19 Slow Cooker Dinners That Prove You Don’t Need Cooking Skills To Eat Well

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Slow cookers are the great equalizers in the world of home cooking, turning even beginners into creators of impressive dinners. With minimal prep and practically zero monitoring, you can create meals that rival those made by experienced home chefs.

Slow cooker Italian beef on a crusty roll with provolone cheese and peppers.
Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Smothered Steak

A plate with a serving of mashed potatoes topped with two pieces of meat in brown gravy, garnished with herbs and accompanied by Brussels sprouts.
Slow Cooker Smothered Steak. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Even cooking beginners can create restaurant-quality meals with this foolproof smothered steak recipe. Your slow cooker does all the hard work, turning inexpensive cuts into fork-tender meat swimming in rich gravy while you go about your day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Smothered Steak

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.

No grilling skills needed for these mouthwatering country style ribs that practically cook themselves. The simple combination of peach preserves, honey and BBQ sauce creates fall-off-the-bone meat that tastes like you’ve been cooking all day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow cooker bbq chicken legs in the crock pot after cooking.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These BBQ chicken legs prove that cooking impressive meals requires almost zero effort when you use a slow cooker. Just toss the drumsticks with sauce ingredients, set the timer, and return hours later to perfectly cooked chicken with a sticky, tangy coating.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Crock Pot Ramen

Top view of slow cooker chicken ramen in the Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Ramen. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Crock Pot ramen takes the intimidation factor out of making homemade noodle soup. Simply add your ingredients to the slow cooker and walk away – no special techniques or constant monitoring required for a steaming bowl of comfort.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ramen

Mexican Street Corn Soup

Street corn soup with potatoes, corn and red pepper in the crock pot with a spoon on the side.
Mexican Street Corn Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Mexican street corn soup demonstrates how a slow cooker can transform simple ingredients into something spectacular without constant attention. The hands-off cooking method lets flavors develop deeply while you’re busy doing literally anything else.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Soup

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken on a white plate on rice topped with parsley.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This creamy chicken recipe shows why slow cookers are perfect for cooking novices who want impressive results. The appliance does all the work, melding the spices and creating a rich sauce while turning ordinary chicken into a dinner that seems far more complicated than it actually is.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

A crock pot filled with chicken and lemons.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These slow cooker chicken thighs prove that basic ingredients can become extraordinary with almost no cooking skills required. Just arrange the thighs in your slow cooker, add a few pantry staples, and let time work its magic for juicy, flavorful chicken every time.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker Chicken a la King

Plate of creamy chicken and vegetables in sauce served over a biscuit, garnished with chopped herbs.
Slow Cooker Chicken a la King. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Transform leftover chicken into an impressive meal without advanced cooking techniques using this slow cooker approach. With just 15 minutes of simple prep, anyone can create this velvety sauce loaded with tender chicken and vegetables – no culinary school required.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken a la King

Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches

Slow cooker Italian beef on a crusty roll with provolone cheese and peppers.
Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Italian beef sandwiches demonstrate why slow cookers are the secret weapon of non-cooks everywhere. The long, hands-off cooking process makes even inexperienced cooks look like pros, turning tough beef cuts into tender, flavor-packed sandwich fillings topped with melty provolone.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Beef pot roast with mushrooms and gravy in a slow cooker, garnished with parsley.
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This beef stroganoff showcases how slow cookers help kitchen novices create classic comfort food with minimal effort. The gentle heat breaks down tougher beef cuts while developing a rich, creamy sauce – all without requiring you to master any complicated techniques.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

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 chili mac proves that impressive one-pot meals don’t require advanced cooking knowledge. Your slow cooker handles the timing and temperature control, creating the perfect marriage of spicy chili and cheesy pasta while you focus on literally anything else.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

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.

These Buffalo chicken sloppy joes show that cooking skills aren’t necessary for creating crowd-pleasing meals. The slow cooker gently melds the spicy Buffalo kick with tender chicken, giving you freedom to ignore it completely until dinner time.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes

Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Ham and Potato soup in a gray and white bowl with a spoon.
Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This ham and potato soup demonstrates why slow cookers are perfect for cooking beginners craving homemade comfort food. The simple prep and hands-off cooking create a rich, creamy soup that tastes like you’ve been stirring at the stove all day.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Crock Pot Beer Brats

Brats and beer served on a cutting board.
Crock Pot Beer Brats. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These beer brats highlight how slow cookers make special-occasion food accessible to even the most inexperienced cooks. The appliance gently simmers the bratwurst and onions in beer, infusing deep flavor without requiring any special techniques or constant attention.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Beer Brats

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.

This Coca-Cola pulled pork shows that even kitchen novices can create impressive, flavor-packed meals with minimal effort. The soda works magic in your slow cooker, breaking down tough pork cuts into tender, shreddable meat while you’re busy doing anything but cooking.
Get the Recipe: Coca Cola Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Beef tips with mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts.
Slow Cooker Beef Tips. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These beef tips prove that even without cooking skills, you can create fork-tender meat and rich gravy using your slow cooker. The low-and-slow method transforms tough beef into melt-in-your-mouth morsels swimming in savory gravy – no chef’s training required.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Tips

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.

These BBQ ranch chicken sandwiches demonstrate how slow cookers help cooking beginners create flavor-packed meals on a budget. The appliance perfectly melds the BBQ and ranch flavors with tender chicken while you handle more important things than watching a pot.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Ranch Sandwiches

Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti

A crock pot filled with spaghetti and chicken.
Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This chicken spaghetti showcases how slow cookers help kitchen novices create comforting pasta dishes without constant supervision. The gentle heat perfectly cooks the chicken and creates a creamy cheese sauce that coats every strand of spaghetti – no pasta expertise needed.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

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

These honey-lime chicken tacos prove that impressive Mexican-inspired meals don’t require any special cooking talents. Your slow cooker handles all the work, infusing the chicken with bright flavors while turning it perfectly tender for effortless weeknight tacos.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

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