31 slow cooker crock pot dinners you can set and forget

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Set it and forget it for dinner. If that isn’t the mantra of a busy person, then it should be. And with these 31 recipes, you’ll learn — or rediscover — what a time saver and lifesaver your Crock Pot slow cooker can be for getting supper on the table.

Chicken and vegetables in a slow cooker.
Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of a slow cooker.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Mac and cheese is one of the easiest dishes to make overall. But with your Crock Pot slow cooker, it becomes even easier. You’ll slow cook it to perfect and even picky eaters will be asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos in Crock Pot

Two tacos on a plate with a bowl of guacamole.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos in Crock Pot. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Don’t sweat it out over the stove if you want chicken tacos for dinner. For the next Taco Tuesday, turn to this slow cooker chicken tacos in the Crock Pot recipe for perfectly seasoned, slow cooked chicken.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos in Crock Pot

Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot

Pork tenderloin on a cutting board next to a slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

It’s really easy to overcook pork and dry it out. But not when you employ your Crock Pot slow cooker. With this pork loin recipe, the meat melts in your mouth. It is a foolproof dinner recipe for pork lovers.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot

Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot

A whole chicken seasoned with herbs and spices in a slow cooker, ready to be cooked.
Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Fried chicken is such an iconic dish to make, but dealing with all the grease and oil isn’t so much fun. With this recipe, you can get the taste of fried chicken by using your slow cooker and you don’t have to fry a thing.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot

Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

Plate of chicken with a creamy sauce, served with potatoes and carrots, garnished with parsley.
Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

What’s not to love about this recipe for Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken. It has just six ingredients. With four of them, you only need to open a can, packet or container. Prep time is five minutes. End result? Amazing.
Get the Recipe: Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

A bowl of rice and chicken in front of a crockpot.
Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

If you’re craving a taste of paradise, this sweet Hawaiian Crockpot chicken recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings. It brings a tropical twist to your dinner menu, with tender chicken breasts and sweet pineapple.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

A bowl of rice with meat and peppers in front of a slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

With this slow cooker pepper steak recipe, you’re getting a flavorful combination of tender beef, zesty and colorful peppers and a savory sauce. Serve with rice from your rice cooker, and it’s sure to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

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.

Your family will swear that you use your outdoor smoker or grill when making these BBQ chicken legs. Nope, it’s just the magic of the slow cooker that gives you juicy drumsticks coated in a tangy and smoky barbecue sauce.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow Cooker Barbacoa

Barbacoa tacos on a tray topped with peppers and onions.
Slow Cooker Barbacoa. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

When Chipotle makes barbacoa, they slow cook the beef until it is tender and juicy. Well, guess what? You can make this Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa recipe at home using your slow cooker. You’ll get great tacos.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Barbacoa

Crock Pot Ramen

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

Ramen may be the sustenance of college students, but with this CrockPot Ramen recipe, you can elevant this simple noodle to a gourmet dish. Toss in the ingredients and return to a bowl of steaming, flavorful ramen.
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.

Once you’ve enjoyed Mexican street corn, plain corn will never be good enough for you. So check out this Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn Soup that captures the irresistible flavors of elote in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Soup

Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne

Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne with meat sauce and parmesan cheese.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Your Nonna might roll over in her grave if she knew you were making pasta in a Crock Pot. However, if she could taste this delicious Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne in a rich beefy tomato sauce, she would probably forgive you.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Closeup of Slow Cooker beef with egg noodles.
Crock Pot Beef and Noodles. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Tender beef chunks and buttery egg noodles come together in a savory broth to create this simple crock pot beef and noodles dish. Prep time is under 10 minutes. It’s a tasty, comforting dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnatti chili on top of spaghetti and covered with cheese, beans and onions.
Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

What makes this hearty slow cooker Cincinnati chili recipe noteworthy? The unexpected blend of spices and the use of chocolate, cinnamon, and allspice gives this chili a sweeter flavor than traditional chilis.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

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.

You won’t have to fret about cooking ribs in the slow cooker. Thanks to peach preserves, honey and barbecue sauce that you top the ribs with, you’ll end up with country style ribs that take minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Here’s a copycat recipe that your Italian grandmother would approve. You’ll use your slow cooker to recreate the Olive Garden chicken pasta dish, Except yours will simmer all day in creamy and cheesy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken in a bowl served over rice.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Everyone craves takeout Chinese food from time to time. However, with this slow cooker honey garlic chicken, you can cook at home and enjoy the same sticky, sweet and addicting sauce as the Chinese takeout joint makes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Dairy free slow cooker chicken alfredo

white bowl with chicken pasta with sundried tomatoes and peas and garlic and a light linen around the bowl.
Dairy free slow cooker chicken alfredo. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

