20 Hearty and Healthy Crockpot Recipes For Cold Days

Mom's Kitchen Handbook

Brisk weather calls for hearty meals that'll satisfy kids coming in from the cold, and we've got 20 recipe ideas that are guaranteed to do just that. Best of all? They're all made in the slow cooker, meaning more time with your family and less time in the kitchen. Check out some of our very best Winter-ready recipes to keep your family full, happy, and healthy — all season long!

01
Saucy Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs
Mom's Kitchen Handbook

Saucy Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

Mom's Kitchen Handbook's saucy slow-cooker turkey meatballs should be a requirement in every family's dinnertime repertoire.

02
Slow-Cooker Mac and Cheese
Flickr user Vancouver Bites!

Slow-Cooker Mac and Cheese

We know kids love creamy macaroni and cheese, which makes this seriously easy recipe from Culinary Cory perfect for busy days. Serve with roasted chicken and fresh steamed veggies for a complete meal.

03
Tangy Sloppy Joes
Budget Gourmet Mom

Tangy Sloppy Joes

With only a few ingredients, these sloppy joes from Budget Gourmet Mom are on the table and ready for noshing after a day of cooking slow and low, thanks to your crockpot. And leftovers do double duty as lunch the next day.

04
Slow-Cooker Chicken and Vegetable Soup
FoodNetwork.com | Brian Kennedy

Slow-Cooker Chicken and Vegetable Soup

There's nothing like a big bowl of chicken soup on a cold Winter afternoon, and Food Network's recipe nails it (check out the surprise secret ingredient!).

05
Cuban Chicken
POPSUGAR Food

Cuban Chicken

Proving that chicken doesn't have to be boring, this Cuban chicken recipe from the Williams-Sonoma Food Made Fast Slow Cooker Cookbook incorporates citrus and herbs for a crave-worthy, easy-to-make dinner.

06
Slow-Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup
Dainty Chef

Slow-Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

Throw all the ingredients for Dainty Chef's chicken enchilada soup in your slow cooker in the morning, and you'll come home to a delicious, filling meal.

07
Slow-Cooker Chicken Parmesan Soup
Foxes Love Lemons

Slow-Cooker Chicken Parmesan Soup

If chicken parm is a family favorite, try mixing things up a bit with Foxes Love Lemons' recipe for chicken parmesan soup. It has all of the saucy, cheesy goodness of the Italian staple but can be thrown together in the morning and have your whole house smelling heavenly by dinner!

08
Easy Pork Tacos
Our Family Eats

Easy Pork Tacos

Give your family's taco night a slow-cooker makeover with Our Family Eats' recipe for easy pork tacos. Let the pork simmer all day, and then when you get home, all you have to do is shred and assemble.

09
Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Just a Taste

Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey, garlic, and soy sauce are the dynamic trio that make Just a Taste's honey garlic chicken your new solution to boring old chicken cutlets.

10
Butternut Squash Soup
Prudent Baby

Butternut Squash Soup

Prudent Baby's four-ingredient butternut squash soup is delicious and good for you, and it can be customized to your family's liking with whatever spices and toppings you have on hand.

11
Pulled-Pork Sandwich
Lauren Hendrickson

Pulled-Pork Sandwich

Ten hours of slow cooking makes for superflavorful pulled pork. Pile it high, and top with refreshing lemon slaw for dinner on a bun. (Plus, plenty of leftovers!)

12
Slow-Cooker Chicken With Balsamic and Tomatoes
Mom's Kitchen Handbook

Slow-Cooker Chicken With Balsamic and Tomatoes

Serve this lightened-up Italian chicken dish with a side of spaghetti for a complete meal.

13
The Easiest BBQ Ribs
Prudent Baby

The Easiest BBQ Ribs

It may not be the purist's approach to BBQ ribs, but cooking them in the crockpot offers up loads of flavor and fall-off-the-bone goodness while allowing you to do just a little bit of prep work before going about your day.

15
Slow-Cooker Chicken Marbella
Mom's Kitchen Handbook

Slow-Cooker Chicken Marbella

An incredibly elegant meal that's perfect for slightly more sophisticated eaters, slow-cooker chicken marbella incorporates Mediterranean flavors and pairs perfectly with a dish of fluffy couscous.

16
Thai Beef Crockpot Curry
Everyday Reading

Thai Beef Crockpot Curry

Skip the takeout Thai, and instead DIY with Everyday Reading's easy approach to spicy Thai beef crockpot chili.

17
Slow-Cooker Pulled-Turkey Sandwiches
FoodNetwork.com

Slow-Cooker Pulled-Turkey Sandwiches

Proof that turkey's not just for Thanksgiving, these slow-cooker pulled-turkey sandwiches bring a taste of a summertime barbecue to the chilliest of Winter nights.

18
Crockpot Carrot Soup
Everyday Reading

Crockpot Carrot Soup

Your kids don't need to know how incredibly healthy this carrot soup is for them — they can just kick back and gobble it up.

19
Crockpot Pork With Dried Plums and Mashed Potatoes
Everyday Reading

Crockpot Pork With Dried Plums and Mashed Potatoes

For a dish worthy of its own dinner party, try this crockpot pork with dried plums. Serve it over mashed potatoes, and keep the secret of just how simple it was as your own little secret!

20
Crockpot Quinoa Chili
Everyday Reading

Crockpot Quinoa Chili

The addition of a cup of quinoa gives this easy chili recipe a healthy, hearty spin.