There’s something about a slow cooker bubbling away on the counter that takes you straight back to your grandmother’s kitchen. Dust off that crockpot and get ready to rediscover why these straightforward recipes became household staples in the first place.
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This copycat version takes you back to the days when getting soup from a restaurant felt like a real treat. The creamy cheddar base and tender broccoli florets cook hands-free in your slow cooker, giving you that nostalgic restaurant flavor without leaving home.
Get the Recipe: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
French onion soup is a retro classic that deserves its comeback, and the slow cooker makes it easier than ever. Caramelized onions simmer for hours into a deeply flavored broth that you can top with crusty bread and melted cheese.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup
This old-school ham and potato combination brings back memories of using up Sunday dinner leftovers in the best way possible. Chunks of ham and potatoes break down into a thick, creamy soup that’s been a winter staple for generations.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup
Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup
Remember when Olive Garden soup was the height of comfort food dining? This slow cooker version captures that same pillowy gnocchi and creamy chicken soup your family used to order on special nights out.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
Nothing says retro comfort like a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup simmering away all day. This version keeps the traditional flavors you remember from childhood while letting your slow cooker do all the work.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup
Loaded potato soup became a steakhouse classic in the ’80s and ’90s, and it’s just as good made at home. Pile on the bacon, cheese, and sour cream for a thick, stick-to-your-ribs soup that channels those retro dinner vibes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup
Slow Cooker Turkey Rice Soup
This recipe turns leftover turkey into the kind of hearty soup grandma used to make the day after big family dinners. Rice and vegetables simmer with turkey in a savory broth that stretches those leftovers into another full meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Rice Soup
Slow Cooker Turkey Noodle Soup
Turning holiday turkey into next-day soup is a time-honored tradition that never gets old. Wide egg noodles and tender turkey cook down into a comforting bowl that feels like a hug from the past.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Noodle Soup
Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew
Brunswick stew is a Southern throwback that combines chicken and pork with vegetables in a tangy tomato base. This regional classic from the ’60s and ’70s feeds a crowd and tastes even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew
Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
Taco soup became a potluck favorite in the ’90s, and this dump-and-go version keeps that tradition alive. Black beans, corn, and seasoned chicken create a Tex-Mex style soup that brings back casual dinner party memories.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili
Cincinnati chili is a regional retro recipe that’s been around since the 1920s but really hit its stride in the ’70s. The spiced meat sauce with hints of cinnamon and chocolate powder creates that nostalgic flavor profile served over spaghetti or hot dogs.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili
Slow Cooker Pasta E Fagioli
This Italian-American soup became a household name thanks to chain restaurants, but it’s been a home kitchen staple since way before that. Pasta and beans in a hearty tomato broth create the kind of filling meal families have relied on for generations.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pasta E Fagioli
Buffalo Chicken Chili
Buffalo chicken flavor exploded in the ’90s and this chili keeps that retro game day tradition going strong. Hot sauce and chicken combine with beans for a spicy bowl that channels those Super Bowl party spreads.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Chili
Italian Wedding Soup
Italian wedding soup is an old-world recipe that became an American favorite in the mid-20th century. Tiny meatballs and pasta in a clear broth make this a lighter but still comforting option that’s been served at family tables for years.
Get the Recipe: Italian Wedding Soup
Lasagna Soup
Lasagna soup takes the layered casserole that dominated dinner tables in the ’70s and ’80s and turns it into an easier one-pot meal. All the cheesy, tomatoey flavors you remember come together in a bowl instead of a baking dish.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Soup
Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili
Pineapple chili might sound unusual, but adding fruit to savory dishes was a big trend in retro cooking. This sweet and spicy combination brings back that experimental spirit of ’70s and ’80s home cooking.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili
Beef Stew with Squash
Adding butternut squash to beef stew puts a slightly modern spin on a timeless classic. The sweet squash balances the rich beef and creates a hearty cold-weather meal that feels both familiar and a little different.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stew with Squash
Slow Cooker Chili Mac
Chili mac combines two comfort food favorites that have been around forever into one easy dinner. This mashup of beefy chili and cheesy pasta became a weeknight shortcut decades ago and still hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac
Slow Cooker Turkey Stew
Turkey stew is the perfect way to use up holiday bird the way families have done for ages. Vegetables and turkey in a thick gravy-like broth create a second meal that’s just as good as the original dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Stew