Back to school means packed schedules: morning rush, after-school activities, homework, sports; but dinner can’t be another thing that stresses you out! That’s where slow cooker meals come in. Prep in the morning, and dinner is ready when you get home. After testing hundreds of slow cooker recipes and watching which ones families actually return to during the busy school season, I’ve gathered this collection of reliable, kid-approved dinners that work with real life. Chicken, beef, vegetarian, soups, and dump-and-go casseroles that fit into the gaps of a packed week!

Overhead shot of ramen noodles in a slow cooker topped with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. A serving fork is sticking out of the noodles.
4.83 stars (52 ratings)

Slow Cooker Ramen Noodles (Ground Beef)

Comforting, savory and slurpable, my for slow cooker ramen noodles recipe is viral for a reason! With lean ground beef, vibrant vegetables, and a super simple sauce it all cooks in the crockpot for a delicious and nearly effortless meal.
Ingredients: ground beef, slaw mix, carrots, garlic, low sodium tamari (or soy sauce), chicken stock, brown sugar, ramen noodles.
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Two halves of a chicken burrito stacked on a plate topped with sour cream and salsa.
4.93 stars (13 ratings)

Slow Cooker Chicken Burritos (with Rice)

Slow cooker chicken burritos with rice, beans, corn, and enchilada sauce. A dump-and-go filling perfect for dinner tonight or freezer meal prep.
Ingredients: salt, granulated garlic, paprika, chili powder, chicken, pinto beans, corn, enchilada sauce, cream cheese, rice, Mexican cheese, tortillas.
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A slow cooker filled with creamy gnocchi, chicken meatballs, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil, with a wooden spoon resting inside.
4.80 stars (5 ratings)

Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs with Gnocchi

Slow cooker Tuscan chicken meatballs with gnocchi made dump-and-go with no searing required. A creamy, cozy weeknight dinner the family will love.
Ingredients: ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, granulated garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cornstarch, gnocchi, heavy cream, and spinach.
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A slow cooker filled with pasta, shredded meat in tomato sauce, topped with chopped parsley and grated cheese, with a wooden spoon resting inside. Parsley and cheese bowls are nearby.
5 stars (3 ratings)

Easy Beef Ragu (Slow Cooker)

A slow cooker beef ragu with chuck roast, no searing, no wine. Dump everything in, walk away, and serve fall-apart shredded beef over pappardelle.
Ingredients: beef chuck roast, salt, black pepper, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, and pappardelle or rigatoni.
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close up of a white bowl with soup and crumbled chips on top with a blue napkin
5 stars (8 ratings)

Slow Cooker Taco Soup (Ground Beef)

This easy slow cooker taco soup simmers ground beef, black beans, corn, and a homemade spice blend into a hearty, no-packet weeknight dinner!
Ingredients: ground beef, black beans, pinto beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, diced green chilis, corn, chicken stock, lime juice, onion, olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, mild chili powder, smoked paprika and salt.
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An overhead shot of a slow cooker with lasagna. The slow cooker is surrounded by a tea towel and fresh herbs, a tea towel, and a small bowl with grated parmesan cheese.
5 stars (8 ratings)

Easy Crockpot Lasagna (Jar Sauce)

Easy crockpot lasagna with jar sauce, ground beef, cottage cheese, and no need to boil the noodles. A hands-off slow cooker dinner with no chopping required!
Ingredients: olive oil, lean ground beef, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, lasagna noodles, low fat cottage cheese, Italian cheese blend.
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A slow cooker filled with cheesy casserole topped with beans, sour cream, cilantro, and a wooden spoon inside.
4.88 stars (8 ratings)

Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole (Crockpot)

This slow cooker cowboy casserole is a hearty crockpot dinner of cheesy ground beef and potatoes that's easy, hands-off, and needs no oven time.
Ingredients: olive oil, ground beef, onion, salt, garlic, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, potatoes, kidney beans, corn, sour cream, cheddar, and hot sauce.
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Brown bowl on a blue background filled with chicken and bean chili, topped with cheese, cilantro, and avocado.
4.96 stars (49 ratings)

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili (6-Ingredient)

