30+ Best Crockpot Recipes and Slow Cooker Meals 2023

Looking for some new crockpot meals to add to your weekly routine?

From chili and chicken wings to soup and lasagna, these are the best slow cooker recipes around!

30+ Easy Crockpot Recipes and Ideas

Welcome to the delicious world of slow cooking.

Where you can simply throw a few key ingredients into a pot, walk away, and come back to something spectacular.

Ideal for new parents, lazy cooks, and busy bees alike, I know you’ll love these hands-off meals.

So get ready to unleash the full potential of your slow cooker. Because these crockpot recipes are too good to miss.

1. Slow Cooker Short Ribs

We’ve all been to a restaurant and had a plate full of melt-in-your-mouth short ribs, wishing we could recreate the magic at home. 

Want to know their secret? It’s all about timing!

First, the meat needs to be seasoned and browned in a hot skillet. Don’t skip this step! It helps to keep the juices in and provides a fantastic crust on the beef. 

Then all it takes is throwing everything in the pot and trying not to dive in too early. These ribs need a low and slow cook to reach that fork-tender texture.

2. Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and dumplings is a true homestyle dish that everyone will enjoy. 

Fluffy homemade dumplings and creamy soup. This one-pot meal is comfort food at it’s best.

Plus, there’s a secret ingredient! The key to making these dumplings extra creamy is the evaporated milk.

3. Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

If you’re a fan of Crockpot chicken breast recipes, this is the one for you.

Spice up your weeknight dinners with this family favorite!

It’s all the goodness of your favorite Mexican dish served up in a big bowl of soup.

Top with tortilla strips for the perfect crunch.

4. Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore is a delicious chicken dish filled with peppers, mushrooms, and olives.

It’s great over pasta or with a side of cheesy polenta.

5. Crockpot Beef and Broccoli

Why order takeout when you can make this deliciously tender beef and broccoli at home!

This is a family favorite around my house. Plus, it only requires 10 minutes of prep time.

Enjoy this classic Chinese takeout recipe at a fraction of the price.

6. The Best Crockpot Beef Stew

Beef stew might just be the ultimate winter warmer. 

The hearty and savory beef will have you closing your eyes and sighing in satisfaction with each bite. 

I like the traditional additions of carrot, corn, and peas. However, it would be just as delicious with sweet potatoes, parsnips, or broccoli. 

7. Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

I must confess to being a bit of a mac ‘n’ cheese snob. You won’t find a box in my cupboard. No powdered ‘cheese’ in my house. 

Once you see how easy it is to make at home, you’ll never turn back.

This recipe uses American cheddar, but I like to switch it up with a smoked gouda or extra fancy gruyere. 

Top it off with bacon and bread crumbs for the ultimate comfort food made from scratch. 

8. Crockpot Lasagna

For me, the appeal of using a Crockpot is that I can throw everything together (more or less) and walk away.

Forget about dinner for a few hours and come back when it, and you, are ready.

The layering here is similar to a regular lasagna, except here, you don’t need to cook the pasta first. 

This is a great make-ahead meal that will keep in the fridge for up to five days.

9. Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole

The fact that you can turn this on, then go to bed and wake up to an incredible, hearty, and deliciously warm breakfast is astonishing. 

You’ll get a layer of hash brown, bacon, sausage, veggies, and cheesy eggs, all in one pot.

Feel free to play around with the ingredients. I might be tempted to throw in some leftover pulled pork for something luxurious.

10. Death By Chocolate Slow Cooker Lava Cake

You didn’t think it would be all soups and chilis, did you?

If you thought coming home to a pot of warm stew was good, wait until you try this.

Warm chocolate fudge cake, made with a cake mix, topped with chocolate pudding, frosting, AND chocolate chips.

Needless to say, this is no dainty dessert. 

I would suggest grabbing a spoon and eating right from the pot… but I guess you could share. 

