The last day of summer here in Seattle was warm and beautiful. Then, like the furious shrill of a kitchen timer gone off, Mother Nature decided that summer was over and it was time for fall. Done. Gone. Summer was kaput. And with fall came the rain. Then out came the slow cooker. I mean, really, we might as well accept that we’re going to be hunkered down for the next few months.
On the bright side of things, cold weather means warm and comforting meals that make us feel toasty good. So rather than bemoan fall, let’s celebrate the season with hearty meals that feel like a hug from the inside. Pull out the good ole crock pot, give it a dusting off and let's start cooking. Try the Beef Stroganoff atop wide buttery noodles, a slow simmered Bolognese sauce that’s simply scrumptious ladled over any type of pasta, a heavenly Tuscan White Bean Soup (that’s also vegan), and even a creamy Rice Pudding for dessert. Each of these easy recipes will surely make you forget the cold outside. Even for just a little while.
Best Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Photo by Sergeant Killjoy
Beef Stroganoff is a classic Russian dish made popular in America in the 50s, but it still holds its comforting charm today. The creamy mushroom sauce is traditionally served over crispy potato slices, but buttery noodles - the wider, the better - are the way we most enjoy this hearty meal.
Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce
Courtesy of Nestle
If your slow cooker is big enough, make a double batch of this sauce and freeze it in meal-size servings. It's an excellent sauce for lasagne, baked rigatoni, over spaghetti, really any pasta! We also love it over creamy polenta.
Tuscan White Bean Soup with Olive Oil and Rosemary
Courtesy of author Lynn Alley, 50 Simple Soups for the Slow Cooker
Can a soup be hearty and low fat at the same time? You bet! A little heart-healthy olive oil adds flavor and goodness to this rosemary-scented vegetarian/vegan soup. Puréeing the beans lends a creamy consistency, but it's also wonderful with the beans left whole. Either way, you're going to love this soup, especially with a nice crusty bread.
Greek-Inspired Slow Cooker Chicken
Submitted to Foodista by Mommie Cooks
This dish reminds me of the summer I spent in Greece. I can still taste the salty, briny feta cheese that adorned so many dishes. With a simple flip of your slow cooker knob and a few flavor combinations of the Mediterranean - lemon, garlic, rosemary, dill - your kitchen will be transformed into a Greek taverna. Serve the tender, fall-apart chicken over noodles and go wild with the feta. I would.
Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup
Submitted to Foodista by Kate Morgan Jackson
Perhaps what I love most about slow cookers, aside from the ease of creating delicious meals with little clean-up, is that cheap cuts of meat are transformed into succulent pieces. This hearty beef barley soup uses inexpensive yet rich and delicious chuck roast. The chunks of meat in this soup become cut-with-your-spoon tender and are oh so divine when scooped up with sweet carrots and pudgy barley.
Kicked Up Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Submitted to Foodista by Mommie Cooks
What's kicked up about this chili, you ask? It's got a bevy of spices to give it something to sing about, plus a little sweet (molasses and brown sugar) and a little sass (beer) to make this a man-pleaser. Us girls like it, too.
Slow Cooker Chicken Mole
Submitted to Foodista by Food and Whine
When you're in the mood for a little south of the border flavor, this chicken mole will truly satisfy. It has the rich flavors of a true Puebla-style spice and chocolate mole but without the laborious effort it takes to make this classic dish.
Slow Cooker Pork Loin With Thyme Apple Sauce and Mint Leaf
Submitted to Foodista by Quay Po Cooks
Good ole pork chops and apple sauce gets a makeover with fresh herbs and spices like thyme, mint and caraway.
Slow Cooker Rice Pudding
Submitted to Foodista by The Housewife
Crockpots aren't just for dinners, desserts come out beautifully too! Try this cardamom-kissed rice pudding with nuts. It's excellent served warm out of the slow cooker or chilled.
Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal for Breakfast
Avoid the rush to make breakfast in the morning! Throw in some heart-healthy steel cut oats in the slow cooker the night before and your morning meal is ready before your coffee is. I like to scoop some into a sealable container along with brown sugar, crushed walnuts and a bit of coconut milk for a breakfast to go.
