As a busy home cook, I know how challenging it can be to whip up delicious dinners on hectic weeknights. That’s why I’ve gathered my top five slow cooker beef recipes that transform simple ingredients into hearty meals your whole family will love. From cozy stews to flavorful pasta dishes, these recipes not only save me time but also deliver the comfort of home-cooked goodness. So, get ready to discover my favorite slow-cooked creations that make family dinners easy and enjoyable, allowing us to spend more time together at the table and less time in the kitchen!
1. Easy Ground Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 3 potatoes, diced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until onions are translucent.
2. Add ground beef to the pot, cooking until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Stir in the carrots, potatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth.
4. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for about 30-40 minutes until vegetables are tender.
6. Serve hot.
2. Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
- 4 slices of bread, toasted
- 2 cups brown gravy
Directions
1. Season the beef chuck roast with salt and pepper.
2. Place the roast in the slow cooker along with the sliced onion and minced garlic.
3. Pour the beef broth over the ingredients.
4. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the beef is tender.
5. Shred the beef with two forks and stir it back into the broth.
6. Serve the shredded beef over a slice of toasted bread, topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and smothered in brown gravy.
3. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs: 3 Amazing Steps
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen meatballs
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions
- Combine ketchup, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and Worcestershire sauce in a slow cooker.
- Add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker.
- Stir to coat the meatballs in the sauce.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours, until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce has thickened.
- Serve hot.
4. Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- 1️⃣ Sauté the aromatics:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- 2️⃣ Cook the ground beef:
- Add the ground beef to the pot, breaking it up as it cooks. Continue cooking until the beef is browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
- 3️⃣ Add potatoes and broth:
- Stir in the diced potatoes and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- 4️⃣ Add milk and cream:
- Pour in the milk and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Allow the soup to heat through, but avoid letting it boil.
- 5️⃣ Melt the cheese:
- Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese to the pot, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the soup is smooth.
- 6️⃣ Season and simmer:
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Let the soup simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken slightly.
- 7️⃣ Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. For extra flavor, garnish with more shredded cheese, crispy bacon bits, or sliced green onions if desired.
5. Crockpot Taco Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 2 cups pasta (elbow or rotini)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (with green chilies, optional)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- 1 can black beans (optional, drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup corn (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat and drain excess fat. Stir in taco seasoning.
2. In the crockpot, combine the seasoned beef, pasta, diced tomatoes, beef broth, black beans, and corn.
3. Stir well and cover. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
4. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve warm.