Crockpot Recipes Challenge: Quick and Easy Slow Cooker Recipes (2016)
Chapter 4. Crockpot dinner recipes
When you get home from work, the last thing you want to worry about is dinner. Well, with the crockpot, you only need a couple of minutes in the morning, in order to prepare the ingredients for a delicious dinner. The crockpot will cook your dinner, while you are at work or running errands. Let’s check out the most delicious slow-cooking dinner recipes!
#1 Crockpot chicken with pumpkin beer
Total time: 8 h 5 min. (5 min. prep, 8 h cooking)
Made for: 4 servings
Ingredients: chicken breast (4), andouille sausage links (2), onion (1), red peppers (2), diced tomatoes (14 oz.), green chilies (4 oz.), hot sauce (2 tbsp.), chili powder (1 tbsp.), smoked paprika (1 tsp.), dried thyme (2 tsp.), cayenne pepper (1/2 tsp.), salt (1/4 tsp.), pepper (1/4 tsp.), pumpkin beer (12 oz.), water (1/4 cup), cornstarch (2 tbsp., added to the water), brown rice (for serving).
How to prepare:
Start by adding the chopped onion into the slow cooker. Then, add the following ingredients, in this specific order: chopped red peppers, quartered andouille sausages, diced tomatoes, diced green chilies, hot sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. For the next step, add the chicken breast and the pumpkin beer. Cook for about eight hours (on low). With half an hour before the meal is ready, add the water mixed with the cornstarch and mix well. Serve with brown rice and enjoy!
#2 Spicy chicken with potatoes
Total time: 4 h 5 min. (5 min. prep, 4 h cooking)
Made for: 4 servings
Ingredients: chicken breast (2 lbs.), potatoes (8 oz.), carrots (2), onion (1); sauce – chili flakes (3 tbsp.), chili paste (2 tbsp.), soy sauce (4 tbsp.), mirin (2 tbsp.), honey (2 tbsp.), sesame oil (1 tbsp.), garlic cloves (4), sesame seeds, green onion.
How to prepare:
Take a bowl and add all the ingredients for the sauce: chili flakes, chili paste, soy sauce and so on. Cut the chicken breast into small pieces and add it into the slow cooker, together with the potatoes, carrots and onions. All of the veggies should be cut into large chunks. Pour the sauce over the chicken and veggies, making sure that everything is well combined. Cook for about 4 hours (on low). Add the chopped green onion right before serving. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve with rice. Enjoy!
#3 Tomato soup with roasted garlic
Total time: 3 h 35 min. (35 min. prep, 3 h cooking)
Made for: 6-8 servings
Ingredients: Roma tomatoes (2.5 lbs.), garlic head (1), olive oil (1 tbsp.), yellow onion (1), canned tomatoes (14 oz.), chicken broth (1/2 cup), salt (1 tsp.), fresh ground black pepper (1/2 tsp.), granulated sugar (1 tsp.), crushed red pepper flakes (1/4 tsp.), cayenne pepper (1/4 tsp.), chopped fresh basil (2 tbsp.), heavy cream (1/2 cup), Asiago cheese (4 oz.), basil (2 tbsp.).
How to prepare:
Start by pre-heating the oven at 400°F. Roast the garlic in the oven, wrapping it in aluminum foil, adding a little bit of olive oil (for about 25 minutes). Add the tomatoes to boiling water (for about 3 minutes). Peel the tomatoes under cold water and, after removing their core, add them into the crockpot. Add the roasted garlic into the slow cooker, together with the rest of the ingredients (with the exception of the heavy cream, Asiago cheese and basil). Cook for about three hours (on high). Once the veggies are ready, add them into the blender, together with the heavy cream and cheese (you can keep a little bit of cheese for garnish). Pour the tomato soup into bowls, garnish with cheese and basil and serve. Enjoy!
#4 Crockpot ratatouille
Total time: 4 h (10 min. prep, 3h 50 min. cooking)
Made for: 6-8 servings
Ingredients: olive oil (1/4 cup), red onions (2), potatoes (3), garlic cloves (3), eggplant (2), zucchini (3), bell peppers (4), tomatoes (3), Portobello mushrooms (4), white wine (1/4 cup), fresh thyme leaves (2 tbsp.), balsamic vinegar (3 tbsp.), kosher salt (to taste), fresh black pepper (to taste), cornstarch (2 tbsp.).
How to prepare:
Start by sautéing the chopped onions together with the chopped potatoes and minced garlic cloves. Cook for a couple of minutes and then transfer into the slow cooker. Add the following ingredients into the crockpot: eggplant, zucchini, assorted bell peppers, tomatoes, Portobello mushrooms, white wine and fresh thyme leaves. Cook for three and a half hours (on low). After this period, move the slow cooker to high and add balsamic vinegar, kosher salt and fresh black pepper. Mix the cornstarch with water (6 tbsp.) and add the mixture into the crockpot. Cook for another 20 minutes (on high). Serve and enjoy!
#5 Lasagna
Total time: 5 h 30 min. (5 min. prep, 5 h 25 min. cooking)
Made for: 5 servings
Ingredients: ground beef (1/2 pound), Italian sausage (1/2 pound), salt (1 and ½ tsp.), pepper (1/2 tsp.), onion (1), Italian seasoning (1 tsp.), parsley (2 tbsp.), garlic powder (2 tsp.), Worcestershire sauce (2 tbsp.), tomato paste (6 oz.), tomato sauce (29 oz.), granulated sugar (2 tbsp.), water (2 and ½ cups), lasagna noodles (8 oz.), shredded mozzarella cheese (4 cups), cottage cheese (1 cup), grated parmesan (1/2 cup).
How to prepare:
Start by browning the ground beef together with the Italian sausage and onion into a skillet, over medium heat. Add the following ingredients into the pan: salt, pepper, parsley, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste and sauce, sugar and water. Mix them well and let them cook for about 20 minutes. Add ¼ of the meat sauce at the bottom of the crockpot. Then, place 1/3 of the lasagna noodles on top. Mix the mozzarella together with the cottage cheese and parmesan, spreading 1/3 on top of the lasagna noodles. Repeat the same layers two times more. Add the remaining meat sauce on top and mozzarella cheese (if desired). Cook for about 5 hours (on low). Serve and enjoy!