Back-to-School Dinners: Why the Crock-Pot is Your New Best Friend
My kids went back to school this week so with sports and homework things get a little more crazy at night. The last thing you want to stress about is dinner. We are just trying to survive these days so it’s hard to get a wholesome meal on the table every night. That’s where my trusty crock-pot comes in a like a lifesaver. Not all heroes wear capes.
Why Crock-Pot Dinners Are a Game Changer
The beauty of a crock-pot is that 99% of meals you just dump it and leave it. With a little prep in the morning, you can set it and forget it. By the time everyone gets home, there is a warm meal ready to go. Even the simplest dinners taste like they have been simmering all day… (because they have.)
Quick and Easy Crock-Pot Dinner Ideas
- Chicken Taco Soup: Throw in chicken breasts, a box of chicken broth, a can of black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning. Let it cook on low all day, then shred the chicken before serving. Top with cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips for a killer meal.
- Beef Stroganoff: Toss in stew meat, chopped onions, mushrooms, and beef broth. Let it cook on low until the meat is tender, then stir in some sour cream and when you get home make some egg noodles to serve it over.
- BBQ Pulled Pork or Chicken: Place a pork shoulder or chicken breast in the crock-pot, cover it with your favorite BBQ sauce, and let it cook until it’s fall-apart tender. Serve on buns or rice with a side of coleslaw. That one couldn’t be easier.
- Vegetarian Chili: Dump in canned beans, diced tomatoes, diced bell peppers, diced onions, and your favorite chili spices or heck even a packet. Let it simmer on low all day for a hearty, but also meat-free option.
- Teriyaki Chicken: Mix soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger (I don’t measure anything for crock pot recipes. Do it to taste) in the crock pot with chicken thighs. Serve over rice with steamed broccoli for a takeout-style meal, honestly.
Extra Tips for Crock-Pot Success
- Prep the night before. If you have crazy mornings cut up all of the veggies you need, mix the sauces you need so you really can dump and go.
- Use crockpot liners! It took me so long to find out about these amazing liners. They save so much time because cleaning up on the crockpot is EASY! No scrubbing is needed.
- Double it up. Make extra and freeze the leftovers or even have them for leftovers the next day for lunch or dinner.
My girlfriend Kate has 3 girls in elementary school and her husband calls her Crockpot Kate because it’s her go-to as well. It really is the ultimate tool for busy school nights. Maybe a couple nights a month you order takeout or sushi, YUM. Either way with a little planning, you will have stress-free meals this school year!