17 hands-off dinners that work while you don’t

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A slow cooker makes it easy to get a warm, hearty meal on the table with minimal effort. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or prepping ahead for leftovers, these recipes bring big flavor without a lot of work. From tender meats to comforting soups and stews, there’s something for everyone. Slow cooking lets ingredients blend together while you go about your day. With the right recipes, you can have dinner ready without standing over the stove. These slow cooker meals are simple, reliable, and perfect for any time of year.

A slow cooker filled with a hearty meal of pot roast, carrots, and potatoes, viewed from above.
Slow Cooker Pork Roast. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Crock Pot Cabbage Roll Soup

A bowl of tomato soup with ground meat and rice, placed on a wooden board, next to a plaid cloth.
Crock Pot Cabbage Roll Soup. Photo Credit: Little Frugal Farm.

This hearty soup brings all the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the extra work. Tender beef, rice, and cabbage simmer slowly in a rich tomato broth, making for a warm, filling meal. It’s a great way to use simple ingredients and let the slow cooker do the work.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Cabbage Roll Soup

Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

A plate of shredded meat with two yellow peppers, mashed potatoes, and peas, accompanied by a fork on the side.
Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken. Photo Credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This recipe takes shredded chicken to the next level with butter, ranch seasoning, and tangy pepperoncini. The slow cooker makes the chicken extra tender and packed with bold flavor. Serve it over rice, on sandwiches, or alongside mashed potatoes for a meal that’s as easy as it is comforting.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

Marry Me Chicken in the Crock Pot

A plate of marry me chicken over pasta.
Marry Me Chicken in the Crock Pot. Photo credit: Downsizing Dinner.

Creamy, flavorful, and loaded with tender chicken, this dish has earned its name for a reason. The slow cooker blends rich sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a creamy sauce into something that feels special without extra work. Serve it over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes for a meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken in the Crock Pot

Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops

Close-up of a wooden spoon holding thick, creamy mushroom soup, with visible herbs and small mushroom pieces, over a pot of soup.
Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops. Photo credit: Downsizing Dinner.

These pork chops turn out tender and full of flavor, thanks to a slow cook in ranch seasoning and a creamy sauce. With just a few simple ingredients, this meal comes together with almost no prep.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Bowl of creamy chicken soup topped with shredded cheese, placed on a wooden surface, with additional cheese scattered beside it.
Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo Credit: Little Frugal Homestead.

This slow-cooked soup is packed with shredded chicken, tomatoes, beans, and just the right amount of spice. The slow cooker blends all the flavors together, making it a hands-off way to enjoy a warm and hearty meal. Serve with crispy tortilla strips, cheese, and a squeeze of lime for extra flavor. It’s great for meal prep and reheats well for easy lunches or dinners.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops covered in gravy with parsley on top.
Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops. Photo credit: Downsizing Dinner.

Slow-cooked pork chops in a rich, savory gravy make for a meal that’s hard to beat. The slow cooker does all the work, turning the pork into something tender and full of flavor. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice to soak up the sauce.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

A bowl of chicken and wild rice soup with a spoon.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This slow-cooked soup is hearty enough for dinner, packed with shredded chicken, nutty wild rice, and a creamy broth. It’s a simple way to get a warm, filling meal on the table with minimal effort. The slow cooker brings everything together perfectly, making it great for meal prep or leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Slow Cooker Pork Roast

A plate of pot roast with carrots and a half potato topped with butter, accompanied by a glass of white wine.
Slow Cooker Pork Roast. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

A slow-cooked pork roast is a classic dinner that never disappoints. Seasoned and cooked low and slow, the meat turns out tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Serve it with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes for a full meal, or slice it up for sandwiches the next day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken

A plate of chicken alfredo pasta garnished with herbs, accompanied by a fork.
Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska .

Garlic and Parmesan bring big flavor to this slow-cooked chicken, making it a simple but delicious dinner option. The slow cooker keeps the chicken juicy while the sauce adds a creamy, garlicky richness.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

A crock of butternut soup.
Slow Cooker Butternut Soup. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Smooth, creamy, and full of flavor, this butternut squash soup is perfect for cooler days. The slow cooker does all the work, breaking down the squash and blending it with warm spices and broth. Serve it with crusty bread or a simple salad for a meal that feels effortless.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

Slow Cooker Pinto Beans

A slow cooker filled with simmering pinto beans in a thick, tomato-based sauce with a visible spoon.
Slow Cooker Pinto Beans. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

These slow-cooked pinto beans are hearty enough to be a meal on their own or a great side dish for just about anything. Simmered with seasonings and broth, they turn out rich and full of flavor with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pinto Beans

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Creamy chicken and dumplings in a slow cooker.
Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Slow-cooked chicken in a rich broth with soft, fluffy dumplings makes for the kind of meal that sticks with you. The slow cooker keeps the chicken tender while the dumplings soak up all the flavor.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Slow Cooker German Goulash

Traditional German goulash made in the slow cooker.
Slow Cooker German Goulash. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This rich, beefy goulash slow cooks to perfection, letting the flavors blend into a thick, hearty stew. Paprika, onions, and tender beef make for a dish that’s packed with flavor and perfect over noodles or mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker German Goulash

Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

A platter of slow cooker apricot chicken.
Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska .

Sweet and savory come together in this simple slow-cooked chicken dish. The apricot glaze gives the chicken a rich, slightly tangy flavor while the slow cooker keeps it tender and juicy. Serve it over rice or with roasted vegetables for an easy dinner that feels a little different from the usual.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Roast beef, potatoes, and carrots in a bowl.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

A classic pot roast slow-cooked until tender is one of the easiest ways to get dinner on the table. The beef simmers in a flavorful broth with carrots and potatoes, making a full meal in one pot. It’s the kind of dinner that works for any night of the week and leaves plenty of leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

A crock pot filled with beef and peppers.
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Tender strips of beef slow-cooked with peppers and a savory sauce make this an easy dinner that’s packed with flavor. It’s great served over rice or noodles and works well for meal prep, too. The slow cooker does all the work, making the beef extra tender and the sauce rich and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu

A close up of cheese and cream soup in a crock.
Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This slow-cooked version of a classic dish keeps all the flavors you love—tender chicken, ham, and melty cheese—without the fuss. The slow cooker makes the chicken juicy while the creamy sauce ties everything together.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu

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