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7 slow cooker meals under 500 calories

Try these simple, hearty recipes for breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner, plus dessert.

Updated on September 6, 2024

Vegetable soup
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When chilly evenings roll in, it feels comforting to serve up warm, hearty, home-cooked meals. The good news is you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to create dishes that are tasty and nutritious. Just pull your slow cooker down from the shelf and get creative.

"Slow cookers are convenient and typically require little cleanup,” says Lauri Watson, RD, aShow More

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Creamy steel-cut oats

Slow cookers are not just for soups and stews. They can be great for whipping up breakfast. Toss the ingredients for this steel-cut oatmeal into your cooker the night before and enjoy sweet oats in the morning. Steel-cut oats have a different texture than typical rolled oats andShow More

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Belly-warming pumpkin chili

Nothing says "fall" quite like pumpkin. From lattes to pies, the season just isn’t complete without this quintessential autumn flavor. And pumpkin isn’t only for desserts—it can be the star of savory dishes, too.

Start the day by loading your slow cooker with one 15-ounce can of pureedShow More

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Nutritionist-approved lentil soup

If you’re looking for a filling meal, this one-pot wonder is perfect. “Lentils are a good source of protein and fiber and typically take less time to cook than other beans or legumes,” says Watson.

To create this tasty concoction, combine 2 cups of soaked lentils with 4 cups of low-sodiumShow More

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Savory stuffed peppers

Bell peppers are at the peak of perfection from summer to fall and make nutritious shells for a flavorful filling.

Slice the top off four peppers and clean out the seeds. On the stove top, brown 1 pound of lean ground turkey and combine with a cup of cooked brown rice, one chopped onion, an 8-ounceShow More

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Low-calorie salsa chicken

This two-ingredient chicken dish is perfect added to a lunchtime salad or served with fresh veggies for dinner.

Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker and top with fresh salsa. Use a quarter cup of salsa for every 3-ounce serving of chicken. Most groceryShow More

Roasted chicken breast
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Balsamic chicken and veggies

To create this satisfying dinner, load your slow cooker with a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, a cup each of halved Brussels sprouts, diced potatoes, and cubed carrots, and half a cup of low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth. Season your dish with a quarter cup of balsamic vinegar, aShow More

Apple crisp
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Mouth-watering apple crisp

Apples are the perfect autumn fruit. They’re great sliced atop your morning yogurt, they make an easy grab-and-go snack to munch midafternoon, and can also be a sweet dessert. Plus, this in-season fruit is packed with fiber and nutrients.

To get your daily apple allowance, try slow-cookerShow More

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