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37 Kid-Friendly Slow-Cooker Meals

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Slow-cooker recipes are built for real-life family dinners when the days are busy and appetites are finicky. These kid-friendly slow-cooker meals cook while you tackle your day and rely on hearty ingredients like ground beef, pasta, shredded chicken and melted cheese to create dinners the whole family will enjoy. Just like easy one-pot meals, these recipes require little prep and create few dishes.

But a slow cooker has the added convenience of cooking while unattended, taking the pressure off dinner without sacrificing comfort or satisfaction.

We chose these recipes for their kid-approved flavors and reliable results. You’ll find slow-cooker spins on classics like spaghetti and meatballs, meat loaf and cheesy Tater Tot casserole. There are cozy slow-cooker soup recipes like chicken noodle and creamy potato that also make a fantastic lunch. For the times when you have a few extra minutes, some recipes require cooking or browning a few ingredients before adding them to the slow cooker. Others are simple slow-cooker dump dinners: Just stir, cover and cook.

Many of these recipes are great make-ahead options that can be stored in the refrigerator for the week or frozen for the future, so all you have to do is reheat and eat. From comforting fall stews to year-round favorites, like taco pasta, these slow-cooked dinners will be ones children ask for and parents rely on.

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Pizza Tots

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Who said pizza needs a traditional doughy crust? We’ve seen pizza crusts made with cauliflower, zucchini, portobello mushrooms and pita bread. These pizza tots top them all. I’ve always been a sucker for combo dishes, and this nontraditional pizza idea is pure mashup magic.

Crispy, golden Tater Tots form a pizza base piled high with mozzarella, tangy sauce and pepperoni. Make pizza tots once and they’ll be your new go-to for game days, late nights and any evening you don’t feel like wrestling with pizza dough. If you have time, elevate the dish using scratch-made sauce and tots. But this recipe is just as satisfying when you let the freezer aisle do the heavy lifting.

Ingredients for Pizza Tots

Ingredients for making Pizza Tots recipe.
ALLISON CEBULLA FOR TASTE OF HOME
  • Frozen miniature Tater Tots: Mini Tater Tots get super crispy in the oven and cook faster than regular-sized tots, making a perfect pizza base. If you use regular-sized tots, you may need to bake them a bit longer before adding the toppings. If you love the process, homemade tots are delightful.
  • Pizza sauce: A tangy, tomato-rich layer pushes the tots into classic pizza territory. A jarred version works great, but making homemade pizza sauce is quicker than you think!
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese: One of the best melting cheeses, mozzarella provides that essential cheese-pull moment we all secretly crave.
  • Pepperoni: For that classic pizza vibe, pepperoni adds salty, savory and slightly spicy notes. Arrange the slices artfully or scatter them haphazardly—you can’t go wrong.
  • Italian seasoning: A famous blend of oregano, garlic, basil and black pepper, Italian seasoning brightens the flavors and makes the whole tray smell like your favorite pizzeria.
  • Crushed red pepper flakes: These are optional, but they are an excellent way to add a little heat to balance all the melty richness of these pizza Tater Tots.

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37 No-Bake Christmas Cookies and Treats

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Baking isn’t everyone’s forte—we get it! But just because you’re oven-averse doesn’t mean you can’t make great desserts at home, especially during the holiday season when every hour is sweets-o’clock. Here’s proof: This list has our best no-bake Christmas cookies and treats that are still indulgent and super festive.

There’s a range of Christmas desserts in this list, so there’s a little something for everyone. Of course, Christmas no-bake cookie recipes dominate the list, with cute reindeer, thumbprints, Christmas wreath cookies and even a no-bake version of the iconic peanut butter blossoms. But there are lots of other treats in store, too, like peppermint pies, fudge and frozen desserts, all sorts of chocolate-covered bites and balls, no-bake bars and even a glorious Christmas trifle that feeds a crowd.

While these are easy no-bake holiday cookies, some require a stovetop or microwave and a few require baking tools like a food processor or mixer. Others are truly no-heat with zero baking tools involved, so read through the recipes that catch your eye before claiming them for Christmas dinner.

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Crockpot Goulash

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

f I could have it my way, I’d spend the day cooking. I often envision a perfect scenario where my morning begins with coffee and breakfast, followed by a leisurely stroll to the grocery store. There, I gather delicious ingredients to bring home to create an incredible meal for my family to enjoy. Yes, this happens occasionally on the weekend, but my weeknights are anything but leisurely. There’s barely time to even think about dinner, let alone romanticize the process.

That’s why I rely on recipes that are delicious and efficient, think one-pan, one-pot, or slow cooker. I’ve got recipes like these tabbed everywhere. One of my family’s new favorites is crockpot coulash. It’s a cozy dish made with pantry and fridge staples like canned tomatoes, ground beef, and elbow macaroni. 

