If your evenings are as busy as a gym bag on a Monday, dump-and-go crockpot dinners are your best option. You put in the ingredients, set the dial, and let the dinner finish cooking itself. Many crockpot recipes are adjustable; alter the protein, heat, and temperature and use whatever’s in the fridge!
1) Salsa Verde Chicken
Put chicken thighs or breasts into the slow cooker. Then add some salsa verde, a little cumin, and garlic powder. Set the cooker to low for about 6-8 hours. When it is done, shred the chicken, and you have some great taco meat.
This is a great meal for busy weeks because chicken thighs or breasts with some salsa verde make great taco meat, and you will have some tasty leftovers. If you would like the meal to be a little creamier, you can add some cream cheese around the end.
2) Honey Garlic Chicken
This recipe can be eaten over and over. Toss in chicken thighs, honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic, and a little rice vinegar. It will taste sweet and savory, and sticky, and will pair perfectly with rice and steamed broccoli. If you would prefer a thicker sauce, mix in a small amount of cornstarch before cooking on high for 10-15 minutes.
3) Mississippi Pot Roast
It’s hard to come up with an easier recipe than this. All you do is throw a chuck roast in a crockpot then add ranch seasoning, au jus gravy mix, a stick of butter, and some pepperoncini. That’s the whole plan. It sounds super simple, but it is incredibly effective. The peppers won’t make it spicy, just tangy. Once it’s done cooking, serve it on some mashed potatoes, rice, or even on some rolls to make sandwiches.
4) BBQ Pulled Pork
Combine pork shoulder with your favorite BBQ sauce and some onions. Then, let it cook on low until it can be easily shredded. After shredding, mix the meat with sauce and juices to keep it moist.
This meal is a strong bench player because it is great for feeding large groups and the leftovers will stay good for days. If you want to really make a good meal then add some apple cider vinegar or a squirt of mustard for a bit more flavor.
5) Beef And Bean Chili
Making chili doesn’t have to mean a sink full of dirty dishes to deal with afterwards. With the perfect slow-cooker recipe, you only need to chop a few ingredients and watch your chili cook itself. Use your favorite ground meat, and combine canned beans, crushed tomatoes, chopped onions, cheese, chili powder, and a dash of cumin, and salt.
Then, you can choose to cook hamburger meat beforehand and add it. It depends on your preference as we are keeping things simple, and we won’t get to dinner with a lot of effort. Add toppings like cheese, yogurt or sour cream, as well as cook chip pieces for texture.
6) White Chicken Chili
This is the move for endless comfort food. Chicken, white beans, green chiles, onion, garlic, cumin, and chicken broth combine for an awesome recipe. Stir in some cream cheese or heavy cream for a silky finish. It’s good with tortilla chips, and reheats like a champ for lunch.
7) Creamy Italian Chicken
First, add chicken, Italian seasoning, garlic, sundried tomatoes, and a bit of broth into a pot. Then, add cream (or cream cheese) and spinach, and the pot becomes a rich bowl like they have at restaurants and you don’t have to babysit it. I love that it looks like a lot of effort, but it is actually pretty easy. Serve it over pasta, rice, or even mashed potatoes…really whatever you have.
8) Chicken Tortilla Soup
Put in the chicken; canned tomatoes; black beans; corn; onion; broth; and taco seasoning. After it is done cooking, shred the chicken and add a squeeze of lime to brighten all the flavors. This is a great recipe for families because everyone can customize their own bowl. You can add tortilla strips, cheese, avocados, or keep it simple. There are no wrong ways to do it.
9) Lemon Garlic Chicken
This slow cooker recipe is as simple as it gets! It’s a major palate cleanse with no heavy sauces, just chicken, a bit of olive oil, lemon juice, broth, and spices (garlic and oregano are a must!). The flavors are light, bright and punchy, especially with a little squeeze of lemon before serving. It’s a delicious dinner served with some rice and a green veggie that doesn’t taste like diet food!
10) Teriyaki Chicken
A simple teriyaki-style sauce can be made with chicken, soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, garlic, ginger, and a touch of vinegar. After cooking, you can shred or slice the chicken and serve it over rice. If you want that shiny, takeout-style look, you can thicken the sauce with cornstarch at the end. This dish is great for cleaning out the fridge as you can add any vegetables you have on hand.
11) Butter Chicken
To start, put chicken, dish, tomato sauce, garam masala, curry powder, garlic, ginger, and salt into the slow cooker and let it do its magic. In the last few minutes, add a spoonful of butter or for those who prefer a creamier version, a spoonful of cream (or, for the coconut lovers, add coconut milk) to the pot and let it heat up for that classic thick and creamy taste.
