My reliable slow cooker, or “Crockpot,” as many of us affectionately call it, aids me in the art of “cooking without effort.” I can throw in a few components, set the slow cooker to low for several hours, and maybe give its contents an occasional stir. 

 And the recipes I found in writing this up are so varied that I ended up creating at least three of these soups and should, by all rights, have a dozen or so under my belt.

The 22 Best Crockpot Meals

1. Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

Rich and comforting is the best way to describe the dish that is truly the star of the show: Crockpot Chicken Alfredo. The tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts are combined in this recipe with creamy heavy cream, delicious chicken broth, and delightful garlic and Parmesan cheese, which is served over fettuccine that is cooked to perfection.

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 cloves garlic, minced
12 ounces fettuccine pasta
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Put the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Add salt and pepper to taste.

2. Add the chicken broth and the heavy cream. Stir in the minced garlic to combine.

3. Prepare for 4 to 5 hours on the low setting or until the chicken is cooked all the way through.

4. With two forks, shred the chicken, then stir in the uncooked fettuccine. For al dente fettuccine, cook an additional 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding extra liquid as needed.

2. Crockpot Beef Stew

Beef stew, cooked in a crockpot, is an easy, tasty, and comforting meal. The dish begins with tender beef chuck, which, along with the other ingredients, cooks low and slow until everything is melt-in-your-mouth tender and combines to create a deep, rich flavor.

In this instance, “tender” doesn’t do the beef justice—it was nearly impossible to cut the chunks of meat without resorting to breaking out the knife.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 cups beef broth
• 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Instructions

1. On medium-high heat, brown the beef cubes on all sides in a skillet. Sear the beef in batches if necessary. When the beef is well browned, transfer it to the crockpot.

2. Carrots, potatoes, onion, and garlic go into the crockpot. Beef broth is poured in and stirred with the tomato paste to create a harmonious combination.

3. Cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Cover and low for 7-8 hours, or until the tender is beef and the through cooked are vegetables.

4. Before serving, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Crockpot Pulled Pork

Here is a simple introduction to making pulled pork in a slow cooker. Pulled Pork from a Crockpot is cooked for a long time and at low heat until the pork shoulder is transformed into tender, juicy, and succulent meat.

Then it is infused with barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth. And don’t forget the flavorings: paprika, garlic powder, and brown sugar.

They add a real sweet-and-savory richness that you would expect from a top-notch pulled pork.

Ingredients

• 3-4 pounds pork shoulder (also known as pork butt)
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder should be used in the seasoning of the pork shoulder.

2. Put the seasoned pork into the crockpot. Pour the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth over the pork. Sprinkle the brown sugar on top.

3. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, covering and stilling such as necessary, until the pig’s flesh is tender and easily shredded by a common dinner utensil.

4. When you are finished cooking, take the pork out of the crockpot and shred it with two forks. Then, return the shredded pork to the crockpot and mix it with the juices before serving.

4. Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Crockpot Chicken Tacos offer a delightful combination of boneless chicken breasts, taco seasoning, salsa, black beans, corn, and lime juice. This meal requires minimal effort yet delivers loud and proud flavors that leave you with some serious taco night satisfaction.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• Juice of 1 lime

Instructions

1. Put the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot.

2. Dampen the taco seasoning over the chicken, then drizzle the salsa, black beans, corn, and chicken broth over the top.

3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, covered, or until the chicken is tender and shreds easily.

4. Prior to serving, the chicken should be shredded with two forks, and the lime juice should be stirred in. It is best served in taco shells or tortillas and topped with your favorite stuff.

5. Crockpot Chili

Chili made in a crockpot is a warm and welcoming dish. It starts with ground beef and proceeds to the beef’s best friends—kidney beans, black beans, and diced tomatoes.

Then come the onions, the garlic, and the simmering spices. The secret ingredient?

Time. You can set your little pot of magic to low and let it work for eight hours, or you can set it to high for four.

Either way, the result should be the same: a meal that’s as effortless as it is exquisite.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder

Instructions

1. Using a medium heat setting, brown the ground beef in a skillet until it is fully cooked. Any excess fat should be drained off.

2. The cooked ground beef goes in the crockpot. The kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, and chili powder follow.

3. Combine the ingredients thoroughly, cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir occasionally.

4. After cooking, taste and adjust seasoning as needed prior to serving.

6. Crockpot Lasagna

Lasagna in a slow cooker is a layered dish. The layers consist of ground beef, marinara sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and optional spinach.