Why You’ll Love It

  • It’s mostly hands-off. Aside from browning some ground beef and softening up some onions in a skillet, there’s not much cooking. Just add the remaining ingredients to the crockpot, set it to low, and let it do its thing.
  • You can customize it. I’ve always considered recipes suggestions. You know your palate (and your family’s palate) best, so have fun and customize! Add your own spices and herbs, finish with a big glug of balsamic vinegar, or add a Parmesan cheese rind to season and flavor the dish as it cooks low and slow.
Bowl of macaroni pasta with ground beef, tomatoes, and shredded cheese on top.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

Key Ingredients in Crockpot Goulash

  • Ground beef: Opt for 80% or 85%, which adds fat and also stands up well to the long cook time. 
  • Canned fire-roasted tomatoes: Brings in more flavor than just regular canned diced tomatoes.
  • Garlic: I like the flavor of two minced cloves, but you can add more and even omit altogether based on your preference. I recommend skipping the pre-minced jarred versions; they’re convenient, but their flavor doesn’t compare to freshly minced.
  • Onion: Usually I cook onion first to soften it a bit before adding my ground meat for browning. But for this recipe, I speed things up by cooking them together. 
  • Macaroni: Elbow macaroni is the most used pasta shape for goulash, and I agree it’s a good choice. If you’d like a different shape, go for it, but stick with something small so that it cooks evenly.

The Kitch’n

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24 Instant Pot Soup Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When I first started using my Instant Pot, I knew that I would be able to cook tender pulled pork or beef stew in much less time than in the oven or on the stovetop. Those recipes were great, but what really surprised me was how many Instant Pot soup recipes I started to make. My favorite soup recipes, from chicken noodle to hearty chowders, were ready quicker yet had a deeper, slow-cooked taste I couldn’t get enough of.

Like other Instant Pot recipes, pressure-cooker soup recipes are pretty hands-off. Quickly saute aromatic vegetables like onion, carrot and celery; layer in the other ingredients; seal the pot; and set it to cook. The intensity of cooking under pressure draws out flavors from the ingredients, resulting in a well-seasoned soup. This collection celebrates that ease with a wide range of cozy electric cooker soup recipes, from spicy broths to creamy, rich bowls.

Since pressure-cooker soup recipes have the lid on the entire time, there is little evaporation. It’s best to follow a recipe specifically created for a pressure cooker, which will have adjusted liquid ratios accordingly. If you don’t mind experimenting, try these tips for converting slow-cooker recipes to an Instant Pot when you are short on time. Your next bowl of soup will be ready before you know it.

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30 Best Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

One of the best parts of Christmas is the food: decadent Christmas mains and sides, festive appetizers and cocktails, and, of course, Christmas cookies. But if you have a gluten allergy, at times it can feel as if your options are limited or nonexistent.

Our gluten-free Christmas cookies are here to save the day because no one should miss out on the fun of making and decorating cookies because of an allergy! In this collection, you’ll find gluten-free holiday cookies like snowballs, pumpkin cookies and crinkle cookies to bake and enjoy worry-free. You’ll even find allergy-friendly recipes for classic Christmas cookies, including gingerbread men, spritz and shortbread.

These gluten-free festive cookies will be welcome additions to your gluten-free dessert spread and will have even your non-allergic family members coming back for more.

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The Best Diabetic-Friendly Recipes of 2025

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Our best diabetic-friendly recipes are designed to balance flavor and nutrition, creating delicious mains, sides and desserts everyone will love. No wonder our readers couldn’t stop talking about these dishes this year!

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Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When fall and winter roll around, I’m always on the lookout for new slow-cooker recipes to add to my repertoire. The one thing I love more than using my slow cooker to make set-it-and-forget-it meals is slow-cooker recipes that mainly rely on pantry staples. No need to run to the store for some obscure ingredient? Sign me up!

This slow-cooker honey garlic chicken recipe is one of those. It requires little prep time and uses items such as honey, soy sauce and rice wine vinegar that I already have in my kitchen pantry, making this recipe an excellent option for a weeknight dinner that I know the whole family will love.