We don’t want to overthink this, you can add some rice or naan as well – or even just grab a spoon and take a minute to enjoy the peace.
12) Chicken Tikka Masala
This is a really good option if you’re looking for a “set it and forget it” recipe, but still tastes like you put in a lot of effort! Add chicken, canned crushed tomatoes, onion, garlic, and ginger, along with some tikka masala spices. Top it with cream or yogurt for a nice, rich, creamy sauce. If you want it a little sweeter, a small spoonful of sugar will balance the acidity for most!
13) Coconut Curry Chickpeas
Not every dinner has to be a personal best, some just have to get on the board. Throw some canned chickpeas, coconut milk, curry paste (or curry powder if that is what you have), some diced tomatoes, plus a handful of spinach into the slow cooker. It will be warm, filling, and friendly to the wallet. Squeeze some lime juice and sprinkle with cilantro just before serving to keep the flavors bright.
14) Lentil Vegetable Stew
What can brown and green lentils do? A lot. They provide lots of nutrition and protein. Just throw in some chopped carrots, celery, and onions, add a can of stewed tomatoes, some broth, and some herbs and you are ready to go. Bring to a boil and simmer until the lentils are tender, and the stew’s consistency thickens naturally. Add some richness to the stew with a splash of olive oil or a pat of butter.
15) Stuffed Pepper Soup
When I want comfort food without a lot of work, this is what I make. I just throw in some ground beef or turkey, chopped bell peppers, diced onions, minced garlic, a can of tomatoes, some broth and some spices. I add the rice towards the end so that it doesn’t get too mushy. (Or you can use already cooked rice). It’s like stuffed peppers, just way easier to eat and to deal with on a Tuesday.
16) Meatballs And Marinara
You can absolutely use frozen meatballs, no shame. Put em in with some jarred marinara and garlic and oregano and let them cook until the flavors blend. Serve on pasta, in sub sandwiches, or on polenta. This is an easy win that will feed everyone without making you an order cook.
17) Italian Beef Sandwiches
Instructions: Add beef roast, pepperoncini, Italian seasoning, garlic, and beef broth to the slow cooker. Once cooked, the meat will be so tender that it can be shredded. The meat ‘dip’ is created from the cooking juices. That is where the fun comes in! Grab some rolls and add some meat, some of those cooking juices and some giardiniera or sautéed peppers. If you’re feeding a crowd, this one is the MVP and requires almost zero effort.
18) French Dip Sandwiches
Here, you let the crockpot do its magic on the tough cuts. Put in the beef roast, sliced onion, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Then after it’s done, slice or pull the beef and serve with warm rolls and a side of au jus. With this recipe, you get the cozy and practical meals and it will smell like you’ve been cooking all day.
19) Chicken And Dumplings
This one is warm and filling and is built for those cold nights and long days. Cook chicken with carrots, celery, and onion in some broth so everything gets tender. If you want, you can stir in some cream soup, or if you prefer a simpler option you can do a mix of cream and flour. After that, add some dough pieces for biscuits in the end so they will steam and turn into dumplings. It might not sound fancy, but it is that type of dinner that people eat quietly.
20) Chicken and Wild Rice
Add chicken, wild rice blend, carrots, celery, onion, broth, and herbs to the slow cooker. The rice cooks in the slow cooker providing that thick, cozy texture of the chicken and rice soup without having to stir it constantly. Add cream at the end to keep it smooth and avoid splitting it. If your family enjoys mushrooms, they fit right in here.
21) Chicken Pho Soup
This isn’t a classic pho recipe, but it gets the job done, especially on a weeknight. Put chicken, broth, onion, ginger, (optional but nice), star anise, and fish sauce in the crockpot. After cooking, shred the chicken, then serve over herbed and limed cooked rice noodles. Most people find it especially soothing and light after a long day.
22) Chicken Enchilada Filling
Chicken, enchilada sauce, and a can of diced green chiles is the basic recipe. After you cook the chicken and it gets tender, you can shred the chicken and use it to fill enchiladas or burritos, or create a quick layered casserole by adding cheese and tortillas. This is a smart move for a “cook once, eat twice’ recipe. If people in your house like different levels of heat, you can keep it mild and let people pour hot sauce on it at the table.
23) Beef Barbacoa
Take the chuck roast and combine it with chipotle peppers in adobo (spice level is your choice), garlic, cumin, and oregano an a splash of vinegar or lime. Cook until it shreds easily then mix it back with the juices. It’s bold in flavor but you control the heat, start with one chipotle and build from there. It’s also amazing in tacos, rice bowls, or even on baked potatoes.
