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

All-American Potato Salad

All-American Potato Salad

Spread the love
         

Spread the love         You will love making this traditional American potato salad for all of your potlucks, picnics, and oven-free dinners this summer! All American Potato Salad Serves: 8-10 Ingredients: 5 pounds Idaho Potatoes 2 cups mayonnaise 1/2 small onion diced 1 Green Pepper seeded and diced ¼ cup Sweet Relish (optional) adds a sweetness 2 […]

Easy Baked Tortellini

Spread the love
    91    

Spread the love    91    For nights when you want a family-pleasing meal that is also easy enough for the kids to make in about 5 minutes, this is the one! With just a handful of ingredients, this is easy on the budget AND your schedule.  It’s also great because you can revamp this recipe with different types […]

Goat Cheese, Spinach, and Caramelized Onion Bruschetta

Spread the love
    196    

Spread the love    196     Ingredients: One loaf of baguette bread, sliced into ½ inches 5oz of honey goat cheese, softened 5 whole onions, sliced and caramelized (follow these instructions) 1 ¼ cup of spinach, chopped 10-12oz jar of artichokes, drained and chopped ½ teaspoon of Herbs de Provence Pinch of salt (or as desired) 2 tablespoons […]

Apple-Cinnamon Slow Cooker Oats

Apple-Cinnamon Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats

Spread the love
    80    

Spread the love    80    There is nothing better than waking up and having a delicious and healthy breakfast hot and ready! If your house is like mine, mornings are crazy busy so you will love the fact that this make-ahead recipe is prepared the night before. Your slow cooker will do all the work while you are fast […]

10 Free Paleo, Low-Carb, and Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Recipe Books

Spread the love
         

Spread the love         Affiliate links are used in this post. Are you eating like a cave man? 🙂 Does a gluten-free or grain-free life make you feel healthier? So many people are loving the paleo, gluten-free, and low-carb life right now, so I’ve put together this list of 10 FREE Kindle books* to give you some […]

Apple & Herb Stuffed Pork Chops

Spread the love
    102    

Spread the love    102    This easy apple stuffed pork chop recipe is a delicious and healthy meal your whole family will love! Each and every bite of these delicious apple stuffed pork chops is loaded with incredible flavor. The fresh rosemary and lemon zest lend a light citrus nuance, while the apple and cinnamon add a depth […]

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Spread the love
    38    

Spread the love    38     Although pumpkin muffins are traditionally a fall favorite, there is no reason you can’t enjoy these delicious lightly spiced muffins all year round. This version is topped with coarse sugar for a decorative touch, but they are just as wonderful plain or with a cream cheese frosting.  We’ve included these yummy muffins […]

Fresh Strawberry Mango Salsa

Fresh Strawberry Mango Salsa

Spread the love
         

Spread the love          Take advantage of the availability of fresh, juicy strawberries and soothing, smooth mango with this beautiful and delicious recipe! INGREDIENTS 1 cup strawberries-diced 1 cup mango-diced 1 Tablespoon sugar 1/4 red onion – diced 1 jalapeno – seeded and minced  2 Tablespoons cilantro-chopped 3 Tablespoons honey 3 Tablespoons lime juice Optional – […]

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

Copyright © 2026 · MenuPlanningCentral.com