Chili is always a favorite, and it’s perfect for a slow cooker. A hearty beef and bean chili is satisfying, filling and perfect for a chilly day. Browning the beef before adding it to the slow cooker helps enhance the flavor. Use chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic and onion to spice it up and add veggies like bell peppers, zucchini and carrots for extra nutrition. Serve your chili with cornbread, rice, tortilla chips or crusty bread.
For a little taste of Italy, minestrone soup is a great option. This vegetable-packed soup features beans, pasta and tomato sauce. Use veggies you have on hand like carrots, celery, potatoes, spinach and green beans. Add broth, diced tomatoes, basil, oregano and parmesan cheese for extra flavor. Whole wheat pasta or small pasta shapes like ditalini work well in a slow cooker soup.
Hearty lentil soup is healthy, filling and perfect for a slow cooker. Lentils, veggies like carrots, celery and onions and broth are the base, with herbs like bay leaves, thyme and parsley adding extra flavor. Lentil soup is high in fiber, iron and protein. For extra nutrition, add kale, spinach or Swiss chard during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Split pea soup is a comfort classic. Dried split peas, broth and aromatics like onions, garlic and carrots create a thick and creamy soup. Ham or bacon add a savory smokiness, or use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version. Stir in milk or cream at the end of cooking to enrich the flavor and achieve an ultra-creamy texture.
For a creamy soup without the dairy, pureed potato soup is a great choice. Dice potatoes, onions, garlic and broth are all you need for a simple pureed potato soup. Use an immersion blender to puree some of the potatoes right in the slow cooker to achieve a creamy texture. Stir in cheese, bacon, chives and sour cream for extra flavor. Potato soup is soothing, satisfying and perfect for a cool day.
