the milk cool a bit and then mix in ? cup of store-bought plain yogurt. Wrap the still-warm (but unplugged!) slow cooker in a towel and let it sit out overnight. Once you have a batch of regular plain yogurt, go Greek by straining through a few layers of cheesecloth lining a colander. Let the mixture strain in the fridge overnight, and wake up to an extra thick and creamy bowl of?Greek yogurt! 5.?Baked ApplesThis healthy treat is usually served after dinner, but it works just as well in the morning. Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt on top for a hit of protein to keep moving all morning. 6.?Pork Breakfast BurritosFor the meat eaters out there, here?s an easy pork-based burrito filling that can be made overnight. Choose lean meat to make this spicy filling as healthy as possible. Add in some fresh?avocado?or spinach for good measure. 7.?Apple Cinnamon Breakfast RisottoForget the constant stirring and standing at the stove. This risotto recipe is super user-friendly. Add the ingredients to a slow cooker and set it on high heat for three to five hours, or low heat for six hours. Cut down (or out) the butter and use skim milk to make the recipe even healthier. 8.?Pumpkin Cinnamon BunsThese special occasion-worthy cinnamon buns are totally vegan and spiked with?pumpkin?puree and plenty of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Perfect for a chilly winter morning? or any other time. 9.?French Toast CasseroleTake the hassle out of French toast by baking it casserole-style in a slow cooker. The recipe calls for raw?apples, but feel free to sub in bananas or other fruit for a bit of variety. 10.?Hot Chocolate OatmealWhen a massive chocolate craving strikes first thing in the morning, this breakfast hits the spot. Despite the name, this?oatmeal?recipe isn?t?too?decadent ? it uses coconut or skim milk, vanilla, and a bit of brown sugar to add sweetness. 11.?Spinach and Mozzarella FrittataHosting a brunch party? Mix up this vegetarian frittata early and let it cook for an hour or so before guests arrive. Part-skim mozzarella cheese, low-fat milk, and plenty of fresh veggies make this a smart option at the breakfast table. 12.?Breakfast CasseroleReduced-fat cheese, turkey bacon, and skim milk make this version of a full diner breakfast much healthier. Make this crowd-pleasing dish vegetarian-friendly by ditching the bacon. 13.?Blueberry-Chia QuinoaPower up for the day ahead with an antioxidant-filled, superfood-heavy breakfast. Quinoa provides plenty of protein, while the?blueberries,?chia?seeds, and almond milk give the dish a healthy and flavorful boost. 14.?Banana BreadThis super-light banana bread is also gluten-free. Baking it in a slow cooker instead of the oven means running out to do errands during the cooking time is totally A-OK. This recipe cooks in about four hours on high. 15.?Almond-Cherry-Coconut GranolaHomemade granola is much cheaper and healthier than the store-bought stuff (who knows what?s in that cute package?!). Bonus ? mixing and cooking it all in a slow cooker instead of the oven means there?s only one dish instead of multiple bowls and baking sheets to wash!
Soups and Stews
Photo: Jennifer / The Evolution of Jenn
16.??Two-Bean Beef ChiliTake traditional chili up a notch with two types of beans and lean ground beef. Cook down the onions to remove some of the water, and then add them to the slow cooker with the other ingredients for four to six hours. 17.?Root Vegetable StewThis filling soup (make it vegan with vegetable broth) uses every all-star in the winter root veggie playbook. Potatoes, carrots, parsnips, baby pumpkin, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes make this stew a seasonal winner. Chickpeas, raisins, spinach, and a hint of saffron keep it interesting. 18.?Lumberjack Vegetable SoupThis vegan stew is a great way to use up winter root vegetables like rutabaga and carrots. More veggies like celery,?spinach, and mushrooms make it a smart choice any time of year. 19.?Chicken Tortilla SoupThis Mexican-style soup is hearty but not too heavy for a quick lunch or dinner. Chicken and cheese add protein into the mix, while?avocado?provides some healthy fat. 20.?Chicken PhoThis recipe uses old chicken bits (hello, leftovers) to make a flavorful, rich chicken broth. Crunchy red onions, bean sprouts, and cilantro keep this traditional Vietnamese soup fresh. 