Mid-November is when the holiday list starts to fill up, and a dinner that cooks itself hands back the whole afternoon for shopping and errands. This collection runs from chicken paprikash and Mississippi pot roast to barbacoa tacos, butternut squash soup, Italian beef sandwiches, and baby back ribs. Load the crock before you head out, and come home to a dinner that is nearly done.
Slow Cooker Chicken Paprikash
Nothing beats coming home to tender chicken simmered in a rich, paprika-spiced sauce, especially when dinner takes almost no effort. The onion, diced tomatoes, and sweet paprika cook together for six hours on low, then a little sour cream stirred in at the end makes everything wonderfully creamy. Spoon it over buttery egg noodles for a slow cooker dinner without a sink full of dishes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Paprikash
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Creamy garlic sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender chicken make a dinner that feels a little fancy without keeping anyone tied to the stove. The chicken slowly cooks in broth, heavy cream, garlic, and herbs before Parmesan is stirred in for a rich, velvety finish. Spoon it over fettuccine or fluffy rice when something a little indulgent sounds just right.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Slow Cooker Taco Soup
A cozy bowl of taco soup gets an unexpected twist with tender meatballs, cabbage, and whole chicken breasts simmered together in a flavorful tomato broth. The chicken shreds right into the soup after seven to eight hours, soaking up all the smoky cumin, paprika, and garlic. Set out avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, and lime so everyone can dress up their bowl just the way they like.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Taco Soup
Slow Cooker Rump Roast
A hearty rump roast with tender baby potatoes, sweet carrots, and fragrant herbs is just the sort of comfort food worth coming home to. It takes only about five minutes to prep before the slow cooker handles the rest of the afternoon. The leftover cooking liquid can even be turned into a rich homemade gravy, making Sunday dinner feel extra special with very little fuss.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Rump Roast
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
Velvety butternut squash soup is a fall favorite, especially when the slow cooker takes care of most of the work. I let squash, onion, garlic, cumin, and turmeric simmer with broth and coconut milk before blending everything into a smooth, creamy bowl. A slice of crusty bread or a warm drop biscuit on the side makes it a lovely meal for a chilly afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
Slow Cooker Italian Beef
Sandwich-shop Italian beef comes down to a chuck roast, a packet of Italian dressing mix, and a jar of pepperoncini in this version. After 6 to 8 hours on low, the beef shreds and soaks the peppery juices back up before it goes onto hoagie rolls with provolone. Read the post for why the pepperoncini juice stays, and the rolls get toasted first.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Beef
Barbacoa Tacos
Smoky chipotles in adobo do the heavy lifting here, simmering with chuck roast, fresh lime juice, cider vinegar, cumin, and oregano for 6 to 8 hours on low. The beef comes out tender enough to shred with two forks, then folds back into its sauce for warm corn tortillas. The post covers keeping tortillas soft and topping them with white onion, avocado, and cilantro.
Get the Recipe: Barbacoa Tacos
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
A jar of salsa does most of the work here, and the pot can still start after lunch. Two pounds of chicken breast cook under 16 ounces of salsa for 3 hours on high, then shred in the pot into tender, tangy meat with a mild kick. Use it for tacos, burritos, or rice bowls, and see the post for why the timer matters with breast meat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Mississippi Pot Roast
Five ingredients and five minutes of prep are all this Mississippi pot roast asks before the slow cooker takes over the afternoon. Chuck roast gets a packet each of ranch and au jus mix, butter on top, and whole pepperoncini, then cooks for 8 hours on low. The post explains why the lid stays shut early on and suggests mashed potatoes for the juices.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
Ribs sound like a job for the grill, yet this rack turns tender in the slow cooker while the grill stays covered for the season. A paprika and cumin rub goes under a garlic, honey, and soy glaze, brushed on again as the ribs cook 7 to 8 hours on low. The post covers removing the silverskin and fitting a full rack into a smaller cooker.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Expect a brothy bowl when the lid comes off, because this white chicken chili eats closer to a creamy chicken soup than a thick chili. Chicken thighs, fresh Anaheim peppers, white beans, corn, and cumin go in raw, and cream cheese with heavy cream finishes it. Check the post for when to switch from low to high if the pot goes on at lunch.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Meatballs and Gravy Recipe
Homemade meatballs simmer gently in a rich, savory gravy until they’re tender and packed with flavor. Serve them over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice for a hearty meal that feels like a little extra care went into dinner. Start it early and let the slow cooker handle the rest while the holiday to-do list gets done.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Gravy Recipe
Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast
Italian herbs and spices give the pork a savory, fragrant flavor as it slowly cooks with potatoes and carrots until everything is tender and ready to serve. The meat practically falls apart, making every bite feel warm and comforting. A hearty dinner waits at home after a full afternoon of holiday errands, with hardly any last-minute work to do.
Get the Recipe: Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast
Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu
Hours of slow cooking turn the lamb wonderfully tender while building a deep, rich sauce with plenty of Italian flavor. Spoon it over your favorite pasta for a cozy dinner that feels special without keeping you tied to the kitchen. It simmers away while you tackle shopping, wrapping, or whatever else the season brings.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu
Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops
Pork chops slowly cook in a creamy mushroom and onion gravy until they’re fork-tender and full of savory flavor. The gravy is delicious spooned over mashed potatoes or rice, so nothing goes to waste. Prep everything ahead and come home to a comforting dinner after checking off a few holiday errands.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops
Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce
A homemade mustard BBQ sauce brings a sweet, tangy kick to pork shoulder as it slowly cooks until tender enough to pull apart. Pile the juicy meat onto soft rolls or serve it with your favorite barbecue sides for an easy crowd-pleaser. With the slow cooker doing most of the work, there’s more time to get holiday shopping and other plans out of the way.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas
Tender chicken cooks in a bold, tangy enchilada sauce before being layered with tortillas and plenty of melty cheese. Every serving brings a little spice and plenty of cheesy goodness, whether it’s dinner for the family or a casual get-together. Let it cook while you’re out handling holiday errands, then come home to a meal that’s ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas