20 Cozy Crockpot Meals Made for Comfort Food Lovers

Is there anything better than walking into a house that smells like a hug? I don’t think so. That magical aroma of garlic, herbs, and something deeply delicious simmering away is the ultimate sign that everything is going to be okay. And the genius behind that feeling? Nine times out of ten, it’s your humble, hardworking crockpot.

Let’s be real, life is chaotic. Between work, kids, and the endless scroll of doom, the last thing you want to do at 6 PM is figure out dinner. That’s where this list comes in. This is your official permission slip to embrace the easy life. We’re talking about meals that require barely any prep, cook themselves while you’re living your life, and deliver a level of comfort usually reserved for your favorite sweatpants.

So, grab a coffee (or a glass of Cabernet, I don’t judge), get cozy, and let’s give that crockpot of yours a well-deserved workout. These 20 recipes are about to become your new best friends.

1. The Ultimate Beef Stew

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → This isn’t just beef stew; it’s the beef stew. The one that defines all others, with melt-in-your-mouth meat and a rich, savory gravy.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs stewing beef, cubed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped into thick coins
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• ¼ cup flour

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Season the beef generously with salt and pepper. Toss it with the flour until lightly coated.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides. Don’t skip this step! This is where the deep flavor comes from.
3. Transfer the seared beef to your crockpot. Add the garlic, onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes.
4. In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Pour this over the meat and veggies. Toss in the bay leaves.
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours. The stew is ready when the beef is fork-tender. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

This is the definition of a hug in a bowl. It’s hearty, deeply satisfying, and makes fantastic leftovers. IMO, it tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had a proper party together.

2. Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → Fancy enough for company, easy enough for a Tuesday. This creamy, dreamy chicken dish will make you feel like you’re in a rustic Italian villa.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Season the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Place them in the bottom of your crockpot.
2. Scatter the diced onion, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes over the chicken.
3. Pour the chicken broth and heavy cream over everything.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
5. 30 minutes before serving, shred the chicken with two forks directly in the pot. Stir in the fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese until the spinach has wilted.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s ridiculously creamy and packed with flavor from the sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan. Serve it over pasta, rice, or with a crusty loaf of bread to soak up every last drop of that glorious sauce.

3. Pulled Pork That’s Actually Perfect

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → A no-fail, hands-off recipe for the most tender, juicy, and flavorful pulled pork you’ll ever make. Your sandwich game is about to level up.

Ingredients

• 4-5 lb pork shoulder (also called Boston butt)
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 cup bbq sauce, plus more for serving
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• Salt and pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix the brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub this mixture all over the pork shoulder.
2. Place the sliced onion and smashed garlic in the bottom of your crockpot. Place the seasoned pork on top.
3. Whisk together the BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar and pour it over the pork.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours. Yes, it needs that long. Trust the process.
5. Remove the pork, shred it with two forks (discarding any large fat pieces), and return it to the pot. Stir it into the juices.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s incredibly versatile. Pile it on buns for classic pulled pork sandwiches, stuff it into tacos, or serve it over rice. It freezes beautifully, making it a meal-prep superstar.

4. French Onion Soup with Gooey Gruyère

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → Yes, you can make the soul-warming, cheese-pull masterpiece that is French onion soup in a crockpot. Your mind? Blown.

Ingredients

• 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc)
• 6 cups beef broth
• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Baguette, sliced
• 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the thinly sliced onions and butter in your crockpot. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour to start softening them.
2. Remove the lid, stir, and continue cooking on HIGH for 5-7 hours, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized and brown. (This takes time, but you don’t have to stand over the stove!)
3. In the last hour of cooking, add the garlic, white wine, beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and let it simmer.
4. When ready to serve, preheat your broiler. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with a slice of baguette, and pile a generous amount of Gruyère on top.
5. Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Careful, the bowls will be hot!

Why You’ll Love It

It’s a restaurant-quality dish that you made with minimal effort. The slow caramelization of the onions in the crockpot creates an unbelievably deep, sweet, and savory base.

