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6 Cozy Slow Cooker Recipes to Keep You Warm This Winter
It’s getting colder outside, and what better way to stay warm and cozy than with a delicious meal cooked in the slow cooker? Slow cooking is a great way to make hearty, comforting dishes without spending hours in the kitchen. In this blog post, we’ll share nine delicious slow cooker recipes that are sure to keep you warm and satisfied during the cold winter months. From comforting soups and stews to creamy pasta dishes and loaded baked potatoes, you’ll find something for everyone here. So grab your slow cooker, put on your comfiest sweater, and get ready to enjoy some delicious comfort food!
1) chili
Nothing says comfort food like a hearty bowl of chili. Chili is the perfect slow cooker meal for chilly winter days, and it’s so easy to make! All you need is a few basic ingredients – ground beef or turkey, onions, garlic, chili powder, diced tomatoes, and a can of beans (pinto, kidney, or black beans work great). Simply brown the beef in a pan, add the remaining ingredients to your slow cooker, and let it simmer away all day. Serve with your favorite toppings like sour cream, cheese, and chopped fresh cilantro.
2) chicken soup
Chicken soup is the ultimate comfort food, and it’s perfect for warming you up on a cold winter day. With just a few simple ingredients and your trusty slow cooker, you can make a delicious batch of chicken soup to enjoy with family and friends.
Start by sautéing diced onions and carrots in a skillet with a bit of olive oil until they are softened. Transfer the vegetables to your slow cooker, then add some diced potatoes and chicken breasts. Sprinkle on some dried herbs such as oregano, thyme, and parsley, then pour in some chicken broth or stock. Let the soup cook on low heat for 8-10 hours, or on high heat for 4-6 hours.
When the chicken is cooked through, shred it using two forks and stir it back into the soup. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired. For an extra-hearty soup, add some cooked noodles or rice during the last 15 minutes of cooking time.
Serve your chicken soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. Enjoy!
3) beef stew
Nothing says comfort food quite like beef stew. It’s one of those meals that just warms you from the inside out. And thanks to your slow cooker, it doesn’t take a lot of time to make! To create a delicious slow cooker beef stew, you’ll need chuck roast, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and a variety of spices.
Start by cutting your chuck roast into 1-inch cubes and browning them in a pan with some olive oil. Once the meat is lightly browned, add it to the slow cooker along with the potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and spices. Give it a good stir and then cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
When the stew is done cooking, you can serve it as is or thicken it up with some flour or cornstarch. Serve with a side of crusty bread and enjoy a cozy bowl of slow-cooker beef stew!
4) macaroni and cheese
Nothing says comfort food like a big bowl of macaroni and cheese! And with a slow cooker, you can make creamy and cheesy macaroni and cheese without all the fuss. Just toss the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. This macaroni and cheese recipe is incredibly creamy and cheesy, thanks to the combination of cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Add some cooked bacon for an extra punch of flavor or leave it out for a vegetarian-friendly meal. Either way, you’re sure to love this comforting slow cooker macaroni and cheese!
5) lasagna
Lasagna is a classic comfort food that makes an ideal slow-cooker meal. To make this delicious dish, layer cooked lasagna noodles with your favorite marinara sauce, cooked ground beef or Italian sausage, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese in the slow cooker. Cook the lasagna on low for 3 to 4 hours until the noodles are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a side salad and crusty garlic bread for a comforting meal that will warm you up on chilly winter nights.
6) pot roast
Pot roast is one of those classic comfort foods that just never goes out of style. The wonderful thing about making it in the slow cooker is that it is truly effortless! All you need to do is put all the ingredients in, set it, and forget it.
This pot roast recipe is as simple as they come but still packed with flavor. We start by browning the roast in a skillet with some olive oil and butter, which gives it a nice flavor and also helps to seal in the juices. Then we add the classic mirepoix (celery, carrots, onions) and aromatics such as garlic, bay leaves, and thyme. To finish it off, we pour in beef broth and red wine. Let it all simmer away in your slow cooker until the meat is tender and fall-apart delicious.
Serving this with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread will give you a truly comforting and delicious meal that your family will love!