Healthy Living

Let your slow-cooker do the work for you tonight with these hearty and comforting dinner recipes. Chili and casseroles are classic winter favorites, but we’ve compiled some tasty soups, stews and other meals that will help you unlock the diverse possibilities of your slow-cooker. From our creamy Black-Eyed Peas to our warming Slow-Cooker Vegetable Stew, you’ll be impressed by these effortless dinner recipes that are perfect for colder nights.

01 of 15

Black-Eyed Peas

Nothing says comfort like a pot of slow-simmered Southern-style black-eyed peas. Here, a ham hock works its magic, melting into the broth to give it that signature smoky richness and velvety body. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, turning simple ingredients into a pot of creamy, flavorful beans that taste like they’ve been tended all day.

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02 of 15

Slow-Cooker Vegetable Stew

Potatoes and beans make this tomato-based crock-pot vegetable stew super-hearty. You could also add briefly sautéed chunks of zucchini or fresh corn kernels just before serving, or add another can of cannellini beans for more substance. A dollop of pesto on top is also super-delicious. Adding homemade garlic croutons is an easy way to elevate this healthy dinner.

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03 of 15

Frijoles Charros

Frijoles charros are a flavorful Mexican dish named after the traditional “cowboy” horsemen of Mexico, the charros. Slow-cooked with onion and garlic, these pinto beans get a savory boost from fresh tomato and crisp bacon and chorizo stirred in at the end of cooking. They’re perfect alongside grilled meats, tacos or served over rice.

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04 of 15

Slow-Cooker Mushroom Soup with Sherry

This comforting and creamy slow-cooker soup is loaded with earthy, umami flavor from a mix of fresh and dried mushrooms. Garnish with additional black pepper and chopped fresh thyme, if desired.

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05 of 15

Slow-Cooker Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta Bake

This simple vegetarian pasta bake is rich in protein and comes together effortlessly in the slow cooker, for a convenient one-pot meal. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, sun-dried tomato pesto and plenty of veggies delivers a mix of sweet and savory flavors with every bite. Feel free to replace the sun-dried tomato pesto with basil pesto, offering a fresh twist on the dish.

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06 of 15

Slow-Cooker Loaded Broccoli & Chicken Soup

This comforting soup is loaded with broccoli and chicken in a creamy, cheesy base and finished off with the classic toppings of bacon and scallions. Frozen onions and rice keep their integrity and add texture to the soup, but chopped fresh onions and cooked brown rice (not frozen) can be used in their place.

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07 of 15

Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings

This crock pot chicken and dumplings recipe uses store-bought biscuits for dumplings that are moist and tender once stirred into the savory mixture of creamy mushrooms, chicken and veggies. Using 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup cuts down on prep time. To give the chicken stew body, we use a flour and butter paste known as a beurre manié—a classic thickening agent for soups, stews and sauces.

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08 of 15

Slow-Cooker Beef Curry

Long, slow cooking periods mellow flavors while bold spices, in bold amounts, hold their own over time. That's just what happens here with big flavors from Thai curry paste and fish sauce finished with fresh touches of cilantro and lime juice that, together, draw inspiration from Thai curry. Serve over a bed of brown rice or brown rice noodles to catch all the sauce.

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09 of 15

Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Diet Stew

With a focus on vegetables, fiber-rich legumes and healthy fats, this slow-cooker stew fits the bill for those following the Mediterranean diet. Swap out the chickpeas for white beans for a different twist, or try collards or spinach in place of the kale.

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10 of 15

Slow-Cooker Arroz con Pollo (Chicken & Rice)

This one-pot chicken dinner, inspired by the traditional dish of Spain and Latin America, comes together easily in the slow cooker.

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11 of 15

Easy Slow-Cooker Potato-Leek Soup with Boursin

This creamy slow-cooker leek soup showcases leeks’ mild onion flavor, enhanced by plenty of fresh and dried herbs and with potatoes adding texture and body. Boursin is a soft, spreadable cheese, similar to whipped cream cheese, that comes in a variety of flavors. We like how the garlic-and-herb flavor enhances the overall flavor of the soup, but you can substitute sour cream. To prevent the sour cream from curdling in the hot soup, place in a small bowl and slowly stir in some of the hot broth until the mixture is smooth and creamy-looking before adding to the slow cooker.

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12 of 15

Slow-Cooker Turkey Thighs with Herb Gravy

Those who love tender, moist, dark meat will love these slow-cooker turkey thighs. If turkey thighs aren't available, ask your butcher to cut up a whole turkey and give you the bone-in thighs. Feel free to substitute an equal weight of chicken thighs for the turkey thighs, if desired. This pairs well with a simple side of steamed green beans.

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13 of 15

Slow-Cooker Cauliflower & Chickpea Tikka Masala

This slow-cooker tikka masala is an ideal set-and-forget option for anyone craving veggies and warm, cozy spices. A combination of garam masala, curry powder and cumin adds to the complex flavor. If you don’t have any garam masala on hand, you can swap it out for additional curry powder. We love how brown rice soaks up the sauce, but you could easily skip the rice and serve this with warm whole-wheat naan instead.

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14 of 15

Slow-Cooker Kale & Sausage Stew

Turkey sausage gets transformed in this rich stew made with hearty winter vegetables like carrots, kale and potatoes. Perfect for meal prep or family dinners, this stew comes together easily in the slow cooker.

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15 of 15

Load-&-Go Slow-Cooker Soup with Mushrooms & Kielbasa

The aromatic trio of garlic, cumin and thyme harmonize in this hearty soup that comes together quickly before the slow cooker does most of the work for you. Kielbasa adds protein and a deeply savory note to this dinner in a bowl.

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