21.?Spicy Black Bean SoupFor many of us, remembering to soak dried beans ahead of time is surprisingly difficult. In this vegan recipe, combine straight-from-the-bag beans and hot water (along with other ingredients like peppers, onions,?garlic, and chipotle chilies) in the slow cooker and remove the need for planning ahead. 22.?Apple-Parsnip SoupThis light soup is the definition of easy ? there are only five ingredients including salt! To make a vegan version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken. 23.?Lentil and Sweet Potato SoupThis might be the ultimate slow cooker recipe. Toss chopped vegetables, sweet potatoes,?lentils, herbs, and vegetable broth and cook on low for 10 hours. Start the process at night and wake up to a hearty blend of veggies, potatoes, and beans. 24.?Cajun StewGet ready for some serious bayou flavor. This stew is loaded with Southern flavors like andouille sausage, shrimp, and okra. Serve it with plenty of rice (and maybe some grits, too). 25.?Squash, Chickpea, and Red Lentil StewCombine squash, chickpeas, and lentils to make this super nutritious stew. The secret ingredient ? peanuts ? gives this recipe plenty of North African flavor. 26.?Curried Carrot SoupThis brightly colored soup is perfect for a dreary winter day. It gets its bold hue from cold-weather staples sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, and curry powder.Meat Entrees
Photo: Jessica / How Sweet It Is
28.?Mini Turkey MeatballsEveryone needs a comfort food fix every once in a while. Enter these healthy mini turkey meatballs, made with lean ground meat, olive oil,?quinoa, and antioxidant-rich tomatoes. Serve them with?whole-wheat pasta, crusty bread, or a side of warm roasted veggies. 29.?Pork TacosNo need to slave over a hot grill to make barbeque-worthy pulled pork. For this recipe, season the meat, stick it in a slow cooker overnight and wait for the magic (err?the pulled pork, that is). Add salsa, lettuce, guacamole, and any other toppings and wrap everything up in a flour tortilla for some showstopping soft tacos. 30.?Meaty Red Beans and RiceUse lean ground turkey or chicken to make the meatballs for this quick and simple lunch.?Beansare full of protein, fiber, iron, folate, and magnesium, so dig in! 31.?Chicken StroganoffBeef stroganoff is a classic comfort dish, but the tons of cream usually involved don?t exactly make it a health food. This recipe uses organic mushroom soup, plain yogurt, and skinless chicken breasts to lighten up the classic dish. 32.?BBQ Beef SandwichesUse a slow cooker to make this super-tender BBQ beef overnight. After cooking for seven hours, pull the meat apart with forks and serve on a whole-grain roll or brown rice. 33.?Buffalo Chicken Lettuce WrapsMake a double batch of this easy shredded buffalo chicken; we promise it won?t go to waste. Salads, soup, pizza, wraps, and sandwiches all benefit from a hit of spicy meat! Or keep it fresh (and simple) with easy lettuce wraps.? 34.?Honey Sesame ChickenNo need to get takeout when a hankering for Chinese food strikes! This homemade recipe is lower in sodium and calories than the restaurant version. To make it even healthier, steam the?broccoliinstead of stir-frying it. 35.?Rancher?s Roast BeefThis hearty pot roast gets its flavor from homemade ranch dressing and sweet peppers. Make it really tender by cooking on the slow cooker?s high setting for three to four hours or low for six to eight hours. 36.?Coconut Curry ChickenMaking a curry at home sounds difficult, but this dish only calls for three ?exotic? ingredients ? coconut milk, curry powder, and garam masala spice mix ? and all of them can be found at most grocery stores. Serve this flavorful dinner with a side of brown rice or Indian naan bread. 37.?Pulled PorkMake this super low-maintenance sandwich filling overnight. Apple cider vinegar, onion, and honey give this pulled pork a distinct sweet-and-sour flavor. 38.?Wine and Tomato Braised ChickenRemove the skin from chicken thighs to make this dish even lighter. Balance out the bacon?s hearty, smoky depth with a splash of acidic white wine and some antioxidant-rich tomatoes. 39.?Lamb CurryNot exactly a master chef? This curry is perfect for those who don?t love fussing around the stove. Add the ingredients (all seven of ?em) to a slow cooker, turn it on, and leave it alone for about three hours. 40.?Hungarian Beef GoulashThis spicy Hungarian dish gets its flavor from beef coated in crushed caraway seeds, paprika, and plenty of salt and pepper. Add veggies and let the concoction simmer in a slow cooker for four hours (on high) or seven hours (on low). 