The Recipe Rebel / Dinner
written by Ashley Fehr
5 from 72 votes
Last updated on February 6, 2024
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These EASY Crockpot Meals are perfect for those busy weekdays — with simple prep and delicious results, the family will love these slow cooker dinner.
There’s something for everyone — crockpot pasta, soups, tacos, slow cooker ribs, pork, chicken or beef.
Table of Contents
- Tips for Making these Easy Crockpot Meals:
- Now for The Best Easy Crockpot Meals:
- And a few easy Crockpot Desserts to round out your meal!
- My favorite crockpots and slow cookers!
- Can I let my crockpot cook longer than the recipe says?
- 30+ Easy Crockpot Meals Recipe
I love using my crockpot year round to whip up one of these easy Crockpot Meals — they make busy weekdays with three kids more manageable!
I know we all love these Dump and Go Slow Cooker Recipes because we can throw it all in and hit the road!
But I wanted to come back and show a few more of my favorite crockpot recipes, because even though some have a little prep required, it can usually be done the night before or even prepped and stashed in the freezer for easy mornings and more delicious, home cooked dinners.
Tips for Making these Easy Crockpot Meals:
- Prep what you can the day before. If there are a lot of vegetables to be shopped or meat to be cooked, this can often be done the day before. Sometimes, with many soups or stews, you can prep the entire meal in the slow cooker, then simply pop the insert in the fridge overnight. In the morning, all you have to do is pop it in and turn it on.
- Crockpot recipes sometimes need a little oomph at the end of that long cook time — try adding freshness with some finely chopped fresh herbs or green onions to bright up the flavors. You can also use a little splash of something acidic (depending on the recipe of course!), a squeeze of lemon juice, a spoonful of ketchup, or splash of balsamic vinegar often does the trick.
- Know your crockpot. All crockpots and slow cooker cook differently. I have had a few in my day (I have 3 that I use regularly!) and they all cook differently. Some are hotter, and some are cooler. The larger the slow cooker, the longer it will take to heat and cook, so that is also something to keep in mind.
Now for The Best Easy Crockpot Meals:
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is actually made completely in the crockpot — even the pasta! It is so much easier than the traditional version but packs all of the same flavor!
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew
This Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew is bound to be your new favorite winter comfort food! It’s hearty, creamy, cheesy and loaded with vegetables! The crockpot makes it an easy weeknight meal.
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Breast
This Slow Cooker Chicken Breast recipe comes out perfectly juicy and seasoned every time! Learn my tips for getting the best crockpot chicken breast, perfect for salads, sandwiches or an easy dinner.
Check out this recipe
Italian Beef
Easy shredded Italian Beef made in the crockpot, just SIX ingredients and loaded with flavor! Includes Instant Pot method and step by step video.
Check out this recipe
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
This Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is super simple and has amazing flavor! NO boiling required — just dump, stir and cook. Super creamy!
Check out this recipe
Honey Balsamic Crockpot Chicken Thighs
These Crock Pot Chicken Thighs with Honey Balsamic glaze are sweet and sticky with just the right amount of tang and spice! A melt in your mouth tender, crockpot dump meal that the whole family will love!
Check out this recipe
Crockpot Shredded Chicken
This Crockpot Shredded Chicken is easy, flavorful and a great way to meal prep for the week ahead! How to make slow cooker shredded chicken including tips, tricks and additional recipes.
Check out this recipe
Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
These Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs couldn’t be simpler! They have a homemade spice rub and are slow cooked until they fall off the bone, then you can slather them in any barbecue sauce you like!
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is SO easy and flavorful, you wouldn't believe it only has a few ingredients! The perfect easy dinner recipe!
Check out this recipe
Crockpot Zuppa Toscana
This easy Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana is a creamy Tuscan soup full of Italian sausage, kale, potatoes, and Parmesan. It's hearty, creamy, and perfect for the colder months! There's a step-by-step recipe video down in the recipe card, too!
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
These Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are perfectly seasoned with garlic and herbs, cooked until they easily pull from the bone! The juiciest, most flavorful crockpot chicken thighs!
Check out this recipe
Crockpot Lasagna Soup (quick & easy!)
This Crockpot Lasagna Soup recipe is full of flavor and can be made in the crockpot or Instant Pot! With a tomato base, it's made with Italian sausage, lasagna noodles, and lots of Italian herbs and cheeses.
Check out this recipe
Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper
A healthier, homemade version of Hamburger Helper made completely in the slow cooker — yes, even the pasta! (And no, it’s not mushy and overcooked!) Packed with sneaky veggies.
Check out this recipe
Creamy Italian Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
This Creamy Italian Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup is hearty, healthy, and flavorful. It's packed with tender chicken, garlic, roasted red pepper, a touch of cream, parmesan, and more.
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup Recipe + VIDEO
This Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup is an easy crockpot meal perfect for fall or winter! Loaded with vegetables and tender chunks of beef. Includes step by step recipe video.
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
This easy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is made with store bought barbecue sauce and a couple secret ingredients! Make it with chicken breasts or thighs.
Check out this recipe
Crockpot Chicken and Noodles
This Crockpot Chicken and Noodles recipe is an easy crockpot chicken recipe that will please the whole family! So easy and so creamy (but NO cream of chicken soups!).
Check out this recipe
The BEST Crock Pot Pulled Pork
This Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe is so easy and so flavorful! It starts with a garlic herb rub and hangs out in the slow cooker until it’s fall apart tender.
Check out this recipe
Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
These Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes are an easy side dish, made completely from scratch with fresh potatoes! Perfect for a holiday dinner or potluck!
Check out this recipe
Sweet and Sour Crockpot Meatballs
These Sweet and Sour Crockpot Meatballs are an easy appetizer or dinner! Made with fresh or frozen meatballs, homemade or store bought, and covered in the best pineapple sweet and sour sauce!
Check out this recipe
Crockpot Lasagna
This Crockpot Lasagna is made with just SIX ingredients and no precooking the noodles! An easy crockpot meal you can set and forget.
Check out this recipe
Crockpot Whole Chicken
This Crockpot Whole Chicken is incredibly moist and flavorful, thanks to a coating of seasoned garlic butter and the slow cooker! The perfect make ahead weekend dinner, great for meal prepping!
Check out this recipe
Crockpot Potato Soup
This Crockpot Potato Soup is thick, creamy and loaded with tender potatoes, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, green onions and a few veggies for good measure.
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Honey Balsamic Pulled Pork
Honey Balsamic Pulled Pork is a new take on pulled pork that is sweet and sour! This dark, thick syrup-like sauce is incredible — a must-try!
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
This Slow Cooker Pot Roast has such incredible flavor and the best gravy! Creamy potatoes, tender carrots, fall apart roast beef — it’s pure comfort food!
Check out this recipe
Glazed Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin recipe
This Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin is covered in an easy garlic herb rub and drizzled with a honey balsamic glaze! Everything cooks together in the crock pot with minimal effort and maximum flavour. It is moist, tender and perfect over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes!
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches
A SUPER simple, flavorful meal with just a few ingredients! These Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches are perfect for summer picnics, busy weeknights, or serve the chicken and sauce over pasta for a hearty meal! Gluten free and paleo options.
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Three Bean Beef Chili
This Slow Cooker Three Bean Beef Chili is a healthy, easy dinner idea for any night of the week! A microwave shortcut makes makes it a one pot meal and cuts down on prep time.
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken Recipe + VIDEO
This Slow Cooker Honey Lemon Chicken is a little sweet, a little tangy and perfect over rice or noodles! It’s an easy crockpot meal for those busy days! Includes step by step recipe video.
Check out this recipe
Glazed Crock Pot Pork Chops
These easy glazed Crock Pot Pork Chops are slow cooker in a mixture of apple juice, broth, onions and seasonings and are fall apart tender! Great with mashed potatoes or egg noodles. Dump and go!
Check out this recipe
Honey Balsamic Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe + VIDEO
This Honey Balsamic Slow Cooker Beef Stew is full of flavor and couldn’t be easier — just throw everything in and let it cook! Loaded with veggies and thick honey balsamic sauce. Step by step recipe video.
Check out this recipe
And a few easy Crockpot Desserts to round out your meal!