11. Crockpot Baked Potatoes

The humble baked potato will always have a place at my table. It’s effortless, tasty, and goes with pretty much everything. 

Once cleaned and wrapped, they go in the pot for a few hours on high to become fluffy and perfect. 

If I were you, I would cut them open and fill them with cheese and bacon before putting them back into the pot. 

Let that residual heat melt everything together and enjoy.

12. 2-Ingredient BBQ Chicken

Pulled pork is one of my favorite dishes, but I’ll often make pulled chicken when certain guests come over. 

Why should they miss out on the tender meat and BBQ sauce just because they don’t eat pork?

The best part is that the chicken will cook in the BBQ sauce and its own juices—no need to dry rub or add anything crazy.

Although, if you really wanted to impress, you could make your own mango-habanero BBQ sauce!

13. Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs

Cooking your meatballs in the slow cooker will give them time to become juicy and soak up all that amazing marinara sauce. 

The best part is, you can make a huge batch to feed a crowd or freeze them for later. 

I like to serve mine for dinner with pasta and then for lunch as meatball subs.

14. Slow Cooker Teriyaki Pulled Pork

Having pulled pork with BBQ sauce and mac ‘n’ cheese is pretty darn delicious.

But have you ever tried it in your tacos?

Also pairs perfectly with a tangy slaw or an a hamburger bun. Either way, this recipe gives you lots of options for dinner and leftovers!

15. Crockpot Chili

No need to spend all day cooking! You can set it and forget it with this easy crock pot recipe.

The ingredient list might look a little long, but it’s worth it, I promise. 

I love sausage meat in here for extra flavor and the different kinds of beans used for color and texture.

Make it as hot or mild as you prefer, and maybe serve with a side of Mexican Cornbread.

16. Crock Pot Pork Chops

Isn’t it the saddest thing when you get some thick, juicy pork chops, only to have them dry out in the pan?

This recipe removes any chance of dry chops!

The combination of chicken soup and beef broth makes these chops loaded with flavor, and they will be juicier than you’ve ever tasted.

17. Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

For some people, soups made with a broth base are just not filling enough.

Enter bacon cheeseburger soup 🙂

Filled with potatoes, carrots, beef, and bacon, you won’t be hungry after a bowl of this.

18. Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken

This is another fantastic takeout at home dish!

Who doesn’t love General Tso?

The trick to this is the browning of the chicken first. Create a nice crust for the sauce to stick to, and you won’t believe how good it tastes. 

19. Slow Cooker Jambalaya

My issue with Jambalaya has always been the rice catching on the bottom of the pan. 

I will inevitably walk away for a few minutes too long and burn a little corner every time!

Using a slow cooker takes all the worry away.

This is as traditional as it comes, with Andouille sausage, chicken, and shrimp!

20. Baked Ziti

Much like a lasagne, this dish has layers of meat, cheese, and pasta. 

I love the ricotta in this for the texture and creamy flavor, along with the pockets of melted mozzarella you get from putting in chunks. 

The only thing missing is some crunchy garlic bread to mop up the sauce.

21. Crock Pot Roast

Sunday night pot roast doesn’t just have to be reserved for the weekend anymore.

With this recipe, you can have everything prepped in less than 20 minutes. Leave it to cook on low and come home to tender, flavorful beef any day of the week. 

22. Slow Cooker Potato Corn Chowder

Corn chowder has to be my favorite thing to make in the colder months. 

Full of potatoes, corn, and ham (or I sometimes use chicken), this soup is thick, sweet, and so creamy. 

Top with crumbled bacon and be prepared to go for a second bowl.

23. Peanut Butter Cup Cake

Peanut Butter + Cake = The ultimate Crock Pot Dessert!

From one boxed cake mix, you can add peanut butter and chocolate sauce for easy flavoring. 

The peanut butter glaze comes together with powdered sugar, peanut butter, and milk before being drizzled with chocolate sauce. 

My only suggestions would be to add chopped peanut butter cups to the cake batter and drizzle with salted caramel, too.

