10 Crockpot Dinners You Should Make This Winter
With cold weather quickly approaching, nothing sounds better than a hot dinner. However, cooking a hot meal can oftentimes be a big production, and that’s why we’re so grateful for the crockpot! A filling, flavorful, and easy meal is definitely possible with this must-have kitchen accessory. Simply throw all of your ingredients in the crockpot, turn it on, and forget it! Another great perk of a crockpot dinner is that you can start it in the morning, let it slow-cook all day, and come home to a ready-to-eat dinner that took no effort at all! From spaghetti to chili to chicken fajitas, there are so many recipes that you can make with a crockpot. Check out this list of 10 crockpot dinners you should make this winter!
1. Pulled Pork
Using a crockpot to make pulled pork just makes sense! By slow-cooking a pork shoulder, you end up with tender, seasoned pork that’s ready to be made into a sandwich or simply eaten as is! To make pulled pork, start by adding 1 finely chopped onion, 3/4 cup ketchup, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon each of paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, and cumin into the crockpot. Combine all of the ingredients until blended. Next, take a 3-pound pork shoulder, trim it of any excess fat, and season with salt and pepper all over. Add it to the crockpot and cover it with the ketchup mixture. Cover and cook on high for 5 to 6 hours. The pork is done when it falls apart easily with a fork. When ready, transfer the pork to a bowl and shred with two forks. Toss with juices from the crockpot and serve immediately or let cool to be refrigerated and used later! Serve as is or on a warm bun with a side of coleslaw!
2. Spaghetti
As easy as spaghetti is to make, nobody likes waiting for the water to boil before putting noodles in. Luckily, this crockpot recipe skips that step and everything comes together nicely in one pot! To make, first brown 1 pound of ground beef, or other meat, and place in crockpot. Next, add 2 tablespoons minced onion, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 8 ounces tomato sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 4 ounces sliced mushrooms, and 3 cups tomato juice. Combine all ingredients in crockpot and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. During the last hour, turn the crockpot to high and add 4 ounces spaghetti, broken in half. Serve with grated parmesan and garlic toast.
3. Chicken Noodle Soup
This hearty soup is perfect for cold weather! Loaded with traditional chicken noodle soup ingredients like carrots, celery, and onion, this soup will warm you up right out of the crockpot or reheated later on! To make, add 1 pound of boneless and skinless chicken breast to the crockpot. Next, add 1 diced yellow onion, 3 peeled and diced carrots, 2 sliced celery stalks, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon each of dried thyme, dried rosemary, and salt, and a pinch of pepper. Top everything off with 2 teaspoons chicken base and 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth. Gently stir all ingredients until combined, cover, and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. When done, transfer the chicken breast to a plate, shred, and return to the crockpot. Last, cook 8 ounces of wide egg noodles according to the instructions then add to the crockpot and cook on low for 5 minutes to blend flavors. Serve in a big bowl or mug with toasted bread. Enjoy!
4. Chili
Nothing calls for crockpot chili like a chilly winter night! Not only will the smells warm up your kitchen, but the spicy flavors will also warm your soul! To make this hearty chili, combine 2 pounds ground beef, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 chopped white onion, 2 15-ounce cans drained kidney beans, 1 can crushed tomatoes, 1 cup water, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon each of ground cumin and dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and a pinch each of cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients, cover, and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced green onions. Before you know it, this will be your go-to chili for a chilly day!
5. Chicken Fajitas
Chicken fajitas are a perfect dinner option when you want something different than the usual but without all the work! Not only is this crockpot dinner full of flavor and fun to put together, but you can also make this dish in a variety of ways by using steak or shrimp instead of chicken, or go vegetarian with mushrooms and peppers! To make, add 1/2 each of a sliced red, yellow, and green bell pepper to the crockpot. Next, add 1/2 of a sliced yellow onion. Cut a 2 pound boneless and skinless chicken breast in half, season all over with taco seasoning, and place in crockpot. Add in 4 cloves diced garlic, juice of 1 lime, and 1 10-ounce can of drained diced tomatoes with green chilies. Top everything off with the remaining sliced halves of the peppers and onion. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours. When done, transfer chicken breast to plate and shred with two forks. Return the chicken to the crockpot and cook on low for 10 more minutes. Serve in warm flour or corn tortillas. Last, top with shredded cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream!
