1

Creamy chicken in the slow cooker

Here’s an easy, warming slow cooker chicken recipe that you can prepare ahead of time. And any leftovers will be delicious the next day!

2

Slow cooker sizzling Mongolian beef

You won’t be able to resist the sweet garlic aromas of this sizzling Mongolian beef as it simmers away in the slow-cooker. Serve it with plenty of rice and veggies to mop up the sticky sauce.

3

Slow cooker creamy French onion steak

This creamy French onion steak is deliciously warming, perfect for cooler nights when you want something filling and easy to prepare. Whack everything in the slow cooker and enjoy the tasty fruits of your labour a few hours later.

4

Slow cooker chicken risotto

Don’t waste your time stirring away at the stovetop. Pop everything into the slow cooker and leave it to work its magic. This chicken risotto is every bit as creamy and delicious as if you’d stirred it yourself, without all that hard work! Enjoy the night off 🙂 How to make slow cooker chicken risotto: key tips Just like cooking a risotto on the stovetop, you start by softening the onion and garlic in a pan. When you add the rice, give it a good stir so that it is coated in the onion mixture. Then cook it, stirring, for a minute or two to ‘toast’ the rice a little. This will create a thin protective layer around each grain that will help it absorb the liquid slowly and more evenly, which will give your risotto a better texture and flavour. Once in the slow cooker, it’s easy to overcook the rice, and every slow cooker is different, so this isn’t a slow-cooker recipe you can walk away from for the day. Make sure to check regularly until the rice is just cooked. Key ingredients in this slow cooker chicken risotto recipe The cook uses breast chicken in this recipe, which is a lean and affordable cut. You could also use chicken thigh fillets, if you wish. Arborio rice is best for a risotto because it has a high starch content and the short thick grains easily absorb liquids while releasing starch, creating the characteristic creaminess associated with risotto. Opt for a dry white wine, such as chardonnay or pinot grigio/gris. The wine imparts a lovely flavour, but if you would like to omit it, simply add an extra ½ cup (125ml) of stock. This recipe has a good hit of rosemary. If you prefer a more subtle flavour, reduce the amount to 1 sprig, or even half a sprig. You could also add other herbs, such as chopped fresh parsley or sage, if you like. I also recommend a good sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper when serving, along with the parmesan. Browse through more risotto recipes to find your favourites. This pumpkin risotto also looks mega satisfying. This recipe was originally submitted by Greer Worsley, a member of the Australia’s Best Recipe community. Introduction and additional recipe notes by Australia’s Best Recipe team and Natasha Shaw.

5

Mango chicken slow cooker curry

The fruity mango flavours in this slow cooker chicken curry match beautifully with the coconut milk and turmeric. Enjoy with steamed rice and a squeeze of lime juice.

6

Slow Cooker Pork Belly

Let your slow cooker do the hard work for you to bring you this easy-as pork belly complete with crispy, crunchy crackling!

7

Slow cooker satay beef

This is a beautifully mild satay that will satisfy even the fussiest eaters. The fall-apart beef and creamy peanut sauce are lovely served over egg noodles, instead of rice, for something different. Make this slow cook ahead of time and the flavours will be even better the next day! How to make slow cooker satay beef: key tips Start by searing the pieces of chuck steak in a frying pan, to seal in those all-important juices. You could also brown the capsicum, if you wanted to, which would caramelise it and add extra flavour to the meal. Your meat is cooked when it is meltingly tender and the fibres can be easily pried apart using 2 forks. If your meat isn’t quite ready, as every slow cooker is a bit different, then cook it with the lid on for a little longer, until you’re satisfied. Afterwards, you can remove the lid and cook to reduce the gravy until it has thickened to your liking. Key ingredients in this slow cooker satay beef recipe The cook uses chuck steak for this recipe, as it’s a good cut for slow cooking. In other words, it will become meltingly tender after cooking for several hours. Other slow-cooker cuts include round steak, blade steak, topside, silverside, skirt steak and shin (gravy) beef. This dish is light on vegies, only using red capsicum for a little sweetness and colour. See the notes below the recipe for more ideas for vegie inclusions. The coconut milk and bought satay sauce work together to create that signature satay flavour. To add a little more bite and depth of flavour, you could try adding 1 tbsp curry powder. The egg noodles are a wonderful partner for the satay flavours, but you can always serve this dish with steamed rice instead. Satays are popular family-friendly meals. Try this delish satay chicken dish, plus make your own scrummy satay sauce to pour over grilled meat or veg. This recipe was originally submitted by Alison Adams. Introduction and additional recipe notes by Natasha Shaw.

