Fall is usually a very busy time for all of us. Between spending time with friends or family, working out, and/or taking care of family duties, there is usually little time left to prepare healthy meals — that’s when being resourceful comes in handy. One tool that can make anyone’s life easier is the crockpot. Crockpots can be left unattended for the majority of the cooking time, making them extremely convenient and helpful. Below are a few family-friendly (as well as single-friendly because who doesn’t love good leftovers?) crockpot recipes that are flavorful, delicious, and easy to make.
Meatless Mondays are a great way to introduce more vegetables into your diet. This Crockpot Lentil Soup recipe is the perfect recipe to try on your next Meatless Monday because it’s easy to make, hearty, and full of flavors that are so delectable, you won’t even realize that it’s meatless!
Crockpot Lentil Soup
Serves: 6 (about 1 cup each)
Ingredients:
PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
1 can (14.5 ounces each) Hunt’s® Petite Diced Tomatoes, undrained
1 cup dry brown lentils, sorted, rinsed
1 cup chopped yellow onion
3/4 cup chopped celery
2 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
Spray inside of 4-quart crockpot with cooking spray. Add all remaining ingredients to crockpot; stir to combine.
Cover; cook on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours. Remove and discard bay leaves
.
Cook’s Tip: Take this recipe from lunch to dinner by adding your favorite sausage to the leftover soup to make it even heartier.
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Chili is a comfort food that is a family staple in the cooler months. Crockpots can help you make a savory chili that takes only 15 minutes of preparation time, but tastes like you had been tending to it all day in the kitchen. The other great thing about this recipe is that it’s healthier than your typical chili recipe because it uses boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of the traditional beef that most recipes call for.
Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Serves: 6 (about 1 cup each)
Ingredients:
PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
2 cans (15 ounces each) Great Northern beans, undrained
1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 can (10 ounces each) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup chopped yellow onion
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
Spray inside of 4-quart crockpot with cooking spray. Place 1 can of beans in crockpot; mash with potato masher or spoon until smooth. Add second can of beans and all remaining ingredients to crockpot; stir to combine.
Cover; cook on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours. Carefully separate chicken into bite-size pieces.
Cook’s Tip: Adjust this recipe for Meatless Monday by substituting the chicken for your favorite beans. Top your chili with sour cream, and serve with a lime wedge, to add a gourmet touch.
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If there’s one thing kids love, it’s a messy sandwich that allows them to eat with their hands and really dig in. This recipe is far from your typical lunch meat on white bread meal. Thanks to the crockpot, you can create gourmet hot sandwiches without a lot of work. These sandwiches are perfect for an afternoon snack or dinner.
Crockpot Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients:
PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 cup sliced onion
1/4 cup chopped nacho jalapeño peppers
1 can (15 ounces each) Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 Kaiser rolls
Spray inside of 4-quart crockpot with cooking spray. Place chicken, onion, jalapeno and Sloppy Joe sauce in crockpot. Cover; cook on low 8 hours or until chicken is tender.
Transfer chicken to cutting board; shred. Return chicken to crockpot. Sprinkle with salt; stir. Reduce heat to warm. Serve in rolls.
Cook’s Tip: Warm up leftover meat and put it in a thermos. Fill your children’s lunchboxes with the thermos and spinach tortillas for the perfect school lunch.
Don’t let your busy schedule cause your meals to suffer. Utilize the crockpot to make meals you and your family will love, without all the fuss!
**Author Bio: This is a guest post by James P. on behalf of Marie Callender’s®. For more easy family meal ideas, visit www.mariecallenders.com.
