Updated for 2024
The crockpot, or slow cooker, may be a busy Mom’s best friend — and the perfect way to save time making dinner. Once you gather ingredients, load them up into this handy kitchen appliance, and plug it in, your meal will start cooking while you go about your day, hands-free.
As an extra bonus, using a slow cooker keeps the kitchen cooler because you won’t be turning on the oven.
Soups, stews, and roasts are crockpot mainstays, but you can make light, healthy recipes with your slow cooker, too. We have rounded up a list of great recipes from us and from food bloggers around the internet that are perfect for dinners made easy.
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Easy Crockpot Recipes
Slow Cooker Herb Chicken With Potatoes, Carrots And Mushrooms
From Reuse Grow Enjoy
Sometimes you just need a meal that’s easy, quick, and practically makes itself! That description fits this meal perfectly making it a great meal option on a busy night.
Slow Cooker Taco Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Allergy-Free)
From Strength & Sunshine
You’ll only need a few basic ingredients to make this chicken — and it makes the perfect base ingredient for more than one supper with your family.
Sweet Potatoes and Spicy Chorizo Stew
From My Chefs Apron
If you’re looking for a filling one-pot meal, this one fits the bill. It’s loaded with meat and veggies and is versatile enough that you can make it in either a crockpot or an instant pot, depending on your preference.
Easiest Ever Crockpot Carnitas Recipe
From Finding Time to Fly
You can make food for a crowd — or just your own family using these great instructions. Just add one or two sides to complete the meal.
Crockpot New England Clam Chowder
From Finding Time to Fly
Soup is a delicious main course when you need comfort food as well as when the temperatures plummet. This one is super simple and it pairs easily with a salad, sandwich, or some fruit.
3 Ingredient Crock Pot Pork Chops
From Food Hussy
Are you tired of eating pork chops cooked the same way every time you have them? Get out of your routine by trying out this recipe. It only takes three ingredients. What could be easier?
Related: 55+ Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipe Ideas
Crockpot Swedish Meatballs
From This Silly Girl’s Kitchen
You can do the prep work ahead of time when you make this meal for your family’s next meal. That, and a slow cooker, makes it even easier to make if you’re in a hurry while preparing it.
Slow Cooker Beef And Ale Pie
From Recipethis.com
Hand pies and pot pies are delicious as a main course for any meal, in our opinion! And this slow-cooker beef and ale pie looks flakey and satisfying.
Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
From The Dizzy Cook
Your taste buds will sing when you sink your teeth into this yummy chicken dish. It’s flavorful, tangy, moist, and simple to make.
Related: 30 Delicious Apple Recipes You’ll Love
Crock Pot BBQ Brisket
From Easy Family Recipes
Barbeque brisket is a simple crockpot meal your family and friends will love. They may even ask for the recipe so they can recreate it!
Crockpot Smothered Chicken Thighs
From Two Pink Peonies
When you need a meal you can throw together fast, this one is a winner, winner, chicken dinner! It only takes a few ingredients and can be served over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles. Add a salad or veggie dish and you’ve got a complete meal.
Crockpot Turkey Tetrazzini
From Urban Bliss Life
Using leftovers is a snap when you use them to whip up this delicious recipe. And it all cooks in the crockpot so you don’t have a ton of extra dishes to wash up at the end of your meal. You can even freeze it.
Slow Cooker Italian Beef
From XOXOBella
You can serve this dish on a deli-style bun for a simple main course that everyone will enjoy. What’s more, it’s the perfect option when you don’t want to heat the house up by making something in your oven.
Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken with Snap Peas
From XOXOBella
Are you longing for something with an Asian flair but don’t have time to stand over the stove and make it? Try making this yummy recipe using your slow cooker instead. Add some cooked rice and you’ve got dinner!
Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna
From I Heart Vegetables
If you’re having an Italian food craving, check out this recipe for ravioli lasagna. You’ll only need three ingredients, plus your crockpot or oven, to make it, but if you want to impress family or guests, add some garlic bread and salad.
Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
From Bless This Meal
This crockpot dish is basically a meal by itself, but if you add a salad, garlic bread, wine, and dessert you’re sure to dazzle any guests you’re dining with.
Easy Vegan Sausage and Bean Casserole
From We Made This Vegan
For a busy weeknight meal, try out this Vegan sausage casserole with beans recipe. You can do some of the work in advance to save time after a long work day.
Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Short Ribs
From Recipes Worth Repeating
You’ll be in love with these tangy, sticky ribs when you make them. But the nice thing is that you can make them in your crockpot rather than heating up your house by using the oven — and you don’t need a grill either.
Cabbage Roll Casserole
From Recipes Worth Repeating
Have you ever had cabbage rolls? If not, you’re missing out! But instead of taking time to make traditional cabbage rolls, try this layered version instead to save time. It’s a great main course for any weekend or weeknight meal.
Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wings (3 Ingredients)
From Dr. Davinah’s Eats
If you like BBQ chicken then you’ll love sinking your teeth into these BBQ chicken wings. They can be made easily in your crockpot, but to make them perfect you’ll want to broil them for just a few minutes at the end. Pair them with corn on the cob and potato salad for the perfect picnic meal!
Hoisin Honey Pulled Pork with Pickled Cucumber Salad
From Erica’s Recipes
Juicy, tender pulled pork is one dish that sort of melts in your mouth, don’t you think? This recipe can be made in your slow cooker while you’re busy doing other things throughout your day. And when evening comes, voilà! Dinner is ready!
Slow Cooker Quinoa Tamale Casserole
From Erica’s Recipes
Would you like to make something in your crockpot that’s gluten-free and dairy-free yet yummy? We think this recipe fits that description perfectly. It’s full of healthy ingredients yet it’s satisfying and tasty.