5. White Chicken Chili

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → A lighter, brighter, but equally comforting twist on classic chili. It’s creamy, zesty, and has just the right amount of kick.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
• Fresh cilantro and lime for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the chicken, onion, cannellini beans, green chiles, chicken broth, cumin, oregano, and chili powder in the crockpot.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
3. Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. Return it to the pot.
4. Stir in the sour cream and Monterey Jack cheese until the cheese is melted and the chili is creamy.
5. Serve topped with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s a fantastic change from tomato-based chilis. The sour cream and cheese create a luxuriously creamy broth, while the lime and cilantro keep it feeling fresh and vibrant.

6. Hearty Lentil Sausage Soup

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → This soup is cheap, cheerful, and packed with protein and fiber. It’s the wholesome, filling meal your weeknights have been begging for.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups brown lentils, rinsed
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon.
2. Transfer the sausage to your crockpot, leaving a little bit of fat in the skillet.
3. Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in the same skillet for 4-5 minutes until slightly softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Transfer the veggies to the crockpot. Add the rinsed lentils, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and thyme. Stir everything together.
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the lentils are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s incredibly forgiving and satisfying. The lentils thicken the soup beautifully, and the Italian sausage gives it a ton of flavor without much work. It’s a complete meal in one pot.

7. Honey Garlic Meatballs

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → The ultimate party appetizer or ridiculously easy weeknight dinner. These sweet, savory, sticky meatballs are pure crowd-pleasing magic.

Ingredients

• 1 (32 oz) bag frozen meatballs (or 2 lbs homemade)
• ⅔ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp sriracha (optional, for heat)
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• ¼ cup water
• Sesame seeds and green onions for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the frozen meatballs in your crockpot. See? I told you this was easy.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and sriracha (if using). Pour this sauce over the meatballs.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
4. About 30 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Stir this into the crockpot to thicken the sauce.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Why You’ll Love It

You can have these ready for a game day party or serve them over rice for a super fast dinner. Using frozen meatballs is the ultimate cheat code for a no-stress, delicious meal. 🙂

8. Cozy Chicken and Dumplings

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → The ultimate childhood comfort food, made even easier. Tender chicken, a creamy broth, and fluffy, from-scratch dumplings that cook right on top.

Ingredients

For the Stew:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• Salt and pepper

For the Dumplings:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp cold butter, grated
• ½ cup milk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the chicken, butter, onion, carrots, celery, chicken broth, and poultry seasoning in the crockpot. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
3. About 45 minutes before serving, shred the chicken in the pot. Then, make the dumpling dough.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Use a fork to cut in the grated cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in the milk until just combined.
5. Drop the dough by rounded spoonfuls directly onto the simmering stew. Cover and cook on HIGH for 30-40 minutes without peeking! The dumplings will steam and puff up.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s the definition of comfort. Making the dumplings from scratch is a simple step that makes all the difference, giving you a truly homemade meal with minimal active effort.

9. Loaded Potato Soup

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → Imagine a baked potato, in soup form, with all the fixings. It’s decadent, creamy, and guaranteed to satisfy your cheesiest, bacon-y cravings.

Ingredients

• 5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ cup sour cream
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Chives for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine the potatoes, onion, garlic, chicken broth, salt, and pepper in your crockpot.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender.
3. Use a potato masher to mash about half of the potatoes right in the pot. This will naturally thicken the soup.
4. Stir in the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, and sour cream until the cheese is melted and the soup is creamy.
5. Serve topped with a mountain of crumbled bacon and fresh chives.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s pure, unapologetic indulgence. This soup is rich, filling, and tastes like a loaded baked potato in every single spoonful. It’s a total crowd-pleaser.

10. Zesty Italian Beef Sandwiches

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → Pile this incredibly tender, zingy, and flavorful shredded beef on a hoagie roll, and you’ve got a sandwich that rivals any Italian deli.