24. Shrimp Chowder

If you thought the corn chowder was good, wait until you try this shrimp version.

Make sure to get larger shrimp or add smaller ones after an hour of cooking the vegetables.

If you’re looking for the right side, why not try out a batch of Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

25. Crockpot Stuffing

When the holidays roll around, and you’re feeding the five thousand, finding ways to make your life easier is a must.

In fact, I even bought a couple of mini crockpots so that I can use them to make a batch of sides while I do other things. Trust me; it’s worth the investment!

I’m a fan of the classic sage stuffing with chicken broth, but feel free to use your own recipe.

26. Sloppy Joe’s

It may sound silly, but a plate of Sloppy Joe’s takes me back. It’s such a classic and beloved by all ages.

With this crockpot recipe, you’ll have a garuanteed family favorite. Serve with baked beans, potato chips, mac and cheese, or even some macaroni salad!

27. Crockpot Mixed Berry Cobbler

I enjoy mixed berry in a cobbler. From the color to the flavor, it has to be one of the best.

Having said that, if you happen to have a bag of frozen peaches or a crate of crisp apples on your counter, feel free to make use of them!

This dish is rustic, warm, and super sweet. 

Don’t worry about making the top pretty. It should be dolloped on, leaving gaps for the fruit to bubble up. 

Serve with a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream.

28. Slow Cooker Honey Buffalo Wings

Wings are the quintessential party plate. Whether buffalo, honey garlic, or parmesan, they won’t last long.

Cooking the wings in the slow cooker helps them to marinate while they cook. After a couple of hours, they’ll be flavored through and through.

29. Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup

If you’re looking for something straightforward, filling, warm, and fast, this is for you. 

My favorite thing about this recipe is that you don’t need to cook the meat before adding it to the pot. 

I like to put everything in and get it warmed up, then add the meat and stir it through, breaking it up as it starts to cook.

Put the lid back on and let it all cook together.

30. Pizza Casserole

If there were a way to put all the ingredients for pizza into a crockpot and come back a few hours later to the perfect pizza, I would probably never eat anything else again. 

Until that day comes, this pizza casserole will have to do.

It is incredibly filling and so gratifying full of cheese, pasta, pepperoni, sausage, and beef. 

Don’t be shy with the cheese and serve with a batch of garlic knots.

31. Paula Deen’s Crockpot Potato Soup

This fall favorite is thick, creamy and the perfect bowl of comfort. Plus, it’s just 10 minutes of prep time!

Simply throw all the ingredients in the crockpot and come home to a warm, tasty bowl of goodness. Top it off with a bit of shredded cheese and crunchy bacon for a satisfying dinner the whole family will love!

32. Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Wings

It’s the perfect game day snack in record time! These buffalo wings are loaded with flavor and fall-off-the-bone good.

Dip them in ranch or bleu cheese for a true game-day experience.

33. Coca-Cola Pulled Pork

This classic All-American recipe is perfect for chilly nights, game day, or backyard BBQ’s.

Simply throw everything in the crockpot and let it cook low and slow. All the flavors meld together for a tender, juicy, melt-in-your mouth delight.

You can serve it with mac and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, and a side of cornbread. YUM!

Slow Cooker Tips & Tricks

• Put a liner bag in your slow cooker to make cleanup a breeze! Another option is to spray the inside with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Use the “low setting” as much as you can. Most dishes are best when cooked low and slow.
• That’s what I love about dump and go meals. Throw it all in the crockpot, turn it on low, and when you get home you’ll have a delicious dinner ready to go.
• Cheaper cuts of meat do best in the slow cooker. Short ribs, pork shoulders, beef brisket, and chicken thighs all become delightfully tender with the low, slow heat.
• Keep the lid closed. If you’re like me, I always have the urge to stir! But it’s best to keep the lid closed. Otherwise, the heat gets released and you’ll need to add additional cooking time.