If you are a full-time working parent, spouse, or life partner then you will surely know how trying to juggle life and some form of nutrition can be tricky when it comes down to it.
It is easy enough to grab a quick takeaway but who wants to do that every night of the week when all you want is to go home and put your feet up.
What you need is a fully stocked arsenal of crockpot dinner recipes for stress-free weekly meals and eat good, home-cooked food.
But how I hear you asking when, by the time you get back from the office the sun is setting or it’s time for football practice with the younger kids, well that is where the wonder and magic of the slow cooker come into play.
And it doesn’t disappoint. Weekday dinners just became a whole lot easier and fuss-free.
#1. Crock Pot Beef and Noodles
A filling meal that closes the gap just the way that you like and wants it to.
The tenderness of the beef is perfectly complemented by the al dente pasta and all of this is smothered in a flavorsome gravy that just cannot be beat.
Coming home to the smell of the dish is enough to never want to stove-top cook again.
Put the beef to cook throughout the day on low and all you need to do when you get home is boil the kettle for hot water to quickly cook the pasta.
While the water is coming up to the boiling point you can shred the beef in the slow cooker to fully submerse itself in the liquid and then stir in the cooked pasta for a ready meal.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a subtle pop of color and enjoy.
Kids are funny, they don’t want to eat potatoes as they come because they are ‘so boring’ but ask them to stuff a hash brown in their mouths and they are all for it.
Thankfully, hash browns can now be a regular occurrence at the dinner table with this super simple slow-cooking dinner recipe that is a true crowd-pleaser.
And the best part, you don’t have to pre-fry the hash browns before adding them to the crockpot because they cook perfectly from frozen, a lifesaving step when time is of the essence.
Throw everything into the pot, turn it on, and rush out the door to get the kids to school on time but still have the peace of mind that supper is taken care of and one less thing to worry about that day.
There is nothing as classic as chicken or rice, but when they are together the options of easy-to-put-together meals become a dream.
Both ingredients go so well with thousands of recipes and dishes, and when crock pot dinner recipes bring these two to the table I am all in.
My children and husband love it, it is quick and effortless to make and is a stress-free dinner ready for suppertime when everyone has a chance to relax and talk about their day whilst enjoying a home-cooked meal.
A sprinkle of dried chili flakes helps add a good bite to the overall dish if you like (perhaps not when children are eating as well) or even a dash of smoked paprika to elevate the overall taste.
Nothing beats a good old beef stuffed brioche bun, covered with a thick slice of cheese and put under the grill to melt till golden and bubbling.
What we don’t have time for is the fuss it takes to cook a large chunk of beef soft enough to slice or shred without having to check up on it every hour and baste it so it doesn’t dry out.
However, with this easy crockpot dinner recipe, you have nothing to worry about and everything to enjoy.
The beef and a generous amount of sliced onions (I used two full ones because we love onions) are left to simmer in the slow cooker throughout the day while you carry on with the grocery shopping, dry cleaning picking up, and hanging the washing.
Then when you come home all you need to do is take some of the fork-tender beef and onions and pile them onto a toasted bun and add the cheese.
A quick dish that is effortless but delivers a heart-warming meal when you want to come home and sit on the porch with a glass of wine and a light meal and chat.
The kids also love the thick gravy you can add in a side dish for dipping into but this can get messy so have lots of serviettes at the ready.
Early Sunday dinners have always been about the full trimmings and all the condiments and accompaniments to match.
But we now have football matches and dance classes on a Sunday after church so we have been rushing back to put it all together and to be honest it is becoming more stressful than enjoyable.
I have always used my slow cooker for making more significant portions of meals when I know guests are coming around but wasn’t sure if I could make a whole roasted meal in it, till now.
This was a breeze and I could feel the weight off my shoulders knowing that come 5 or 6 o’clock when all activities have come to an end we would walk in the door and have a ready meal.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner. Nevertheless, we are now avid crockpot roast supporters and recommend anyone looking to have a stress-free dinner to try this out.
We have always had ribs wrapped in foil packages and left for a few hours to bake in the oven, but what a mission, and then they aren’t always guaranteed to fall off the bone as you want.
This crockpot dinner recipe changes all that and is a stress-free weekly meal we have come to love and perfect (dare I say so myself).
A recipe that is packed full of meaty goodness and won’t break the bank so if you want it more than once a week, why not.
The BBQ sauce is sticky and sweet and goes great with homemade coleslaw for those summer evenings dining on the deck, the warm breeze creating the perfect ambiance.