Six-ingredient slow cooker chicken chili with chicken, beans, salsa, and simple spices. Dump everything in and walk away.
Ingredients: chicken, tomato sauce, beans, salsa, cumin, garlic and salt.
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Serving spoon scooping taco casserole out of a slow cooker.
4.95 stars (17 ratings)

Crock Pot Taco Casserole

This easy Crock Pot Taco Casserole is a simple dump-and-go slow cooker recipe (my speciality!) that everyone will love. The ground beef requires no pre-browning, so you can easily whip up a hearty and delicious crowd pleasing casserole for a crowd or for dinner tonight.
Ingredients: taco meat, salsa, enchilada sauce, black beans, cheese, tortilla chips.
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Overhead shot of shredded roast beef being served out of a slow cooker with a serving fork. Slow cooker is surrounded by a gravy boat, bowl of chopped parsley, sprigs of fresh parsley, and a bowl of mashed potatoes.
5 stars (20 ratings)

Mississippi Pot Roast (No Packets)

Mississippi pot roast made without ranch or au jus packets, just pantry spices, butter, pepperoncini, and beef. A fall-apart tender slow cooker dinner!
Ingredients: chuck roast, dried parsley, granulated garlic, onion powder, kosher salt, beef broth, pepperoncini, butter, cornstarch.
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A wooden spoon holds a scoop of chunky tomato meat sauce over a pot filled with the same sauce.
5 stars (5 ratings)

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce (Ground Beef)

This slow cooker spaghetti sauce is a rich, from-scratch meat sauce with ground beef, made in the crockpot and ready to freeze or feed a crowd.
Ingredients: ground beef, onion, olive oil, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, honey (optional) and salt.
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Close up photo of a shredded chicken taco on a small flour tortilla topped with avocado chunks, shredded lettuce, and salsa.
5 stars (16 ratings)

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos (Dump and Go)

Juicy slow cooker chicken tacos with just 6 ingredients and a simple spice rub. Just dump it in, walk away, and come back to the most flavorful shredded taco meat.
Ingredients: garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, chicken, salsa.
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Close-up overhead shot of a crockpot with a fork and shredded meat covered in red sauce. A small bowl of red sauce and a spoon are in the corner.
4.88 stars (24 ratings)

Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Tenderloin (5-Ingredients)

Slow cooker BBQ pulled pork tenderloin made with 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep. Tender, juicy, and ready for sandwiches, sliders, or meal prep.
Ingredients: pork tenderloin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, BBQ sauce.
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Close-up overhead shot of a white bowl with chicken chili topped with sour cream, hot sauce, and green onions. The bowl is surrounded by a towel and smaller dishes with blue cheese, sliced green onions, hot sauce, and sour cream.
4.82 stars (16 ratings)

Buffalo Chicken Chili (High-Protein)

Award-winning buffalo chicken chili with shredded chicken, white beans, and just the right amount of heat. A creamy slow cooker or stovetop dinner!
Ingredients: chicken, white beans, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, chicken stock, hot sauce, cream cheese.
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Overhead image of a white enameled dutch oven with spaghetti, with tomato sauce and ground turkey. The dutch oven is surrounded by a plate of cooked spaghetti, a bowl of parmesan cheese, a wooden bowl with salt, fresh herbs, and a white and blue striped tea towel.
5 stars (9 ratings)

Easy Ground Turkey Spaghetti (6-Ingredients)

The easiest ground turkey spaghetti sauce, this recipe combines 6 simple ingredients like garlicky marinara sauce and ground turkey for a flavor packed meal that's nearly effortless! Includes stovetop and slow cooker instructions.
Ingredients: olive oil, onion, salt, ground turkey, granulated garlic, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, spaghetti (or gluten-free spaghetti).
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top down view of white bowl of vegetable soup with striped blue napkin
4.96 stars (64 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup (Dump and Go!)

This easy, hearty slow cooker vegetable soup is made with a mix of cut veggies that stand up well to a longer cook time, such as carrots, potatoes, and celery (no mush veggies here!) Best of all, you can make it without sautéing the vegetables first, which is a nice time-saver, too! 
Ingredients: potatoes, celery, carrot, onion, fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, peas, corn, green beans, stock, garlic powder, smoked paprika, bay leaves and salt.
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white bowl of crockpot turkey meatballs on blue background with striped napkin
5 stars (19 ratings)

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs (in Marinara)

Easy slow cooker turkey meatballs in marinara with ground turkey, spinach, basil, and parmesan. A healthy, dump-and-go weeknight dinner over pasta.
Ingredients: ground turkey, marinara sauce, basil, spinach, onion, garlic powder, parmesan and salt.
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Overhead shot of a bowl of sweet potato black bean chili garnished with avocado slices and sliced green onions. You can see a second bowl of chili, a lime wedge, cilantro, and a kitchen towel in the background.
5 stars (37 ratings)

5-Ingredient Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili (Slow Cooker, Instant Pot)

5-Ingredient Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili is simple to prepare, totally nourishing, and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients: sweet potatoes, black beans, salsa, vegetable stock, cumin, smoked paprika and salt
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closeup of a white bowl filled with soup on a blue background with blue striped napkin
4.93 stars (40 ratings)

Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup

Simple and hearty, slow cooker hamburger soup is loaded with vegetables and ground beef, and can be simmered all day in the slow cooker or made in 35 minutes on the stovetop.
Ingredients: lean ground beef, onion, carrots, celery, tomato paste, chicken stock (or beef stock), olive oil, potatoes, red & yellow bell peppers, red wine vinegar, water, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and salt.
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Close up overhead image of grey plate with a fork and a baked potato stuffed with shredded chicken, salsa, scallions, sour cream, and cilantro. Plate is surrounded by bowls of salsa, chopped scallions, sour cream, shredded chicken, cilantro, limes, and another grey plate with a stuffed potato.
4.99 stars (52 ratings)

3-Ingredient Crockpot Salsa Chicken Stuffed Potatoes

3-Ingredient crockpot salsa chicken stuffed potatoes is the easiest, most delicious, wildly simple slow cooker recipe you’ll find anywhere. What’s more, you don't have to chop a thing, and everything cooks together in the slow cooker (even the potatoes!), so prep is super fast and cleanup is a breeze!
Ingredients: chicken breasts or chicken thighs, salsa, and russet potatoes.
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A slow cooker with raw chicken thighs covered in a brown sauce, chopped garlic, and red pepper flakes.
4.88 stars (8 ratings)

Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Thighs

Easy slow cooker hot honey chicken thighs with a sweet, spicy sauce. Serve whole or shredded for sandwiches, bowls, or meal prep with just 5 ingredients.
Ingredients: honey, brown sugar, white vinegar, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes, chicken thighs.
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A plate with a sloppy joe sandwich, fresh greens, and tortilla chips. A fork and striped cloth napkin are nearby.
4.67 stars (9 ratings)

Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes

Easy slow cooker turkey sloppy joes with ground turkey, onion, bell pepper, and a homemade sauce. A healthy, family-friendly weeknight dinner.
Ingredients: ground turkey, tomato paste, ketchup, mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, onions, red bell peppers, water and salt.
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Overhead shot of a white bowl with creamy broth, diced carrots, shredded chicken, and tortellini, topped with fresh parsley and a hunk of baguette. Bowl is surrounded by a striped towel, sprigs of fresh parsley, baguettes, and small bowls of chopped parsley and pepper.
5 stars (8 ratings)

Chicken Tortellini Soup (Creamy, Slow Cooker)

Creamy chicken tortellini soup with tender chicken, vegetables, and cheese tortellini in an herby broth. A cozy slow cooker or stovetop weeknight dinner.
Ingredients: onion, celery, carrots, Italian seasoning, salt, chicken broth, boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cheese tortellini, cream.
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Overhead image of an oval platter of chicken drumsticks.
5 stars (31 ratings)

Incredible Slow Cooker Drumsticks (4-Ingredients!)

