19 Effortless Crockpot Recipes for Hearty, Home-Cooked Dinners

When you’re craving comfort food without a ton of work, it’s time to break out the slow cooker! These meals deliver a hearty and home-cooked dinner, without spending hours in the kitchen.

Crockpot Beef Stew With Dumplings

If you need a comforting, delicious, and hearty meal, look no further, because this crock pot beef stew with dumplings is it. It’s everything you want in comfort food – rich flavors, satisfying and not fussy, made with simple ingredients, and feels like a warm hug in a bowl.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Beef Tip Stew with Dumplings.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

A bowl of creamy chicken soup with mushrooms and wild rice. — Photo Credit: xoxo Bella.

Make chicken and wild rice soup in the slow cooker for a wholesome and easy dinner that is so delicious, that no one can stop at just one bowl. This soup is creamy, thick and so cozy and it’s a great dish to make if you have leftover chicken.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup.

Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki

crockpot teriyaki chicken — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

If you are craving takeout at home, try this slow-cooker recipe for chicken teriyaki! You’ll have a flavorful and easy dinner waiting for you – with minimal work. The chicken is coated in a jarred teriyaki sauce for a true dump-and-go recipe! Serve with rice and a veggie and dinner is done.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki.

Crockpot Pesto Chicken

You’ll need just two ingredients for this flavorful and juicy chicken. It uses budget-friendly chicken thighs to stretch your grocery budget and keep your chicken juicy. Pile this saucy chicken on bread for sandwiches and add a bit of fresh mozzarella and fresh tomatoes for a Caprese-inspired meal.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Pesto Chicken.

Crockpot Chicken and Gravy

This crockpot chicken and gravy recipe is a great choice for weeknights when you want something comforting, filling, and delicious – without a lot of prep time or work to make it happen. Chicken thighs are cooked in a creamy gravy and served over tender egg noodles with a veggie on the side. It’s the ultimate comfort food dinner!

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken and Gravy.

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

This crockpot salsa chicken is easy, versatile, and incredibly flavorful! Made with just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, let the slow cooker do the rest of the work. You’ll have flavorful and juicy chicken for tacos, salads, bowls, and more. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, this recipe is as delicious as it is effortless.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Salsa Chicken.

Shredded Buffalo Chicken

Slow cooker buffalo chicken is a must-make for dinner or game day snacks. This recipe is so easy, you only need five ingredients and a crockpot. Let the chicken cook low and slow in buffalo sauce to make a versatile protein option.

Make sandwiches or sliders, pile it on nachos, or scoop some up with celery. No matter how you serve it, your family and friends are going to LOVE it.

Get the Recipe: Shredded Buffalo Chicken.

Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes

crockpot chicken thighs and potatoes — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

Make this crockpot chicken and potatoes for a cozy dinner any night of the week. This recipe uses flavorful (and budget-friendly) chicken thighs and baby potatoes for a filling and satisfying meal. Serve with a side salad for a complete meal that is ready when you get home from work.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Two bbq chicken sandwiches on a plate, with coleslaw on top.

Make some saucy shredded chicken sandwiches in your slow cooker. This recipe is so delicious and easy that it makes the ultimate weeknight meal. Top them with coleslaw of you like, or even a slice of cheese. This recipe is also great for tailgating parties as it can feed a crowd.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches.

Slow Cooker Brats

crockpot brats — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

If you have ten minutes and a slow cooker you can make this Wisconsin-style brat recipe. You will appreciate this recipe as the temperatures dip below freezing, and you can get the flavor you crave without freezing over the grill!

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Brats.

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Once your shredded chicken is done cooking in the slow cooker, layer it on some slider rolls with melty cheese and ranch butter over the top. A quick cook in the oven and everything is melty and delicious! Serve with carrots, celery, and extra ranch.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sliders.

Slow Cooker Beef Ragu

A bowl of homemade beef ragu with wide noodles. — Photo Credit: Modern Honey.

This recipe makes the most tender and saucy beef ragu, right in your slow cooker. The homemade marinara sauce makes this beef intensely flavorful. Your family will love it served with noodles for a sit-down family-style meal.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Ragu.

Crockpot Shredded Beef

shredded beef in a slow cooker — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

This shredded beef recipe is so versatile that you will want to make it time and time again. Top tacos with it, make sandwiches piled high with shredded beef, make some epic nachos, or add it to beef stew. The possibilities are endless, and you are sure to enjoy all of the options!

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Shredded Beef.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Make some sweet and sour meatballs in the crockpot for a colorful and flavorful dinner idea. This recipe uses pineapple chunks and peppers to add color and rich flavors to each bite. You can make subs with these meatballs, serve them over rice, or offer them as a party food that can feed a crowd the easy way.

Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Meatballs.

BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders

A slider filled with shredded bbq chicken and coleslaw. — Photo Credit: The Heirloom Pantry.

These saucy pulled chicken sliders are a quick, easy, and delicious dinner! The crunchy coleslaw topping adds texture, flavor, and color. You can also use the meat for a yummy spin on tacos, nachos, and more.

Get the Recipe: BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders.

Slow Cooker Turkey Squash Chili

turkey black bean chili — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

This slow cooker butternut squash chili recipe is exactly what you need to make the next time you find yourself craving something nutritious, delicious, and super filling. It has a delicious sweet and savory flavor and is easily customizable when served with a variety of toppings.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Squash Chili.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Pot roast in a slow cooker with potatoes and carrots. — Photo Credit: Get Inspired Everyday.

This recipe delivers classic comfort food, right from the slow cooker. Beef and potatoes are cooked low and slow until perfectly tender. Your family will love coming home to this hearty meal, and it is so easy you can get it started in the morning and dig in when you get off work!

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast.

Chicken Fajitas

Make these chicken fajitas for a colorful and aromatic weeknight dinner. This recipe is so easy you can set it and forget it until it is time to eat. You can pair chicken fajitas with Spanish rice, chips, and salsa or a side salad for a complete meal.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Fajitas.

Italian Beef Sandwiches

An Italian beef sandwich with peppers rings and cheese. — Photo Credit: Modern Honey.

Make these slow-cooker beef sandwiches and pile them with cheese and peppers! This easy recipe delivers authentic Italian flavors in each bite. From the tender beef to the blend of spices. You will want to repeat this recipe often as these sandwiches are even better than your local sub shop!

Get the Recipe: Italian Beef Sandwiches.