This is a cozy, comforting, hearty meal. The kind of meal you want after a long day at work or on a chilly Sunday.

Your kitchen will smell amazing, and you will be so glad that you decided to whip up this slow-cooked version of lasagna.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
1 package (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 oven-ready lasagna noodles
2 cups fresh spinach (optional)

Instructions

1. In a skillet set over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain off the excess fat and mix the marinara sauce into the beef.

2. In the slow cooker, spread a thin layer of the sauce. Layer 3 lasagna noodles on top, breaking them as needed to fit. Spread a third of the ricotta cheese, a portion of the spinach (if using), and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers twice more, finishing with sauce and remaining cheeses on top.

3. Cook on low for 4-5 hours, covered, or until the noodles are tender and the cheese is bubbling.

7. Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup cooked in a crockpot is a soothing dish that stars tender chicken breasts; chopped carrots, celery, and onions; egg noodles; and chicken broth. The whole thing is seasoned perfectly with just salt and pepper.

And outside of the beauty of its ingredients, one thing that makes this soup a classic is how easy it is to pull together.

Ingredients

Chicken breasts (1 to1.5 pounds)
Carrots, sliced (2 large)
Celery stalks, sliced (2)
Onion, chopped (1)
Chicken broth (6 cups)
Egg noodles (2 cups)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Put the chicken breasts, carrots, celery, onion, and chicken broth into the slow cooker.

2. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, covering to ensure the heat remains low, or until the chicken reaches doneness and the vegetables show tenderness.

3. Take out the chicken and shred it. Put the shredded chicken back in the crockpot. Add the egg noodles and cook for an additional 20 to 30 minutes. Or until the noodles are tender.

4. Before serving, add salt and pepper to taste.

8. Crockpot Pot Roast

Slow-cooked and ready to eat when you are, this comforting dish stars Chuck Roast (beef shoulder), which cooks low and slow along with hearty chunks of carrots, potatoes, and onion in a favorable broth seasoned with fresh garlic. This masterfully balances meal could hardly be easier or more satisfying.

Ingredients

3-4 lbs chuck roast
4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
4 potatoes, cut into chunks
1 onion, quartered
3 cups beef broth
3 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

1. Put the onions, potatoes, and carrots at the bottom of the crockpot.

2. Salt and pepper the chuck roast, and then place it atop the vegetables.

3. Over the roast and vegetables, pour the beef broth and add the minced garlic.

4. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.

9. Crockpot BBQ Ribs

Crockpot BBQ Ribs are a super-simple way to enjoy fall-off-the-bone tender ribs at home. They take no time at all to prepare.

Toss baby back ribs into a slow cooker with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Drench them in BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar, then top off with sliced onions—they’ll do the work of tenderizing and flavoring the ribs while you’re enjoying a lazy day at home.

Ingredients

• 2 racks of baby back ribs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 onion, sliced

Instructions

1. Take off the membrane on the back of the ribs. Liberally season the ribs with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.

2. Place the sliced onion at the bottom of the crockpot. Season the ribs and place them on top of the onions. If necessary, cut the ribs in half to fit.

3. The ribs should be covered with apple cider vinegar and half of the BBQ sauce before being placed into the slow cooker. The cooker can be set on low for 6-8 hours or until the ribs become tender.

4. Set the broiler to its high temperature. Move the completed ribs to a baking sheet, coat them with any remaining BBQ sauce, and place them under the broiler for 5-8 minutes. Watch them closely as that time elapses for doneness, which should yield a beautiful caramelized and slightly charred surface.

10. Crockpot Chicken Curry

I present to you the dish that is my very own creation: Chicken Curry, cooked in the crockpot. This is a simplistic yet satisfying medley of flavors that brings tender chicken thighs, intoxicatingly mixed with the flavors of coconut milk, onion, curry powder, garlic, and ginger, to your table.

It makes for the perfect dish when you want something warming yet not too demanding of your time or attention.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Put the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger at the base of the slow cooker.

2. Place the chicken thighs on top, and add the seasonings—curry powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Combine the seasonings with the chicken by pouring the coconut milk over it and giving it a nice stir.

