For a simple cost of around $25, your teen (and you!) can experience the joy it is to throw together a few ingredients in the morning and come home to the glorious smell of a hot and ready dinner. Crock pots are great for hearty fall and winter meals for the whole family.

This is a perfect appliance to teach your teen about in the kitchen. Not only will you be spending awesome quality time together, but they will be able to apply this skill when they move out after high school. They are also super easy to use (just press a button!) and the cleanup is minimal.

Here are a few favorite, simple crock pot recipes!

#1. Black Bean Mexican Chicken

This meal is the whole package—quick, healthy, tasty, and inexpensive! It’s also not very spicy (to please the whole family).  

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 6 hours (low)

Servings: 4 large portions

Ingredients: 1 lb. chicken breast, 2 tbsp. garlic powder, 2 tbsp. onion powder, 2 tbsp. ground cumin, 1 red onion (chopped), 2 (15oz) cans black beans, 2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes.

Ingredients: 1 lb. chicken breast, 2 tbsp. garlic powder, 2 tbsp. onion powder, 2 tbsp. ground cumin, 1 red onion (chopped), 2 (15oz) cans black beans, 2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes.

Directions:

1. Onions in bottom of crock pot
2. Chicken on top of onions
3. Sprinkle spices into crockpot
4. Lastly, layer tomatoes and beans
5. Cook on low for 4-6 hours
6. Stir to shred chicken

Next Level: Add sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative), shredded cheese, and sliced avocado! Or buy some tortillas and use it as a filler on burrito night.

Original Recipe: https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-black-bean-mexican-chicken/

#2. Vegetarian Chili

Beans are a great source of fiber, proteins, and vitamins. This recipe doesn’t have the same greasy feeling of meat chili. So no apologies for two bean recipes in one blog post. Plus, obviously, crock pots love them!

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 4 hours (high) or 8 hours (low)

Ingredients: 2 (15 oz.) cans of kidney beans, 2 (15 oz.) cans of diced tomatoes, 1 (15 oz.) can of black beans, 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, 1 (15 oz.) can of corn, 2 green bell peppers (diced), 1 onion (diced), 2 tbsp. chili powder, 1 tbsp. diced garlic, 1 tsp. cumin, 1 tsp cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Place ingredients in crock pot
2. Stir to mix ingredients
3. Cook 4 hours (high) or 8 hours (low)
4. Stir occasionally

Next Level: Add two diced jalapenos for more spice. Grab a box of cornbread for bowl cleaning. While it is HIGHLY recommended to try this without meat—you’d be surprised how close it is to the real thing—you can brown a pound of ground beef and add it to the pot too.

#3: Mac & Cheese

In need of some serious comfort food? Or do you have a picky eater at home? This Mac & Cheese is a total crowd pleaser at family gatherings.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 3-4 hours (low)

Ingredients: 8 oz. (3 cups dry) pasta elbows cooked (makes 6 cups), 2 Tbsp. oil, 1 can evaporated milk (unsweetened!), 1 ½ cups of milk, ½ tsp. salt, ¼ cup melted butter, 1 lb. sharp cheddar cheese (cubed), 1 8 oz. package of Velveeta cheese.

Directions:

1. Add ingredients to crock pot and mix thoroughly
2. Cook on low 3-4 hours

Next Level: Pair with crock pot pulled pork for double the deliciousness (and comfort)! (Note: having TWO crockpots at home never hurts).