I often hear people share that they do not use a slow cooker because they generally cook for one or two and it just makes too much food. If you have thought this way before, I would like to encourage you to rethink if the slow cooker might actually be a useful tool. Bear with me!

I typically cook for one or two and I almost always cook full recipes. My reasoning is that a lot of ingredients come in package sizes designed for four to six and when I try to cook one or two servings I end up with wasted ingredients. Also, I love to cook, but I do not want to have to cook every night. I choose to make multiple servings at a time, and I am careful about how I manage leftovers. I factor leftovers into my meal plan a couple of nights per week and I pack away leftovers in single-serve containers so defrosting and reheating is easy. If I do not want to eat something within four days, I freeze the leftovers and I love having a wide variety of leftover meals in my freezer from my past self’s efforts. A piece of tape on the lid of the container with the date and the name of the dish can help you prioritize eating what has been frozen the longest. I do not stash things in the freezer and forget about them. Each week I take a dish or two out so there is a constant rotation of new things being added.

If this approach sounds possible for you, I encourage you to try some slow cooker recipes. You can save yourself time in the kitchen and make some really delicious meals. Here are some of my favorites!

• Salsa Verde Chicken is great for tacos, burrito bowls or to top taco salads.
• Slow Cooker Lentils are a delicious plant-based protein you can add to just about any dish. I like them in rice bowls and quesadillas.
• Slow Cooker Pork Roast is a delicious citrusy spin on a traditional pork roast and it is great for spring and summer meals.
• Beef Stew is a crowd pleaser that can be made on the stove or in the slow cooker; check the recipe tips for the slow cooker instructions.

Even if you have a small household, I hope you will give your slow cooker a try!