41.?Stuffed PeppersFill bell peppers with raw ground beef and cooked rice and cook them for six to eight for an easy, healthy one-dish dinner. 42.?Turkey Osso BucoSaut? onions, garlic, carrots, and celery and place them in a slow cooker with some turkey thighs and drumsticks. Cover the entire shebang in tomatoes boiled in red wine and cook for five to six hours until the meat falls off the bone. 43.?Moroccan LambA roasted bone-in lamb shank resting on a bed of couscous looks fancy, but it isn?t too hard to make in a slow cooker. The key to a deep, rich flavor is searing the meat on the stovetop before adding it to the vegetables and spices in the slow cooker.Vegetarian and Fish Entrees
Photo: Cara / Cara?s Cravings
44.?Shrimp and Artichoke Barley RisottoBarley and risotto are normally words associated with fancy, fussy food. Not so with a slow cooker! This recipe takes about ten minutes to prep, so there?s no excuse not to whip up some risotto for a weeknight dinner. 45.?Cedar Plank SalmonMissing summer? Channel grill season?s best with this?salmon?that?s made on a cedar plank in a slow cooker. The trickiest part is finding (or cutting down) and preparing the plank to fit into the pot. 46.?Loaded Baked PotatoesNo oven is no problem for this baked potato recipe. Cook whole potatoes in the slow cooker and add separately cooked toppings like saut?ed broccoli, mushrooms, and onions on top. 47.?Vegetarian Tamale PieEnjoying Tex-Mex cuisine can be tough for vegetarians, but this recipe uses soy crumbles instead of ground beef. Make it healthier by going easy on the cheese and butter. 48.?Barley Risotto with FennelPrepare this recipe for friends and family members who love strong flavors! Basic barley risotto gets a punch of fennel with seeds and bulbs as well as plenty of garlic and olives. 49.?Vegetarian LasagnaUsing a slow cooker takes the fuss out of vegetable lasagna. Layer raw vegetables, whole-wheat noodles, cheese, and tomato sauce and let everything cook together for two hours. 50.?Vegetable CurryThis classic curry features carrots, potatoes, chickpeas, and green beans. Make sure to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make it vegetarian-friendly. 51.?Garlic Cauliflower Mashed ?Potatoes?This recipe has all of the ?comfort factor? of classic mashed potatoes, but way fewer carbs and calories. Use the slow cooker to steam a head of?cauliflower, and then add garlic, a bay leaf, and some butter and milk to give it some flavor. 52.?RatatouilleAs with any ratatouille, this is more of a guide than a strict recipe. Stuck with sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes? Chuck them in the pot! No mushrooms? Whatever! Use ratatouille as pasta sauce, for filling an omelet, with beans or meat mixed in, etc. It?s the perfect dish to use up all those veggies lingering in the fridge. 53.?Squash LasagnaThis nontraditional lasagna gets a healthy kick from whole-wheat noodles, part-skim ricotta and mozzarella cheese, pur?ed squash, and spinach. 54.?Indian CholePerfect for busy days, this light meal is super easy to prepare. Mix peppers, tomatoes,?ginger, garlic, and plenty of spices together in a blender. Add the chickpeas and let everything simmer away in a slow cooker for six to seven hours (like, say, while you sleep!).Dessert
Photo: Amanda / Pickles & Honey
55.?Banana Brown BettyWhat?s a brown betty? It?s like a cobbler or a bread pudding in that it contains buttery bread and sweet, spiced fruit. This banana-infused version is soy-free, vegan, and can easily be made gluten-free. 56.?Poached Pears with Caramel SauceTake the fruit out of the pie and you end up with these cinnamon and ginger poached pears covered in caramel sauce. Eat them alone or add a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt to make it even tastier. 57.?Clean Eating BrowniesThese decadent brownies are surprisingly un-junky. Unprocessed ingredients like mashed bananas, egg whites, whole-wheat flour,?honey, and unsweetened cocoa powder make these treats relatively healthy. 58.?Pumpkin BreadThis simple recipe comes together in about three hours including prep time. It?s not too sweet, so this yummy bread could work as a quick breakfast or with a cup of?tea?as an afternoon snack. 59.?Chocolate FudgeHomemade candies usually aren?t lower in calories than store-bought sweets, but they typically have fewer chemicals and preservatives. This fudge is made with chocolate chips, coconut milk, honey, vanilla, and sea salt. That?s all, folks. 