Of all the kitchen gadgets designed to make a cook's life easier, the humble Crock-Pot truly delivers on its promise. Using a slow cooker means less fuss and less mess, not to mention less effort than many other cooking styles. Most meals don't require much more than dumping a bunch of ingredients into the pot and turning it on! Plus, it's super easy to find recipes that incorporate healthy ingredients to create family favorites. And there'll most likely be leftovers, too!
From soups to stews to roasts, there's seemingly nothing a Crock-Pot can't handle. (And there are plenty of vegetarian options, too.) Main courses, side dishes, even breakfasts and snacks are a cinch. Granted, cooking with a Crock-Pot means planning ahead a little bit. It's definitely not the tool to reach for on a last-minute kind of night. (That would be an Instant Pot!) The point is, there's a reason why busy moms have used these things for decades. With a little prep in the morning (or the night before), they're about as convenient as it gets!
Cooking for a family can be tough, which is why so many of us end up resorting to take-out or microwave meals. But with a Crock-Pot in the kitchen, healthy homemade meals can be an everyday occurrence!
Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos
Because every night should be taco night, this recipe for Crock-Pot chicken tacos from Super Healthy Kids is bound to become a regular weeknight staple.
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Pasta doesn't always have to be Italian, as this creamy chicken pasta Crock-Pot recipe from Lexi's Clean Kitchen proves. Plus, it's gluten-free!
Crock-Pot Split Pea Soup
Even kids who turn their noses up at veggies in general tend to like split pea soup, and this Crock-Pot recipe from Love Bakes Good Cakes is as low-effort as they come.
Crock-Pot Kung Pao Chicken
Skip the takeout for a night with this better-than-delivery recipe for kung pao chicken from Show Me the Yummy.
Crock-Pot Lo Mein
Speaking of healthier versions of take-out favorites, this Crock-Pot lo mein from Damn Delicious is, well, damn delicious.
Crock-Pot Stuffed Shells With Spinach
Stuffed shells don't have to be baked in the oven, thanks to this Crock-Pot recipe from Everyday Good Thinking — and kids won't even notice that they're gobbling down spinach.
Crock-Pot Beef & Broccoli
Another update on a delivery fave, this Crock-Pot beef and broccoli from My Incredible Recipes might just have families tossing their take-out menus for good!
Slow-Cooker Pot Roast With Veggies
No need to go to Grandma's for a Sunday roast with this no-fuss Crock-Pot recipe from Yummy Healthy Easy!
Crock-Pot Moroccan Chickpea Stew
For vegetarian families (or those trying to add more plant foods to their diets), this flavorful moroccan chickpea stew from Simply Quinoa is a good place to start.
Crock-Pot Minestrone Soup
Soups are a great way to sneak more veggies into dinner, and minestrone (like this one from Family Fresh Meals) is usually a popular pick with kids.
Crock-Pot Red Beans & Rice
This New Orleans specialty from A Pinch of Healthy comes together effortlessly in a slow cooker!
Crock-Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac
Full of fiber and flavor, this vegetarian chili mac from Kristine's Kitchen Blog is made in a Crock-Pot and can be served with a side of chips for dipping.
Crock-Pot Chicken & Rice
Even the pickiest kids will usually eat chicken and rice, and this Crock-Pot version from Well Plated is one the grown-ups in the family will dig, too.
Crock-Pot Lentil & Quinoa Chili
Make a game-day tradition more nutritious with the addition of lentils and quinoa (find the Crock-Pot recipe at Aggie's Kitchen).
Crock-Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup
Definitely a main course kind of soup, this recipe from Gal on a Mission looks ridiculously yummy.
Crock-Pot Chicken Potato Soup
Another soup that unquestionably falls into the main course category, think of this recipe from A Spicy Perspective as a loaded baked potato in a bowl.
Crock-Pot Butternut Squash Risotto
Risotto can be an exhaustive enterprise, what with all the stirring … and stirring, and stirring. Not so with this veggie-powered Crock-Pot take on the traditional arborio rice dish from Well Plated!