4. Combine the ingredients in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Before serving, taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

11. Crockpot Baked Ziti

This comforting, easy-to-make dish has layers of ground beef or Italian sausage, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, ziti pasta, and mozzarella cheese, with a hint of Italian seasoning.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 jar (about 24 oz) marinara sauce
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces ziti pasta, uncooked
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. In a skillet, medium heat, ground beef or ground Italian sausage until browned. Drain any excess grease.

2. In the slow cooker, add the uncooked ziti pasta, browned meat, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and Italian seasoning. Stir until well combined.

3. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, covered, or until the pasta is tender. Do not overcook.

4. In the final 10 to 15 minutes, add the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top, then cover and cook until melted.

12. Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

Tuscan Chicken in the Crockpot is a simple and delicious dish. It features boneless chicken breasts, tomatoes—both diced and sun-dried—fresh spinach, and a creamy Parmesan sauce with Italian herbs and spices.

And it is all slow-cooked to tender perfection.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
3 cups fresh spinach
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Put the chicken breasts in the crockpot’s bottom and give them a good seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.

2. On top of the chicken, add the diced and drained tomatoes, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach.

3. Over the top, pour the heavy cream and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

4. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through. Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.

13. Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken cooked in the slow cooker is sweet and savory and features skinless, boneless chicken thighs mixed with honey, soy sauce, garlic, and dried basil. For a slow-cooked, stress-free meal, this is perfect.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup soy sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried basil

Instructions

1. In the slow cooker, place the chicken thighs in the bottom.

2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, olive oil, and dried basil.

3. Ensure the chicken thighs are well-coated by pouring the sauce over them.

4. Cover and cook for 4-5 hours on low, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.

14. Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Creamy elbow macaroni and sharp cheddar cheese, along with sweet, condensed milk and melted butter, make up a basic recipe for Crockpot Mac and Cheese. You can warm up and enjoy this convenient crockpot comfort food at any time.

Ingredients

• 8 oz elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 and 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the elbow macaroni as per the instructions on the package. Cook it until it is al dente. Once it reaches that stage, drain the macaroni and place it to the side.

2. Add the cooked macaroni, cheddar cheese, evaporated milk, milk, melted butter, salt, and black pepper to the crockpot.

3. Combine the ingredients, and evenly distribute them. Cover the pot and set it to a low heat for 2 to 3 hours, stirring every now and then to ensure that everything is mixed well. Be vigilant: You want the ingredients to come together and melt without burning or getting too dry. When you come back after 2 to 3 hours, the result should be a creamy, cheesy concoction.

15. Crockpot Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed Peppers cooked in a crockpot are an excellent hearty dish to prepare for a family. The bell peppers are filled with a mixture of ground beef or turkey, well-seasoned and then combined with cooked rice, diced tomatoes, onions, and a few cloves of garlic.

For those who want a bit of extra flavor, feel free to add some shredded cheese on top before serving.

Ingredients

Ground beef or turkey
Bell peppers (assorted colors)
Cooked rice
Diced tomatoes
Onion, chopped
Garlic cloves, minced
Shredded cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Slice off the tops of the bell peppers, and take out the seeds and membranes.

2. In a bowl, combine ground beef or turkey with cooked rice, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, and minced garlic.

3. Fill each bell pepper with the meat and rice mixture, packing it tightly, then place the peppers in the crockpot.

4. Put a lid on and let it simmer for 6 to 7 hours on low heat, or until the peppers become tender. For an extra cheesy meal, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the peppers for the last 15 minutes of cooking time before serving.

16. Crockpot Vegetarian Chili

Hearty and comforting, plant-based Crockpot Vegetarian Chili is composed of black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, corn, bell pepper, and onion, and it is served as an oven-ready dish. This delectable and nutritious meal, which simmers for hours in a pot set to low, is a combination of sophisticated flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

1. Combine the ingredients in the crockpot, stirring to mix them well.

2. Cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, keeping it covered.

3. Before serving, taste the dish and adjust the seasoning as necessary.

17. Crockpot Minestrone Soup

Crockpot Minestrone Soup is a filling vegetarian soup that features the following ingredients:

– Diced tomatoes

– Vegetable broth

– Mixed vegetables (like carrots and zucchini)

– Kidney beans

– Italian herbs

The soup also has a tender pasta component to it and an overall “slow-cooked” flavor.

Ingredients

1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups chopped mixed vegetables (e.g., carrots, celery, zucchini)
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup uncooked small pasta (e.g., ditalini or elbow)
Salt and pepper to taste#

Instructions

1. In the Crockpot, combine the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, chopped mixed vegetables, kidney beans, and Italian seasoning. Stir the ingredients to mix them well.

