Can you believe that it’s already almost MID October? That’s right, were almost halfway through what I consider the first month of fall. Here in the Midwest, September can still be pretty summary and even October can have some days in the 80s.
But now that it’s October, I think it’s officially slow cooker season. In the colder months, there is nothing quite like cooking one of your favorite recipes all day long or over night and having it ready for dinner.
Now that the slow cooker is back on my countertop for the foreseeable future, I was in need of some inspiration.
I’ve rounded up these 5 slow cooker recipes to get you back into the swing of slow cooking. There is something for everyone here but the great part about slow cooker recipes is that they’re super versatile. If you don’t like an ingredient in one recipe or notice its missing your favorite, just make the change!
1. Slow Cooker Short Ribs
If you’re in need of a “stick to your ribs” recipe, pun intended, then you don’t need to look further than these slow cooker short ribs. This hearty dish has short ribs cooking for hours with a combination of fresh vegetables. This dish makes the perfect family dinner and will have your house smelling amazing for the whole time it’s cooking.
2. Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls
It’s never the wrong kind of weather for a burrito bowl. With this slow cooker chicken burrito bowl recipe, you can make an incredible meal for friends and family without a ton of effort. This recipe is also great for meal prepping if you want to make sure you have delicious lunches every day of the week.
3. Slow Cooker Vegan Chili
There’s nothing quite like a big bowl of chili on a fall afternoon or evening. This recipe combines celery, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and corn for a delicious and satisfying bowl of chili without any meat or dairy.
4. Slow Cooker Pesto Mozzarella Pasta
For any pasta lovers in the audience, this one’s for you. This recipe has a minimal amount of ingredients so it’s fairly simple to throw together and you can add chicken breasts to it if you want to add some protein. If it’s cold outside, the cheesey goodness of this recipe will keep you warm.
5. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Dump Cake
A slow cooker dessert recipe that’s pumpkin themed? Sounds like the perfect match for fall. With only 6 ingredients, this slow cooker recipe can be put together quickly and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. It’s delicious, gooey, and only takes about 4 hours to cook. That may seem like a long time, but its pretty quick in slow cooker time!
Wrapping Up
A slow cooker opens up a world of possibility when it comes to cooking. In the colder months, a slow cooker can double as a “house warmer upper” as the act of slow cooking can release some incredible smells. These 5 recipes are all great places to start if you’re new to the world of slow cooking or were looking for some inspiration. The world of slow cooker recipes is truly endless so getting used to using one will surely add to your home cooking journey!
