20 Family Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

February 7, 2018 by Ciara Attwell, Updated September 21, 2023

20 Delicious & Healthy Family Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes to try this winter!

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20 Family Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes (1)

Slow Cookers & Crock Pots

At this time of year nothing beats a warm and comforting family meal but as a busy parent I know it’s not always feasible to spend hours at the stove cooking dinner.

This is where one of my favourite kitchen gadgets comes in… the slow cooker or crockpot!

A slow cooker is an absolute life saver when you are short on time but don’t want to compromise on being able to enjoy tasty home cooked family meals.

If you don’t already have one then don’t worry, you don’t have to spend a fortune as even the simplest and cheapest model will do just as well. You can often pick one up for less than £15 in the supermarket.

The great thing about slow cookers is that you can chuck the ingredients in in the morning and later that day you have a delicious family meal ready to dish up.

It’s also great for using cheaper cuts of meat that need hours and hours of cooking, meaning you can make seriously indulgent meals on a budget!

Family Slow Cooker Recipes

I’ve put together a list of 20 of the Best Slow Cooker Recipes to help you too to get ahead this year!

If you try any of the recipes, then please do leave me a comment below. You can also share your pictures with me onInstagram.I always love to see your creations!

20 OF THE BEST FAMILY SLOW COOKER RECIPES

20 Delicious & Healthy Family Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes to try this winter!

Slow Cooker Ten Hidden Veggie Sauce

A simple Hidden Veggie Sauce made in the Slow Cooker with TEN vegetables in there. A brilliant recipe for those fussy eaters!

Slow Cooker Sausage Ragu

So simple and delicious, this Sausage Ragu is made in Slow Cooker, even the pasta cooks in there. Perfect for a tasty mid week family meal

An easy and budget friendly hidden veggie pasta sauce made with frozen vegetables and red lentils

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Meatballs with Hidden Veg Sauce

Delicious meatballs cooked in the slow cooker in a hidden veggie sauce and served with spaghetti. Brilliant for fussy eaters and a meal the whole family are sure to enjoy!

Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole – No chopping, no frying, bung all the ingredients in the slow cooker and leave it to do it’s thing. This is literally the easiest casserole recipe you’ll ever make!

Slow Cooker Hidden Veg Pasta Sauce

A tasty tomato pasta sauce cooked in the slow cooker and packed with five different hidden veggies. Perfect for fussy eating kids!

A super simple and delicious Beef and Broccoli recipe. This is so easy to make, simply chuck all the ingredients into the slow cooker or crockpot and leave it to cook all day.

A rich but super simple Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce cooked in the slow cooker for a delicious flavour. The perfect go-to pasta sauce for busy families.

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

These tasty Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas are so easy to make. Simply bung all the ingredients into the slow cooker and come back to a delicious dinner later in the day!

A delicious, warm and comforting Italian Meatball & Gnocchi Soup recipe. A super easy family meal made in the slow cooker. Minimum effort, maximum taste!

Slow Cooker Beef Casserole

An easy recipe for Beef Casserole all cooked together in the slow cooker. Delicious and so warming, perfect for an Autumn or Winter evening.

Slow Cooker Ragu For Kids

A super easy slow cooker ragu recipe. Makes a great family meal that everyone will enjoy!

Did you know that you can cook Mac & Cheese in the slow cooker or crockpot? Super easy and so tasty too! Here’s my Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese Recipe!

Easy Slow Cooker Lamb Curry

A really easy Lamb Curry recipe made with lamb shoulder and slow cooked to make it deliciously tender

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

A delicious hearty stew with beef, carrots and potatoes in a rich sauce. All cooked in the slow cooker. Comfort food made easy this Winter!

The Easiest Slow Cooker Christmas Ham

I call it a Christmas Ham but it’s just as tasty any time of the year! Cook a large ham in the slow cooker and then you have loads left over for leftovers for the rest of the week.

Slow Cooker Quinoa Lettuce Cups Recipe

Packed full of protein these Slow Cooker Quinoa Lettuce Cups make a delicious, healthy and fun dinner for the whole family!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

The easiest ever recipe for a tasty Chicken Tikka Masala, cooked in the slow cooker to make it soft and tender.

