Sure, sometimes it's fun to dedicate a night to preparing a lavish meal at home. But most of the time, you're not about to spend hours cooking dinner (can you say: hangry?). Plus, you need that valuable time for other things—like working out (or, uh, binge-watching Netflix).
Luckily, so many tasty and healthy eats—braised meats, veggie-packed stews, and even steel-cut oatmeal—are perfect candidates for set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker meals. Just throw your ingredients in the morning or evening before, and let the little machine work its magic.
1. Moroccan Meatballs
Combine sauce ingredients with rolled meatballs in a slow cooker, and let the machine do its thing. You’ll end up with a high-protein, veggie-packed dinner that also works great as lunch leftovers.
Per serving: 334 cal, 15 g fat (4.5 g sat), 18 g carbs, 8 g sugar, 997 mg sodium, 6 g fiber, 36 g protein
Get the recipe from Skinny Taste.
2. Braised Chicken with Tomatoes and Rosemary
If you love fall-off-the-bone meat (and, who doesn’t?), this healthy chicken recipe is right up your alley. Serve it over whole-wheat pasta, cooked whole grains, or spaghetti squash to round out the meal.
Per serving: 221 calories, 7.5 g fat (2 g saturated), 6 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 362 mg sodium, 1.5 g fiber, 29.5 g protein
Get the recipe from Skinny Taste.
3. Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
Slow cookers aren’t just for meaty dinners—they also make killer oatmeal, which saves you time in the morning. This version is perfect for fall, and would go great with a homemade PSL.
Per serving: 242 calories, 10 g fat (0 g saturated), 45 g carbs, 12 g sugar, 229 mg sodium, 8 g fiber, 8 g protein
Get the recipe from Eating Bird Food.
4. Slow Cooker Black Bean Quinoa Pumpkin Chicken Chili
This hearty chili is packed with varied flavors and textures, and a batch will yield a full week’s worth of packed lunches. Using chicken instead of ground beef lowers the saturated fat content, which is definitely a win.
Per serving: 320 calories, 7.6 g fat (1.6 g saturated), 41.8 g carbs, 9.2 g sugar, 566 mg sodium, 10.8 g fiber, 31.5 g protein
Get the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.
5. Chicken Tikka Masala
Just because you’re in the mood for takeout, doesn’t mean you need to spend money on delivery food. Plan ahead and whip up this easy chicken tikka masala, then freeze individual leftover servings for when a craving hits.
Per serving: 278 calories, 9.2 g fat (3.8 g saturated), 22 g carbs, 9.5 g sugar, 366 mg sodium, 3.9 g fiber, 26.2 g protein
Get the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.
6. Sweet Potato and Chickpea Slow Cooker Tagine
Whether or not you’re a vegetarian, this meatless meal will hit the spot on a chilly fall day. The satisfying mix of sweet potatoes, chickpeas, vegetables, and spices is comforting and totally energizing.
Per serving: 177 calories, 2.6 g fat (0.3 g saturated), 33.3 g carbs, 11.6 g sugar. 66 mg sodium, 10.9 g fiber, 7.9 g protein
Get the recipe from Amuse Your Bouche.
7. Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup
If the idea of rice and mushroom soup conjures memories of congealed brown glop from your school cafeteria, let this delicious homemade version change your mind! The mushrooms and rice make for a combo that’s super-hearty, even without any meat.
Per serving: 345 calories, 3.2 g fat (1.6 g saturated), 61.5 g carbs, 9.4 g sugar, 483 mg sodium, 7.2 g fiber, 17.1 g protein
Get the recipe from Amuse Your Bouche.
8. Paleo Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix
The next time you hit a trail, pack a bag of this easy grain-free trail mix. It gets a ton of flavor from pumpkin spice, a little bit of sweetness from coconut sugar and dried cranberries, and plenty of healthy fats from a variety of nuts.
Per serving: 129 calories, 9.1 g fat (3 g saturated), 12.5 g carbs, 9.5 g sugar, 2.5 mg sodium, 1.3 g fiber, 2.2 g protein
Get the recipe from Cotter Crunch.
