Menu Planning Central

Making Life Easier Since 2007!

  • Home
  • About
    • Lifetime Member Update
  • Menus
    • Current Family Favorites Recipes
    • Family Favorites – Free Week
    • Family Favorites Menu Plan
    • Healthy 30 Minute Meals – Free Week
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Login
    • Affiliates
  • Cart

Make Entertaining Easier with a Slow Cooker

Spread the love
    1    

Affiliate links are used in this post.
Make entertaining easier with a slow cooker

Do you enjoy entertaining? Use your slow cooker to help make a night of hosting friends and family in your home a lot easier. In fact, if you own multiple slow cookers or various kinds of slow cookers, then you may even be able to prepare your entire array of dishes, appetizer to dessert, with slow cookers. You will then be free to take part in the conversations going on around you rather than being set apart in the kitchen slaving over the stove.

Here are a few ideas that I’ve come up with to help you figure out how make entertaining easier with a slow cooker.

Do you own a Mini Crock Pot? This particular type of slow cooker is perfect for small gatherings where you only need to serve a few people. Prepare a delicious cheese dip, a tasty soup, or an easy appetizer. Serve alongside some crackers or a fresh loaf of sourdough bread and voila you’ve got an easy meal with little fuss.

While the Triple Crock Pot can be used in much the same way as the mini crock pot, it is also a bit more diverse since you have the ability to prepare different dishes in one slow cooker. Investing in more than one triple crock pot gives you the option to serve various kinds of side dishes, a few favorite desserts, several appetizers, or plan a ‘tasting’ party offering several different mini entrees to whet your guests’ appetite. In my mind, the triple crock pot is the perfect slow cooker option for those exciting football games enjoyed with your family each fall.

My next recommendation is not actually a slow cooker. However, the Turkey Roaster Oven is the perfect addition to a night of entertaining with slow cookers because it works in much the same way, allowing you to throw in your ingredients and then pursue other interests for a few hours while your meal cooks. According to the Amazon description, this roaster “Bakes anything your regular oven would, from muffins to yeast rolls to an entire sheet cake.” So, while you may wish to serve a turkey to your guests on certain occasions, this roaster is useful to you all year long. Prepare a large batch of rolls, lasagna, your favorite vegetable, and more.  I love it that this one piece of kitchen equipment can take the place of an extra oven!

 

The most exciting thing to me when it comes to entertaining with slow cookers is that, when armed with one (or more) of each of these recommended slow cookers, I am equipped to serve many dishes to many people with ease. Minimal attention is needed while everything cooks, and little cleanup is required when you’re gathering ends.

Do you want to make slow cooking cleanup even easier? Pop in a slow cooker liner before you add your ingredients and you’ve just eliminated cleanup!

To find the perfect slow cooker fit for you, take a look at the selection of slow cookers linked below.

Extra Large Slow Cookers

More Triple Slow Cookers

Small Crock Pots

Here are some resources to get you started with planning how to put your slow cooker to use when entertaining:

Do you have a favorite slow cooker or method for entertaining with slow cookers? Share your ideas with me!

[related_posts_by_tax]

Search this site…

Try Family Favorites Menu Plans for 7 Days - Free

Our Favorite Recipes

Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs

Spread the love
    261    

Spread the love    261     If you want to come home to your house smelling heavenly, with enough food for dinner AND a freezer meal, you’ll love this!  With a little bit of prep time, which can even be done the night before, this is an easy recipe that can be used in a variety of ways. […]

Whole Chicken + Slow Cooker Makes For Frugal Meals

Spread the love
         

Spread the love         This post uses affiliate links. When money is tight or you’re just in the mood to cook something you can then turn into a few different delicious meals for the coming days, look no further than a whole chicken and your crockpot. Chicken is such a versatile meat and once it’s cooked it’s […]

One-Skillet White Bean and Spicy Sausage Soup

Spread the love
    24    

Spread the love    24       This soup is really delicious and it can be made in a single skillet for easy clean up. It freezes well so you can make larger batches for even easier weekday meals.  This recipe is included in November’s Family Favorites Menu Plan.  You can check out our menu plans here. Ingredients: […]

Tuscan Braised Pork Roast

Mouth-Watering Tuscan Braised Pork Roast

Spread the love
    199    

Spread the love    199    Dust off that Dutch oven and get ready to be amazed at how tender and juicy an ordinary pork roast becomes when we let it slowly braise in this Tuscan-inspired marinade. Simmered low and slow your roast will literally be fall-apart tender and delicious. Tip: The longer your meat marinates the more flavorful […]

Roasted Fresh Tomato Soup

Oven Roasted Tomato & Fennel Soup

Spread the love
    51    

Spread the love    51    Inspired by my Italian Nonna, this oven roasted tomato and fennel soup is like a big old hug! This soup really hits the mark when you want something warm and delicious that won’t weigh you down. Like most tomato-based recipes, while this soup tastes great right away, the flavor is even better the […]

Chunky Homemade Guacamole

Spread the love
    26    

Spread the love    26     Chunky Homemade Guacamole Ingredients: 2 ripe Avocados 1 ripe fresh tomato, seeded and diced 1 large clove fresh garlic, finely minced 1 fresh lime, juiced 1 tablespoon (+ extra for garnish) fresh cilantro leaves, stems removed and finely chopped Salt and pepper, to taste Directions: Peel, core, and dice avocado. Place in […]

Weeknight Lemon Rosemary Chicken

Easy Weeknight Lemon-Rosemary Chicken Thighs

Spread the love
    25    

Spread the love    25    Here is a perfect weeknight lemon rosemary chicken thigh dish that you and your family will love.  Not only is it loaded with flavor, it is quick, easy and prepared in just one skillet.    You are going to love the amazing flavor you get from the timeless combination of fresh rosemary, lemon, […]

Delicious Instant Pot BBQ Ribs

Instant Pot® Cherry BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Spread the love
    60    

Spread the love    60    These succulent cherry BBQ baby back ribs are fall off the bone tender thanks to the Instant Pot®!  These are sure to become a new family favorite that they will be asking for again and again.  This recipe is so easy and delicious, you will be happy to add it to your menu […]

  • About
  • Contact
  • Member Login
  • Affiliates
  • Privacy & Disclosures
  • Terms

Copyright © 2026 · MenuPlanningCentral.com