Ingredients for Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

  • Chicken thighs: This recipe calls for 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, a good choice for cooking honey garlic chicken in a slow cooker. You can also make this recipe with chicken breasts if you prefer.
  • Salt and pepper: The chicken is seasoned generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Onion: A yellow or white onion is the best type of onion for this recipe.
  • Honey: Honey gives the sauce its sticky texture and sweet flavor. Use your favorite honey or try one of our Test Kitchen’s favorite honey brands.
  • Soy sauce: This fermented sauce adds an umami, or savory, flavor to the honey garlic sauce. Use a low-sodium variety of your favorite soy sauce brand. For a gluten-free chicken recipe, replace the soy sauce with tamari sauce.
  • Ketchup: Ketchup is an ingredient you likely have on hand already, but you can substitute tomato paste if preferred.
  • Rice wine vinegar: Vinegar counteracts the sweetness of the sauce. With its sweeter and less acidic flavor profile, apple cider vinegar is the best type of vinegar to use as a substitute for rice wine vinegar. You could also use white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar if necessary.
  • Garlic: Minced garlic gives the sauce its signature pungent flavor. Use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor, although store-bought minced garlic will also work.
  • Crushed red pepper flakes: A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes adds a hint of spicy heat to the sauce.
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent for the sauce after the chicken is cooked.
  • Garnish: Each serving is garnished with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkling of white sesame seeds.
  • Cooked rice: Serve the chicken on top of cooked rice. You can use your favorite type of rice: jasmine, basmati or plain white rice are all excellent options.

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45 Christmas Lunch Ideas to Keep Things Merry and Bright

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Christmas is a time of wonder and whimsy, from trees laden with ornaments to lovingly made cookies and intricate gingerbread houses. And while you may already be planning overnight holiday breakfast recipes and Christmas dinner ideas, we wouldn’t blame you if lunch is the last thing on your mind between opening gifts and getting ready for supper. But that doesn’t have to be the case! These Christmas lunch ideas prove that even quick and easy recipes can be tasty (and pretty!) enough for this special day.

Each of these easy Christmas lunch ideas is family-friendly and features seasonal produce, including pomegranate seeds, juicy blood oranges, pears and cranberries. There is a range of options from crisp salads and veggie sides to warming winter soups and sandwiches, so you’re sure to find something that fits your family’s tastes and appetites. Plus, these holiday lunch dishes come together quickly or can be made ahead of time, so mealtime is as easy as reheating.

Whichever recipe you go with, serve lunch with a holiday-ready blood orange punch or cranberry mimosa for the adults, and sparkling cider for the kids. Sneak a Christmas cookie, too, we won’t tell!

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French Onion Monkey Bread

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

French onion is a flavor we can’t seem to get enough of. From classic French onion soup to French onion meatballs, caramelized onions have a flavor that never ceases to please. Consider this easy French onion monkey bread the next recipe to add to your growing roster of irresistible French onion ideas.

While many think of monkey bread as a sweet breakfast treat, this French onion monkey bread will have you wanting to try more savory variations ASAP. For ease, this recipe calls for a few cans of biscuit dough rather than making biscuits from scratch. That means the most time-consuming part of this recipe is caramelizing the onions—which is largely a hands-off process to begin with.

The sweet caramelized onions in this recipe are infused with red wine, beef stock and a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce for umami richness. Then, they’re layered between balls of biscuit dough bathed in a Parmesan-garlic herb butter and a generous amount of ooey-gooey Gruyere or Swiss cheese. This golden French onion monkey bread will make a showstopping centerpiece at your next family dinner.

Ingredients for French Onion Monkey Bread

  • Butter and olive oil: Using a combination of butter and oil is one of our favorite tricks for making perfect caramelized onions. The butter adds flavor and improves browning, while the higher smoke point of the oil helps prevent the onions from burning.
  • Onions: We love the balanced taste of yellow onions for this pull-apart bread, since they are equally sweet and zippy. For a sweeter taste, you can use Vidalia onions or a combination of both types of onions.
  • Salt and pepper: A simple seasoning of salt and pepper enhances the flavor of the onions and adds a mild, peppery bite.
  • Red wine or sherry: Red wine or sherry are traditionally added to French onion soup to add depth and complexity to the broth. Either does the same for the caramelized onion filling in this recipe.
  • Beef stock: Simmering the onions in a small amount of beef stock also helps transform this recipe from a caramelized onion bread to a French onion monkey bread.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Just a small amount of Worcestershire adds a boost of umami to the caramelized onions.
  • Homestyle biscuit dough: While some monkey bread recipes use flaky canned biscuit dough, this particular recipe is best made with homestyle or buttermilk canned biscuits. Use your favorite brand of store-bought biscuits.
  • Fresh herbs: A combination of parsley and thyme is a classic pairing for French onion soup and infuses the bread with a heavenly taste and aroma.
  • Garlic: A few cloves of minced garlic are added to the melted herb butter for a little extra zip and flavor.
  • Cheese: Aged Parmesan and Gruyere or Swiss cheese have a salty, nutty flavor that marries well with the sweet caramelized onions and fragrant herbs in this savory bread recipe.

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