Slow cooker meal plan
Put your trusty slow cooker to use with this thrifty seven-day meal plan, from Mediterranean-inspired chicken and chilli con carne to vegetable lasagne and stew
Slow cookers are hugely popular and can be used to cook a range of delicious meals, from stews and casseroles to curries, dhal and puddings. Slow cookers are less energy intensive than conventional electric ovens, and therefore more budget-friendly. They also offer a healthier, low-fat way of cooking and often preserve more nutrients than other methods like baking, boiling and frying.
Arriving home to a hot meal makes everyday life easier, which is why we've collated seven days of simple, slow-cooked meals for you to try. This meal plan is packed with variety and includes all-time favourites with a slow-cooked twist, like our vegetable lasagne, chilli con carne and Spanish chicken. Just assemble your dish, relax and allow the slow cooker to work its magic.
Check out our round-up of the best slow cookers to learn about the different kinds of slow cookers on the market.
See our budget slow cooker recipes, vegetarian slow cooker recipes and healthy slow cooker recipes for more inspiration.
You can also find more cost-effective meal plans in our meal plan hub.
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Sunday: Slow cooker Spanish chicken
This slow-cooked stew is packed with Mediterranean flavour from chorizo, olives, tomatoes and peppers. The meat will fall off the bone – we suggest mopping up the sauce with crusty bread. Requiring just 15 minutes of prep, it's perfect for hassle-free cooking, with your slow cooker doing most of the work for you. It also makes use of cheap kitchen essentials, like tomato purée, chicken stock and jarred olives.
Add more Mediterranean recipes to your repertoire.
Monday: Slow cooker sausage casserole
Use your favourite type of sausages to make this family-friendly, slow cooker casserole. You can serve it in a variety of ways: dollop over pasta, stuff into baked potatoes or with bread – the choice is yours! It only takes 20 minutes of prep, plus it makes use of cheap and healthy everyday ingredients, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, tinned tomatoes, red onions and celery.
See more slow cooker pasta recipes and sausage dinners.
Tuesday: Slow cooker bolognese
Batch cook a delicious and healthy spaghetti bolognese in your slow cooker for the whole family to enjoy. Fit to feed a hungry crowd, you can also freeze the leftovers for speedy midweek dinners when you're more pushed for time. It's a reliable, super-comforting dish which has health benefits to boot: it's high-protein, low-salt and low-calorie.
Check out our collection of bolognese recipes for more ideas.
Wednesday: Slow cooker vegetable stew with cheddar dumplings
Give classic stew a veggie twist with creamy sauce and cheesy dumplings. Make it in the slow cooker and be rewarded with a hearty meal at the end of the day. This stew is absolutely packed with veg including leeks, courgettes, peas and spinach, and big on flavour thanks to a creamy sauce pepped with wholegrain mustard. It serves up to six, so it's perfect for feeding a large family, plus leftovers will keep for up to three days in the fridge or in the freezer for up to three months.
See more vegetarian comfort food recipes.
Thursday: Slow cooker chilli con carne
Use whichever beans you have in your cupboard for this richly spiced beef and chipotle slow cooker chilli. A chilli is a great way to put kitchen basics to use, such as tinned beans, chopped tomatoes, garlic, onion and storecupboard spices. It's also the perfect meal to prepare for busy weeknights – it serves six to eight, plus any leftovers can be frozen. Serve with a bowl of rice or tortilla chips and a dollop of soured cream for a family-friendly feast.
Read our 10 twists on chilli con carne for more meal inspiration.
Friday: Slow cooker chicken korma
Whatever the time of year, we know goodfood.com users absolutely love a curry. And the good news is, you can recreate a well-loved dish – chicken korma – in your slow cooker. Sure to become a family favourite, slow cooking ensures tender chicken and a rich, fragrant curry sauce full of the mild and creamy flavours we know and love. This is the perfect meal to welcome the weekend.
Discover more slow cooker curry recipes.
Saturday: Slow cooker vegetable lasagne
A lighter but no less delicious version of the classic dish, enjoy this slow-cooked veggie lasagne for a cosy Saturday night meal in. It's layered with pasta, ratatouille and sliced aubergine, and packs in all of your five-a-day. Try it for a family-friendly, flavour-packed dish that just happens to be low-fat, low-calorie and low-salt.
Find more vegetarian lasagne recipes.
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