40 Low-Calorie Slow Cooker Suppers

The flavors blend beautifully in this pot of chicken, vegetables and herbs as it simmers slowly. —Kenny Van Rheenen, Mendota, Illinois

My slow cooker gets lots of use, especially during the hectic summer months. I can fix this flank steak in the morning and forget about it until dinnertime. I serve it with noodles and a tossed salad. —Michelle Armistead, Keyport, New Jersey

The classic flavors of herbes de Provence, apples and dried plums make this easy slow-cooked pork taste like a hearty meal at a French country cafe. For a traditional pairing, serve the pork with braised lentils. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey

What's not to love about moist and tender homemade Italian meatballs? Because they're made with lean turkey, they're lower in saturated fat, too! —Mary Berg, Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Even though this chicken dish cooks for hours, the citrus keeps things fresh. We're big on spice, so sometimes I use two chipotle peppers. —Deborah Biggs, Omaha, Nebraska

Everyone will enjoy these fork-tender, slow cooker pork chops with a creamy, light gravy. Serve with a green vegetable, mashed potatoes and coleslaw or a salad. These are the best slow cooker pork chops. —Sue Bingham, Madisonville, Tennessee

This recipe is special to me because it’s an easy one-pot meal that tastes like you spent the whole day in the kitchen. My family loves it. —Lynn Bowen, Geraldine, Alabama

The genius combination of seasonings and citrus in this tender roast reminds us why we cherish tasty recipes. It's nice to serve with hot noodles to soak up any extra citrus gravy. —Laura Brodine, Colorado Springs, Colorado

I'm always getting recipe inspiration from newspapers and magazines. Here’s a tender roast with aromatic spices that give it a Moroccan feel. —Karen Burdell, Lafayette, Colorado

I love this recipe because it's healthy and almost effortless. And the salmon always cooks to perfection! —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York

Here's a quick-prep recipe for tender, flavorful chicken in a tangy tomato-based sauce. You can easily double or triple the recipe, depending on the size of your slow cooker. —Dahlia Abrams, Detroit, Michigan

My grandma used to make this for our family on special occasions. We love to carry on the delicious tradition. —Tonya Cline, Greenville, Ohio

I love to try new recipes fro my husband and myself, and also when we entertain friends and relatives. This stew is a little different from most because of the vermicelli.—Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I make chana masala, the classic Indian dish, in my slow cooker. Browning the onion, ginger and garlic first really makes the sauce amazing. —Anjana Devasahayam, San Antonio, Texas

Rely on this slow cooker stew on busy weekends when you'd rather not be in the kitchen. Chicken, vegetables and seasonings give this stew great flavor.

This main dish is satisfying all by itself. But you can also serve this Swiss steak over hot mashed potatoes.—Melissa Gerken, Zumbrota, Minnesota

I've been turning this spicy lime chicken into tacos for years, but it was my son Austin who put it on cooked rice with all his favorite taco toppings. A family favorite was created out of leftovers! —Christine Hair, Odessa, Florida

After a long day working in our greenhouse raising bedding plants, I enjoy coming in to this hearty beef dish for supper. It's one of my favorite meals. — Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

I use my slow cooker to prepare these well-seasoned chicken breasts that cook up moist and tender. My daughter, who has two young sons to keep up with, shared this great recipe with me several years ago. I now rely on cooking chicken in a Crock Pot many days a week.—Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana

It was the first recipe I ever made in a slow cooker & it was the first recipe my husband taught me! I usually pair this with white rice & a salad.

I prefer main dishes that let me stay on my diet but still eat what the rest of the family eats. My husband and our young children think this diet-friendly stew is a hit. —Stephanie Wilson of Helix, Oregon

Utilize leftovers and clean out the fridge by making these super simple and tasty stuffed peppers! This is an ideal weekend meal or one you can put together quickly so you can run errands while it cooks. —Katie Jasiewicz, Belle Isle, Florida

I like using the slow cooker for our meals because it gives me time for other preparations, frees the oven, and it usually doesn't matter if you serve it later than planned. The fruit in this recipe, which I adapted, gives the pork a special flavor. —Mary Jeppesen-Davis, St. Cloud, Minnesota

A friend gave me this recipe, which my sons say is a keeper. For a change of pace, spoon the tasty filling into soft tortillas. —Sarah Johnston, Lincoln, Nebraska

Here’s my adaptation of the beloved French dish. I substituted boneless skinless chicken breasts for a lighter, easy coq au vin that still showcases the traditional and memorable taste. —Sonya Labbe, Los Angeles, California

The slow cooker is our summertime go-to for cool kitchen cooking. After swim lessons and outdoor activities, it's so nice to come back to a tasty, light dinner. If you can't find Bibb or Boston, green leaf lettuce is less sturdy but can work in a pinch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

This recipe is so versatile! Look in your fridge for anything else you want to throw in, like red pepper, mushrooms, extra zucchini—you name it. And if you're a vegetarian, go ahead and leave out the chicken. —Stephanie Loaiza, Layton, Utah

This recipe came to me from a friend who'd worked at a health food store. I changed a few things until I found a version that my family loved. My son doesn't like things too spicy, so I make the stew milder for him and add a sprinkle of extra spice in mine. My husband, who farms, works outdoors for long hours at a time and finds this soup hearty enough to keep him satisfied. —Melanie MacFarlane, Bedeque, Prince Edward Island

My husband and I enjoy visiting the apple orchards in nearby Nebraska City. We always make sure to buy extra cider to use in this sensational slow-cooked stew. —Carol Mathias, Lincoln, Nebraska

My husband loves this chicken dish. It calls for only five ingredients, and we try to have them all on hand for a delicious and cozy dinner anytime. —Jennifer Seidel, Midland, Michigan

Asian slow cooker recipes are a favorite in our home, and this one is perfect for fall and winter evenings. A pork roast cooks all afternoon with sweet onions, honey, soy sauce and ginger for fabulous flavor. The aroma fills the house with a scent that cries out, 'Welcome home!' —Sheree Shown, Junction City, Oregon

Chicken breasts are treated to black beans, red peppers and juicy tomatoes in this Southwestern supper. We love it served with rice plumped up in chicken broth. —Piper Spiwak, Vienna, Virginia

This is my Mexican-style twist on comfort food. To keep it kid-friendly, use mild salsa. —Stacie Stamper, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina

This recipe takes less than five minutes to assemble and is delicious. I like to serve the roast with rice, then use the tangy sauce as a gravy for both. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

These very tender and moist chicken thighs come with a tangy peanut butter sauce that is irresistible. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Chopped onion and garlic plus spicy seasonings add outstanding flavor to this slow-cooked meat loaf.—Charlotte Rogers, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Here's a terrific recipe for your next weeknight dinner. Set out various toppings and garnishes so your family members can custom-make their own tostadas with the lime-kissed shredded pork. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois

When there's a chill in the air, nothing beats this stew. Seasoned with thyme and dry mustard, the hearty slow-cooked stew is chock-full of tender carrots, potatoes and beef.—Earnestine Wilson, Waco, Texas

I’ve been relying on this recipe for tender turkey since I first moved out on my own years ago. I serve it whenever I invite new guests to the house, and I’m constantly writing out the recipe. —Kathy-Jo Winterbottom, Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Here's a heartwarming classic made simple in the slow cooker. Mushrooms, red wine and tender beef make an easy, elegant supper. —Deanna Zewen, Union Grove, Wisconsin