The easiest Sausage & Lentil Casserole recipe, all cooked up in the slow cooker with Very Lazy Paste Pots

Slow Cooked Beef Brisket

An easy and tasty recipe for beef brisket, slow cooked in a red wine stock and served with kale mash.

SLOW COOKER RECOMMENDATION

I absolutely love thisSlow Cookerbecause you can remove the inner pot and use it on the hob.

So if a recipe requires you to sear the meat before cooking, you can do it in the inner pot meaning less washing up!

20 Family Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes (22)

If you enjoyed this recipe collection, you might also enjoy:

15 Ways To Use Your Slow Cooker This Christmas – 15 Ways To Use Your Slow Cooker This Christmas That Will Make Cooking For A Crowd Much Easier!

Family Friendly Comfort Food – Hearty casseroles (that the kids will actually eat!), One Pot Pasta Recipes, Pies and Kid-Friendly Family Curry recipes to name just a few! If you are looking for Family Friendly Comfort Food, then you’re going to love these recipes!

FAQs

What is too full for a slow cooker? ›

Don't overfill your slow cooker, or it may start leaking out the top, and the food won't cook so well. Half to two-thirds full is ideal – certainly no more than three-quarters.

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What size slow cooker do you need for a family of 4? ›

If you're cooking for one or two, a 1.5-3 litre pot should give you plenty of space to create some tasty meals. A cooker that's 3-5l will serve three or four people. Any more guests than that (or just big appetites) and you'll need a dish with room for 5-6l.

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What is the best size slow cooker for a family of 2? ›

If You're Cooking for One or Two People: Buy a 3-Quart Slow Cooker. If you're cooking for one to two people and you're not a fan of leftovers, or simply don't have the space to stash them in the fridge or freezer, a 3-quart (or 3 1/2-quart, as they're sold by some brands) slow cooker is just right for you.

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Why putting a tea towel over a slow cooker? ›

Try putting a tea towel over the top of the slow cooker before replacing the lid. This absorbs the excess moisture, thickening the dish and deepening its flavours. The cloth can be replaced with a fresh one when needed, but usually one tea towel during the final couple of hours will do the trick.

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What foods should not go in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker

Raw Meat.
Seafood.
Pasta.
Rice.
Delicate Vegetables.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
Dairy.
Wine and Other Liquor.

More items...

Jan 19, 2024

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What is the difference between a Crockpot and a slow cooker? ›

A slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing, essentially. A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of brands. Crockpot is one brand of slow cooker. Crockpot popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970s.

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How many pounds of meat will a 4 quart Crockpot hold? ›

Weight-Based Recommendations

Weight of Meal	Recommended Slow Cooker Size
0-2 Pounds (0-32 oz)	Use a 1.5-3 quart slow cooker. 2 quarts is the optimal size.
2.5-4 Pounds (40-64 oz)	Use a 3-4.5 quart slow cooker. 4 quarts is the optimal size.
4.5-6 Pounds (72-96 oz)	Use a 4-6 quart slow cooker. 5 quarts is the optimal size.

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What size Crockpot are most recipes for? ›

For a family of three to five or a leftover-obsessed couple, a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker is the perfect size. It will fit almost all recipes, including typical roasts. If you've got a big family and plenty of storage room, go for the big 7 or 8-quart models.

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What shape slow cooker is best? ›

Oval is often a better choice than round.

Oval slow cookers maximize surface area on the bottom of the insert, which means you can fit larger amounts of food (or bigger cuts) and cook them appropriately.

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How many people does a 2 quart crockpot feed? ›

This small slow cooker has a 2-quart capacity that feeds 2+ people and is perfect for making small meals or dips. Use the manual warm setting to keep food warm while you are serving, or for heating up leftovers.

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Are small slow cookers worth it? ›

“Small slow cookers such as the 1 to 1.5-quart models are a great option for those cooking meals for one,” says Grainer. “Whether you're entertaining at home or bringing food to share, small slow cookers are easy to transport and will keep dips, appetizers, sides, and sauces warm.”