60.?Brown Rice PuddingThis rice pudding recipe includes whole-grain brown rice, low-fat coconut and cow?s milk, and plenty of raisins and cinnamon. 61.??Apple CrispThis recipe uses half the butter of classic apple crisp recipes. Layer apples, walnuts, spices, brown sugar, and flour topping and cook in the slow cooker for four hours on the low setting. A touch of apple butter (recipe below!) keeps this dessert moist and contributes to the strong apple flavor. 62.?Orange Zinger CheesecakeCut the cream cheese in half with this citrus-flavored dessert by subbing in tofu! This makes it much lighter than a traditional cheesecake. Blend the ingredients together, place them in a pan, and stick the pan into the slow cooker for about three hours on high. 63.?Berry CobblerThis summery dessert works just as well with frozen berries, so feel free to serve it long after the leaves start falling. Serve warm, and with a scoop of frozen yogurt on top if you?re so inclined. 64.?Pumpkin CustardThis dessert falls somewhere between pumpkin pie and cr?me brul?e. What?s not to love? Blend the ingredients together and fill ramekins or oven-safe jars 2/3 full. Place in a slow cooker holding an inch of hot water, and cook the custards for four to six hours.Snacks, Drinks, and Sauces
Photo: Stephanie / Taste for Adventure
65.??Pumpkin ButterThrow pumpkin puree, apple juice, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and sugar into the slow cooker and let everything gel together for about five hours. Stir occasionally to prevent the pumpkin-y goodness from getting burnt around the edges! 66.?Slow-Cooker BreadNo-knead slow cooker bread means that anyone with about five minutes of free time can make a delicious homemade loaf. Baking bread in the slow cooker actually takes less time than the oven, because the bread rises and cooks all in one step. 67.?Mulled Apple CiderHosting friends for a winter party? Greet them at the door with a cup of warm mulled apple cider. Combine cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for a yummy non-alcoholic beverage that makes the whole house smell like autumn to boot. 68.?Cranberry SauceWhy restrict cranberry sauce to Thanksgiving dinner? The sweet-and-sour holiday classic tastes amazing on meat, poultry, or baked goods all year round. A bit of orange juice gives this recipe a tangy kick. 69.?Mulled Red WineNothing warms from the inside out quite like mulled wine (seriously, ask Dickens). To make this winter classic, mix a bottle of dry red wine with aromatic spices and orange slices and heat everything together in the slow cooker. 70.?Cinnamon Apple ButterMake breakfast or snack time more interesting with a dollop of this spiced spread. Apple butter tastes amazing on a slice of toast or stirred into a cup of plain yogurt. This version has no added sugar. 71.?Citrus CiderThis bright non-alcoholic beverage is perfect for a kid?s party. The unexpected combination of?lemonand orange juices with cinnamon and cloves makes for a delicious drink. 72.?Spiced NutsMake your own sweet and spicy snack mix for munching between meals or as a delicious party appetizer. Coat nuts with cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and a bit of powdered sugar and cook in a slow cooker for about two hours. 73.?Zucchini and Tomato Pasta SauceMake a double (or triple) batch of this easy pasta sauce and freeze the extra for later! To make it vegetarian, just take out the turkey sausage. 74.?Ginger-Lemon Hot ToddyThe hot toddy gets a flavorful makeover with fresh lemon, crystallized and fresh ginger, and a touch of rum. Cook the non-alcoholic ingredients together for four hours before adding the rum and brandy. 75.?Apple Butter Yeast RollsThese little bread nuggets flavored with apple butter are great for a dinner party, Thanksgiving dinner, or even a light breakfast. 76.?Spirited Hot MochaThis sweet drink would make a great after-dinner beverage. Coffee balances out the semisweet chocolate, and a touch of brandy gives it an adult edge. To make this drink kid-friendly, just take out the alcohol. 77.?Curried AlmondsFor this savory snack, coat blanched almonds in curry powder and a bit of seasoned salt. Add to the slow cooker and cook on high for approximately one hour, stirring occasionally.Source: http://home2cook.blogspot.com/2013/01/77-healthy-crock-pot-recipes.html
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