Crockpot Blackberry Cobbler
This Easy Crockpot Blackberry Cobbler recipe is a winner for sure! It comes together with just 10 minutes prep and cooks in the slow cooker, keeping your house cool and your oven free! Loaded with fresh blackberries and a crisp, cakey topping. Just begging for a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Berry Cobbler
This Slow Cooker Berry Cobbler is an easy dessert recipe that uses fresh or frozen berries so it's the perfect sweet treat year round! Just 10 minutes prep!
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Pudding Cake
This Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Pudding Cake is SO simple, loaded with apples and makes its own hot caramel sauce as it cooks. Our new favorite dessert!
Check out this recipe
My favorite crockpots and slow cookers!
- Most often, I’m using a 2.5 quart casserole style crockpot that I love. It is wider and shallow, so you don’t have to stack everything up and it cooks more quickly. It is the perfect crockpot for someone cooking for 1-4 people and not doing large meals.
- I also have a 4 quart crockpot that I use when I want to do a larger cut of meat, like a pot roast, or a big batch of soup. It’s everything I love about my 2.5 quart in a slightly bigger size.
- I do have a 6 quart Hamilton Beach slow cooker that is great for cooking for a large group of people, but I do find it’s a little cooler and sometimes large chunks of meat have to be cut down into smaller pieces for it to cook by dinnertime.
Can I let my crockpot cook longer than the recipe says?
This is a tough one, and it really depends on the recipe and type of meal you’re making.
Some recipes can be left a little longer (we all know how valuable those long workday cook times can be!), but others are best if you stick to the recipe.
Things like chicken breasts and lean meats I prefer to cook for a short period of time (sometimes only 1.5-3 hours), so they stay juicy and are never overcooked.
Other recipes, like a larger piece of meat, a soup that does not have pasta added at the beginning (pasta cooks relatively quickly in the slow cooker), sauces and chilis can often be left longer and will be just as good.
If you have a crockpot that will automatically switch to keep warm when the cook time is up, and you can set the exact cook time (rather than select simply 8 or 10 hours), these are the best ones for making crockpot meals while you are out of the house.
These are the ones we come back to again and again!
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Pin this recipe to your favorite board30+ Easy Crockpot Meals
written by Ashley Fehr
5 from 72 votes
These EASY Crockpot Meals are perfect for those busy weekdays — with simple prep and delicious results, the family will love these slow cooker dinner.
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ReviewCuisine American
Course Main Course
Keywords easy crockpot meals
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Meet Ashley
My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Samantha says
This is such a great collection of crockpot recipes. I’ve made at least half a dozen recipes from this list (all big hits!) and I come back to it time and time again. Thanks for so much dinner inspo in one place!
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The Recipe Rebel says
Love that! Thank you!
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jess says
this was everything I needed and more this crockpot season! thank you so much for sharing this amazing post and reminding me how easy crokpot dinners are!
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The Recipe Rebel says
Enjoy!
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April says
So many great ideas here! I can’t wait to try that parmesan garlic chicken stew – yum!
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The Recipe Rebel says
Thanks!
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Kyler says
I’m looking at these recipes, what size crockpot are these recipes calling for? I want to head to the store today for some ingredients but I’m not sure which size crockpot these recipes are calling for?
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The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Kyler, I’ve talked a little about the size of crockpots used for most of these recipes. It will obviously depend on which recipe you are looking at. Most of the time I am using my 2.5 quart casserole style crockpot. Hope this helps!
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Tess says
Hi! I just found your site! Looks like some great recipes I’ve been looking for … I’ll let you know how they come out. Thanks for a great site and information!
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The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Tess! Hope you enjoy them!
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Stephanie says
So many great ideas! I made the chili last night and everyone loved it!
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Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Stephanie! I’m glad!
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April says
Love this list! Slow cooker recipes are the BEST. Just tried that mac and cheese for the first time at Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit! Adding a few more of these to my meal plan this month!
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Ashley Fehr says
Thanks April! I love my slow cooker too!
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Allyson Zea says
I added a bunch of these meals to my must try list! Thank you so much!
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Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Allyson! I hope you love them!
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Eden says
I am such a crockpot fan!! Can’t wait to try these recipes!!
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Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Eden!
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Natalie says
Love crock pot meals!! They always turn out so good & they are easy to put together!
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Ashley Fehr says
Yes, they’re so easy!
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