When the garden is giving all it has and the days are too warm to stand over the stove, a slow cooker supper like this feels like a little midsummer blessing. This simple five-ingredient meal leans on raw ground pork, fresh seasonal vegetables, and a good slow simmer to turn humble pantry staples into something hearty and comforting. It has that practical Midwestern spirit I’ve always admired: use what you have, let time do the work, and feed everybody well.

Serve this over hot cooked rice, buttered egg noodles, or fluffy mashed potatoes to catch every bit of the savory juices. A side of green beans, sliced tomatoes, sweet corn, or a simple cucumber salad fits right in with the summer table, and a piece of warm crusty bread never goes to waste alongside it.

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Mid-Summer Magic

Servings: 6

Finished slow cooker ground pork and summer vegetables
Finished slow cooker ground pork and summer vegetables

Ingredients

2 pounds raw ground pork

1 large onion, sliced
2 medium zucchini, chopped
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen

Directions

1. Place the raw ground pork in the bottom of a black slow cooker, breaking it into large chunks so it can cook evenly.

2. Scatter the sliced onion, chopped zucchini, diced tomatoes with their juices, and corn over the pork.

3. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the pork is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.

4. Remove the lid, break the pork into smaller crumbles, and stir everything together well so the juices coat the meat and vegetables evenly.

5. Spoon the hot mixture into bowls and serve as is or over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.

Variations & Tips

Add a little seasoning: If your pantry’s handy, a spoonful of tomato paste, a pinch of garlic powder, or a shake of black pepper can give this dish a little extra backbone without changing its easy nature.

Make it heartier: This is especially good spooned over mashed potatoes or rice, and if you need to stretch it for a bigger family, serve smaller portions with plenty of sides like corn on the cob or buttered bread.

Swap the vegetables: Yellow squash works just as nicely as zucchini, and if you have garden peppers or green beans needing to be used, they can go right into the pot with good results.

Drain if needed: Depending on the pork you use, there may be a bit more rendered fat in the cooker than you want. Just skim off a little before stirring at the end for a lighter finished dish.