55 Slow Cooker Dinners Every Full-Time Mom (or Dad!) Needs to Know

Read Time: 23 mins

55 Slow Cooker Dinners Every Full-Time Mom (or Dad!) Needs to Know1/55 Country Bacon-Beef Mac and Cheese 2 Reviews Country Bacon-Beef Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This extra-meaty mac and cheese is super easy to make in the slow cooker. Kids love it and I like to sneak in some veggies. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 591 calories, 36g fat (17g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 719mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 38g protein. 2/55

Enjoy them with great sides or shredded on a bun

Country-Style Barbecue Ribs 3 Reviews Country-Style Barbecue Ribs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 15 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These ribs get a good sear under the broiler, then go into the slow cooker to become fall-apart tender. Enjoy them with great sides or shredded on a bun. Either way, they’re the most amazing ribs you’ll ever have. —Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 393 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 1098mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 1g fiber), 33g protein. 3/55 Slow-Cooker Chicken

Enchilada Stuffed Peppers 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Peppers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Use up leftovers and clean out the fridge by making these super simple and tasty stuffed peppers! This is an ideal weekend meal that you can put together quickly and let cook while you run errands. —Katie Jasiewicz, Belle Isle, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed pepper: 267 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 364mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 20g protein.

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 4/55 Bourbon Barbecue Chicken Tacos 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bourbon Barbecue Chicken Tacos Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I wanted to try a different take on taco night and decided on a barbecue theme. Even my father enjoyed this meal, and he doesn’t usually care for tacos. —LaDale Hymer, Cleveland, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 1 taco: 387 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 855mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 4g

fiber), 23g protein

fiber), 23g protein. 5/55 Sloppy Joe Recipe 113 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sloppy Joes Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You’ll love this quick, easy and economical dish. Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness, both for traditional sandwiches on buns or as a down-home topping for rice, biscuits or baked potatoes. —Laurie Hauser, Rochester, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 439 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1360mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein. 6/55 7/55 Slow-Cooker Pad Thai

This slow-cooker version lets me keep my cool and enjoy pad thai too

5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Pad Thai Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love pad thai, but I hate standing over a hot stir-fry—especially in summer. This slow-cooker version lets me keep my cool and enjoy pad thai too. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 482 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 157mg cholesterol, 891mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 2g fiber), 34g protein. 8/55 Country Captain Chicken 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Country Captain Chicken Recipe photo

Diabetic exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch

by Leticia Almeida for Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Legend has it that the recipe for country captain chicken was brought to Georgia in the early 1800s by a British sea captain. Although it’s traditional to serve this over rice, it’s also delicious with noodles or mashed potatoes. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 298 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 114mg cholesterol, 159mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch.

As it cooks, the house fills with the amazing aroma of apples and pork

9/55 10/55 Slow-Cooked Pork with Root Vegetables Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooked Pork with Root Vegetables Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 55 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is truly a one-pot recipe—there’s no need to brown the roast, as the rub gives it rich color. As it cooks, the house fills with the amazing aroma of apples and pork. It’s a perfect dinner for a chilly autumn day. Use the cooking liquid as a sauce when you’re ready to serve. And if there’s any pork left over, it makes

delicious pulled pork sandwiches

delicious pulled pork sandwiches. —Jackie Sharp, Suffolk, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked pork with 3/4 cup vegetable mixture: 313 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 799mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 starch. 11/55 Slow-Cooker Caribbean Moo Shu Chicken 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Caribbean Moo Shu Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A tropical twist on a takeout favorite, this slow-cooker creation is simple, satisfying and destined

to become a new family favorite!

to become a new family favorite! —Shannon Kohn, Simpsonville, South Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 552 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 1122mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 7g fiber), 35g protein. 12/55 Buttermilk-Mushroom Pork Chops 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Buttermilk-Mushroom Pork Chops Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I went through several variations before creating the pork chops my family considers perfect! I wanted something rich, delicious and tasty that was still relatively healthy. This is a delicious Sunday dinner

I suggest serving it with salad or grilled asparagus

idea because you can pop it in the slow cooker in the morning and let it cook while you are at church! I suggest serving it with salad or grilled asparagus. —Kristin Stone, Little Elm, Texa Nutrition Facts: 1 chop with 3/4 cup sauce (calculated without noodles): 376 calories, 19g fat (6g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 836mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 37g protein. 13/55 Pineapple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband doesn’t think it is a meal

without meat

without meat. I prefer something lighter, so this recipe satisfies us both. You can also roast this in the oven if you’re short on time. —Tracy Dalin, Gooding, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked pork with 1/2 cup sauce: 398 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 95mg cholesterol, 326mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (45g sugars, 0 fiber), 34g protein. 14/55 Tandoori Chicken Panini 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Tandoori Chicken Panini Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The tandoori-style spices in this chicken give it

a bold flavor that’s so hard to resist

a bold flavor that’s so hard to resist. It tastes incredible tucked between pieces of naan, then grilled to make Indian-inspired panini. —Yasmin Arif, Manassas, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1/2 sandwich: 351 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 830mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat. 15/55 Slow-Cooker Pork Medallions 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Slow-Cooked Pork Tenderloin Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I find simple dinners are the best comfort foods

that my family of seven really desires

that my family of seven really desires. Everyday, good ingredients are the key to my success in the kitchen. Three ingredients poured over the pork and—voila!—the most mouthwatering pork you have ever tasted! —Grace Neltner, Lakeside Park, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 5 ounces cooked pork: 259 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 707mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2 fat. 16/55 Mexican Turkey Meat Loaf 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mexican Turkey Meat Loaf Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 25 min Servings 1 loaf (6

servings) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a zesty, flavorful meat loaf you can really sink your teeth into! Pair this with black beans, rice, green salad with lime vinaigrette or any of your favorite Tex-Mex sides. —Kristen Miller, Glendale, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 335 calories, 20g fat (6g saturated fat), 149mg cholesterol, 1109mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein. 17/55 18/55 Meatballs in Honey Buffalo Sauce 9 Reviews Meatballs in Honey Buffalo Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 45 min Servings about 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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