Easy Recipes: Slow Cooker Ham and Beans (Crock Pot Comfort)

Table of Contents

• Why This Slow Cooker Classic Works (Easy Recipes for Cozy Nights)
• Set-and-Forget Comfort: Quick & Easy Recipes for Busy Days
• Budget-Friendly Nourishment the Whole Family Loves
• Serving Ideas & Flavor Swaps
• Storage, Freezing & Make-Ahead
• About Patricia & Patricia Universe

Key Takeaways

• Hands-off comfort: the slow cooker does the work while you tackle your day.
• Affordable pantry staples turn into something cozy, savory, and crowd-pleasing.
• Flexible flavors: spice it up, keep it classic, or add veggies and greens near the end.
• Batch-friendly: great for meal prep, freezing, and reheating for quick lunches.
• Perfect for dinner recipes when you want rich flavor with minimal effort.

Why This Slow Cooker Classic Works (Easy Recipes for Cozy Nights)

When you crave easy recipes that deliver big comfort with little effort, this slow cooker classic checks every box. It fits seamlessly into a lineup of weeknight easy recipes, simmering away while you handle the rest of the day. Tender beans, savory ham, and a silky broth come together into a bowl that tastes like home—no fuss, just flavor.

Think of it as your reliable answer to recipes for dinner on busy nights. The slow, gentle cook coaxes out depth without babysitting the pot, and the texture turns luxuriously creamy as the beans break down naturally.

Set-and-Forget Comfort: Quick & Easy Recipes for Busy Days

This is the kind of comfort food that welcomes you at the door. In the time it takes to prep your slow cooker, you’ve already paved the way for a hearty family meal. While it’s miles away from a chicken stirfry easy recipe or an easy recipes ninja creami dessert, it scratches the same itch for minimal-effort payoff—warm, filling, and deeply satisfying.

Budget-Friendly Nourishment the Whole Family Loves

Beans and leftover ham are a thrifty dream team. This pot stretches across multiple servings without stretching your budget, making it ideal for dinner recipes that feel generous. If you’re craving those homey vibes of a cheesey potatoes easy recipe or butter swim biscuits easy recipes on the side, this bowl pairs perfectly.

Serving Ideas & Flavor Swaps

Lean into “easy dinner recipes” energy by keeping sides simple: warm cornbread, a crisp salad, or buttered toast. Prefer a smoky edge? A pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce brightens each spoonful. Want extra veg? Stir in chopped kale or spinach near the end for color and nutrients. These flexible touches keep your rotation of easy recipes feeling fresh.

Storage, Freezing & Make-Ahead

Soups and stews like this only get better overnight. Portion into airtight containers for grab-and-go lunches or freezer-friendly batches. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or water to loosen. It’s a smart addition to weekly meal prep and a dependable win for families building a roster of recipes for dinner that really work.

About Patricia & Patricia Universe

Created by Patricia for Patricia Universe, this dish celebrates simple techniques and big flavor. You’ll find approachable tips, time-savers, and plenty of quick and easy recipes to make weeknights smoother—without sacrificing comfort.

Easy Recipes: Slow Cooker Ham and Beans (Crock Pot Comfort)

This slow cooker ham and beans is one of our favorite easy recipes for cozy nights. Perfect for dinner recipes and hearty recipes for dinner, it’s set-and-forget comfort. No, it’s not a chicken stirfry easy recipe or an easy recipes ninja creami treat—just rustic flavor that rivals cheesey potatoes easy recipe vibes and butter swim biscuits easy…

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time8 hours hrs

Total Time8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course: Soups & Stews

Cuisine: American

Keywords: budget friendly, butter swim biscuits easy recipes, cheesey potatoes easy recipe, chicken stirfry easy recipe, comfort food, crock pot, dinner recipes, easy recipes, easy recipes ninja creami, ham and beans, recipes for dinner, slow cooker

Servings: 8 servings

Author: Patricia

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) dried great northern beans, rinsed and picked over
• 1 meaty ham bone or 2 cups diced cooked ham
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery ribs, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 sprigs fresh)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
• 6 to 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water (as needed to cover)
• Salt, to taste (add at the end)
• Optional: 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Optional for serving: chopped parsley, hot sauce, crusty bread

Instructions

1. Soak beans overnight in plenty of water, then drain and rinse (or quick-soak per package).
2. Add beans, ham bone or diced ham, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, pepper, and broth to a 5–6 quart slow cooker. Liquid should cover beans by 1 inch.
3. Cook on LOW 8–10 hours (or HIGH 4–5) until beans are tender.
4. If using a bone, remove it, shred any meat, and return meat to the pot. Discard bay leaf.
5. For a creamier texture, mash a cup of beans against the side of the crock and stir back in.
6. Taste and season with salt and more pepper. Stir in smoked paprika if using.
7. Serve warm with parsley and hot sauce; add crusty bread or cornbread on the side.

Notes

Soaking reduces cook time and helps with digestion. Add salt only at the end to avoid tough beans. Swap great northern beans with navy or pinto beans. Stir in 1–2 cups chopped greens in the last 20 minutes. Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Thicken by simmering uncovered or mashing beans.