Ingredients

• 3-4 lb beef chuck roast
• 1 (16 oz) jar pepperoncini peppers, undrained
• 1 packet dry Italian dressing mix
• 1 cup beef broth
• 6-8 hoagie rolls
• Provolone cheese slices

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the chuck roast in your crockpot. Pour the entire jar of pepperoncinis (juice and all) over the top.
2. Sprinkle the dry Italian dressing mix over everything, then pour in the beef broth.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.
4. Shred the beef directly in the pot with two forks. Let it soak up those amazing juices for 15 minutes.
5. Pile the beef onto hoagie rolls, top with a slice of provolone, and pop under the broiler for a minute to melt the cheese.

Why You’ll Love It

The pepperoncini juice gives the beef an incredible tangy, salty, and slightly spicy flavor that is just addictive. It’s a no-fuss recipe with a massive flavor payoff.

11. Creamy Coconut Curry Lentils

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → A vegan comfort food dream. These lentils are creamy, spiced to perfection, and so hearty you won’t miss the meat at all.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups brown or green lentils, rinsed
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (14 oz) can coconut milk
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp turmeric
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place all ingredients except for the cilantro into your crockpot. Stir to combine.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the lentils are tender and have absorbed most of the liquid.
3. Stir well. The lentils will thicken as they cool.
4. Serve over rice and top with plenty of fresh cilantro.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s incredibly cheap, healthy, and flavorful. The coconut milk makes it luxuriously creamy, and the blend of curry and ginger is wonderfully warming. FYI, it freezes like a dream.

12. Maple Dijon Pork Tenderloin

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → A sweet, savory, and tangy glaze transforms a simple pork tenderloin into an elegant, fuss-free main course.

Ingredients

• 2 lb pork tenderloin
• ½ cup Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• Salt and pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Season the pork tenderloin with salt and pepper and place it in your crockpot.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and rosemary.
3. Pour the sauce over the pork, turning it to coat.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the pork is cooked through and tender.
5. For a thicker glaze, remove the pork, pour the sauce into a saucepan, and simmer for 5-10 minutes until it reduces.

Why You’ll Love It

It feels fancy but requires almost zero effort. The maple and Dijon create a gorgeous, sticky glaze that makes the pork incredibly juicy and flavorful.

13. Unbelievably Easy Mac and Cheese

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → Yes, you can make the creamiest, cheesiest mac and cheese right in your crockpot. No boiling noodles first! It’s a game-changer.

Ingredients

• 16 oz elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Gruyère or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pour the uncooked macaroni and chicken broth into your crockpot. Stir to make sure the pasta is submerged.
2. Add the evaporated milk, garlic powder, dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir again.
3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes. The liquid should be mostly absorbed.
4. Turn the crockpot off. Stir in the shredded cheeses until they are completely melted and creamy.
5. Let it sit for 10 minutes to thicken up before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s the ultimate hands-off, one-pot mac and cheese. The evaporated milk prevents it from curdling, giving you a perfectly smooth, velvety sauce every single time. Who needs the blue box?

14. Sweet & Spicy Dr. Pepper Pulled Chicken

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → Soda pop in chicken? Trust me. The Dr. Pepper creates an incredible sweet, spicy, and complex sauce that makes the chicken unbelievably tender.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 (12 oz) can Dr. Pepper (not diet)
• 1 cup bbq sauce
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the chicken breasts in your crockpot. Season with salt and pepper.
2. In a bowl, mix the Dr. Pepper, BBQ sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
5. Shred the chicken with two forks directly in the pot. Let it sit in the sauce for 15 minutes before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s a fun, quirky recipe that always gets rave reviews. The Dr. Pepper adds a unique caramelized flavor that you just can’t get from anything else. It’s a major win for sandwich night.

15. Cozy Chicken Noodle Soup

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → The classic cure-all, made even simpler. This is the soup you make when you need a little TLC or just a reliably delicious dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 3 stalks celery, sliced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 oz egg noodles

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the chicken, onion, carrots, celery, chicken broth, poultry seasoning, and bay leaves in the crockpot. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
3. 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken and shred it. Return it to the pot.
4. Add the egg noodles, cover, and cook on HIGH for another 20-30 minutes, until the noodles are tender.
5. Remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s the taste of home. It’s wholesome, comforting, and the perfect thing to warm you up from the inside out. Using wide egg noodles is key for that classic feel.

