Easy, prepare ahead slow cooker meals for lazy so and sos

[GenericDietCola]

Sorry for starting another slow cooker thread, but I have recently discovered a few easy recipes that can be prepared in advance and frozen, ready to defrost and put in the slow cooker on the day you want them. This has simplified my life maybe I need to get a life.

I hate meal planning and all that jazz, but it's a necessity with a full time job and two fussy kids, so this seems like a nice compromise. I'll share my favouite recipe if you will share yours...

Here's a good one to start us off:

Black bean taco soup (it's not really a soup!)

450g lean beef mince
1 medium onion, chopped
1 packet taco seasoning
1/3 bag frozen sweet corn
1 can black beans drained and rinsed (you could use kidney beans or pinto beans)
2 tins tomatoes
3 tbsp tomato puree

Tortillas and guacamole to serve.

Directions:
Put all ingredients into a zip lock bag, mix together and freeze.
When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on HIGH for 1-2 hours or LOW for 2-3 1/2 hours. Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.

There's a fb group called 'slow cooked wonders :)' (with the :)) which is pretty good for this sort of thing, but I've tried satay chicken and I hated it (but I also hate peanut butter!) and porridge which was vile!

I'm sure there are some better recipes out there!!

I have just discovered this American site for SC recipes. I am going to try the fajitas for tomorrow's dinner. Link here to a Year of Slow Cooking

Pinterest has a good slow cooker recipe section too.

I'm a member of that group, thanks Pink. I am specifically looking for tried and tested, easy recipes with minimal prep (or prep ahead).

Thanks, Jam, will take a look.

guess you've done all the usual ones such as curry, chilli, beans/onions/garlic/white wine/herbs bit of meat or sausage; stew; gammon; bolognese? sausage casserole. spanish chicken.

I've not done any prepare ahead slow cooking but love the idea Soup sounds lovely.

My go to slow cooker meal is a sausage and bean casserole- chop sausages, and an onion, any old veg and shove in sc with two tins of beans ( mixed, bit lotto, butter- any kind) a tin of toms, 100ml hot water, a spoon of marmite ( sounds awful but really adds a savouriness) paprika, salt and pepper, leave for 4-10 hours ( depending on when you get home)

Making a meatball thing right now

2 cans chopped tomatoes
mint
harissa paste
cinnamon stick
chilli flakes
peppers
onion
garlic

lamb mice rolled into balls with cumin and coriander (breadcrumbs/egg if wanted)

stick it all in for a few hours and serve with cous cous when done

Ingredients
2 lbs of thin cut stir fry beef (or you could use chicken)
1 packet of fajita seasoning mix or cumin/chilli flakes/cloves/allspice
1 onion chopped
2 peppers thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves crushed with salt
1 small box of Tesco passata or a tin of chopped tomato

one or two stalks of celery diced
I had some Ñoras (dried peppers) and some chipotles (smoked chilli) left over from my Spanish hols so they got chucked in too.
one veg stock cube

Method
Place meat into the crockpot. It can be frozen or thawed. Cut the onion and the peppers in strips, and add to the crock. Add the seasoning and toms. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours, or high for 6. The meat is done when it reaches desired tenderness. Serve with fresh limes, fajitas, sour cream, grated cheese, chopped avocado and fresh coriander.

It was yummy! I tweaked the recipe a bit and added stuff I had in the fridge and larder.

Jamnan, that sounds lovely!