Family Meals Matter: Slow cooker meals

Whether you're working around the house or in the kitchen, having the right tools makes any job easier. Crock pots, or electronic slow cookers, are a great tool for making healthy eating easier.

Because they cook at a relatively low heat for an extended period of time, crock pots and slow cookers can easily be prepped in the morning, cook all day and be ready for dinner in the evening.

Pull out the crock pot this week for a delicious and easy family meal of Zesty Meatball Sandwiches, Seasoned Green Beans and Strawberries and Cream Parfaits. Keep your crock pot out all week for other dishes like Crock Pot Oatmeal, Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff, Slow Cooker Lasagna and Slow Cooker Vegetable Minestrone.

Don't forget to register for free at MealsMatter.org to add these and other healthy recipes to your own personalized meal plan and shopping list.

"Family Meals Matter" features recipes selected by registered dietitians from the thousands of user-contributed recipes available at our free online nutrition and meal-planning website, Meals Matter (www.MealsMatter.org), sponsored by Dairy Council of California.

Featured Family Meals

Zesty Meatball Sandwiches

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 cloves garlic, minced or ¼ teaspoon

Garlic powder

¼ cup chopped onion

1 pound extra lean ground beef

1 pound ground turkey

1/2 cups bread crumbs

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 can (16 ounces) tomato sauce

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

6-8 hoagie-type sandwich rolls, split and warmed

1. In large bowl, beat egg with salt, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and garlic. Add chopped onion, beef, turkey, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese; mix well.

2. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls and brown in a large skillet. Drain meatballs and transfer to a 5-quart slow cooker/Crock-Pot. In the same bowl, mix tomato sauce and wine; pour over meatballs.