Making dinner after a long day at work sucks. Cooking breakfast when you have sleep in your eyes and barely have time to make it to work also sucks. You know what doesn't suck? These slow cooker recipes. All of these recipes are simple to make and ensure you always have a healthy meal on hand.
Roasted Chicken
Yes, it's entirely possible to roast a chicken in your slow cooker. By doing so, you'll have the makings of healthy recipes for a week [1]!
Get the recipe: roasted chicken [2]
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
Who says pumpkin pie is just for Fall? With pumpkin puree readily available in your grocery store, this vegan oatmeal recipe can be part of your breakfast routine all year round. It's fruity, nutty, subtly sweet, and totally satisfying.
Get the recipe: pumpkin pie steel-cut oats [3]
Low-Calorie Beef and Vegetable Stew
Paleo dieters will love this beef and veggie stew, which only requires 20 minutes of preparation time before slow-cooking to perfection. Each serving is 265 calories.
Get the recipe: beef stew [4]
Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash can be a pain to cook, but not if you have a slow cooker! In just four to six hours, you'll have the makings of a ton of delicious spaghetti squash recipes [5].
Get the recipe: spaghetti squash [6]
Spicy Chicken Chili
Chili is one of the most common slow-cooker recipes, and this one made with ground chicken and kidney beans is sure to satisfy without breaking the calorie bank — it's only 324 calories per serving. This dish is made using a Dutch oven on the stove, but you can easily adapt this recipe to be made in a slow cooker; just keep it on low.
Get the recipe: spicy chicken chili [7]
Overnight Low-Carb Breakfast Bake
Take 20 minutes for prep the night before, set your slow cooker to low while you sleep, and wake up to the smell of eggs and bacon cooking in the kitchen. This easy breakfast casserole is grain-free, dairy-free, and Paleo-friendly.
Get the recipe: egg and sausage breakfast casserole [8]
Split Pea Soup
Few comfort foods are quite as rich as split pea soup, but the vegetable and ham dish can be time-consuming at the best of times. Try preparing it in your slow cooker for a bubbling dinner that's ready when you get home!
Get the recipe: split pea soup [9]
Chocolate-Cherry Oatmeal
While it tastes extremely decadent, this chocolate and cherry oatmeal is a healthy breakfast option. Unsweetened dark chocolate and tart cherries will satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt!
Get the recipe: chocolate and cherry oatmeal [10]
Vegan Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup
You can make this on the stove much faster, but it's also a great slow-cooker recipe if you just want to set it and forget it. Made with split peas, celery, and sweet potatoes, this hearty soup is only 254 calories per serving.
Get the recipe: vegan split pea and sweet potato soup [11]
Chickpea Coconut Curry With Sweet Potatoes
Slow cookers aren't just for applesauce and stroganoff! Try something a little more exotic for your next healthy dinner — this chickpea curry is just the thing and under 400 calories when paired with coconut rice.
Get the recipe: chickpea curry [12]
Veggie Bean Chili
Though it contains all the fresh produce that a health nut could ever dream up, this nutritious chili has a warm, comforting quality that will remind you of childhood. It also makes great lunch leftovers!
Get the recipe: veggie bean chili [13]
Braised Chicken
Chefs swear by skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts because they provide the most flavorful, moist meat. Braising the chicken also helps retain the moisture, and it leaves you with a flavorful tomato-sage broth that can be poured over mashed potatoes or polenta.
Get the recipe: braised chicken with tomatoes [14]
Squash, Sweet Potato, Carrot, and White Bean Soup
It may sound complicated, but this seasonal slow-cooker soup only calls for eight ingredients! It offers over 14 grams of protein per 272-calorie serving.
Get the recipe: sweet potato and white bean soup [15]
Protein-Rich Mexican Chicken
Thanks to lean chicken breasts and toasted pumpkin seeds, this tender Mexican chicken dish is packed full of protein.
Get the recipe: chicken and black beans [16]
3-Ingredient Applesauce
Get the recipe: applesauce [17]
Healthy Chicken Carnitas
Much like its pork predecessor, this poultry-based carnitas recipe is tender, flavorful, and comforting — however, it leaves out the traditional portions of oil and lard. Try it on tacos, salad, or nachos!
Get the recipe: chicken carnitas [18]
Turkey Chili
This bean-free turkey chili is low in carbs but high in protein and flavor. Each serving is under 300 calories.
Get the recipe: turkey chili [19]
Low-Calorie Sweet and Sour Chicken
At 48 grams of protein and fewer than 350 calories per serving, this healthy take on a Chinese takeout favorite is much better than Panda Express!
Get the recipe: sweet and sour chicken [20]
Easy Chicken Fajitas
These tasty chicken fajitas practically cook themselves — perfect for busy weeknights. Did we mention you only need five ingredients for the fajitas? So easy.
Get the recipe: chicken fajitas [21]
Butternut Squash Lentil Soup
After you finish making eight servings of this vegan butternut squash and lentil soup, freeze the leftovers for a rainy (or exceptionally busy!) day.
Get the recipe: butternut squash lentil soup [22]
Perfect Steel-Cut Oats
If you've ever made a disastrous attempt at slow-cooker oatmeal, have no fear: steel-cut oats are here to redeem you. Let this recipe be your guide to nailing overnight oats!
Get the recipe: overnight steel-cut oats [23]
Vegetarian Chili
You know those days where you have a bunch of random vegetables in the fridge? The simple solution to using them all is this vegetarian chili loaded with zucchini, tomatoes, corn, and a ton of other pantry staples.
Get the recipe: vegetarian chili [24]
Mexican Breakfast Casserole
Gluten-free, protein-rich, and under 400 calories, this breakfast casserole is great to cook up on Sunday afternoon, slice up, and enjoy all week long.
Get the recipe: Mexican breakfast casserole [25]
Vegan Red Beans and Rice
Enjoy some real Cajun flavor by making a protein-packed batch of red beans and rice. Great for anyone who follows a vegan or Paleo diet.
Get the recipe: red beans and rice [26]
Santa Fe-Style Paleo Vegetable Soup
You can add shredded chicken to this Paleo-optimized recipe for additional protein, but it's perfectly tasty as a vegetarian dish!
Get the recipe: Santa Fe vegetable soup [27]