When life is overwhelming me, and I am pushing through the day, my slow cooker creates magic and has dinner waiting for me as I come home exhausted! These 18 slow cooker recipes will do their magic while you're driving kids around, working, or even hiding in the bathroom for five minutes of peace. Just pour in the ingredients in the morning, and come home to a fulfilling meal.

1) Pulled Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa

The upgraded taco night experience that my family always asks for is tender, smoky pulled pork, topped with mango salsa.

ONE LIST

Five simple dinners. One grocery list.

No recipe hunting, no messy shopping notes, no complicated chef projects. Just family dinners that fit real weeks.

Get This Week's Plan

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

2) Hearty Beef Stew

Cozy up with this beef stew! The slow cooker makes the beef melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Hearty Beef Stew

Pieces of beef and vegetables slow cooked in thick yummy gravy.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs beef chuck cubed
• 4 carrots chunked
• 3 potatoes cubed
• 1 onion diced
• 3 cups beef broth
• 3 tbsp flour

Method

 

1. Toss the beef cubes in flour, salt, and pepper.
2. Layer the beef, carrots, potatoes, and onion in the crockpot.
3. Pour in the beef broth.
4. Cover and cook on low 8 hours until the beef is tender.
5. Stir well to thicken the gravy, adjusting seasoning to taste.
6. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

Browning the beef first is optional but adds extra depth of flavor.

3) Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

This is the meal the kids gobble down and what I absolutely adore is how creamy and cheesy it is and how the tortellini is so tender!

Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

Cheese tortellini and chicken in a creamy Alfredo sauce made right in the crockpot.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs chicken breasts cubed
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated parmesan
• 20 oz cheese tortellini refrigerated
• 3 cloves garlic minced

Method

 

1. Place the chicken, cream, broth, and garlic in the crockpot.
2. Cover and cook on low 3 hours until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Stir in the parmesan until melted into the sauce.
4. Add the tortellini and stir to submerge.
5. Cover and cook 30 to 45 minutes more until the tortellini is tender.
6. Season and serve hot.

Notes

Add the tortellini at the end so it doesn't turn mushy.

4) Vegetable Ratatouille

With a slow cooker, you can make this stew gorgeous, healthy, and almost effortless!

Vegetable Ratatouille

A mix of summer veggies cooked and combined in an herby tomato sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 eggplant cubed
• 2 zucchini sliced
• 2 bell peppers chopped
• 1 can crushed tomatoes 28 oz
• 1 onion diced
• 2 tsp dried herbs de Provence

Method

 

1. Add the eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and onion to the crockpot.
2. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and sprinkle with the herbs.
3. Season with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
4. Stir to combine everything evenly.
5. Cover and cook on low 5 hours until the vegetables are tender.
6. Serve warm over rice or with crusty bread.

5) Buffalo Chicken Dip

I always take this dip to parties and it gets consumed before halftime.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

A creamy dip made in the slow cooker! We added shredded chicken and spicy buffalo sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 0.5 cup buffalo sauce
• 0.5 cup ranch dressing
• 1 cup shredded cheddar

Method

 

1. Add the shredded chicken, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and ranch to the crockpot.
2. Cover and cook on low 1 hour.
3. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and smooth.
4. Mix in the shredded cheddar.
5. Cover and cook 30 to 60 minutes more until hot and bubbly.
6. Serve warm with chips, celery, or crackers.

Notes

Keep it on the warm setting so it stays melty throughout the party.

6) Chocolate Lava Cake

A little kitchen miracle is a good description for this slow cooker self baking fudgey chocolate cake!

Chocolate Lava Cake

An indulgent and gooey chocolate cake with a molten center that is cooked in a crockpot.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 0.5 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup milk
• 0.33 cup melted butter
• 1.5 cups hot water

Method

 

1. Grease the crockpot and whisk flour, half the sugar, half the cocoa, milk, and butter into a batter.
2. Spread the batter evenly in the crockpot.
3. Stir the remaining sugar and cocoa together and sprinkle over the batter.
4. Gently pour the hot water over the top without stirring.
5. Cover and cook on high 2 to 2.5 hours until the top is set but the center is gooey.
6. Turn off the heat and let it rest 15 minutes to firm slightly before scooping.

Notes

Resist peeking too early; the molten center needs the full cook time to develop.

7) Savory Meatballs

These lengthy cooking meatballs give an oozy tender meatball expliera way to saucy meatballs. Perfect for dinner or a party platter.

Savory Meatballs

Delicious meatballs cooked slowly in a rich tomato and herb sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs ground beef
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 jar marinara sauce 24 oz
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Method

 

1. Mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
2. Roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs.
3. Place the meatballs in the crockpot.
4. Pour the marinara over the top.
5. Cover and cook on low 4 hours until cooked through and tender.
6. Serve over pasta or as an appetizer with toothpicks.

8) Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole

This cheesy casserole is the ultimate form of comfort food and can almost be considered a make yourself dish!

9) Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

These bone-in chicken wings marinated in sweet and sticky garlic sauce will literally fall off the bone from the sticky garlic goodness.

Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Slow-cooked tender chicken wings with a honey garlic glaze.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 3 lbs chicken wings
• 0.5 cup honey
• 0.33 cup soy sauce
• 5 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

Method

 

1. Place the wings in the crockpot.
2. Whisk honey, soy sauce, garlic, and rice vinegar, then pour over the wings.
3. Cover and cook on low 4 hours until tender.
4. Whisk the cornstarch with a splash of water and stir into the sauce.
5. Cook 20 minutes more until the glaze thickens.
6. Broil briefly for crisp edges if desired, then serve.

