5 Ingredients or Less Slow-Cooker Recipes

By Stephanie O'Dea
Tara Donne
We love slow cookers for their ease, versatility, and forgiving nature, and now we've found a way to make slow-cooker suppers even simpler. These easy recipes from the new cookbook 5 Ingredients or Less Slow Cooker Cookbook prove that only a few ingredients can make for delicious family-friendly meals. So break out the slow cooker and relax (ha!) while dinner practically makes itself. 
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Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Tara Donne
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This is one of my favorite casseroles to serve to guests. There are only five ingredients, but having the fresh bit of basil in every bite gives a bright component to each and every bite. It's important to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces before cooking to make serving easier and to keep guests from having to use a knife. We call it Chicken Parmesan although there isn't any Parmesan listed in the recipe—you can add some at the table! Serve with hot fresh pasta and a green vegetable.

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Smoked Sausage and Beans

Tara Donne
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Sometimes the simplest dinners really are the tastiest. There are only four ingredients here, and the entire dish costs less than $8 to make, which is about $1 a serving. I often have all of these ingredients ready to go in the pantry and freezer, and make a variation of this dinner about twice a month, and my kids always look forward to it. Serve with a hunk of cornbread.

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Roasted Creamy Corn Soup

Tara Donne
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I have found frozen roasted corn at Trader Joe's, but it's super easy to make your own, and once you have tasted how good it is, you'll find a way to incorporate it in pretty much everything!

To make your own, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet on the stovetop over high heat. Add the frozen corn and cook, stirring often, until the corn has begun to brown and becomes a bit charred on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Serve this soup with a piece of crusty French bread and a green salad.

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Pot Roast with Cremini Mushrooms

Tara Donne
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I usually don't brown my meat before adding it to the pot, but figured it wouldn't hurt since I already had dirtied up a pan! My rule of thumb for browning meat: It's not necessary unless you are trying to impress guests, or if you are conducting a side-by-side taste comparison. If you're simply trying to feed your family on a busy night, feel free to skip this step! Serve with hot mashed potatoes and a ladleful of the accumulated mushroom gravy.

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How to Make Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

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Smoky Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Tara Donne
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The tiny bit of liquid smoke really creates a fantastic component to this barbecue sandwich. Serve this during your next tailgate party or potluck, and you'll have happy guests without having to spend the day in the kitchen or staffing the outdoor grill. Serve these with toppings such as sliced cheese, pickles, red onion, tomato, and lettuce.

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Text excerpted from THE FIVE INGREDIENTS OR LESS SLOW COOKER COOKBOOK, © 2015 by Stephanie O'Dea. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

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