Cooking for one means dinner can easily become yet another turkey sandwich or bowl of cereal. Yawn. Instead of letting the single life rob you of delicious meals, whip up one of these amazing Crock-Pot recipes. If you prep and cook on the weekend, you’ll have killer leftovers that make worrying about weeknight meals a thing of the past. You can also freeze single portions—because who wants to eat the exact same meal five days in a row?
Whether you’re a die-hard ramen fan or you like to keep things vegetarian, we’ve got you covered. And since the Crock-Pot does most of the work, you’ll suddenly have tons more free time to go for a run, meditate, or catch up on Last Week Tonight.
Instant noodle bowls may be reminiscent of dorm dinners, but there’s something about the salty soup that’s undeniably delicious. For a healthier alternative that’s nearly as easy, try this recipe which calls on the slow cooker to do all the heavy lifting. Even the soft boiled eggs get cooked right in the broth.
This smart soup is packed with veggies and a flavorful broth to give you a perfect balance of healthy and tasty. It’s also filled with chicken, so don’t worry, you won’t be skimping on a hearty, protein-packed meal if you opt for this lighter soup instead.
3. 5-Ingredient Thai Turkey Legs
Who says turkey is only for Thanksgiving? With 25 grams of protein in three ounces of breast meat, it’s a great choice any time of the year. Cooking the bird in broth with coconut milk keeps it moist and lets it soak up some of the sweet flavor. This may not be your typical turkey dinner, but it’s easier (and tastier, in our opinion).
4. Chicken Tinga Tacos With Bacon Pico De Gallo
Braised chicken tacos from a Mexican restaurant might be delicious, but why not bring the fiesta home? A simple sauce comes together in the blender and then gets the low and slow treatment with some chicken thighs. Garnish choices are only limited by your imagination. Bacon pico de gallo? We’re in.
5. One-Pan Mexican Quinoa
You’ve probably had Mexican rice, but what about Mexican quinoa? This Crock-Pot recipe makes getting dinner on the table really easy. A combo of peppers, corn, black beans, and cheese ensures it’s as tasty as it is healthy. Leftovers can easily morph into burritos and tacos.
Bottled pasta sauces can taste processed and hide added sugars and sodium. For an extra special noodle topper, try making this rich braise. Beef cooks down in a hearty tomato sauce spiked with red wine and a little bit of rosemary until it’s tender. Sick of pasta? Try it on baked potatoes, spaghetti squash, or a sandwich.
Sometimes, nothing beats a steaming bowl of soup. Pull out the slow cooker for this easy version of a simple favorite. It’s rich, hearty, and warming. Just be sure to use pearled barley; quick-cooking will turn to mush.
Southern seafood dishes always bring tons of flavor, but they also tend to bring lots of buttah. This recipe lightens things up with a tomato base that gets a serious flavor boost from garlic, Cajun seasoning, and chili powder. With plenty of leftovers to get you through the week, every day can seem like Mardi Gras.
It seems like tea is finding its way into a lot of foods, but many of them just end up tasting like a mouthful of potpourri. Yuck! This pork dish gets just enough aroma from chai tea and some apple cider. When leftovers taste like this, you’ll want to use your slow cooker way more often.
10. Spanish Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers
There’s nothing wrong with traditional stuffed peppers, but this version seriously amps up the flavor. Mix up some quinoa, salsa, and black beans for a filling that’s far from ordinary. Tip: Pick different colored peppers for a rainbow effect.
11. Crock-Pot Vegetable Curry With Tofu
For a vegetarian entrée with some serious staying power, try this vegetarian curry. It’s filled with veggies for tons of vitamins and antioxidants, chickpeas for protein, and a little bit of apple for natural sweetness. Get creative with the leftovers: Serve on a bed of brown rice or quinoa, add an egg on top, or even pureé it with a little water to transform it into soup.
