Best slow cooker recipes to whip up this winter

After a long busy day, no one wants to think about what to make for dinner, especially as the winter months are approaching – that’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the best slow cooker recipes to make in a jiffy, and be ready for tea time.

Whether you’re a student, have plans for date night, a family feast, fancy a cosy night in, or just fancy making something new, we’ve got you covered – check out our best slow cooker recipes below.

CHILLI CON CARNE

When I think of the ultimate slow cooker recipe, my mind jumps to chilli con carne – warm bowl of joy to comfort the best of us during the colder months. For all you spicelovers, this one is right up your street!

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tsp garlic, minced
• 500g minced beef 
• 800g diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 400g tin of kidney beans
• 250ml beef stock
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 tbsp chilli powder
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions:

1. Saute the beef and onion in a frying pan until browned, then add to the slow cooker.
2. Add the garlic, cumin, oregano, chilli powder, paprika, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, caster sugar, tomato paste and beef stock – stir well.
3. Cook on low heat for 6-7 hours or on high heat for 4-5 hours.
4. With approximately an hour to go, give it a taste and add extra chilli if you feel it needs it.
5. Serve over rice or dip in some tortilla chips.

MACARONI CHEESE

Who doesn’t love a good macaroni cheese? It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for these colder winter evenings.

Ingredients:

• 250g macaroni (uncooked).
• 200g mature cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• 50g parmesan, freshly grated
• 650ml semi-skimmed milk
• 250ml double cream
• 50g melted unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp plain flour
• 1 tsp English mustard
• 1 tsp powdered garlic
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the slow cooker then pour in the melted butter.
2. Sieve the flour in, stirring continuously to make a roux (a combination of butter and flour used as a base for white sauces). Make sure that any lumps of flour are smoothed out.
3. Add the garlic granules, salt, pepper and mustard – stir until thoroughly mixed.
4. Slowly pour in the double cream stirring continuously, to form a thick sauce. Then add the milk gradually (again stirring through) to thin the creamy sauce.
5. Pour in the uncooked macaroni and ensure all of the pieces are submerged in the sauce. Cover and cook on low for 1.5 to 2 hours until the macaroni is ‘al dente’.
6. Add the grated cheddar and parmesan cheese and stir through. Replace the lid and cook for a further ten minutes.
7. Serve immediately.

ROAST BEEF

Look no further for your next Sunday roast, this succulent roast beef will have everyone asking for seconds. This low maintenance roast beef will allow you to kick your feet up and relax for a few hours.

Instructions:

• 1 kg topside beef
• 500ml beef stock
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 3 tbsp tomato puree
• 6 tbsp cornflour
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp sat
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• OPTIONAL: 200ml red wine

Directions:

1. Add the carrots, onions and 3 tbsp of cornflour to the slow cooker, and stir until the vegetables are covered.
2. Rub some oil over the beef and season with salt and pepper.
3. Sear the beef in a hot pan on all sides, and place in the slow cooker.
4. Add the beef stock, tomato puree, sugar and red wine – make sure that most of the beef is covered. Cook on low for 5 hours or high for 3 hours.
5. Remove the beef and cover with foil to keep warm; leave to rest for 30 minutes
6. Pour out some of the liquid in the slow cooker and stir in the remaining cornflour to thicken.
7. Slice the beef and coat with red wine jus. Serve with vegetables of your choice and, of course, Yorkshire puddings.

CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Skipping the traditional slow cooker stew, this recipe is a little gem that’ll be sure to be the next big hit for anyone who gives it a try. These chicken and dumplings are ideal for students and those on a budget.

 Ingredients:

• 1 large chicken breast
• 1 onion (finely diced)
• 3 celery sticks (finely diced)
• 4 carrots (sliced)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 bay leaf

Dumplings:

• 1 ½ cups plain flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 6 tbsp butter
• ⅔ cups milk
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tbsp parsley
• ¾ cups sugar

Directions:

1. Add the onion, carrot, bay leaf, celery, basil, thyme, water, chicken and some ground pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine the ingredients and cook on high for four hours (or on low for 8 hours)
2. Remove the chicken from the broth and shred with 2 forks.
3. Turn the cooker to high (if on medium heat) and put the shredded chicken back into the pot. Stir in salt.
4. While the soup continues cooking, in a medium bowl combine the flour, salt, baking powder, parsley and sugar – mix well.
5. Add butter in small chunks and work it in with your hands, until the mixture resembles damp sand. Now add the milk and stir until it’s a paste like texture.
6. Remove the lid from the slow cooker and place in heaped spoonfuls of the dumpling batter. Put the lid back on and allow the dumplings to steam for 20 minutes.
7. Time to tuck in!

There we have it, four of the best slow cooker recipes that require very little effort. Enjoy!

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Featured image courtesy of Cooker King on Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.