6. Butternut Squash Mac And Cheese
Butternut squash is in season and what better way to incorporate it into your cooking than to make homemade macaroni and cheese with it? This crockpot dinner recipe yields a super creamy and flavorful mac and cheese that everyone will love! To make, first peel, seed, and chop 1 medium-sized butternut squash into 1-inch cubes. Then, add the butternut squash to the crockpot. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 3 teaspoons minced garlic, 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth, and 1 teaspoon each dried thyme and dried rosemary. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Next, transfer the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. You may have to do this in batches. Return to the crockpot, add 1 box uncooked macaroni noodles, cover, and cook on high for 30 minutes. Last, stir in an 8-ounce block of cream cheese, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, salt, and pepper, and stir until cheese is melted. Serve hot and enjoy!
7. Beef Stew
This savory and warm crockpot beef stew is just what you need on a cold winter day. The combination of potatoes, carrots, herbs, and spices along with juicy chunks of beef makes for the perfect hearty and hot dinner. To make, first, place 2 pounds beef stew meat into the crockpot. In a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Pour the flour mixture over the beef and stir to coat the beef. Next, add in 1 clove minced garlic, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 chopped onion, 1 1/2 cups beef broth, 3 diced potatoes, 4 sliced carrots, and 1 chopped celery stalk. Stir to combine all ingredients, cover, and cook on low for 10 to 12 hours. Serve hot with a glass of your favorite red wine! Cheers!
8. Jambalaya
This crockpot dish is full of flavor! Made popular in Louisana, jambalaya is a mix of chicken, sausage, and shrimp combined with tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and spices. It’s the perfect way to warm up the kitchen and add a little spice to those otherwise drab winter nights. To make this crockpot dinner, combine 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes, 1 pound sliced andouille sausage, 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juices, 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped green bell pepper, 1 cup chopped celery, and 1 cup chicken broth in the crockpot. Next, stir in 2 teaspoons each of dried oregano, dried parsley, and Cajun seasoning to the crockpot. Finish off with 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme. Stir to combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. During the last 30 minutes, add 1 pound frozen, cooked, and tailless shrimp to the crockpot. Serve hot as is or over rice. Enjoy!
9. Italian Sausage And Peppers
Crockpot sausage and pepper will not only leave your kitchen smelling amazing, but it will also leave your mouth watering for more! Consisting of thick Italian sausage links, bell peppers, and marinara sauce, this crockpot dinner can be served in a variety of ways! To make, start by adding 2 pounds of Italian sausage links to the crockpot. Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 2 sliced green bell peppers. Toss in 1 sliced red onion. Next, sprinkle in 1 teaspoon each salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Pour 2 cups marinara sauce over all ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Serve on a toasted hoagie roll or over your favorite pasta noodles. Top with shredded cheese! Makes around 10 servings.
10. Sweet Potato Lentil Soup
This vegetarian crockpot dinner is nothing short of filling as well as full of flavor! Loaded with veggies like green beans, tomatoes, and carrots, this sweet and savory sweet potato lentil soup is a healthy and satisfying way to warm up during the winter. The best part? Everything goes into the crockpot at once! To make this crockpot soup, place 4 large chopped carrots, 4 chopped celery stalks, 1 diced onion, 2 peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, 1 1/2 cups chopped green beans, 2 cups green lentils, 1 15-ounce can drained diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon each dried oregano and minced fresh rosemary, 1 bay leaf, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 8 cups vegetable broth. Stir until all ingredients are combined. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours. You can add a little more broth at the end if the consistency is too thick for your liking. Serve hot with toasted pita bread!
