As I mentioned in my 2017 financial goals post, I am planning to stay within budget for the whole year, which includes my notorious food budget. To help myself out on this fairly ambitious goal of mine, I’m going back to an old, money-saving favorite of mine: the slow cooker. As a mini-goal, I plan to make at least one slow cooking meal per week…for the whole year. -that’ll be 52 recipes for those of you playing at home.

Before we get to the recipes, I wanted to share my machine of choice. In case anyone is in the market for a nice, decent, money-saving simpleton, this one is great (& cheap):

Weekly Slow Cooking Recipes

1. Lentil Soup from Pinch of Yum (I also added some cumin and curry powder to mine for a little kick)
2. Baked Ziti from Build Your Bite (This made for some seriously jealous coworkers at lunchtime)
3. Creamy Chicken, Stuffing & Green Beans from Family Fresh Meals (Boyfriend-very-much-approved)
4. Sausage & Peppers with pasta from Iowa Girl Eats (Yummmmmmmmmmmmy)
5. Stuffed Bell Peppers from Damn Delicious (Always a crowd fav)
6. Broccoli, Chicken, & Rice Casserole from Kristine’s Kitchen (This one is SUPER easy & delicious)
7. Cabbage Rolls from Paleo Grubs (Serving over rice since this recipe omits it)
8. Buffalo Ranch Chicken Tenders from Slow Cooker Gourmet (I’m serving with lots o’ roasted veggies for dipping into extra sauce.) Note: I’ve made this 2 more times already.
9. Teriyaki Chicken & Veggies from New Leaf Wellness (Again, serving with rice. This one is easily frozen ahead of time!)
10. Chili Mac & Cheese from Countryside Cravings (New recipe for me but it was good!)
11. Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Potatoes from Damn Delicious (So simple, easily customized to your favorite flavors.)
12. Chicken Burrito Bowls from No. 2 Pencil (Easy & satisfying)
13. Beef Bolognese Sauce from Vikalinka (No one will ever give you a hard time for not making your own sauce again.)
14. Beef & Potato Au Gratin from The Magical Slow Cooker (simple, easy, yes)
15. Breakfast Casserole from Stockpiling Moms (I did ‘breakfast for dinner’ so just check the temp. settings if making overnight)
16. Taco Pasta Bake from Family Fresh Meals
17. Shepherd’s Pie from Yellow Bliss Road (minus the mushrooms because yuck)
18. Tomato Basil Soup from Little Spice Jar (Very similar to Panera’s but healthier)
19. Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps from Cooking Classy
20. BBQ Pulled Pork from Natasha’s Kitchen (Made this for the beach – it was a big hit during lunch)
21. Chicken Parm Pasta from Damn Delicious (Not as good as the original, but much easier to make!)
22. Zucchini, Tomato, & Feta Frittata from The Foodie Corner (Crowd pleaser at a pot-luck brunch)
23. Classic Mac n’ Cheese from The Kitchn (So easy and so good)
24. Lemon Poppyseed Cake from Real Simple (I’ve never made cake in a slow cooker before, but this was delicious – especially since I didn’t have to use my oven in the 90-degree weather!)
25. Pulled pork sliders from Country Living (This time with no sugar!)
26. Chicken and Dumplings from Campbell’s (The classic dish made without the hot stove!)
27. Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip from Delish (Perfect for a friend’s 4th of July party)
28. Skinny Chicken Enchiladas from Pinch of Yum
29. Texas Roadhouse Pot Roast from Lauren Greutman (“Best pot roast ever” from the boy)
30. Sloppy Joes from Spend with Pennies
31. Carne Asada Loaded Fries from PaleOMG (For when you just need loaded fries)
32. Red Pepper Chicken from New Leaf Wellness
33. Beef Pot Roast Stew from Refresh Living
34. Honey Garlic Chicken & Veggies from Damn Delicious
35. Sausage-Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers from New Leaf Wellness
36. Make-Ahead Overnight Maple-Cinnamon Oatmeal from Today
37. Paleo Pork Roast with Chimichurri Sauce from My Natural Family (The sauce is the real winner here)
38. Creamy Garlic Chicken from Lauren Greutman (Simple & delicious)
39. Easiest Crockpot Lasagna from delish
40. Moroccan Chickpea & Turkey Stew from Skinny Taste
41. Loaded Slow-Cooker Grits from delish (I will never give up on my cheese grits, but oh my god!)
42. Cream Cheese & Chicken Taquitos from Creme de la Crumb
43. Creamy, Garlic Macaroni & Cheese from A Beautiful Mess
44. Tater Tot Casserole Damn Delicious (For when you just need tater tots covered in cheese)
45. Crispy Caramelized Pork Ramen Noodle Soup w/ Curry-Roasted Acorn Squash from HalfBaked Harvest
46. Loaded Baked Potato Soup from The Chic Site
47. Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce from Gimme Some Oven (Perfect for when you’re busy handling other things on turkey day)
48. Hash Brown Casserole from delish (The best post-travel breakfast dish)
49. Addicting 5-Ingredient Candy Bars from HalfBaked Harvest (I’m making these as gifts this year)
50. Mulled Wine from Well Plated (Perfect for my holiday cocktail party this weekend)
51. Holiday Cinnamon Buns from Martha Stewart (Oh, these were easy like Sunday morning)
52. Easy Crockpot (Christmas Eve New Year’s Eve) Chex Mix from HalfBaked Harvest (Cheers to 2018!)

Bon Appetit!

-ECD

What are your favorite slow cooking meals? Share in the comments please!