The Best Crock-Pot Recipes for Busy Teachers (5 Minutes of Prep or Less)

I had a playdate with a teacher friend of mine recently. We talked about what she looks for in a dinner recipe and here’s what she had to say: “I don’t want it to take more than five minutes. And forget chopping. I love Crock-Pot recipes if, again, I can throw it all together in under five minutes before I go to work.”

I see you nodding your head in agreement there, so I’ve come up with a school week’s worth of slow-cooker (Crock-Pot) recipes that with only about five minutes of night and/or morning prep and five minutes of assembly, you can have dinner on the table every night of the week. Minimal chopping. Minimal time. Optimal taste.

Meatless Monday: Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Night before: Soak beans (some reviewers just rinsed them in the morning and had good results).
Morning of: Put all ingredients in slow cooker, cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
Dinnertime: Serve topped with sliced avocado.

Side Suggestions:

• Warm French bread for dipping.
• Roasted butternut squash. (Peel and cut into small squares, toss in olive oil and salt, bake at 400 until brown on the outside and soft in the center.)
• Jicama peeled and chopped into small sticks and sprinkled with lime and just a touch of cayenne.

More Crock-Pot soup recipes we love: Corn Chowder, Creamy White Chicken Chili

Taco Tuesday: Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos

Night before: Put the seasonings in the slow cooker. (You can thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator, but it is optional.)
Morning of: Stir in broth, add chicken.
Dinnertime: Shred chicken, warm tortillas, assemble tacos and top with cheese (and any other desired toppings).

Side Suggestions:

• Takeout beans and rice (or leftover black-bean soup).
• Chips and salsa.
• Chopped romaine lettuce with shredded cheese, tomatoes, crushed tortilla chips and Catalina dressing.
• Diced cantaloupe with lime juice, honey and Tajin seasoning.

More Crock-Pot taco recipes we love: Korean Beef Tacos, Mexican Quinoa Tacos

“Wake Up the Flavors” Wednesday: Applesauce Barbecued Chicken

Night before: Mix applesauce and barbecue sauce and seasoning. Optional: thaw chicken if frozen.
Morning of: Put all ingredients in slow cooker.
Dinnertime: Serve!

Side Suggestions:

• Fluffy white or brown rice (takeout from Chinese or make the night before).
• Asparagus, quickly sautéed on the stove in olive oil with salt and pepper.
• Fresh peach slices.

More Crock-Pot chicken recipes we love: Sesame Chicken, Rotisserie-Style Chicken

Three-Ingredient Thursday: Easiest Pork Chops

Morning of: Brown pork chops (optional), put in slow cooker with onion soup mix and chicken broth.
Dinnertime: Serve on bread or with a suggested side.

Side Suggestions:

• Mashed potatoes
• Bacon Apple Salad With Brown Sugar Dressing
• Applesauce

More Crock-Pot pork recipes we love: Apple Bourbon Pork Chops, Balsamic Pork Roast

French Dip Friday: French Dip Sandwiches

Night before: Trim fat from rump roast.
Morning of: Put the four ingredients in slow cooker.
Dinnertime: Bake rolls, slice or shred meat, and serve.

Side suggestions:

• Potato salad
• Coleslaw
• French fries or baked potato rounds

More Crock-Pot beef recipes we love: Barbecued Beef Sandwiches, Mongolian Beef

Here’s something that can make your nights a little easier. Save a little time and money by using Walmart Online Grocery Pickup. Simply shop online at Walmart.com/grocery and select the Walmart store nearest you that offers the online grocery pickup feature (it’s available in over 100 stores nationwide).