When you hear about a dairy-free alfredo sauce, you might think, no, that’s impossible. But this slow cooker chicken alfredo dish is legit. Its creamy sauce is so delish your family will never know it doesn’t use dairy.
Get the Recipe: Dairy free slow cooker chicken alfredo

Slow cooker honey mustard chicken

Black slow cooker with honey mustard chicken thighs topped with parsley and a wooden spoon in it.
Slow cooker honey mustard chicken. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

When you find chicken thighs on sale at the supermarket, you’ll want to pull out this recipe for slow cooker honey mustard chicken. It comes out with a sweet and tangy glaze, and meat that melts in your mouth.
Get the Recipe: Slow cooker honey mustard chicken

Slow cooker chicken teriyaki

White bowl with rice and teriyaki chicken topped with green onions with chop sticks on the bowl and more green onions behind it.
Slow cooker chicken terriyaki. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

You can skip the teriyaki chicken at the mall food court and come home to a tender, slow cooker teriyaki chicken recipe that is sweetened with honey. Plus, it took you only 10 minutes to prepare for the Crock Pot.
Get the Recipe: Slow cooker chicken terriyaki

Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

White bowl with tuscan chicken, rice, leeks and sundried tomato in it with fresh basil beside it.
Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Slow cooker Tuscan chicken ticks two boxes on your dinner to-do list. One, it’s a whole30 dinner, if that’s important to you. And, two, it tastes like you ordered in from an Italian place, great if that’s what you’re craving.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

Slow cooker beef and broccoli

White bowl with beef and broccoli and rice with someone holding chopsticks over it.
Slow cooker beef and broccoli. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Beef with broccoli is a favorite on a Chinese restaurant menu. But you can never be sure if the meal is for special diets. Well, guess what? This slow cook beef and broccoli is a gluten-free dinner recipe.
Get the Recipe: Slow cooker beef and broccoli

Slow cooker fajitas

Wrap with steak fajitas, avocados and lime in it and limes and more ingredients around the wrap.
Slow cooker fajitas. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

You won’t need to cook up any sizzling meat at the table to get this restaurant-quality fajitas meal. Instead, you’ll put everything in the slow cooker and, when done, you’ll enjoy delicious beef fajitas and peppers.
Get the Recipe: Slow cooker fajitas

Slow cooker chicken pot pie

Wooden spoon scooping our dairy-free chicken pot pie from a slow cooker.
Slow cooker chicken pot pie. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

This slow cooker chicken pot pie recipe is a twist on the traditional. For starters, it doesn’t have the flaky crust you might expect. And it is dairy free. Even with these changes, it’s a healthy, delicious version of a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Slow cooker chicken pot pie

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

A crock pot full of sausage, peppers, and marinara sauce.
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Get out the hoagie, hero or sub buns for sandwiches. You’ll want to stuff them full of this easy slow cooker sausage and peppers recipe that’s been simmering all day in marinara sauce in the Crock Pot.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast

A white bowl with slow cooker Italian pork roast, potatoes and carrots.
Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Here is a slow cooker, one-pot wonder. It’s a slow cooker Italian pork roast that you coat in a blend of Italian herbs and spices. Then, you cook it, alongside potatoes and carrots, in your Crock Pot until done.
Get the Recipe: Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

A baking dish full of chicken enchiladas is surrounded by cut limes, a halved avocado, and a green linen.
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Most of the time of this Chicken Slow Cooker Enchilada recipe is the chicken cooking in the crock pot. Once the chicken is cooked, all you need to do is shred the chicken and assemble the enchiladas.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu

a plate of slow cooker lamb ragu over pappardelle pasta surrounded by a block of parmesan, a white linen, and torn baguette.
Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This slow cooker lamb ragu is the ultimate Italian comfort food. It involves rich lamb, sweet and acidic crushed tomatoes, savory onions and garlic, and Italian spices combined to create the perfect meat sauce.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu

Easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Slow cooker salsa chicken with rice and beans on a plate.
Easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This is the easiest chicken you’ll ever make in the slow cooker. Put the chicken in the crock pot. Season it. Pour over the salsa. Let it cook. Really, that’s all you have to do. Then use it for tacos, wraps, bowls and more.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Slow Cooker Carnitas

Carnitas tacos on a blue plate.
Slow Cooker Carnitas. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Slow cooker carnitas are easy to make. You can use them in just about any main meal recipe. Serve with jalapeños, onions, cheese, lettuce, onions, bell peppers, and more. Add your favorite toppings to customize.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Carnitas

Keto Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Crockpot beef stroganoff with wooden spoon.
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Experience the classic flavors of beef stroganoff in a slow-cooker version that is big on flavor and low on net carbs for those eating keto. It’s a hearty dish of tender beef, savory mushrooms and a creamy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

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