Get delicious, fall-off-the-bone meat with this easy slow cooker drumsticks recipe that just uses 4 ingredients!
Ingredients: smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, chicken drumsticks, BBQ sauce.
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5 stars (36 ratings)

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken with 5-Ingredient Peanut Sauce

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken with 5-Ingredient Peanut Sauce is a crave-worthy dinner that can be prepped in minutes!
Ingredients: chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, peanut butter, garlic, maple syrup, vinegar and other spices.
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Overhead image of a slow cooker with shredded chicken in a soy based sauce topped with green onions.
4.92 stars (23 ratings)

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken (5-Ingredients)

Five ingredients, five minutes of prep, and no pre-cooking, this crockpot honey garlic chicken comes out sweet, sticky, and full of flavor every time.
Ingredients: soy sauce, honey, garlic, lime juice, boneless chicken thighs (or boneless skinless chicken breasts), cornstarch.
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close up of crockpot vegetarian chili in a white bowl with toppings
4.99 stars (208 ratings)

Crockpot Vegetarian Chili

This easy crockpot vegetarian chili recipe tastes delicious and is easy to make with basic pantry ingredients, three beans, vegetables, and spices. Gluten free and vegan!
Ingredients: black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, bell peppers, onion, fire roasted tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and other spices
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Overhead shot of a serving bowl with a serving fork and cooked chicken thighs covered in red sauce and chopped fresh herbs. Bowl is surrounded by a towel; a jar of red sauce; and small bowls of coleslaw, potato chips, and chopped herbs.
5 stars (11 ratings)

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs (Boneless, Skinless)

Tender, juicy BBQ slow cooker chicken thighs with just 5 ingredients, 5 minutes of prep, and fall-apart results every time.
Ingredients: chicken thighs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, BBQ sauce.
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Overhead shot of shredded chicken breast garnished with lemon slices, parsley and yogurt sauce in a slow cooker.
4.84 stars (30 ratings)

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

Slow cooker greek chicken made with just 4 ingredients for a healthy, high-protein dinner. Perfect for meal prep, gyros, or rice bowls all week long.
Ingredients: Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, chicken.
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A plate of spaghetti topped with meatballs, tomato sauce, grated cheese, and fresh basil. A fork is cutting into a meatball.
5 stars (6 ratings)

Slow Cooker Meatballs in Marinara

Slow cooker Italian meatballs in marinara made with ground beef, parmesan, and breadcrumbs. A dump-and-go weeknight dinner with no pre-browning!
Ingredients: ground beef, parmesan, onion, garlic, Italian breadcrumbs (gluten free or traditional), egg, salt, marinara sauce.
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closeup view of turkey chili in a white bowl with chips and lime slices
5 stars (1 rating)

Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Chili (Easy Family Dinner!)

Easy and delicious slow cooker ground turkey chili, plus more slow cooker turkey recipes!
Ingredients: ground turkey, canned beans, bell peppers, onion, sweet potato, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and other spices
white bowl of crockpot white chicken chili with jalapenos and tortilla chips on top
4.97 stars (128 ratings)

Crockpot White Chicken Chili (Dump-and-Go)

Dump everything in the crockpot and walk away! My crockpot white chicken chili takes five minutes of prep, no pre-cooking required, and comes out thick and creamy from white beans and cream cheese.
Ingredients: chicken breast, stock, white beans, mild green chilis, salsa verde, onion, garlic powder, cumin, cream cheese.
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A bowl of creamy soup with sausage, kale, and potatoes, served with a piece of bread and a spoon, next to a plate with more bread and a small dish of red pepper flakes.
5 stars (6 ratings)

Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana (Easy)

Easy crock pot Zuppa Toscana made with sweet Italian sausage, kale, potatoes, and a lightened-up creamy broth. A hearty one-pot slow cooker dinner!
Ingredients: sweet Italian sausage, onion, garlic, russet potato, salt, chicken stock, kale, cream.
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Slow cooker BBQ chicken in a black crockpot on a white background.
5 stars (20 ratings)

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Breast

This easy crockpot bbq chicken needs 2 ingredients for tender, shredded chicken breast, a healthy pulled chicken for sandwiches or rice bowls!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs) and chipotle BBQ sauce (or store bought barbecue sauce).
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Shredded slow cooker enchilada chicken with tomato sauce in a black crockpot on a white background.
4.99 stars (73 ratings)

6-Ingredient Slow Cooker Enchilada Chicken

This easy recipe for shredded chicken for enchiladas is totally simple, completely delicious and the perfect weeknight crockpot recipe. With just 6-ingredients and no pre-cooking, let me show you how easy this fresh & simple enchilada chicken is to make!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, garlic powder, cumin, lime juice, tomato sauce, chili powder and salt.
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