Imagine being able to get home from work or school and have dinner basically ready for you. If that’s the sort of home welcoming that you want, then a slow cooker is what you need.
The slow cooker is great for those who are always on-the-go and don’t have hours to slave away in the kitchen, and let’s be real, who really does? It takes minimal effort to use a slow cooker and yet, results in a delicious, flavorsome meal that cooks while you’re at work. This hands off cooking style suits literally everyone, especially if you’re short on time.
To get you started with using your slow cooker, here are 3 recipes that you can try. There’s one that’ll please meat eaters, vegetarians as well as kids:
3 Slow Cooker Recipes to Cook When You’re at Work
Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
Delicious meals don’t have to require lots of prep work and a multitude of ingredients. Sometimes, the simple ones are the ones that bring out a ton of flavor. Take these slow-cooker chicken fajitas, for example. Tanya, from The Top Meal, keeps this recipe to the minimum, with only chicken breast, vegetables and seasoning. However, it definitely doesn’t compromise on taste.
Ingredients
2 skinless and boneless chicken breast
½ onion
Vegetables of your choosing, such as different colored bell peppers
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
- Dice the onion and cut up the vegetables into strips
- Add all the ingredients into the slow cooker, leaching the chicken breast whole.
- For a slower, longer cook, cook it on low for 8 hours. If you need less cooking time, then cook it on high for 4 hours.
- Once done, cut the chicken breast into strips.
- Mix well and serve.
This is a versatile dish that’ll cook itself while you’re at work. You can serve it with a side of rice, on a plate of salad or in a tortilla wrap.
Find the recipe here.
Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
Sometimes, all you need is a hearty soup. Beth from Budget Bytes has got you covered with her slow cooker black bean soup. It’s one that you can leave cooking while you go to work or school that’s full of protein, vegetables and flavor.
Ingredients
2 cloves garlic
1 yellow onion
2 ribs celery
2 carrots
1 lb. black beans (uncooked)
1 cup salsa
1 Tbsp chili powder (a blend of mild red chiles and other spices)
1/2 Tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water
Directions
- Prep your vegetables by mincing the garlic, dicing onions and celery. Also, grate the carrot. Beth recommends a large holed cheese grater.
- Wash the can of black beans by rinsing in cold water.
- Add the garlic, onion, celery, carrots, black beans, salsa, chili powder, cumin, oregano, vegetable broth and water into a slow cooker.
- Stir well and then place the lid on the cooker.
- Cook on high heat for 6-8 hours, with the aim of the beans becoming very soft.
- Then, use an immersion blender to blend the soup until thick and creamy. If you don’t have an immersion blender, then wait for the soup to cool and use a regular blender.
- Add salt and pepper as desired as well as any toppings (Beth likes to use sour cream and green onions), and serve.
Get the recipe here.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
One thing better than coming home to a meal that practically cooked itself, is coming home to mac and cheese that’s practically cooked itself. Sabrina from Dinner then Dessert shares this adult and kid-favorite meal that is both comforting and delicious. You’ll get a super creamy and cheesy, dump-and-go meal that cuts down cooking time, but definitely not the flavor.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow macaroni
1 cup whole milk
1 12- ounce cans evaporated milk
2 ounces cream cheese diced
1 cups cheddar cheese grated
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese grated
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 cup butter diced
Directions
- Combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker. Ensure you mix well.
- Cook on low for 1.5-2 hours.
- Stir gently and serve.
Get the recipe here.
Try one (or all) of these slow cooker recipes for an easy yet yummy dinner. They keep prep time to a minimum and allows you to leave all the ingredients in the slow cooker while you’re at work, ready to be served come home time.