Crock-Pot Breakfast Bake
Crock-Pots aren't just for dinner; they're perfect for cooking an amazing breakfast overnight, too — like this breakfast bake from Super Healthy Kids.
Crock-Pot Honey Mustard Wings
Chicken wings don't have to be unhealthy! These Crock-Pot honey mustard wings from Lexi's Clean Kitchen are anything but junk food.
Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Spicy but not too spicy, this Indian-style Crock-Pot recipe from Love Bakes Good Cakes is mild enough for most kids!
Crock-Pot Carnitas
Take a break from Chipotle and make delicious carnitas tacos at home with this no-fail Crock-Pot recipe from Show Me the Yummy.
Instant Pot Mushroom Spinach Risotto
Another easier-than-usual risotto recipe, this Instant Pot recipe from Damn Delicious has the added benefit of green veggies.
Crock-Pot Greek Chicken With Cinnamon
Cinnamon and chicken? A thousand times yes — and this Crock-Pot recipe from Everyday Good Thinking is proof that this combo works.
Crock-Pot Beef Stew
Let's face it: Slow cookers shine when it comes to traditional meals like this basic beef stew from My Incredible Recipes.
Crock-Pot Peach Oatmeal
Another tempting Crock-Pot breakfast option, this peach oatmeal from Yummy Healthy Easy has all the flavor of a juicy cobbler, except it's actually a nutritious morning meal!
Crock-Pot Coconut Quinoa Curry
Coconut, quinoa, and curry might not seem like words the average kid will warm up to, but the flavor of this Crock-Pot recipe from Simply Quinoa is likely to win them over.
Crock-Pot Rotisserie Chicken
A whole chicken made in a slow cooker isn't technically a rotisserie chicken, but this one from A Pinch of Healthy tastes similar to — but is even even better than — the ones at the grocery store.
Crock-Pot Spaghetti Squash and Cheese
Granted, recipes that involve this much cheese might not usually qualify as "healthy," but this one from Recipes That Crock replaces the usual "mac" in "mac and cheese" with spaghetti squash — and hooray for a hidden vegetable!
Crock-Pot Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes make a healthy and versatile base for a wide assortment of ingredients, so why not some tasty Buffalo chicken? Check out the Crock recipe at Well Plated.
Crock-Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
Even the most vegetable-averse kids will often slurp down a bowl of broccoli cheese soup (like this Crock- Pot version from Well Plated).
Crock-Pot Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Rich in beta carotene, this Crock-Pot curried soup from Aggie's Kitchen is rich in flavor, too. Try serving with warm naan bread for dipping.
Crock-Pot Mexican Rice
A solid meal all on its own or stuffed into a burrito, this Crock-Pot Mexican rice from Gal on a Mission is so much better than any boxed mix.
Crock-Pot Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes get a bad rap for being heavy, but not when they're made with cauliflower (as in this Crock-Pot recipe from Damn Delicious).
Crock-Pot Zuppa Toscana
Whether or not carbs are a concern, nobody's going to miss them in this tasty Crock-Pot soup from Gal on a Mission!
Crock-Pot Mexican Chorizo Egg Casserole
This Crock-Pot casserole from The Recipe Critic is equally perfect for brunch or a "breakfast for dinner" kind of night.
Crock-Pot General Tso's Chicken
Seriously, have slow cookers rendered take-out entirely unnecessary? This General Tso's Chicken from The Recipe Critic suggests the answer is "yes."
Crock-Pot Wild Rice Vegetable Soup
So many soups, so little time — and this Crock-Pot veggie and wild rice soup from Kristine's Kitchen Blog is not to be missed.
Crock-Pot Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Think of this balsamic Brussels sprouts recipe from Damn Delicious as a guaranteed way to get haters on Team Brussels Sprouts. For life.
Crock-Pot Corn & Potato Chowder
Just because corn is technically a grain, not a vegetable, doesn't mean it isn't loaded with good stuff kids need to grow. Plus, they'll love this Crock-Pot-made kernel-filled chowder from Mama Loves Food.
Crock-Pot Apple Granola Breakfast
Buying a bag of granola from the store is easy enough, but this homemade (in a Crock-Pot!) version from Recipes That Crock is so much better — and so easy, too.
