Cooking can be fun, but indisputably time consuming. The one thing about using a crockpot to make a meal is that it condenses the time in half or at least it feels that way! When using a crockpot, you’re able to multi-task and enjoy a full day without being stuck in the kitchen to make a good meal. Whatever you like to eat, we are confident you can put it in the crockpot and enjoy! Check out these six easy crockpot recipes we know you’ll love.
Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos
Tacos? Did someone say tacos in a crockpot? Yep, that’s right! You can make your favorite taco meal straight from the crockpot and not have to worry about much else. Place pork tenderloins in a large crockpot.
Combine pineapple juice from can, soy sauce, preserves, garlic powder and pepper in a medium-sized bowl and whisk to combine. Pour over pork tenderloins and add all but ¾ cup pineapple chunks. You will reserve these pineapples for the pineapple sauce. Set the slow cooker to “Low” for 6-8 hours.
During the last 30 minutes shred pork and let cook for the remaining time. Lastly, to make the BBQ sauce for the tacos, you will need to combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
If you like your BBQ sauce hot, heat it up in a small saucepan before serving. Drain excess liquid from the shredded pork in the slow cooker. Serve pork in corn tortillas with cilantro, goat cheese, green onions and pineapple sauce. Enjoy!
Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Garlic and Parmesan together is a match made in heaven. This perfect combination is great for any workweek when you want a nice home cooked meal but don’t want cook. You first need to season chicken with basil, oregano, rosemary, salt and pepper, to taste.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken, skin-side down, and sear both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side; drain excess fat and set chicken aside.
Then place potatoes into a 6-qt slow cooker. Stir in olive oil, garlic and thyme; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add chicken to the slow cooker in an even layer. Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is completely cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Serve immediately, sprinkled with Parmesan and garnished with parsley, if desired.
Chili Mac and Cheese
Chili mac and cheese is perfect for those cold crisp nights when you are craving some comfort food but don’t feel like slaving away in the kitchen. You no longer have to pass up on a craving with this easy crockpot recipe.
You first will need to brown ground beef with onion and garlic until no longer pink. Once the meat and veggie combination is cooked, transfer it over to the crockpot. Then add in tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, and black pepper and stir in the crock-pot.
Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours until mixture is bubbling. While that is cooking you then can make your macaroni on stove top until al dente, drain and stir into beef mixture. Add in cheddar cheese. Cover and cook on low for 1 hour and then enjoy!
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are yummy and full of all the good things our bodies and taste buds like. Whether you like chicken, beef, or tofu you can decide what stuffing you want in your bell peppers. In a bowl mix meat (or tofu), rice, 1 cup of cheese, black beans, salsa, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, cilantro.
Stuff peppers with the mixture and place in greased crockpot. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until peppers are tender and the meat is cooked through.
Uncover and top with half cup of cheese. Cover and cook on low for another 10 minutes. Serve immediately and top with fresher cilantro. Sit back and listen as the compliments come rushing in.
Lasagna
Cooking lasagna in the crockpot? Yep, you got it! No need to preheat the oven here for this recipe. Set a large skillet over medium heat. Add in olive oil. When hot, cook diced onion in the oil for 2 to 3 minutes, until it starts to soften.
Add in zucchini, eggplant, corn, tomatoes, garlic, salt and red pepper flakes. Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, until the veggies are tender. Remove from the heat, taste and season with additional salt and red pepper flakes if needed.
Spread 1/2 cup of marinera sauce in the bottom of your slow cooker. Top with a layer of three lasagna noodles, breaking them as needed to fit. Using a slotted spoon, top with 1/3 of the vegetable mixture, then 1/2 cup of marinera sauce and 1/3 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
Repeat this process two more times — noodles, vegetables, sauce, cheese. End with a final layer of noodles and the remaining 1/2-cup of the sauce. Sprinkle the top with 1/3-cup mozzarella, Parmesan and panko bread crumbs.
Cover and cook on low for about 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until the noodles are cooked through. Turn off the slow cooker and let sit uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes before serving. This will let the lasagna set so you can cut it easily and it will hold its shape. Sprinkle the top with fresh basil before serving.
Beef Lettuce Wraps
This healthy meal will leave you feeling full, without the excessive bloating. This easy slow cooker Korean beef recipe will be a total hit when you serve it. With only 7 ingredients, you are crazy to pass up this recipe! Serve in lettuce wraps.
Let the slow cooker do all the hard work for this simple and delicious meal! Beef is simmered for 8-10 hours in honey, sesame, soy sauce, shredded, and served in lettuce wraps.
In the base of a slow cooker combine soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, vinegar, sesame oil and garlic chili paste. Cut beef in half lengthwise, toss in the sauce, and arrange the two pieces of beef side by side in the base of the slow cooker.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Be sure to keep an eye on the beef during the last 2 hours of cooking. Remove beef from slow cooker to a large bowl. Shred with two forks. Toss with remaining cooking liquid to taste.
Related: 8 Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas
From chicken dinners to your favorite Italian dish, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed with these easy crockpot recipes. Crockpots are the best friend we always needed to depend on. Have you ever used a crockpot? If not, would you think about getting one after reading this article?
