It's Christmas day and you're probably exhausted and just want to stay comfy in your sweatsuit. If you're planning on hosting Christmas dinner with friends or having a cozy night in with the fam, these time-saving crockpot dinners will make your life a whole lot easier. Most of these recipes can be made the night before so you don't have to spend all of Christmas day in the kitchen.
1. Slow Cooker Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
I personally prefer scalloped potatoes over mashed potatoes any day. Plus, if you already served or had them for Thanksgiving, this will add more variety to your holiday dinner. The cheesiness of these potatoes will go perfect with your honey baked ham (see number 2).
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3 cloves minced garlic
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
pinch of nutmeg
2 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch thick slices
1 cup Gruyere cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 tsp. thyme leaves
Salt & pepper to taste
How To Make It
1. Whisk the garlic, heavy cream, thyme, and nutmeg in a medium saucepan until combined. Heat on medium for 1-2 minutes.
2. Add a layer of the sliced potatoes to your crockpot (overlapping). Season them with salt and pepper to your preference. Pour 1/3 of the cream mixture over the potatoes and sprinkle with grated Gruyere. Repeat the process (about two more layers.)
3. Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 4-5 hours or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and continue cooking until melted.
4. Remove the lid and let the potatoes sit for 15 minutes so the sauce can thicken. Garnish with thyme (optional).
2. Slow-Cooker Honey Glazed Ham
Christmas dinner isn't Christmas dinner without a honey baked ham! Check out this fool-proof delicious crockpot ham recipe from
Together As A Family.
Ingredients:
5 lb pre-cooked boneless, spiral sliced ham
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 tbps. Dijon mustard
1/4 cup water
How To Make It
1. Rub the inside of the crockpot with butter or spray with cooking spray. Place the ham inside flat side down.
2. In a saucepan, add the Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and water and cook over medium-high heat until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Pour the glaze over the ham, cover, and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
4. Occasionally during the cooking process, use a baster or spoon and pour the glaze over the ham.
5. Remove the ham and place it on a serving dish. Let it rest and pour some more of the glaze over the ham after it's sliced. Enjoy!
3. Crockpot Green Bean Casserole With Mushrooms
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(Photo credit: The Recipe Critic)
One of the easiest holiday meals you can make in the crock. Adding the mushrooms only elevates this traditional dish.
Ingredients:
12 oz. sliced mushrooms
16 oz. frozen green beans
1 small onion
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp. olive
3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. flour
1/2 cup French's Onions for garnish
How To Make It (Sauce)
1. Melt butter over medium-high heat in a skillet until it begins to bubble. Add the mushrooms, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir the mushrooms occasionally until they release their liquid. Add the 3 tablespoons of flour and cook for one minute.
3. Whisk in the broth and use the whisk to scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to medium stirring constantly.
5. Whisk in the heavy cream and simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce becomes thick.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste
How To Make It (The Casserole)
1. According to the frozen package instructions, cook the green beans in the microwave (about 4 minutes on high).
2. Drain any excess liquid in a strainer.
3. Add the beans to the crockpot and toss with the mushroom sauce.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
5. When ready to serve, sprinkle the top with the canned fried onions.
4. Crockpot Cranberry Orange Pork Tenderloin
If you're not into ham for Christmas dinner, or you already served it for Thanksgiving, opt for this juicy pork recipe courtesy of
letsdishrecipes.com. The cranberry and orange components make this pork both flavorful and beautiful to look at.
Ingredients:
1 lb pork tenderloin roast
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh cranberries
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup orange juice
3 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. water
1/2 tsp. cornstarch
2 cloves minced garlic
fresh parsley and orange slices for garnish
How To Make It
1. In a large skillet add the olive oil and season the pork with salt and pepper. Brown each side of the tenderloin for about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer the pork to your crockpot.
2. Add the honey, garlic, raisins, cranberries, and orange juice to the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours. Place your pork tenderloin on a cutting board and let rest.
3. Strain the liquid from the crockpot through a mesh strainer and reserve the liquid into a saucepan. Set the raisins and cranberries aside.
4. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and water together and add to the crockpot.
5. Bring the liquid in the saucepan to a boil constantly whisking until thick. Add in the raisins and cranberries, stir, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Drizzle the sauce over the pork and garnish with the fresh parsley and orange slices.
5. Crockpot Cherries Jubilee
By Christmas time I'm over pumpkin and apple pie. I tried this cherries jubilee recipe last year from
tammileetips.com and it turned out so good I'm making it again this year. Impress your guests with this decadent and unique dessert.
Ingredients:
30 oz. pitted cherries in heavy syrup
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 tsp. almond extract
2 tbsp. corn starch
3 tbsp cold water
How To Make It
1. Stir the cherries with syrup, orange juice, almond extract, and sugar in the crockpot.
2. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 3 hours.
3. In a bowl, mix the cold water and cornstarch, and stir into the crockpot
4. Cover and cook for 30 minutes on high until thick.
5. Once thick, set the crockpot to warm and serve!
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