8

Slow cooker eggplant and sausage casserole

Budget meals don't come much cheaper, or easier than this tasty sausage slow cooker dinner. Full of tasty Mediterranean flavours, your family will think you have slaved over dinner, but in fact, your slow cooker has done all the work!

9

Brown Sugar Slow Cooker Pork

You can cook this delicious and sticky pulled pork while you're out and about. Just rub the meat with spices and let the slow cooker do the rest of the work.

10

Slow Cooker Beef Biryani

This simplified take on an Indian classic will set taste buds buzzing as the warm, spicy aromas fill your kitchen. It’s a slow-cooked, one-pot wonder perfect for a midwinter meal.

11

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

These simple slow cooker chicken fajitas are a case of set-and-forget simplicity. Just reheat the flavour-filled chicken mixture at dinnertime and serve on some warm tortillas with all of your favourite fajita sides - packed full of flavour and vegie goodness.

12

Slow cooker beef and wine stew with cheesy dumplings

Cheesy herby dumplings added in the last half hour of cooking elevate this simple beef and wine stew into a filling and delicious dinner. Just add something green on the side for a complete winter meal.

13

Slow Cooker Pork and Eggplant Pasta Sauce

This rich and delicious pasta dish is seriously tasty. The pork puts a bit of a different spin on a traditional beef bolognese, and though it may take a while in the slow cooker, it's most definitely worth it!

14

Mac ‘n’ Cheese in the Slow Cooker

Mac ‘n’ cheese is a family favourite that the kids always love. Now you can try it in the slow cooker for an extra easy set-and-forget kind of weeknight dinner. The garden peas add pops of juicy sweetness, and you can serve it with a side salad, too, to ensure everyone gets their daily dose of veg. How to make mac ‘n’ cheese in the slow cooker: key tips Coating the macaroni in flour and grated cheese helps to prevent the pasta shapes from sticking together in the liquid, and also builds the thick cheesy sauce. As the pasta cooks, starches are released, which can cause the shapes to clump. Stirring the mixture at least once during cooking helps to distribute the starches throughout the cheesy sauce, loosening up the pasta mixture. As the peas are already cooked, you will only need to heat them through before they are ready to eat. Key ingredients in this mac ‘n’ cheese in the slow cooker recipe Macaroni is a small short pasta that is the ‘mac’ behind mac ‘n’ cheese. You could also use other pastas, such as elbows, ditalini or liscio piccolo, if that’s what you have. Cheddar cheese is easily available and affordable and ranges in flavour from mild to sharp. You can choose whichever style you prefer in this dish. Massel Liquid Stock Chicken Style is plant-based and only chicken flavoured, and so is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The garden peas add a lovely sweetness that cuts through the richness of this simple meal, while the chives provide a tasty onion flavour. Why not browse these easy and fast pasta recipes, too? And these 35 delicious chicken pastas are worth a look as well. This recipe was originally submitted by Lucy Nunes for Massel. Introduction and additional recipe notes by Natasha Shaw.

15

Lemon Chicken in the Slow Cooker

This tasty lemon chicken recipe is simply to die for! Throw the ingredients into the slow-cooker for a hearty and delicious meal great for any night of the week.