22 Quick and Easy Slow Cooker Dinner Ideas

In this fast-paced world where time seems to slip away like grains of sand through our fingers, the slow cooker stands as a patient friend. A culinary companion that understands the art of slowing down, of savoring the moments as flavors meld and aromas tantalize.

Within these 22 recipes lies a treasure trove of comforting dishes that transcend mere sustenance. They beckon us to return to a simpler time when meals were an unhurried ritual, a gathering of loved ones around the hearth. Each recipe is a reminder to pause, to let the slow and steady simmer work its magic.

From the warmth of classic chicken noodle soup to the smoky allure of pulled pork, these dishes are imbued with the essence of home. They are the flavors that transport us back to childhood kitchens, to grandmother’s secret recipes handed down through generations.

1. Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Place chicken breasts/thighs, sliced carrots, celery, and onions in the slow cooker.
Pour in chicken broth and add desired seasonings like salt, pepper, thyme, parsley.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Remove chicken and shred or chop into bite-size pieces. Return to pot.
Add egg noodles and cook for 30 more minutes until noodles are tender.

2. Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Cut beef chuck into 1-inch cubes and season with salt and pepper.
In a skillet, brown the beef cubes in batches over high heat in a little oil.
Transfer browned beef to slow cooker.
Add chopped potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, beef broth and red wine/tomato paste.
Sprinkle in thyme, rosemary, bay leaf.
Cook on low for 8-10 hours until beef is very tender.

3. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

In a bowl, mix together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar.
Place chicken thighs in slow cooker and pour sauce over top, turning to coat.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours until chicken is cooked through.
Optional: Transfer chicken to baking sheet and broil for 2-3 mins to caramelize.

4. Slow Cooker Lentil Sweet Potato Curry

Rinse lentils and add to slow cooker along with diced sweet potatoes.
Pour in coconut milk, diced tomatoes, garam masala, cumin, coriander.
Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7-8 hours until lentils are very soft.
Stir in spinach or kale right before serving if desired.

5. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Rub a pork shoulder/butt with a spice mix like paprika, garlic, onion powder.
Place pork in slow cooker and pour in chicken broth/apple juice until 1/3 way up sides.
Cook on low for 8 hours until pork is fall-apart tender.
Shred pork with two forks, removing any bones/fat.
Toss shredded pork with your favorite BBQ sauce.

6. Slow Cooker Chili

In a skillet, brown the ground beef over high heat, breaking it up as it cooks.
Drain excess fat and transfer beef to the slow cooker.
Add drained/rinsed kidney beans, diced tomatoes, diced onions, minced garlic.
Season with chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally.

7. Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

In a bowl, whisk together teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ginger, soy sauce.
Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the teriyaki mixture over top.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, basting chicken occasionally with the sauce.
Optional: Transfer chicken to baking sheet and broil 2-3 mins to caramelize sauce.

8. Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagna

Ladle a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Layer uncooked lasagna noodles, ricotta/cottage cheese, shredded mozzarella, sliced veggies.
Repeat layers ending with noodles, sauce and shredded cheese on top.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours until noodles are tender.

9. Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese

Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until just undercooked. Drain.
In the slow cooker, mix cooked macaroni with shredded cheddar, milk, butter, salt, pepper.
Stir everything together and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

10. Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
Pour over your favorite salsa and sprinkle with taco seasoning.
Add in rinsed black beans and frozen/canned corn.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Shred chicken before serving, mixing the juices back into the shredded chicken.

11. Slow Cooker Beef Burritos

Season a flank steak or beef roast all over with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Place beef in slow cooker and top with salsa, enough to partially cover meat.
Cook on low for 8 hours until beef is fall-apart tender.
Shred beef with two forks, removing any fat.
Serve shredded beef in warmed tortillas or burrito-style wraps with desired toppings like cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, etc.

12. Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

In a skillet, cook ground beef/turkey along with diced onions until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
Add cooked rice, diced tomatoes, garlic, parsley and shredded cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
Cut tops off bell peppers and remove seeds/membranes. Stuff each pepper cavity tightly with the meat/rice mixture.
Stand stuffed peppers upright in the slow cooker. Pour a little broth or sauce around peppers.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours until peppers are very tender.

13. Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef/turkey and diced onions until browned. Drain excess fat.
Transfer beef mixture to slow cooker. Add canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce/paste, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors meld.
In the last 30 minutes, stir in chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Serve sauce over cooked spaghetti noodles.

14. Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes

Scrub russet potatoes and prick each one several times all over with a fork.
Rub potatoes lightly with oil or butter and sprinkle with salt.
Place potatoes right in the slow cooker insert. Stack if needed for space.
Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 7-8 hours until potatoes are easily pierced with a knife.
Serve with preferred toppings like butter, sour cream, chives, cheese, bacon bits.

15. Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

In the slow cooker, combine chicken or vegetable broth, cubed potatoes, frozen corn kernels, diced onions, minced garlic. Season with salt, pepper, thyme.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
In the last 30 minutes, stir in heavy cream, milk or half-and-half. Also add in cooked, crumbled bacon if desired.
Let heat through, then serve chowder nice and creamy!

16. Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

Season a 3-4 lb beef chuck roast all over with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings like rosemary or thyme.
Place the seasoned roast in the slow cooker and pour in 2 cups of beef broth or au jus.
Cook on low for 8-10 hours until beef is fork-tender and shreds easily.
Remove beef from slow cooker and shred it into thin strips with two forks, discarding any excess fat.
Return shredded beef to the cooking juices to keep moist.
Split French or hoagie rolls lengthwise. Layer the shredded beef on the bottom portions.
Ladle some of the au jus over top of the beef for dipping.
Optionally, top with provolone or Swiss cheese and broil briefly to melt cheese.

17. Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
Slice bell peppers and onions and add them to the slow cooker.
Sprinkle a store-bought or homemade fajita seasoning blend evenly over everything.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender.
Remove chicken and vegetables from slow cooker and slice/shred chicken.
Serve fajita filling in warmed tortillas or over rice.
Top with desired fixings like shredded cheese, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, etc.

18. Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs

In a bowl, mix together whole berry cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar and Dijon mustard.
Add frozen, pre-cooked meatballs to the slow cooker.
Pour the cranberry sauce mixture over the meatballs and stir gently to coat.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are heated through.
Serve the cranberry-glazed meatballs warm with cocktail forks for a tasty appetizer.

19. Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken & Rice

Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper and paprika. Place in bottom of slow cooker.
Sprinkle uncooked long grain white rice evenly over the chicken.
Pour chicken broth over top and spoon cream of chicken soup evenly over rice.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until chicken and rice are cooked through.
In the last 30 minutes, stir in 1-2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
Let the cheese melt and stir everything together before serving.

20. Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs

In a bowl, mix together your favorite BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and minced garlic.
Add frozen, pre-cooked meatballs to the slow cooker.
Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the meatballs and gently toss to coat.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring the sauce and meatballs occasionally.
Serve the saucy BBQ meatballs warm with toothpicks as an appetizer or main dish over rice.

21. Slow Cooker Applesauce

Peel, core and slice about 3 lbs of apples (a mix of varieties like Gala, Honeycrisp, etc.)
Place the sliced apples in the slow cooker crock.
Add 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 cup water or apple juice and 1 tbsp lemon juice.
Use a potato masher to lightly mash down on the apple slices to start breaking them up.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, mashing and stirring every couple hours as apples soften.
Once apples are completely soft and saucy, mash thoroughly with potato masher to reach desired chunky or smooth texture.
Let cool slightly before transferring to containers. Can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.

22. Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

In the slow cooker crock, whisk together 6 cups of milk (any kind), 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup cocoa powder and 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips.
Add in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional).
Whisk everything together until fully combined with no lumps remaining.
Cook on low for 2 hours, whisking occasionally, until hot and chocolate is fully melted/dissolved.
Taste and add more cocoa powder for richer chocolate flavor or sugar/honey for sweeter taste if desired.
Serve hot chocolate warm topped with whipped cream, mini marshmallows or chocolate shavings.

Conclusion

In the end, these 22 slow cooker recipes are a testament to the beauty of simplicity and the joy of home-cooked meals. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, they offer a gateway to nourishing both body and soul.

Embrace the slow cooking journey, for it is a reminder that the most delightful experiences in life often unfold at an unhurried pace, allowing us to savor every moment, every aroma, and every bite. So go forth, fire up your slow cooker, and let these recipes be your guide to a world of comforting, convenient, and delicious possibilities.