The charm of owning a slow cooker is that you don’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen to prepare a heart, home-cooked meal. This is especially ideal for those who are always on the go or are working full-time jobs. All you have to do is prepare the needed ingredients beforehand, put them all together in your crockpot before you leave then you’ll come home to a warm, nice dinner.
Try these delicious quick crock pot dinners at home:
Slow-Cooked Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Soup
What you need:
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups frozen cheese-filled tortellini
- 1 cup cream cheese, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup sliced crimini mushrooms (also called baby bella mushrooms)
- 1 cup fresh spinach
In a slow cooker, mix together vegetable broth, tortellini, cream cheese, crimini mushrooms and spinach. Stir to combine ingredients well. Cover and cook for 5 to 6 hours on low. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. Best served with toasted bread.
Quick Slow Cooker Pot Roast
What you need:
- 1 1/2 kilograms beef chuck pot roast
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat then cook beef chuck pot roast until browned on both sides. Transfer cooked meat in a slow cooker. Add carrots, celery, onion, butter, salt, rosemary and pepper to the pot and stir to combine ingredients well and to coat meat. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Easy Crock Pot Bolognese
What you need:
- 1/2 kilogram lean ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can tomato paste
- 3 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup finely chopped baby carrots
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
In a large pan over medium heat, heat the olive oil and cook carrots, onion and garlic for 10 minutes or until tender. Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until browned. Drain excess fat then pour 1 cup milk into the pan. Bring to a simmer then lower heat. Simmer for 15 minutes until milk is absorbed. Transfer everything in a slow cooker then add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours. Stir in remaining milk and Parmesan cheese and cook for 2 more hours.
If you’re pressed for time preparing dinner, try any of these quick crock pot dinners!