7 Slow Cooker Recipes To Warm You Up This Winter

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by Arielle Weg
When the sun sets at 4:30 p.m. and it’s cold enough outside to see your breath, slaving over a hot stove to make a nourishing dinner might seem far less appealing than ordering a pizza. That’s when a slow cooker comes in super-handy.
Slow-cooker meals are about as low-maintenance as it gets (well, besides ordering a pizza) and will be appreciated by everyone at your table. Here are seven options that will warm you up without making you break a sweat.

1. Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chipotle Chili With Quinoa​

This hearty vegan chili from Dishing Out Health pairs quinoa and sweet potatoes with flavorful fire-roasted tomatoes and chipotle peppers. You’ll score tons of fiber and protein from the double beans, so no one will miss the meat.

2. Crockpot Cranberry-Orange Meatballs​

Whether you whip up these mighty meatballs as a tasty appetizer or alongside a larger meal, The Defined Dish’s Whole30 and paleo meatballs are a must. Pro tip: Double the recipe for the fresh cranberry-orange sauce and use it with another protein during the week for dinner in a flash.

3. Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes​

Grab your favorite jar of enchilada sauce and this warming dinner comes together with the push of a button. If you’re a fan of loaded baked potatoes or Mexican food, these healthified stuffed sweet potatoes from Skinnytaste are for you.

4. Slow Cooker Butter Chicken​

If you’re craving takeout but not the calories, this savory and creamy slow cooker meal from Well Plated is everything. The addition of cauliflower to this Indian-inspired dish sneaks in extra nutrients and texture.

5. Tangy Spiced Brisket​

Bookmark this holiday-worthy showstopper from Smitten Kitchen for a festive night in. The homemade sauce makes for a drool-worthy meal that’s hassle-free.

6. Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken Tortellini​

Turn that package of tortellini into a wow-worthy meal with The Lean Green Bean’s super-simple weeknight dinner. With less than 10 ingredients, this kid-friendly feast should be next on your meal-prep plan.

7. Slow Cooker Pineapple BBQ Pork Lettuce Wraps​

It may be cold outside, but these Whole30 and paleo pineapple BBQ pork lettuce wraps from Fit Mitten Kitchen taste like a tropical getaway. Mix things up by adding the crave-worthy meat to salads, grain bowls, or wraps throughout the week, too.