When it comes to meal prepping, a slow cooker is your best friend. It allows you to prepare delicious, hearty meals with minimal effort. In this guide, we’ll walk through three diverse examples of creating a slow cooker meal plan, helping you simplify your weeknight dinners and enjoy more time with loved ones.
This meal plan is perfect for busy families looking for comforting, easy-to-make meals during the week.
You can prepare these dishes in advance, set them to cook in the morning, and return home to a warm, inviting dinner.
You can try this plan for a week, featuring a different dish for each day.
Monday: Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Ingredients: 2 lbs beef chuck, 4 carrots, 4 potatoes, 1 onion, 4 cups beef broth, salt, and pepper.
Instructions: Cut beef into chunks and brown in a skillet. Add all ingredients into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours.
Tuesday: Creamy Chicken and Rice
Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken breasts, 1 cup rice, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 cup cream of mushroom soup.
Instructions: Place chicken in the slow cooker, add rice and broth. Cook on low for 6 hours, add mushroom soup 30 minutes before serving.
Wednesday: Vegetarian Chili
Ingredients: 2 cans black beans, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 1 bell pepper, 1 onion, 2 cups corn, chili powder.
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours.
Feel free to adjust the vegetables based on what’s in season or your family’s preferences. You can also add spices to customize the flavors!
This meal plan focuses on nutritious, wholesome ingredients for those looking to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor.
It’s great for individuals or families who want to prioritize healthy eating while enjoying the convenience of slow cooking.
Thursday: Quinoa and Vegetable Medley
Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 zucchini, 1 bell pepper, 1 can chickpeas.
Instructions: Rinse quinoa and combine with all other ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours.
Friday: Lemon Garlic Salmon
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets, 2 lemons, 4 cloves garlic, dill, salt, and pepper.
Instructions: Place salmon in the slow cooker, top with lemon slices and minced garlic. Cook on low for 3 hours.
Saturday: Lentil Soup
Ingredients: 2 cups lentils, 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 6 cups vegetable broth, thyme.
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours.
Swap out quinoa for brown rice or add your favorite seasonal vegetables! Feel free to experiment with different types of fish.
This meal plan is designed for those who love hosting friends or family on weekends.
With these dishes, you can prepare ahead of time and focus on enjoying your time with guests.
Sunday: Barbecue Pulled Pork
Ingredients: 3 lbs pork shoulder, 1 bottle barbecue sauce, 1 onion.
Instructions: Place pork and onion in the slow cooker, cover with barbecue sauce. Cook on low for 10 hours, shred before serving.
Sunday: Baked Ziti
Ingredients: 1 lb ziti pasta, 2 jars marinara sauce, 2 cups ricotta cheese, 2 cups mozzarella cheese.
Instructions: Cook pasta halfway, layer with sauces and cheeses in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours.
Sunday: Apple Crisp for Dessert
Ingredients: 6 apples, 1 cup oats, 1 cup brown sugar, cinnamon.
Instructions: Slice apples, mix with oats, sugar, and cinnamon. Cook on low for 3 hours.
Feel free to customize the barbecue sauce to your taste, or add veggies to the baked ziti for an extra crunch. The apple crisp can be served with ice cream for a delightful treat!
These examples of creating a slow cooker meal plan highlight the versatility and convenience of slow cooking. With a little planning, you can enjoy a variety of delicious and nutritious meals throughout the week without the stress of daily cooking.