16. Savory Herb-Stuffed Potatoes

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → Baked potatoes, but hands-off and infused with herb-infused steam. The slow cooking makes the skins soft and the insides impossibly fluffy.

Ingredients

• 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Your favorite toppings: sour cream, chives, cheese, bacon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prick the potatoes all over with a fork.
2. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic powder, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the potato skins.
3. Wrap each potato tightly in aluminum foil.
4. Place the foil-wrapped potatoes in your crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until they are tender when pierced with a knife.
5. Unwrap, slice open, and load up with your favorite toppings.

Why You’ll Love It

It frees up your oven and gives you the most perfectly cooked baked potato. The herb-infused oil seeps into the skin, giving it so much more flavor than a standard oven-baked spud.

17. Black Bean Soup with a Lime Kick

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → A vibrant, healthy, and incredibly cheap soup that’s bursting with fresh flavor. The lime at the end is a non-negotiable game-changer.

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried black beans, rinsed and picked over
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of 2 limes
• Toppings: sour cream, avocado, cilantro

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the dried black beans, onion, bell pepper, garlic, vegetable broth, cumin, chili powder, and bay leaf in the crockpot. Do NOT add salt yet, as it can toughen the beans.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours, until the beans are very tender.
3. Remove the bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, leaving some beans whole for texture. (Or, mash some against the side of the pot with a spoon).
4. Stir in the lime juice and season generously with salt and pepper.
5. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, diced avocado, and fresh cilantro.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s a flavor powerhouse. The lime juice brightens the entire dish and makes the other flavors pop. It’s a healthy, feel-good meal that doesn’t skimp on taste.

18. Mississippi Pot Roast

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → This recipe went viral for a reason. It’s stupidly simple, with a bizarre ingredient list, and results in the most tender, flavorful, and addictive pot roast of your life.

Ingredients

• 3-4 lb beef chuck roast
• 1 packet au jus gravy mix
• 1 packet ranch dressing mix
• ½ cup salted butter, sliced
• 5-6 pepperoncini peppers
• 2 tbsp pepperoncini juice from the jar

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the chuck roast in your crockpot.
2. Sprinkle the dry au jus and ranch dressing mixes evenly over the top.
3. Place the slices of butter and the pepperoncini peppers on and around the roast. Drizzle the pepperoncini juice over everything.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
5. Shred the beef directly in the pot. The buttery, peppery juices are the sauce. Serve it over mashed potatoes. Trust me.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s a legend for a reason. The combination of flavors is inexplicably perfect. It’s salty, tangy, rich, and so, so tender. You just have to try it to understand the hype.

19. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → The perfect partner for a grilled cheese sandwich, made with simple ingredients and a slow-cooked depth of flavor that a can of soup could only dream of.

Ingredients

• 2 (28 oz) cans whole peeled tomatoes
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp dried basil (or ¼ cup fresh, added at the end)
• 1 tsp sugar (to balance acidity)
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Drain the canned tomatoes, reserving the juice. Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, tomato paste, dried basil, and sugar to the crockpot.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
3. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely smooth. (You can also carefully blend it in batches in a stand blender).
4. Stir in the heavy cream and season to taste with salt and pepper. If using fresh basil, stir it in now.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s rich, creamy, and tastes incredibly fresh. Making it from scratch allows you to control the seasoning and richness, creating a soup that’s far superior to anything store-bought.

20. Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → Wake up to a ready-to-eat, warm, and healthy breakfast. It’s like dessert for breakfast, but it’s actually good for you.

Ingredients

• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 2 apples, peeled and diced
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup milk (or almond milk)
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• Toppings: extra maple syrup, walnuts, raisins

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Grease the inside of your crockpot with a little butter or cooking spray (this prevents sticking).
2. Add all ingredients—oats, apples, water, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt—to the crockpot. Stir to combine.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours (overnight is perfect!).
4. In the morning, give it a good stir. It will thicken as it sits.
5. Serve with your favorite toppings.

Why You’ll Love It

It makes hectic mornings feel peaceful and luxurious. Your house will smell amazing, and you’ll have a nutritious, filling breakfast waiting for you the second you wake up.