19 Comforting Slow-Cooker Dinners You'll Want to Make in December

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Photo:Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

While you’re finding your fluffy blankets and winter jackets to prepare for December, be sure to also pull out the slow cooker to make these delicious dinner recipes. These soups, stews and cozy classics feature seasonal veggies like carrots, potatoes and cabbage to pack in the flavor and help you stay warm all winter long. Plus, nothing could be easier than throwing everything in and letting the slow cooker do the work. Dishes like our Slow-Cooker Vegetable Minestrone Soup and Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings are simple, comforting and utterly tasty.

01of 19Slow-Cooker Vegetable Minestrone SoupA winter classic, this crock pot version of minestrone is heavy on the vegetables and light on the pasta, keeping carbs in check while providing plenty of flavor.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Vegetable Minestrone Soup

A winter classic, this crock pot version of minestrone is heavy on the vegetables and light on the pasta, keeping carbs in check while providing plenty of flavor.

View Recipe

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Slow Cooker Chicken, Bacon & Potato Soup

Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

03of 19Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Diet StewWith a focus on vegetables, fiber-rich legumes and healthy fats, this slow-cooker stew fits the bill forthose following the Mediterranean diet. Swap out the chickpeas for white beans for a different twist, or try collards or spinach in place of the kale. A drizzle of olive oil to finish pulls together the flavors of this easy vegan crock pot stew.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Diet Stew

With a focus on vegetables, fiber-rich legumes and healthy fats, this slow-cooker stew fits the bill forthose following the Mediterranean diet. Swap out the chickpeas for white beans for a different twist, or try collards or spinach in place of the kale. A drizzle of olive oil to finish pulls together the flavors of this easy vegan crock pot stew.

04of 19Crock Pot Make Chicken & DumplingsPhotographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell RoysterThis crock pot chicken and dumplings recipe uses store-bought biscuits for dumplings that are moist and tender once stirred into the savory mixture of creamy mushrooms, chicken and veggies. Using 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup cuts down on prep time. To give the chicken stew body, we use a flour and butter paste known as a beurre manié—a classic thickening agent for soups, stews and sauces.View Recipe

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Crock Pot Make Chicken & Dumplings

This crock pot chicken and dumplings recipe uses store-bought biscuits for dumplings that are moist and tender once stirred into the savory mixture of creamy mushrooms, chicken and veggies. Using 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup cuts down on prep time. To give the chicken stew body, we use a flour and butter paste known as a beurre manié—a classic thickening agent for soups, stews and sauces.

05of 19Slow-Cooker Chicken & Vegetable Noodle SoupThis slow-cooker chicken noodle soup fits nicely into the Mediterranean diet thanks to plenty of vegetables, lean chicken breast and whole-wheat pasta. Pair it with a salad and toasted whole-grain bread for an easy, healthy dinner.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Chicken & Vegetable Noodle Soup

This slow-cooker chicken noodle soup fits nicely into the Mediterranean diet thanks to plenty of vegetables, lean chicken breast and whole-wheat pasta. Pair it with a salad and toasted whole-grain bread for an easy, healthy dinner.

06of 19Slow-Cooker Vegetarian LasagnaSure, the slow cooker’s great for stews and soups, but it also happens to make a mean lasagna! In this ingenious slow-cooker recipe, all you have to do is chop your veggies, then layer the ingredients (raw) into the crockpot. Serve with: Garlic bread and a green salad.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Lasagna

Sure, the slow cooker’s great for stews and soups, but it also happens to make a mean lasagna! In this ingenious slow-cooker recipe, all you have to do is chop your veggies, then layer the ingredients (raw) into the crockpot. Serve with: Garlic bread and a green salad.

07of 19Slow-Cooker Vegetable SoupMake this low-calorie vegetable soup recipe with ease in this load-and-go crock pot recipe. After simmering away in the slow cooker, portion it into individual serving containers and store it in the fridge or freezer for fast, healthy lunches or an easy, satisfying snack. This weight-loss vegetable soup fills you up without a lot of calories, plus it’s an easy way to eat more vegetables.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Vegetable Soup

Make this low-calorie vegetable soup recipe with ease in this load-and-go crock pot recipe. After simmering away in the slow cooker, portion it into individual serving containers and store it in the fridge or freezer for fast, healthy lunches or an easy, satisfying snack. This weight-loss vegetable soup fills you up without a lot of calories, plus it’s an easy way to eat more vegetables.

08of 19Slow-Cooker Balsamic Short RibsNow here’s a beef short ribs recipe you can serve to company—even on a holiday.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Balsamic Short Ribs

Now here’s a beef short ribs recipe you can serve to company—even on a holiday.

09of 19Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean StewThis load-and-go slow-cooker chicken recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Serve this Tuscan-inspired dish with crusty bread, a glass of Chianti and a salad.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew

This load-and-go slow-cooker chicken recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Serve this Tuscan-inspired dish with crusty bread, a glass of Chianti and a salad.

10of 19Slow-Cooker White Bean, Spinach & Sausage StewReach for this recipe on a chilly morning when you know you’ll want a steaming bowl of slow-cooker sausage stew for supper. To make this recipe gluten free, use gluten-free sausage.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker White Bean, Spinach & Sausage Stew

Reach for this recipe on a chilly morning when you know you’ll want a steaming bowl of slow-cooker sausage stew for supper. To make this recipe gluten free, use gluten-free sausage.

