21 set-it-and-forget-it crockpot recipes that save game day

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The worst part of hosting game day? Missing every touchdown because you’re juggling pans and checking temperatures. Your crockpot solves this problem by doing all the work. These recipes prove that low-effort cooking can still impress your crowd.

Three slow cooker tacos with chicken, lime, avocado and tomatoes.
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Slow cooker country style ribs on a tray on top of mashed potatoes with corn.
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These country style ribs are a game day winner because they cook themselves while you focus on setting up and watching the action. The combination of peach preserves, honey, and BBQ sauce creates tender ribs with barely any hands-on time required.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Crockpot Little Smokies

Crock pot little smokies on a spoon over the slow cooker.
Crockpot Little Smokies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Three ingredients and zero stress make these little smokies the easiest game day appetizer you can pull off. Just dump everything in the crockpot and let it work while you enjoy the game with your guests.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Little Smokies

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Cheese covered slow cooker chili mac in the crock pot with a wooden spoon.
Slow Cooker Chili Mac. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This one-pot chili mac brings together two crowd favorites into a single dish that’s perfect for feeding hungry game day fans. The crockpot handles everything so you can stay out of the kitchen during the big plays.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Ribs

Two glazed barbecue ribs placed on top of creamy macaroni and cheese in a metal tray, with a red and white checkered cloth partially visible.
Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Game day gets easier when your ribs only need 10 minutes of prep before the slow cooker takes over. These fall-off-the-bone ribs develop a sticky caramelized glaze while you’re free to watch every touchdown.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Ribs

Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili

Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.
Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Hawaiian-style chili is an easy crockpot option that feeds your game day crowd without keeping you tied to the stove. Set it in the morning and come back to a ready-to-serve meal by kickoff.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili

Slow Cooker Beef Beer Sliders

Three pulled pork sliders with pickles and cheese are stacked on a white plate.
Slow Cooker Beef Beer Sliders. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These beef sliders are built for game day gatherings where you want great food without missing the action. Tender beef with pickles and onions cooks away in the slow cooker while you actually get to be part of the party.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Beer Sliders

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Three slow cooker tacos with chicken, lime, avocado and tomatoes.
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Game day taco bars become stress-free when your chicken cooks itself in the crockpot with honey and lime. Set it up hours ahead and let everyone build their own tacos during halftime.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Coca Cola Meatballs

A spoon holds saucy, glazed meatballs garnished with herbs over a pot with more meatballs inside.
Coca Cola Meatballs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Six ingredients and five minutes of prep make these Coca-Cola meatballs a no-brainer for game day. The crockpot turns them sweet and tangy while you’re busy watching the plays unfold.
Get the Recipe: Coca Cola Meatballs

Sloppy Joes

Three sloppy joe sandwiches filled with seasoned ground beef and diced red peppers on a white plate, placed on a red and white checkered cloth.
Sloppy Joes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These slow cooker sloppy joes use Dr Pepper as the secret ingredient and require almost no attention while they simmer. Perfect for game day when you want to feed a crowd but still catch every moment of the action.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joes

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

A slow cooker filled with cooked sausages, sliced bell peppers, and tomato sauce, with a blue-striped cloth and green leafy plant nearby.
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Juicy sausage with caramelized peppers and onions cooks hands-off in the crockpot, making it perfect for game day hosting. This recipe lets you serve a flavorful meal without abandoning your spot on the couch.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Coca Cola Pulled Pork

A serving of pulled pork in a white bowl with hamburger buns and bottled coca-cola in the background on a checkered cloth.
Coca Cola Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Tender pulled pork that cooks itself is exactly what game day needs. This Coca-Cola version requires minimal effort up front and delivers maximum flavor while you’re focused on the game.
Get the Recipe: Coca Cola Pulled Pork

Buffalo Chicken Chili

Closeup of a bowl of Buffalo chicken chili.
Buffalo Chicken Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Buffalo chicken chili brings bold heat to your game day spread and cooks entirely in the crockpot. Tender chicken, hot sauce, and beans simmer together while you enjoy the game with your guests.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Queso Dip

A tortilla chip being dipped into a bowl of creamy, orange cheese dip garnished with chopped green onions and lime slices.
Slow Cooker Queso Dip. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Creamy, cheesy queso that stays hot throughout the entire game is the ultimate party dip for your crockpot. This easy recipe keeps your guests happy without requiring you to leave the TV.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Queso Dip

Crock Pot Baked Ziti

A bowl of pasta with meat and tomatoes.
Crock Pot Baked Ziti. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Layers of ziti, marinara, cheese, and sausage meld together in the crockpot for a game day meal that practically makes itself. This stress-free comfort food feeds a crowd while you focus on the scoreboard.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Baked Ziti

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

Tray of shredded pork tacos in flour tortillas, garnished with cilantro and served with lime wedges.
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This slow cooker sweet pork is game day gold when you want to set up a taco or burrito bar. Toss a few ingredients together in the morning and return to perfectly cooked pork ready for serving.
Get the Recipe: Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes

A close-up of a crispy Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joe sandwich with creamy sauce on a soft bun, served on a plate.
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Buffalo sauce meets classic sloppy joes in this crockpot recipe that’s built for easy game day meals. Everything cooks slowly to perfection while you stay planted in front of the game.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Ranch Sandwiches

A chicken sandwich topped with coleslaw on a seeded bun, served with French fries and a pickle spear on a white plate.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Ranch Sandwiches. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The BBQ and ranch combo in these crockpot chicken sandwiches makes them a game day crowd-pleaser. They’re budget-friendly and cook themselves while you handle the rest of your party setup.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Ranch Sandwiches

Crock Pot Hot Dogs

Three crock pot hot dogs with assorted toppings.
Crock Pot Hot Dogs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

A slow cooker full of hot dogs is the smartest way to feed game day crowds without babysitting the stove. They steam perfectly and stay hot so guests can grab them whenever they want.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Hot Dogs

Crockpot Chili Without Beans

A slow cooker dinner recipe featuring two bowls of chili topped with avocado.
Crockpot Chili Without Beans. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This bean-free chili loaded with extra veggies is an easy crockpot option for game day gatherings. Set it and forget it while you enjoy the game, then serve it up when everyone’s ready to eat.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili Without Beans

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