9. Autumn Quinoa Pilaf With Wild Rice
This fiber-packed pilaf works as a light meatless main (toss in some some baked tofu or chickpeas for extra protein and staying power), or as a side dish. The pilaf is great straight out of the slow cooker, but adding feta, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and herbs after everything is cooked really brings it to the next level.
Per serving: 236 calories, 8.3 g fat (3 g saturated), 32.3 g carbs, 3.4 g sugar, 292 mg sodium, 4.2 g fiber, 9.2 g protein
Get the recipe from Cotter Crunch.
10. Beef Stew
Beef stew might not be what comes to mind when you think of healthy recipes, but the combination of protein, potatoes, and tons of veggies makes for a really well-balanced meal. Oh, and it’s delicious.
Per serving: 321 calories, 10 g fat (2 g saturated), 24 g carbs, 4 g sugar, 359 mg sodium, 4 g fiber, 30 g protein
Get the recipe from Well Plated.
11. Risotto with Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese
This risotto is made with whole-grain brown rice and plenty of butternut squash, so it definitely covers your healthy carb needs. You can add a little protein by throwing an over-easy egg on top, or by serving it as a side dish alongside roast chicken.
Per serving: 195 calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated), 26 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 412 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 7 g protein
Get the recipe from Well Plated.
12. Buffalo Chicken-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
These sweet potatoes are just decadent enough. If you choose the right hot sauce and make your own ranch dressing, they’re also Whole30-compliant.
Per serving: 320 calories, 13 g fat (8 g saturated), 25 g carbs, 9 g sugar, 500 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 24 g protein
Get the recipe from The Real Food Dietitians.
13. Philly Cheese Chicken Tacos
This lightened-up version of a classic definitely deserves a spot on your next football party spread. Made with chicken instead of beef, heavy on the peppers and onions, and relatively light on the cheese, these are tasty but won’t weigh you down.
Per serving: 420 calories, 14 g fat (3 g saturated), 27 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 363 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 40 g protein
Get the recipe from Nutrition In The Kitch.
14. Minestrone Soup
This diner classic is a satisfying mix of veggies and pasta, all in a rich, savory broth.
Per serving: 190 calories, 3 g fat (0 g saturated), 32 g carbs, 4 g sugar, 483 mg sodium, 8 g fiber, 9 g protein
Get the recipe from Skinny Taste.
15. Butternut Squash, Chickpea, and Lentil Moroccan Stew
Stew is arguably what the slow cooker does best. For coziest results, serve a bowl of this fiber-rich goodness with some fresh naan.
Per serving: 431 calories, 6 g fat (3 g saturated), 78 g carbs, 11 g sugar, 524 mg sodium, 28 g fiber, 27.5 g protein
Get the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.
16. Chicken Fajita Soup
Don’t feel like whipping out a skillet and fixin’s for full-on fajitas? This easy soup has all the flavors you love, minus the mess.
Per serving: 322 calories, 14 g fat (1 g saturated), 20 g carbs, 6 g sugar, 487 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 33 g protein
Get the recipe from Eating Bird Food.
17. Rosemary Carrot Parsnip Mash
This slow cooker carrot parsnip mash is a great, nutrient-packed swap for mashed potatoes.
Per serving: 245 calories, 14 g fat (7 g saturated), 29 g carbs, 9 g sugar, 213 mg sodium, 7 g fiber, 3 g protein
Get the recipe from Cotter Crunch.
Christine Byrne
Christine Byrne, MPH, RD, LDN, is a registered dietitian and the owner of Christine Byrne Nutrition, a private practice serving clients in Raleigh, NC, and virtually across the country. She specializes in eating disorders and disordered eating, and takes a weight-inclusive approach to health. A longtime journalist, she has worked as a food editor at BuzzFeed and Self, and her writing has appeared in dozens of national media outlets, including Outside, HuffPost, EatingWell, Food Network, Glamour, Bon Appetit, Health, and more.