24) Taco Soup
This is basically I have cans and I have hope. Ground meat, beans, corn, tomatoes, broth, and taco seasoning go into the pot and it simmers into a thick scoopable soup. It is easy to stretch for a crowd and the leftovers hold up. You can throw on some toppings and it feels like a complete meal with little effort.
25) Sausage And Peppers
Combine sliced Italian sausage, bell peppers, and onions with a jar of marinara (or crushed tomatoes) and some Italian seasoning. You can be completely hands-off for a few hours while the peppers soften and sweeten and the sausage gives its delicious flavor to everything! You can serve it on rolls, over rice, or with pasta. Optional: if you want some char flavor, you can brown the sausage first.
26) Jambalaya Dinner
This is an easy version of a more hands-on approach and uses fully cooked smoked sausage and on-the-go chicken, along with some diced bell pepper and onion, a can of tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, and broth. To avoid overcooking the rice, stir it in later or use parboiled rice and stir it in at the end. Since spice can impact people differently, it is best to start with a milder option and allow heat to be added at the table.
27) Baked Potatoes
Potato toppings can be fun for a family inflammatory, and kids definitely enjoy picking! Just wrap your individual potatoes in foil, and place them in the slow cooker. After some time, they will be ready to go. Just as you can add your own toppings, like Debbie’s chili, pulled pork, cheese, broccoli, leftover chicken, etc. It can be obnoxiously hot, but we can use the slow cooker instead.
28) Baked Ziti
This is perfect for getting that baked pasta feeling without standing by the stove. You can layer ziti, ricotta, mozzarella, and water/broth, then cook it until the pasta is tender. You can stir once or twice during the cooking process, but it’s low effort. You can get cozy and full and the leftovers are good for a solid second helping!
29) Mac And Cheese
Crockpot mac is what you make when you don’t have the brainpower to cook. Just throw in some uncooked macaroni, shredded cheese, evaporated milk, butter, and some seasoning to taste. You won’t even have to stir it unless you want to. It’s super creamy and rich, so the picky eaters will love it. A splash of warm milk gets it back to the right consistency.
30) Chicken Alfredo
Prepare the chicken with garlic and broth along with your choice of seasonings until it reaches desired tenderness and then shred or slice the chicken. Before your noodles turn mushy, you should add cream, and parmesan along with the previously prepared chicken.
Add in the pasta and chicken mixture at the end. This dish is a great meal to prepare that gives the illusion that you prepared a meal that involved you standing over the stove juggling three burners. To add a little something extra, you could add in a handful of peas or spinach at the end to check the box on your veggie requirements.
31) Chicken Burrito Bowls
Simply add in the chicken, black beans, broth, some salsa, and a dash of cumin, and it’s like the Instant Pot is prepping the meal for you! Just serve it over some rice and add in some cheese, avocado, and anything else you want to throw on top. You can easily feed a family without having to cook multiple dinners. I’ve gone to the gym with these packed up and I was very happy about it.
32) Vegetarian Chili
You can make a tasty meat-free chili with some of these ingredients: three kinds of beans, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. You can also use chili powder and a little cocoa powder if you want a deeper flavor. You can let it simmer all day and the chili will become thick and hearty. It’s an awesome meal for houses with a mixture of eaters who eat differently. For an even bigger meal serve it with cornbread or over a baked potato.
33) Chicken Fajita Filling
You can also add chicken, sliced peppers and onions, and some fajita seasoning along with a dash of lime juice. The chicken absorbs the smokiness of the spice and the veggies become soft and sweet. Serve with tortillas, rice, or salad greens, whatever fits your night. If you like a little crunch, you can quickly sear the filling in a hot pan for a few minutes, but this is optional.
34) Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
This recipe is easy and tastes great! It feels nice and hearty but also has a good balance for most people. Simply cook some taco seasoned chicken or beans in the slow cooker and scoop them onto sweet potatoes. You can also add cheese, yogurt, sour cream, and/or cilantro if you’d like! It is super easy and works great as a leftover.
What Makes These Easier
A few tools I lean on for these recipes.
- Cutluxe Carving Knife and Fork Set. German steel carving knife and fork for roasts, turkey, and anything that needs clean slices.
- BYSNOW 16 oz Deli Containers with Lids. Leak-proof lids, freezer to microwave, and enough of them that you stop rationing containers.
- WOODLANDS USA Teak Wooden Ladle with Spoon Rest. Deep teak bowl for soups and stews, a hook handle, and a spoon rest so the counter stays clean.
