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4 Dump & Go CROCKPOT MEALS | Slow Cooker Recipes | Easy Dinner Ideas | What's For Dinner?

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Valerie Hargett
Valerie Hargett
39 recipes on Enhanced Recipes
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Recipes in this Video

6 recipes

Ingredients

  • chicken breast
  • gnocchi
  • carrots
  • celery
  • onion
  • garlic
  • chicken broth
  • heavy cream
  • spinach
  • thyme
  • parsley
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • olive oil
  • bay leaves

Instructions

  1. 1Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
  2. 2Add diced onion, carrots, and celery; sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. 3Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. 4Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the crockpot.
  5. 5Add chicken breasts, chicken broth, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper to the crockpot.
  6. 6Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender.
  7. 7Remove chicken from the crockpot and shred with two forks.
  8. 8Return shredded chicken to the crockpot.
  9. 9Stir in gnocchi and heavy cream; cover and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes.
  10. 10Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 5 minutes.
  11. 11Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  12. 12Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Ingredient Alternatives

heavy cream

Healthier: Greek yogurt

Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

Techniques

sautéingshredding

Equipment

crockpotskilletcutting boardknifemeasuring cupsspoon
🌶️🌶️🌶️Low

Also Known As

Slow Cooker Chicken & GnocchiChicken Gnocchi Soup

Orange chicken is a popular dish in American-Chinese cuisine, often found in Chinese restaurants across the United States. It combines sweet and tangy flavors, appealing to a wide audience. The dish is typically served with rice and is a staple in takeout menus, reflecting the fusion of Chinese cooking techniques with American tastes.

Ingredients

  • chicken
  • orange juice
  • soy sauce
  • cornstarch
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • sugar
  • vinegar
  • green onions
  • sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. 1Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  2. 2Marinate chicken in soy sauce, orange juice, garlic, and ginger for at least 30 minutes.
  3. 3Coat marinated chicken with cornstarch.
  4. 4Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
  5. 5Fry chicken pieces until golden and cooked through.
  6. 6Remove chicken and drain excess oil.
  7. 7In the same pan, combine orange juice, sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce; bring to a simmer.
  8. 8Add fried chicken back to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce.
  9. 9Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Ingredient Alternatives

chicken

Healthier: tofu

Cheaper: chicken thighs

Tofu is lower in calories and suitable for vegetarians; chicken thighs are more affordable than breasts.

sugar

Healthier: honey

Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey is a natural sweetener; brown sugar is often cheaper and adds a different flavor.

Techniques

marinatingfrying

Equipment

mixing bowlfrying panmeasuring cupsknifecutting board
🌶️🌶️🌶️Lowsoysesame

Also Known As

General Tso's ChickenSweet Orange Chicken

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs beef tips
  • 1 packet onion soup mix
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

  1. 1In a large bowl, combine the beef tips, onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, water, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce.
  2. 2Stir the mixture until the beef tips are well coated with the sauce.
  3. 3Transfer the beef mixture to the crockpot.
  4. 4Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the beef is tender.
  5. 5If you prefer a thicker gravy, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl to create a slurry.
  6. 6About 30 minutes before serving, stir the cornstarch slurry into the crockpot and let it cook uncovered to thicken the gravy.
  7. 7Once done, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  8. 8Serve the beef tips and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.

Equipment

crockpotmixing bowlmeasuring cupsmeasuring spoons

Cheeseburger Soup hails from the United States, where it combines the beloved flavors of a classic cheeseburger into a comforting, creamy soup. This dish is often enjoyed during colder months and is a favorite for family dinners, showcasing how traditional favorites can be adapted into new forms. Today, variations abound, with some adding vegetables or different types of cheese, making it a versatile comfort food enjoyed by many.

Ingredients

  • ground beef
  • onion
  • carrots
  • celery
  • potatoes
  • beef broth
  • cream cheese
  • cheddar cheese
  • milk
  • garlic
  • mustard
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • parsley

Instructions

  1. 1Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat until fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. 2Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot; sauté until softened, about 4-5 minutes.
  3. 3Stir in diced potatoes, beef broth, garlic, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce; bring to a boil.
  4. 4Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
  5. 5Add cream cheese and milk; stir until smooth and combined.
  6. 6Mix in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
  7. 7Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  8. 8Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Ingredient Alternatives

cream cheese

Healthier: Greek yogurt

Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess.

cheddar cheese

Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories without sacrificing flavor.

Techniques

browningsautéingsimmeringmixing

Equipment

large potcutting boardknifemeasuring cupsspatula
🌶️🌶️🌶️Lowdairybeef

Also Known As

Cheeseburger ChowderCheeseburger Stew

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ginger, grated
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. 1Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot.
  2. 2In a bowl, mix together the orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
  3. 3Pour the sauce over the chicken in the crockpot, ensuring the chicken is well coated.
  4. 4Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  5. 5Once cooked, remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it using two forks.
  6. 6In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
  7. 7Stir the slurry into the sauce in the crockpot and cook on high for an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  8. 8Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir to combine with the thickened sauce.
  9. 9Serve the orange chicken over rice or noodles, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Equipment

CrockpotMixing bowlMeasuring cupsMeasuring spoonsForks (for shredding)

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 3 medium potatoes, diced
  • 2 cups carrots, sliced
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water

Instructions

  1. 1In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion and minced garlic until the beef is no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
  2. 2Transfer the beef mixture to a crockpot.
  3. 3Add the beef broth, diced potatoes, sliced carrots, chopped celery, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the crockpot. Stir to combine.
  4. 4Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the vegetables are tender.
  5. 5In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir this into the soup to thicken it.
  6. 6Add the milk and shredded cheddar cheese to the crockpot. Stir until the cheese is melted and the soup is creamy.
  7. 7Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  8. 8Serve hot, garnished with additional cheese if desired.

Equipment

crockpotskilletcutting boardknifemeasuring cupsmeasuring spoons

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