11of 19Slow-Cooker Braised Beef with Carrots & TurnipsThe spice blend in this healthy beef stew recipe—cinnamon, allspice and cloves—may conjure images of apple pie, but the combo is a great fit in savory applications too. Serve over creamy polenta or buttered whole-wheat egg noodles.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Braised Beef with Carrots & Turnips

The spice blend in this healthy beef stew recipe—cinnamon, allspice and cloves—may conjure images of apple pie, but the combo is a great fit in savory applications too. Serve over creamy polenta or buttered whole-wheat egg noodles.

12of 19Slow-Cooker Turkey Thighs with Herb GravyThose who love tender, moist, dark meat will love these slow-cooker turkey thighs. If turkey thighs aren’t available, ask your butcher to cut up a whole turkey and give you the bone-in thighs. Feel free to substitute an equal weight of chicken thighs for the turkey thighs, if desired. This pairs well with a simple side of steamed green beans.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Turkey Thighs with Herb Gravy

Those who love tender, moist, dark meat will love these slow-cooker turkey thighs. If turkey thighs aren’t available, ask your butcher to cut up a whole turkey and give you the bone-in thighs. Feel free to substitute an equal weight of chicken thighs for the turkey thighs, if desired. This pairs well with a simple side of steamed green beans.

13of 19Slow-Cooker Beef CurryVictor ProtasioLong, slow cooking periods mellow flavors while bold spices, in bold amounts, will hold their own over time. Thats just what happens here with big flavors from Thai curry paste and fish sauce finished with fresh touches of cilantro and lime juice that together, draw inspiration from Thai curry. Serve over a bed of brown rice or brown rice noodles to catch all the sauce.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Beef Curry

Victor Protasio

Long, slow cooking periods mellow flavors while bold spices, in bold amounts, will hold their own over time. Thats just what happens here with big flavors from Thai curry paste and fish sauce finished with fresh touches of cilantro and lime juice that together, draw inspiration from Thai curry. Serve over a bed of brown rice or brown rice noodles to catch all the sauce.

14of 19Slow-Cooker Chicken with Potatoes, Carrots & Herb SauceImpress the in-laws, neighbors or any other dinner guests with this pretty dish. It’s a slow-cooker chicken recipe that actually looks and tastes like it was oven-roasted. To save time, prep the vegetables a day ahead or in the morning, and then refrigerate until ready to brown the meat and start the slow cooker.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Chicken with Potatoes, Carrots & Herb Sauce

Impress the in-laws, neighbors or any other dinner guests with this pretty dish. It’s a slow-cooker chicken recipe that actually looks and tastes like it was oven-roasted. To save time, prep the vegetables a day ahead or in the morning, and then refrigerate until ready to brown the meat and start the slow cooker.

15of 19Slow-Cooker Chicken & Chickpea SoupThe only things better than healthy dinner ideas are easy healthy dinner ideas. This set-it-and-forget-it slow-cooker soup recipe is just that. It simmers away all day so you come home to a warm and healthy dinner the whole family will love. Using bone-in chicken thighs is the key to making rich soup without adding broth. Plus, if you’re also in need of healthy meals on a budget, thighs are less expensive than breasts, and dried chickpeas are a relatively inexpensive and versatile pantry item that’s always good to stock up on.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Chicken & Chickpea Soup

The only things better than healthy dinner ideas are easy healthy dinner ideas. This set-it-and-forget-it slow-cooker soup recipe is just that. It simmers away all day so you come home to a warm and healthy dinner the whole family will love. Using bone-in chicken thighs is the key to making rich soup without adding broth. Plus, if you’re also in need of healthy meals on a budget, thighs are less expensive than breasts, and dried chickpeas are a relatively inexpensive and versatile pantry item that’s always good to stock up on.

16of 19Spaghetti Lover’s SoupThis easy slow-cooker soup has all the great flavors of your favorite dish of spaghetti with beef sauce, without a lot of fussy preparation.View Recipe

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Spaghetti Lover’s Soup

This easy slow-cooker soup has all the great flavors of your favorite dish of spaghetti with beef sauce, without a lot of fussy preparation.

17of 19Slow-Cooker Lentil, Carrot & Potato SoupPuréeing some of the lentil-vegetable mixture, and then combining it with the remaining vegetables and lentils gives the soup a texture that satisfies those who love a creamy soup and those who prefer it chunky. Serve this slow-cooker lentil soup with crackers.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Lentil, Carrot & Potato Soup

Puréeing some of the lentil-vegetable mixture, and then combining it with the remaining vegetables and lentils gives the soup a texture that satisfies those who love a creamy soup and those who prefer it chunky. Serve this slow-cooker lentil soup with crackers.

18of 19Slow-Cooker Curried Butternut Squash SoupDera BurresonSkip the roasting in this butternut squash soup recipe and let your slow cooker do the work instead. Just load up all the ingredients into the crock pot, set it and forget it for an easy, healthy dinner or packable lunches.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Dera Burreson

Skip the roasting in this butternut squash soup recipe and let your slow cooker do the work instead. Just load up all the ingredients into the crock pot, set it and forget it for an easy, healthy dinner or packable lunches.

19of 19Slow-Cooker Kale & Sausage StewAli RedmondTurkey sausage gets transformed in this rich stew made with hearty winter vegetables like carrots, kale and potatoes. Perfect for meal prep or family dinners, this stew comes together easily in the slow cooker.View Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Kale & Sausage Stew

Ali Redmond

Turkey sausage gets transformed in this rich stew made with hearty winter vegetables like carrots, kale and potatoes. Perfect for meal prep or family dinners, this stew comes together easily in the slow cooker.

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