Some dinners practically cook themselves, and that’s exactly what makes “set it and forget it” meals a total lifesaver. With just a few minutes of prep, the slow cooker takes care of the rest. These easy recipes take the stress out of dinner and serve up hearty, flavorful favorites that are perfect for hectic nights.
Slow Cooker Taco Soup
Taco soup in the slow cooker is hearty, flavorful, and guaranteed to fill everyone up without leaving a mess in the kitchen. A mix of chicken, meatballs, veggies, and spices cooks together into a rich, comforting soup that’s perfect for topping with cheese, sour cream, or avocado. It’s a hands-off dinner that’s equally great for weeknights or serving a hungry crowd.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Taco Soup
Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken
Slow cooker cheesy ranch chicken takes just a few simple ingredients and transforms them into the ultimate comfort food with ease. Juicy chicken simmers in a creamy ranch sauce, then gets topped with gooey melted cheese that makes every bite rich and delicious. It’s a dinner you can prepare in the morning and come back to later, ready to serve on plates with zero stress.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken
Beef Barbacoa
Beef barbacoa slow cooks into a tender, flavor-packed meal that’s as versatile as it is easy. The meat is infused with smoky spices and a hint of tang, making it perfect for tacos, burritos, bowls, or even nachos. With almost no prep and a lot of payoff, it’s one of those dinners that tastes like you fussed when all you did was wait.
Get the Recipe: Beef Barbacoa
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Slow cooker beef stew is a meal that makes your whole kitchen smell amazing while you barely lift a finger. Chunks of beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich broth come together slowly until everything is melt-in-your-mouth tender. Perfect for cold nights or hectic days, it’s an easy way to end the day with a warm, hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
Salsa chicken is one of the simplest dishes to throw into a slow cooker, yet the payoff is huge. Chicken breasts soak up the tangy, spicy flavors of your favorite salsa, creating a tender, versatile protein that works for tacos, bowls, or salads. It’s a two-ingredient recipe that feels almost too easy, but delivers big on flavor and flexibility.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli cheddar soup in the slow cooker means creamy, cheesy comfort without hovering over the stove. Broccoli, broth, cheddar, and aromatics simmer together until they blend into a rich soup that feels indulgent yet homemade. It’s cozy, filling, and a meal that makes even an ordinary day feel like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Baby Back Ribs
Baby back ribs turn out fall-off-the-bone perfect when you let the slow cooker and oven team up to do the work. A quick spice rub and sticky glaze bring bold, smoky-sweet flavor, while the long cook time keeps the meat juicy and tender. With only a few minutes of prep, this rib recipe delivers a restaurant-style dinner with almost no effort at all.
Get the Recipe: Baby Back Ribs
Chicken Paprikash
Chicken Paprikash brings Hungarian comfort straight to the table with minimal effort thanks to a slow simmer. Juicy chicken cooks down in a creamy paprika sauce that’s rich, velvety, and full of flavor. Served over noodles or rice, it’s a dinner that feels indulgent but only requires a little prep before letting the heat do the rest.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash
Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Beef and broccoli take on a stress-free twist when you let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting. Tender beef mingles with broccoli in a garlicky, gingery sauce that thickens into the perfect glossy finish by dinnertime. Served over rice or cauliflower rice, it’s a complete meal that tastes like takeout but requires almost no work.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Barbacoa Tacos
Taco night gets an upgrade with barbacoa tacos that practically make themselves in the slow cooker. The beef cooks until tender and loaded with spices, then all that’s left to do is pile it into tortillas and add toppings like avocado, sour cream, and cilantro. It’s the definition of “set it and forget it,” yet the end result feels like a meal you worked on all day.
Get the Recipe: Barbacoa Tacos
Italian Beef
Slow cooker Italian beef makes dinnertime feel effortless while delivering bold, hearty flavor. Chuck roast and peppers slowly soak up Italian herbs and broth until the meat is tender enough to shred with a fork. Pile it into sandwiches, serve with grain bowls, or top with tangy pickled veggies for a versatile meal that basically makes itself.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Beef stroganoff takes on a cozy, stress-free twist when made in the slow cooker. The beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, mushrooms add savory depth, and the creamy sauce ties everything together into a hearty dish. By dinnertime, all you need is a plate of noodles or rice to soak it up, and comfort is served.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Pot roast is a classic that feels like home, and the slow cooker makes it easier than ever to enjoy. Beef, carrots, and potatoes simmer all day in a rich broth, filling the house with the kind of smell that makes everyone hungry. With almost no work, you end up with a hearty dinner complete with meat, vegetables, and gravy ready to ladle onto plates.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash
Shepherd’s pie in the crockpot is the meal prep dream that takes care of both weeknight dinners and leftovers. Ground beef and veggies form the base while creamy cauliflower mash finishes it off, all slow-cooked until warm and bubbly. It’s hearty, flavorful, and lightened up just enough to keep it in regular rotation.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash
Rump Roast
Rump roast is a simple yet elegant dinner that comes out perfectly tender after a slow cook. A quick rub of herbs and spices is all it takes before the oven or crockpot does the rest, filling the meat with deep, savory flavor. Serve it with roasted vegetables and you’ve got a meal that works for both busy nights and special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Rump Roast
Grandma’s Hearty Offal Stew
Offal stew is a vintage recipe that uses every part of the cow, turning humble cuts like heart and kidney into something rich and nourishing. Slow cooking softens the tougher meat and infuses it with the flavors of herbs and broth. It’s budget-friendly, deeply delicious, and a way to honor old-school cooking traditions.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Hearty Offal Stew
Beef Shank in the Slow Cooker
Beef shank transforms into fall-off-the-bone tenderness after a long, slow cook. The marrow adds richness while the herbs and broth build layers of flavor into the meat and sauce. Served with cauliflower mash or roasted vegetables, it’s a filling, no-stress dinner that feels downright luxurious.
Get the Recipe: Beef Shank in the Slow Cooker