16 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes That Practically Cook Themselves

Slow cooker meals are the best when you want a home-cooked dish without spending hours in the kitchen. These recipes are perfect for busy days when you just toss in the ingredients, set the timer, and let the slow cooker do its thing. You’ll have delicious, comforting meals waiting for you without the hassle. With everything from soups to main dishes, these recipes are easy and tasty, making dinner a breeze. Let the slow cooker take care of dinner, so you can relax or get on with your day.

Crockpot Beef Stew

This hearty meal requires beef chunks, potatoes, carrots, onions, beef broth, and a blend of spices. Add 1 pound of beef stew meat, 4 diced potatoes, 3 chopped carrots, 1 diced onion, 4 cups of beef broth, and seasoning (salt, pepper, thyme) to the slow cooker. Set on low for 8 hours, letting the flavors blend as the beef becomes fork-tender. Stir occasionally and adjust seasoning to taste. Before serving, you can thicken the broth by adding a slurry of cornstarch and water. It’s perfect for cold evenings and tastes even better the next day.

Pulled Pork

You’ll need pork shoulder, BBQ sauce, onion, garlic, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Start with a 3-pound pork shoulder and place it in the slow cooker with 1 chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce, and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Cook on low for 10 hours until the pork easily pulls apart. Shred the pork with two forks and mix it back into the juices. Serve on buns with extra BBQ sauce and coleslaw for a classic pulled pork sandwich. This recipe is great for family gatherings or meal prep.

Chicken Tacos

To make this easy meal, gather boneless chicken breasts, taco seasoning, salsa, and lime juice. Place 3 chicken breasts in the slow cooker and top with 1 packet of taco seasoning and 1 cup of salsa. Add a squeeze of lime juice and let it cook on low for 6 hours. Once the chicken is tender, shred it with forks and return to the sauce for another 15 minutes. Serve in tortillas with your favorite taco toppings, such as cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. This recipe is perfect for a quick, no-fuss taco night.

Chili

This classic chili includes ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, chili powder, and onion. Brown 1 pound of ground beef in a skillet and transfer it to the slow cooker along with 1 can of kidney beans, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 chopped onion, and 2 tablespoons of chili powder. Stir everything together and cook on low for 8 hours. For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of cumin and garlic powder. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream when serving. It’s a crowd-pleaser for game days or a simple weeknight dinner.

Beef Stroganoff

You’ll need beef strips, mushrooms, sour cream, and onion soup mix for this creamy dish. Start by adding 1 pound of beef strips and 2 cups of sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker. Sprinkle 1 packet of onion soup mix and 2 cups of beef broth over the meat. Cook on low for 7 hours, then stir in 1 cup of sour cream 30 minutes before serving. The result is a creamy, rich stroganoff that pairs well with egg noodles. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a fresh finish to this comforting meal.

Pot Roast

For a tender pot roast, use a beef chuck roast, potatoes, carrots, onion, and beef broth. Place a 3-pound chuck roast in the slow cooker with 4 quartered potatoes, 3 chopped carrots, 1 diced onion, and 4 cups of beef broth. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then cook on low for 8 hours. The roast will fall apart, and the vegetables will be tender and flavorful. You can make a gravy from the broth by adding flour and whisking until thickened. This is a classic comfort food that’s sure to impress.

Chicken Alfredo

This easy Alfredo requires chicken breasts, cream cheese, garlic, and parmesan cheese. Add 3 chicken breasts to the slow cooker with 1 block of cream cheese, 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 cup of heavy cream. Cook on low for 4 hours, then shred the chicken and mix it into the creamy sauce. Serve over fettuccine or your favorite pasta for a delicious, comforting meal. Sprinkle with extra parmesan and parsley for garnish.

Lentil Curry

You’ll need lentils, coconut milk, curry powder, and diced tomatoes for this vegan dish. Rinse 1 cup of lentils and add them to the slow cooker along with 1 can of coconut milk, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of curry powder, and 1 chopped onion. Cook on low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally. The result is a creamy, flavorful curry that pairs well with rice or naan. For added texture, throw in some chopped spinach or bell peppers.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

This dish uses frozen meatballs, pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and sweet and sour sauce. Add 1 bag of frozen meatballs (about 24), 1 can of pineapple chunks (drained), 1 chopped bell pepper, and 1 cup of sweet and sour sauce to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally to coat the meatballs in the sauce. The pineapple adds a tangy sweetness, while the peppers provide a bit of crunch. Serve over rice for a complete meal, or as an appetizer for a party. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that requires minimal effort.

Butter Chicken

This Indian-inspired dish uses chicken thighs, coconut milk, tomato sauce, and garam masala. Place 4 boneless chicken thighs, 1 can of coconut milk, 1 cup of tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons of garam masala, and 1 chopped onion in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours until the chicken is tender. Shred the chicken and stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream for extra richness. Serve with basmati rice and naan for a complete meal. The combination of spices, coconut milk, and tomato creates a creamy, flavorful sauce.

French Dip Sandwiches

For this savory dish, you’ll need beef chuck roast, onion soup mix, beef broth, and sandwich rolls. Place a 3-pound chuck roast in the slow cooker and sprinkle 1 packet of onion soup mix over it. Add 4 cups of beef broth and cook on low for 8 hours. Shred the beef and serve it on sandwich rolls with melted provolone cheese. Strain the remaining broth to use as a dipping sauce, or “au jus.” These French dip sandwiches are a hit for casual dinners and can be made ahead of time for busy days.

Jambalaya

To make jambalaya, use chicken breasts, sausage, shrimp, tomatoes, and rice. Add 2 diced chicken breasts, 1 pound of sliced sausage, 1 can of diced tomatoes, and 4 cups of chicken broth to the slow cooker. Season with 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning and cook on low for 6 hours. During the last 30 minutes, add 1 pound of shrimp and 1 cup of rice, stirring occasionally. Once the rice is cooked, stir everything together for a hearty, flavorful dish. This jambalaya is a one-pot wonder, packed with a variety of proteins and spices.

Mac and Cheese

This creamy mac and cheese requires elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, and cream cheese. Place 2 cups of uncooked elbow macaroni, 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup of milk, and 1 block of cream cheese into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the cheese melts evenly. The result is a rich, creamy mac and cheese that’s perfect for a quick side dish or a main course. You can also add bacon or breadcrumbs for extra flavor and texture. This dish is a hit with kids and adults alike.

Baked Ziti

This easy pasta dish requires ziti, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella. In a slow cooker, layer 3 cups of uncooked ziti, 4 cups of marinara sauce, 1 cup of ricotta cheese, and 2 cups of shredded mozzarella. Cook on low for 4 hours, stirring once midway through. The pasta will absorb the sauce, and the cheese will melt into a gooey, delicious topping. Serve with garlic bread and a side salad for a complete meal. This recipe is great for busy weeknights and serves a crowd.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

This creamy soup uses broccoli, cheddar cheese, cream, and vegetable broth. Add 4 cups of chopped broccoli, 4 cups of vegetable broth, and 1 chopped onion to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours until the broccoli is tender. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup, then stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of heavy cream. Cook for another 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and smooth. Serve with crusty bread for a comforting, cheesy meal.

Ratatouille

For this vegetarian dish, gather eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, and garlic. Chop 1 eggplant, 2 zucchinis, 2 bell peppers, and 4 tomatoes, and add them to the slow cooker with 4 minced garlic cloves. Season with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of dried basil. Cook on low for 6-7 hours until the vegetables are tender and flavorful. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. This ratatouille is perfect as a side dish or over pasta, and it’s packed with healthy, delicious vegetables.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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