cinderellasapron 
Stop stressing over oven space this holiday season! Maximize your kitchen and minimize your effort with these 4 Easy Slow Cooker Holiday Side Dishes that practically cook themselves. These recipes are perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any winter gathering.
If you’re hosting a big meal, your oven is prime real estate! Using a slow cooker for your side dishes is a game changer. These recipes are budget friendly, simple to prep, and always come out perfectly cooked!
We’re featuring: Slow Cooker Classic Crispy Stuffing, Slow Cooker Candied Sweet Potato Casserole, Slow Cooker Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, and Slow Cooker Creamy Macaroni and Cheese!
Slow Cooker Classic Stuffing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup onion finely diced
- 1/2 cup celery finely diced
- 6 cups dried bread cubes
- 2-3 Tablespoons fresh herbs minced (I use sage, rosemary, and thyme)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 1 egg
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add in the onion and celery, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.Place the bread cubes in a large bowl, and pour the onion mixture on top, along with the stock, herbs, egg, salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
- Grease the slow cooker. Place the stuffing in an even layer. Cook on high 30 minutes.
- Turn down to low and cook 4-6 hours, stirring every hour.
- Keep on warm until ready to serve.
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- mini marshmallows (optional)
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for a few minutes, or until sugar is dissolved.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour over the sweet potatoes and stir to combine.
- Pour in a greased slow cooker. Cook on low 6-8 hours, or high for 4-5 hours. Stir about every hour.
- Mash, if desired. Add marshmallows on top and cover for a few minutes, or until melted. (You can use a brulee torch to brown the marshmallows if you'd like).
Slow Cooker Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds gold potatoes, peeled and into 1/8 inch slices
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- pinch nutmeg
- salt and pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream, garlic, thyme, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Cook until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Grease the slow cooker. Make a layer of potatoes, slightly overlapping them to cover the bottom. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Pour 1/4 of the sauce on top. Sprinkle 1/4 of the gruyere cheese. Repeat the layers, ending with the remaining gruyere cheese.
- Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, or until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with parmesan. Cover and cook an additional 5 minutes.
- Let sit for 15 minutes before serving to let the sauce thicken.
- Sprinkle with fresh thyme and black pepper.
Quick and Easy Creamy Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 and 1/2 cups milk
- 12 oz. evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups shredded cheese I used 3c. cheddar and 1c. American
- 1 pound elbow pasta uncooked
- 1/4 cup butter cubed
Instructions
- Grease the bowl of the crockpot with oil or cooking spray.
- Add the milk, evaporated milk, mustard, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Add in the shredded cheese and elbows. Stir and pat down the pasta to try and cover it with liquid as much as possible.
- Place the cubed butter on top. Cook on low for 1 hour. Once the hour is up, stir and test the pasta to see how cooked it is. (All crockpots are different and will vary in time).
- If the pasta is not done, cook at 15 minutes at a time, stirring and checking until done. (It could take another hour). Serve immediately and enjoy!