Notes

A quick run under the broiler makes the wings sticky and caramelized.

10) Savory French Onion Soup

Slow-cooker soup with deeply caramelized onions and rich broth tastes like a classic bistro dish.

Savory French Onion Soup

Sweet slow-cooked onions served in a rich beef broth and topped with toasted bread.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 5 large onions thinly sliced
• 6 cups beef broth
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 6 slices baguette toasted
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère

Method

 

1. Add the sliced onions and butter to the crockpot.
2. Cover and cook on low 8 hours until deeply golden and caramelized.
3. Stir in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
4. Cover and cook 1 hour more to meld the flavors.
5. Ladle into bowls and top each with a toasted baguette slice and Gruyère.
6. Broil briefly to melt the cheese, then serve.

11) Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Tender, juicy chicken thighs absorb the flavors of a sweet and savory teriyaki glaze that pairs perfectly with a bowl of rice.

Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Slow cooker boneless chicken thighs with homemade teriyaki sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs
• 0.5 cup soy sauce
• 0.33 cup brown sugar
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

Method

 

1. Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot.
2. Whisk soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger, then pour over the chicken.
3. Cover and cook on low 4 hours until tender.
4. Whisk the cornstarch with a splash of water and stir into the sauce.
5. Cook 15 minutes more until the sauce thickens and glosses.
6. Serve over rice with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

12) Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

This soup is silky and basil-forward. It is the ultimate hug in a bowl on your busiest days as it combines comfort and coziness.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Slow cooker tomato soup finished with cream and fresh basil.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 cans crushed tomatoes 28 oz each
• 1 onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 0.33 cup fresh basil chopped

Method

 

1. Add the crushed tomatoes, onion, garlic, and broth to the crockpot.
2. Cover and cook on low 5 hours.
3. Blend the soup until smooth with an immersion blender.
4. Stir in the heavy cream and fresh basil.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity.
6. Serve hot with grilled bread.

Notes

A pinch of sugar tames the tomatoes' acidity beautifully.

13) Slow Cooker Chili

My favorite chili that gets thick and smoky and also gets better the longer it simmers is what I make for cold weather and game days.

Slow Cooker Chili

A nice and cozy chili made with beef and beans and slowly simmered with all the right spices.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs ground beef browned
• 2 cans kidney beans drained
• 1 can crushed tomatoes 28 oz
• 1 onion diced
• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp cumin

Method

 

1. Add the browned ground beef to the crockpot.
2. Stir in the kidney beans, tomatoes, onion, chili powder, and cumin.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Cover and cook on low 6 hours.
5. Stir well and adjust the seasoning to taste.
6. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

14) Barbecue Ribs

You can make the slow cooker tender than normal baby back ribs as tender as the ribs you buy at the store that fall off the bone.

Barbecue Ribs

Barbecue-drenched, fall-off-the-bone tender, slow-cooked pork ribs.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 3 lbs pork baby back ribs cut into sections
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1.5 cups barbecue sauce
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Rub the ribs with brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
2. Stand the rib sections in the crockpot and brush with half the barbecue sauce.
3. Cover and cook on low 7 hours until tender.
4. Carefully transfer the ribs to a foil-lined sheet.
5. Brush with the remaining sauce and broil 5 minutes until caramelized.
6. Rest a few minutes, then serve.

Notes

A quick broil at the end gives the ribs that sticky, charred finish.

15) Butter Chicken

You would never believe that this butter chicken, which smells great, tastes amazing, and is ready for dinner by itself, is complete with home delivery!

Butter Chicken

Slow-cooker style tender chicken with spicy cream and tomato sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs chicken thighs cubed
• 1 can tomato sauce 15 oz
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 3 cloves garlic minced

Method

 

1. Add the chicken, tomato sauce, garam masala, ginger, and garlic to the crockpot.
2. Stir to coat the chicken evenly.
3. Cover and cook on low 5 hours until the chicken is tender.
4. Stir in the heavy cream.
5. Cover and cook 15 minutes more until warmed through.
6. Season with salt and serve over rice.

16) Lentil Curry

Everyone will love this cozy, wallet-friendly lentil curry! It's so hearty that no one will miss the meat.

Lentil Curry

Red lentils are cooked in a thick and creamy coconut curry sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups red lentils rinsed
• 1 can coconut milk 14 oz
• 1 can diced tomatoes 14 oz
• 1 onion diced
• 3 tbsp curry powder
• 4 cups vegetable broth

Method

 

1. Add the lentils, tomatoes, onion, curry powder, and broth to the crockpot.
2. Stir to combine.
3. Cover and cook on low 5 hours until the lentils are tender.
4. Stir in the coconut milk.
5. Cover and cook 15 minutes more until creamy.
6. Season with salt and serve over rice.

Notes

Stir well at the end since the lentils settle to the bottom.

17) Cornbread Pudding

At potlucks, this sweet-and-sour side dish, which is a fusion of a casserole and cornbread, always gets eaten.

18) Tuscan White Bean Soup

Soup is the heart of the home, and rustic, garlicky white bean soup with greens is the creme de la creme.

Tuscan White Bean Soup

Creamy white beans, shredded kale, and tomatoes simmered together in a rich herbed broth.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 5 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 3 cans cannellini beans drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes 14 oz
• 1 onion diced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 3 cups chopped kale
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil for serving

Method

 

1. Add the beans, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and broth to the crockpot.
2. Season with the kosher salt, black pepper, and dried rosemary.
3. Cover and cook on low 5 hours.
4. Mash some of the beans against the side to thicken the broth.
5. Stir in the kale and cook 30 minutes more until wilted.
6. Adjust seasoning and serve with a drizzle of olive oil.