Busy mums, aren’t your days jam-packed with activities? From having to clean the house before you head to work, then working through those long hours, only to return home to prepare dinner? You’d also worry about the meals your children eat (with or without you), but it can be tough to find time to whip up a proper meal, and simple porridge or instant noodles will not cut it.
What comes to mind when you hear ‘slow cooker dishes’? Probably something as simple as an ABC soup… but a slow cooker is able to produce much more than that!
Every mum needs to have a few “emergency” recipes to make for her family when she’s just too tired to cook elaborate meals, or, well, anything! Slow cooker family recipes are perfect for moments like this.
Why slow cooker family recipes? Whether your family loves pasta, meat or soup, it’s as easy as tossing in all your ingredients and letting your slow cooker work its magic.
Here are some healthy slow cooker recipes that even the fussiest little eater will love. Set and forget at the beginning of the day… and come home to a hot dinner! Try these recipes to make feeding your family easier any night of the week. Bliss!
17 Slow Cooker Family Recipes
1. Lasagne
Lasagne | Image: Instagram
No, we are not kidding. You can make delectable lasagne using your slow cooker. And you don’t have to make the usual tomato-based lasagne either. A non-spicy ratatouille mixture can work perfectly well with your lasagna sheets. Your little one will surely relish every bite.
Don’t forget to add mozzarella over the veggies to make it a yummilicious combination of tasty and healthy.
Read full recipe here.
2. Thai Style Vegetable Rice
Thai Style Vegetable Rice | Image: Instagram
One of the most mouth-watering dishes, Thai rice can be made with ease in a slow cooker. Load it with veggies like edamame, sweet potatoes and carrot to make it extra healthy.
As the recipe has ingredients like garlic, curry powder, cumin and ginger, this may be a better choice for older kids than small ones. However, even little foodies will love this, if they like experimenting with flavours.
Add some cashew nuts to garnish the rice.
Here is the complete recipe.
3. Carrot and Lentil Soup
Carrot and Lentil Soup | Image: Instagram
Making this yummy soup is a cakewalk, mum. You can also make it for your younger kids without the spices.
If you want to turn up the heat, you can add a dash of roasted cumin seeds and chilli flakes. This dish will be a super hit with your older kids who have developed a taste for spices.
As for the soup’s consistency, you can either make it smooth or leave it slightly chunky. Garnish the soup with a scoop of yogurt or a drizzle of cream. In case you have young kids, stick to only yogurt.
Check out the recipe here.
4. Mushroom Risotto
Mushroom Risotto | Image: Instagram
Gone are the days when risottos required you to constantly stir, trapping you in your kitchen for hours. An amazingly tasty and simple risotto recipe can now be made with your slow cooker. And it’s perfect for your fussy eaters because you can add as many veggies as you like.
The full recipe is here.
5. Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps | Image: Instagram
These tasty chicken and lettuce wraps are loaded with nutrients for your child. They are also a perfect snack.
Make sure you use less oil to keep it healthy. And don’t forget to use sauces that are safe for kids. Here is how to ace this delectable recipe.
6. Thai Brisket Sandwiches
Brisket Sandwiches | Image: Instagram
Another yummy recipe that’s easy to make is Thai-Style Brisket Sandwiches. This will likely be a favourite of your little mischief monster. And sandwiches can be a great change from regular meals.
To amp up the health factor, you can use a mix of vegetables like scallions and carrots along with meat.
Read the full recipe here.
7. Creamy Vegetable Korma
Vegetable Korma. Image: Instagram
Mum, you must be wondering if creamy and healthy are two words that can go together. But this mouth-watering recipe that’s loaded with all types of vegetables really is a great combination of health and delicious taste.
You can serve this with bread like naan. Read the full recipe here.
8. Shredded Beef Nachos
Shredded Beef Nachos. Image: Instagram
Nachos just got healthier, mum. Kids will totally love this twist to classic nachos as you beef it up with lots of yummy and healthy ingredients. It’s also a perfect side dish for sleepovers or virtually any family occasion.
You can find the recipe here.
9. Meatballs
Meatballs. Image: Instagram
An all-time favourite with kids, you can add meatballs to a tasty tomato-sauce base. Or you can also add veggies in the meat mince making it healthier and more flavourful.
The recipe is right here.
10. Sweet and Tangy Chicken
Sweet Tangy Chicken. Image: Instagram
A perfect blend of sweet and tangy, this chicken recipe will be a favourite of the whole family. You can add as many vegetables to this as you want and increase its health quotient.
Read the recipe here.
11. Slow-roasted Chinese-style pork ribs
Ever wanted to duplicate the Tze-Char dishes your children demand every other day? Goodtoknow provides an easy recipe that you can try out before you head out for the day.
Cooking time: 4 hours on high setting and 8 hours on low setting
12. Kung Pao Chicken
If your kids are chilli fiends, this dish will certainly suit their taste buds. Feel free to add in more chilies if you like the extra kick! You can find the recipe at hostthetoast.
Cooking time: 4 hours on low setting
13. Teriyaki Chicken
If you’re looking for a simple, classic taste, look no further. This dish will go well with both white rice or noodles. Find out how to cook this dish at joyfulmommaskitchen.
Cooking time: 4 – 5 hours on low setting
14. Pork Ramen
Ramen? Slow cooker? Yes, this is real! Come home to the a hot bowl and soothe your family with the simple joys of comfort food. Grab the recipe off here: chowhound.
Cooking time: 8 hours on low setting
15. Pulled Pork
You can pair this dish with mashed potatoes or just make a burger out of it! Chowhound provides this recipe too!
Cooking time: 6 – 8 hours on high setting and 8 – 10 hours on low setting
16. Pesto Chicken
Feel free to use chicken breast meat if you’d enjoy that more!
Recipe (with chicken thigh) can be found at bettycrocker.
Cooking time: 4 hours on high setting
17. Ginger-orange Cheesecake
What’s dinner without dessert? (And we have a separate tummy for that, don’t we?). You’ll love this recipe from betterhomes.
Cooking time: 2.5 hours on high setting
Mum, here are a few tips to make your slow cooker family recipes tastier and healthier
- Use less oil with fatty food like meat and cheese.
- Strike a balance by adding fibrous veggies to fatty food like meat and cheese.
- Kids require more fat as they are highly energetic. So don’t be afraid to use fatty food generously, but make sure to stay away from trans fat.
These slow cooker family recipes are an awesome way to show your family some love. So mum, what are you waiting for? Get that cooker ready and spread the magic.
Sources: Family Circle, BBC Good Food, Kidspot
Tell us what you think about these recipes below, and share if you have any other favourites!
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