The best part of this meal is the lid which the kids have no problem helping to make. They love pushing the cutter into the dough to make the lid shapes and then brushing them with whisked egg to bake in the oven for a few minutes.
Dish the ready chicken and vegetables that have been cooking since the morning into bowls and top with the lid just one serving, or on the side, if you want.
It is a quick meal that is filled with hearty vegetables and creamy sauce to bring it all together.
Serve with a side salad to add a touch of freshness and lightness to the whole meal and you can be sure the kids and hubby will be asking for more next week.
Meatballs are the one dish we can enjoy any time of the day, but when we toss them with pasta they make a great dinner, when we serve them over rice topped with a thick sauce we enjoy them for dinner and even stuffed inside a wrap with fresh cucumber sticks, they are great for a quick dinner as you head out the door to the theatre.
Perfect all day, but exceptional at supper time.
Versatile, simple to make, and done before you know it.
If a simple evening meal means tender minced meat smothered in a creamy cheese sauce, then count us in.
This is just like the Chinese lemon chicken you enjoy from your local takeaway shop but enjoyed in the comfort of your own home.
And why not.
Crockpot recipes for dinner are highly underestimated and should be thought of as one of the front runners when it comes to making meals that are quick and easy.
Give the chicken a good sear in the pan to get a golden crisp to them and toss in the slow cooker to cook gently on low for several hours.
Add the lemon and a sprinkle of fresh parsley when serving, elegant and simple.
Good old beef steaks served with soft vegetables for a pop of color but also for some nutritional value, this is a slow-cooking meal that delights the soul.
Supper time is easy to do on a tight budget when you have simple recipes like this, and to the surprise of many people, this is a meal that tastes better than it lets on.
It is delicious with a generous portion of creamy mashed potatoes where the gravy soaks into the puree which in itself welcomes it with open arms.
Take a moment to treat the family to a great steak one evening, after all, they deserve it.
Winter nights may be cozy when you have a fire going and are wrapped up in a fluffy blanket, but nothing is more comforting than a hot soup to soothe the soul.
This is the easiest crock pot dinner recipe you could want when its ‘cold outside and you know you won’t feel like cooking supper when you get home from work.
Throw all these wonderful ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning and let the pasta, beans, and tomato simmer on low till you come home.
Pasta that is soft and has absorbed all the flavors and spices as the liquid intensifies helps bulk up the meal, leaving plenty for the kid’s school lunch boxes the next day as this meal is tasty cold, and hot.
Sunday is one of my favorite days where everything winds down and for a moment stands still so you can catch your breath and take a minute for yourself.
A stuffed chicken dish for dinner is a suitable end to the week and when you make crispy, roasted potatoes as the accompaniment the children may just end up looking forward to Sunday evening meals.
Switch this meal on in the slow cooker early Sunday morning, go for walk when the world is still waking up and enjoy the fresh, crisp air. It is good for the soul and the mind.
After church and visiting the grandparents, you can all come home to a delicious meal that has essentially (and thankfully) cooked itself.
A thick and heavenly meal consisting of cream, chicken, and topped with fresh chilies makes any midweek supper option a breeze to make.
Once the chicken is cooked, shred it and add it back into the slow cooker, this will allow it to absorb the flavor profile to its fullest and fill the gap that is seemingly growing the longer the children have to wait (and we all know a child will soon let you know, and then some, when they are hungry).
This is a healthier option and great for those following nutritional eating plans and wanting to enjoy their food but not necessarily sacrifice taste.
We love this meal because it is easy on the purse and you don’t have to pay a fortune to serve a great meal for dinner.
A dish that requires nothing other than a stir at the end and a sprinkling of freshly grated cheese and spring onions.
During the week we can sometimes feel the exhaustion of the work and family demands, and thinking of new and innovative dishes each night to serve for supper can be draining.
Well, let me tell you this, if you make it with love then the rest will take care of itself, and this basic mac and cheese dish does just that.
Everything in the crockpot and come back several hours later. Voila. Dinner is served.
Nights are meant to be for relaxing with the family, and the children, and putting your feet up after a hard day’s work.
We could all use a helping hand from time to time and if that comes in the form of crockpot recipes suited to dinner then all the better.
Try these meals with your family, see our blog for more ideas and inspiration when it comes to effortlessly preparing suppers and other meals, and remember that good food doesn’t mean working harder but rather working smarter.
Born and raised in South Africa and being immersed in the rich culture, Candace soon found a passion for all things food related. Exploring and experiencing new flavors and taste profiles she pursued her career as a qualified chef in silver service specialized in fine dining.
