5 Cosy Slow Cooker Dinners to Warm Up Your Week

When the weather turns cold and the evenings get darker, there’s nothing more comforting than a warm meal waiting for you at the end of the day. That’s why I always say winter is slow cooker season. It’s the one appliance that can take simple, everyday ingredients and turn them into rich, warming, fuss-free dinners with hardly any effort.

Cosy meals coming right up!

Before we dive into this week’s cosy recipes, let’s answer a few of the questions I’m asked most often about slow cookers — especially if you’re thinking about upgrading yours or want to get the most out of it.

What Slow Cooker Should I Use?

The best slow cooker is the one that suits your lifestyle. You don’t need anything fancy, but there are a few things to look out for:

Size matters

If you’re cooking for one or two, a 3.5L slow cooker is plenty. Families or batch cookers will benefit from a 5–6.5L model. Bigger pots are ideal for soups, joints of meat and meal prep.

Keep-warm and timer settings

These features are game changers for busy days. A timer switches the cooker to warm mode when the recipe is done — perfect if you’re out of the house.

Budget-friendly options are absolutely fine!

You don’t need a top-end machine. Some of my best slow cooker recipes were tested in £20–£30 models (and still are!!)

Why Are Slow Cookers So Good for Cosy Comfort Food?

Slow cookers shine in colder months for a few reasons:

They make everything richer and more flavourful

Low-and-slow cooking gently breaks down ingredients, creating deep flavours you just can’t get from a quick 20-minute pan dinner.

They transform cheaper ingredients into amazing meals

Tougher cuts of meat become melt-in-the-mouth tender, root vegetables soften beautifully, and soups turn velvety without needing loads of added fats.

They’re perfect for hands-off cooking

There’s no standing over the oven — just add your ingredients in the morning and come home to dinner ready to serve. It doesn’t get more comforting than that.

They’re ideal for batch cooking

Most cosy winter meals freeze brilliantly: soups, stews, shredded beef, and potato-based dishes all reheat perfectly.

So, What Should You Make This Week?

Here are five of my favourite cosy slow cooker dinners — perfect for cold evenings, easy meal prep, and simple weeknight cooking.

Slow Cooker Cauliflower Cheese Soup

If comfort had a flavour, this would be it. This soup has all the rich, creamy goodness of cauliflower cheese but in a warm, silky bowl you can cuddle up with. It’s filling without being heavy and ideal for those evenings when you want something soothing and simple. The slow cooker gives the cauliflower time to soften completely, creating that gorgeous velvety texture that feels like proper winter comfort.

Slow Cooker Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

This one is all about deep, caramelised flavour. The onions slowly break down into a sweet, rich gravy that wraps around tender chicken to create a truly comforting dish. It feels like a big cosy hug on a plate — the sort of dinner you want when the weather is miserable outside. Serve it with mash or rice and you’re guaranteed a warm, satisfying evening meal.

Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

bored of lunch slow cooker creamy chicken and potato soup

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Potato Soup

This is the perfect midweek warmer. The potatoes help create a naturally creamy base, while the slow-cooked chicken falls apart beautifully. It’s filling, comforting and ideal for batch cooking. Make a big pot at the start of the week and you’re set with satisfying lunches or dinners that feel like a bowl of comfort every single time.

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Potato Soup

bored of lunch six ingredient slow cooker beef and bacon hotpot

Slow Cooker Beef & Bacon Hotpot

A proper winter classic. Slow cooking melts the beef into tender pieces while the bacon adds a lovely smoky richness that takes the whole dish to another level. It’s hearty, homely and exactly what you want when you’re craving something substantial and warming. This is a brilliant Sunday dinner or weekend batch cook that the whole family will love.

Slow Cooker Beef & Bacon Hotpot

Slow Cooker Six Ingredient Pulled Beef & Onion Gravy

When you want a cosy meal with absolute minimal effort, this pulled beef ticks every box. The onions melt into a thick gravy and the beef becomes soft enough to pull apart with a fork. It’s incredibly versatile — pile it onto mash, tuck it into sandwiches, or spoon it over rice. This is one of those recipes that tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for busy weeks.

Slow Cooker Six Ingredient Pulled Beef & Onion Gravy

Happy Cooking!

Slow cookers are made for this time of year — they take simple ingredients and turn them into warming, flavour-packed meals that make winter feel a bit brighter. Whether you’re craving a rich hotpot, a creamy soup, or something you can shred and serve a dozen different ways, these five recipes will keep you warm, well-fed and completely stress-free.

If you try any of them, tag me on Instagram @boredoflunch — I love seeing what you’re cooking. And if you want more cosy slow cooker recipes for winter, just say the word!