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
From The Cookin’ Chicks
Keto meals can be mouthwatering, as this crack chicken proves. It’s simple and only requires a few basic ingredients to make. Plus, you can make it as a main dish on a bun or as a dip with chips or crackers. And it freezes well.
The Best Slow-Cooked Beef Shanks in Red Wine Sauce
From Chez Lalonde
You’ll be billed as an amazing cook when you make this for your family’s next meal. It’s another great supper you can make in your slow cooker while you do other things with your day.
Crockpot Sesame Chicken
From Easy Chicken Recipes
If you’re yearning for Chinese food, this recipe has got you covered. Even looking at the photo has my taste buds tingling. I can practically taste it!
Crock Pot Beef & Veggies Over Rice
From Rose Bakes
Another great Asian-inspired meal that will please practically everyone it’s served to is crockpot beef and veggies over rice. It’s proof that you don’t have to stand over a hot stove for hours to make good food.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dressing
From Son Shine Kitchen
When you want chicken and stuffing but don’t want to turn your oven on for hours, here’s a recipe that you can make in a slow cooker instead. And you can literally dump everything in the pot and let it cook all day, then quickly shred the chicken and your main course is ready.
Slow-cooker Chicken Pot Pie
From Ann’s Entitled Life
What could be more delicious, or easy to make, than chicken pot pie? This recipe is loaded with vegetables and flavor.
Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff Recipe
From Ann’s Entitled Life
During the cooler months, comfort foods are just so… well, comforting — not to mention delicious! We bet you’ll want more after you make this dish and slide the first fork-full into your mouth.
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
From Snappy Gourmet
Did you know you can make macaroni and cheese in your slow cooker? It’s especially helpful if you want to make your sides early so you can tend to a grill or if you don’t want to use the oven and heat up your house.
Crockpot Chili
From Agoura Hills Mom
I love chili and one of the reasons I don’t make it often is because it takes so long. Not a problem with the crockpot! Agoura Hills Mom gives extra tips about what to serve on the side as well as why this dish is perfect to serve no matter the season. Her version calls for ground beef, but you can easily make it with vegetables only if you prefer.
Potato Leek Soup
From Mama Likes to Cook
This recipe looks very tasty and hearty, perfect for a chilly winter dinner — and there are only 5 ingredients, one of which is water, which almost doesn’t count. I’ll be giving this a try for sure.
Garlic Butter Chicken
From Butter Your Biscuit
This is a recipe for what amounts to rotisserie chicken in the crockpot. And it tastes amazing. I love chicken cooked this way, and may or may not have purchased many from Costco. This recipe lets you make it at home, and because it’s in the slow cooker, the machine does the work for you. I tried it recently and I’m HOOKED.
Vegan Frijoles (Beans)
From Yvonne In LA
Yvonne did a Vegan Challenge a couple of years ago and believe me, it was a tough one. One of the best aspects of the challenge, though, was learning new recipes — and Yvonne’s beans are some of the best ever. Enjoy!
Related: Try our No-Oil Pesto Recipe
Slow Cooker Kalua Pork
From Creme de la Crumb
Having grown up in Hawaii, I’m a fan of all items from the luau menu, with the exception of poi, and especially Kalua pork. This recipe looks amazing, and it’s so simple, which is always a bonus.
Classic Crockpot Roast
From Don’t Waste the Crumbs
Pot roast may be your new best friend for dinner, based on how easy this recipe is and how delicious it looks. Plus, it’ll make great leftovers!
Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
From Carlsbad Cravings
I love BBQ pork ribs and try to find any excuse to have them. This recipe is just what the doctor ordered because it happens in the crockpot! Yum!
Slow Cooker Cabbage Soup
From The Busy Baker
I am a fan of all cruciferous vegetables, and cabbage soup sounds amazing. Super healthy and of course, super easy in the crockpot.
Related: Food to Celebrate the Los Angeles Rams
Hot Crab Dip
From Mid-life Musings
If you’re looking for something a little different, this hot crab dip is just the ticket. You can enjoy it with crackers or toast but if you want to make it a bit lighter, try it on top of veggies like celery or cucumbers. It’s really easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.
Pantry Cleaner Vegetable Soup — RECIPE
From MomsLA
I love chunky vegetable soup almost as much as I love the crockpot itself, and this one has the added benefit of being a great pantry cleaner — meaning, you can add whatever vegetables you have in the fridge or in the cupboard that you like. Here’s what I had in the cupboard today when I made it:
Crockpot Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
2 cups carrots, peeled & chopped
2 cups red onions, peeled & chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled & chopped
4- 5 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 can corn kernels
Add all the ingredients to the crockpot and start it up. Set it on high for 4 hours if you’re kind of in a “rush” and set it on low for 6-8 hours if you’re not. I serve this with a big salad on the side. Super healthy, super delicious, super easy.
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Acknowledgment: This round-up of recipes and photos from other bloggers was made with their full and express permission to share. We’re grateful to them for sharing their creativity and talent and we encourage you to visit each of their websites for many more recipes like these.
Janice Lalonde
Wednesday 26th of July 2023
Thank you so much for choosing my recipe to showcase on your post! I am beyond excited and can’t wait to try other bloggers’ recipes too!
Sarah Auerswald
Thursday 27th of July 2023
Thanks for sharing your great recipe!
Kristine Halverson
Monday 30th of December 2013
Hi! Love these recipes. Thank you. Kristine
Sarah Auerswald
Monday 30th of December 2013
So glad! Thanks for reading!