2. Cook covered on low for 6 to 8 hours until the vegetables are tender.

3. Add the pasta to the Crockpot about 30 minutes before serving. Cover, and cook until the pasta is al dente.

4. Before serving, taste and add salt and pepper as necessary.

18. Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings features soft chicken breasts, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, and soft biscuit dough in a comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion. The dish is a near-textbook entry for chicken-and-dumpling purists, a word-for-word transcription of a classic form.

The ingredients come together in an uncannily soup-like texture; the comforting chicken-and-dumpling concept both designates and enacts a set of culinary relations—between not just chicken and dumplings but also the two of them and me.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (

  10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 package (16 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough

Instructions

1. Put the chicken breasts, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, chopped onion, and sliced carrots into the crockpot.

2. Cook the chicken on low for 6 to 7 hours, covered, until it is tender and fully cooked.

3. Using two forks, shred the chicken and stir in the frozen peas.

4. This is how you do it: You take the biscuit dough and cut it into small pieces. You form these pieces into a shape that resembles a ball. Then you do the hard part—dropping them into the crockpot—without getting any of the pieces stuck to the side of the pot. After that, you cover the pot and let it bubble for 1 hour on high, cooking the biscuits through to a buoyant finish. If you are serving people, stir gently before you do.

19. Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken

Slow-cooked Sweet and Sour Chicken from the Crockpot is an exquisite dish. It stars tender pieces of chicken breast, vivid red and green bell peppers, and luscious chunks of pineapple.

All these ingredients are covered in a tangy, sweet-and-sour sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (canned or fresh), with juice
• 1/2 cup sweet and sour sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

1. Put the chicken parts in the slow cooker, then add the diced red and green bell peppers and pineapple pieces.

2. In a bowl, combine the sweet and sour sauce with the soy sauce. Pour this blend over the chicken and vegetables in the Crockpot.

3. Cook the chicken thoroughly and until it is tender by covering it and keeping it on low heat for 4 to 5 hours, or until it is done.

4. For a sauce that is thicker, stir in the cornstarch that has been mixed with a little water during the final 30 minutes of cooking.

20. Crockpot French Onion Soup

French Onion Soup in the Slow Cooker is a wonderful, comforting dish. It’s based on the classic French onion soup composition of caramelized onions and beef broth.

The onions are sliced, salted, and allowed to caramelize slowly in the Slow Cooker. They are then combined with the broth and other seasonings and allowed to meld together.

Ingredients

4 large onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, combine the butter and olive oil, then add the sliced onions. Cook and stir with love until the onions are caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes.

2. Move the cooked onions to the slow cooker. Pour in the beef stock, along with the Worcestershire sauce. Add the salt and pepper.

3. Place the lid on the pot and set the slow cooker to low. Let cook for 6 to 8 hours, or until the flavors have blended beautifully.

4. Before serving, salt and pepper to taste, and—if you’re feeling fancy—top with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyère or Emmental cheese.

21. Crockpot Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan, made in a crockpot, is a simple and easy-to-prepare dish. This is a dish that absolutely anyone can make.

If you can operate a frying pan, you can make this chicken. It starts with boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are cooked in a jar of marinara sauce.

After they finish cooking, you top them with shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Then you eat.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to the chicken breasts. Put the chicken that has been seasoned into the Crockpot.

2. Marinara sauce should be poured over the chicken breasts so that they are well covered.

3. Cook the chicken, covered, on low for 4-6 hours until it is thoroughly cooked and tender.

4. Approximately 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses over the chicken. Cover and cook until the cheeses are melted.

22. Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff in a slow cooker is a delicious, beefy dish. First, you brown tender beef stew meat, along with chopped onion and minced garlic.

Then, the dish is enriched with beef broth and filled with sliced mushrooms—all slow-cooked until everything is so tender it practically melts in your mouth. Finally, you stir in lots of cream cheese.

Ingredients

2 pounds beef stew meat
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
8 ounces sliced mushrooms

Instructions

1. Put the beef stew meat, onion, and garlic into the crockpot. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.

2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until the beef is tender, covering it first.

3. Approximately 30 minutes prior to serving, add the sliced mushrooms and cream cheese to the crockpot. Stir to mix thoroughly and allow the cream cheese to melt completely.

4. Over egg noodles or rice, serve; it is preferred.