If you’re looking for easy, healthy back to school slow cooker recipes perfect for busy weeks – you’re in the right place!
From healthy soups, chowders, chilis, main dishes & more – the recipes in this collection are all simple to prepare and perfect low-effort weeknight dinner wins!
When it comes to transitions, I’m all about finding ways to simplify things.
Including the answer to the daily question, “what’s for dinner?”
Less decisions = less stress.
That’s why on busy weeks – like when it’s time for Elle to head back to school – my family & I love to lean on easy slow cooker recipes for dinner.
To get you inspired, I’m sharing a collection of my favorite back to school dinner ideas that’ll help simplify your dinner decisions.
reasons you’ll love these back to school slow cooker recipes
Each recipe only needs a few hands-on minutes of prep time – then simply add your real food ingredients to the pot, set to cook, and let it do the work for you!
The ingredients are easy to find & will help you transition easily between summer and fall meals
These weeknight meals are great for anyone with a busy life, so even if you don’t have kids you can lean on these easy nourishing meals to get dinner done with minimal effort
Every one of these weeknight slow cooker recipes makes for great (freezable) leftovers. This post has all my best tips for how to freeze anything in a mason jar.
I’ve also included some paleo, whole30, vegetarian and vegan options too – so there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
I hope you’ll make these Easy Back to School Slow Cooker recipes soon.
If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!
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.
This Crockpot Salsa Chicken Stuffed Potatoes recipe is the easiest, most delicious, wildly simple recipe you’ll find anywhere. What’s more, everything cooks together in the slow cooker, so prep is super fast and cleanup is a breeze!
Ingredients: chicken breasts or chicken thighs, salsa, and russet potatoes.
Crockpot Mini Turkey Meatball Vegetable Soup is hearty one-pot meal that’s packed with the good stuff. A gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, whole30 recipe your family will love.
Ingredients: ground turkey (or ground beef), onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, tomatoes, stock, spinach, Italian seasoning and other spices
A versatile, filling, one-pot meal, slow cooker ranch chicken and veggies is made with a simple homemade ranch seasoning blend, chicken, carrots, and potatoes; making for an easy dinner recipe everyone will love!
Ingredients: chicken breasts, chicken stock, potatoes, carrots, yogurt (traditional or plant-based), mayo, apple cider vinegar, homemade ranch seasoning.
Naturally sweet, tangy and oh-so delicious, Slow Cooker Tropical Pulled Chicken is a breeze to throw together and makes for a healthy dinner everyone will love!
This slow cooker carnitas recipe is super easy to prepare and yields wildly delicious, succulent results everytime. Serve the carnitas warm as a filling for tacos, burritos or in bowls for an easy weeknight dinner win!
Ingredients: pork loin roast (or pork shoulder), orange juice, lime juice, cumin, mild chili powder, garlic powder and salt.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Chicken
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Chicken is simple to prepare and yields super tender chicken in a sweet and savory sauce that everyone in the family will love.
Ingredients: chicken, apples, apple cider, onion, garlic powder and salt
Tender, juicy, and super delicious, buffalo turkey meatballs are a healthy appetizer or main dish, made with no breadcrumbs, and easy to prepare in the crockpot or in the oven.
Ingredients: ground turkey, grated onion, almond flour (or oat flour), nutritional yeast, granulated garlic powder, cayenne pepper sauce, butter (traditional or dairy-free) and salt
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
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.
The perfect recipe for when you’re short on time but still want a delicious, real food dinner, 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajita Salsa Chicken is a snap to prep and requires just a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients: chicken, onion, bell pepper, salsa, lime juice and salt
Get tender, juicy turkey meat by cooking it in the slow cooker! Here you'll find a collection of easy, healthy slow cooker turkey recipes, plus as 3-bean crockpot turkey chili that's sure to be a crowd pleaser!
Ingredients: ground turkey, canned beans, bell peppers, onion, sweet potato, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and other spices
Crockpot white chicken chili is an easy prep, dump and go recipe, made with healthy ingredients and deliciously creamy without any dairy. Also includes Instant Pot and Stovetop instructions!
Ingredients: chicken breast, stock, white beans, mild green chilis, salsa verde, onion, garlic powder, cumin, cream cheese (traditional or dairy-free).
This wildly easy 2-ingredient slow cooker bbq chicken can be prepped in no time using store-bought or homemade sauce, yielding deliciously tender and versatile pulled chicken. Perfect for meal prep on busy weeks!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs) and chipotle BBQ sauce (or store bought barbecue sauce).
Slow Cooker Peach Chicken with Basil combines juicy peaches, balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil for an easy, flavorful dinner anytime. Easy enough to throw together on a weeknight, this one’s bound to become a new family-favorite recipe!
This easy recipe for shredded chicken for enchiladas is totally simple, completely delicious and the perfect weeknight crockpot recipe. Plus this chicken recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free, Paleo and Whole30 compliant too!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, garlic powder, cumin, lime juice, tomato sauce, chili powder and salt.
20+ easy back to school slow cooker recipes: fajita salsa chicken
Servings: 6
Prep: 5mins
Cook: 6hrs
Total: 6hrs5mins
The perfect recipe for when you're short on time but still want a delicious, real food dinner, 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajita Salsa Chicken is a snap to prep and requires just a handful of ingredients. Plus 20+ more back to school slow cooker recipes I know you'll love!
Add the chicken, onions, peppers, about ⅔ of the salsa, and salt to a 6-quart slow cooker, stirring to combine.
Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6, or until the chicken and vegetables are very tender.
Uncover and remove the chicken to a cutting board. Shred with two forks or cut into pieces.
If there is a lot of liquid in the slow cooker you can drain some off or leave it all in, depending on whether you want a drier or saucier consistency.
Add back the chicken, the remaining salsa, and lime juice, stirring everything together. Taste and add additional salt, lime juice or salsa if you like.
Notes
This recipe makes 4-6 servingsVegetable Side Suggestion: 5-Ingredient Everyday Creamy SlawSet aside some of the cooked, shredded chicken for resistant eaters. Serve with a veggie of choice.Use whatever salsa you like, just be sure to check the ingredient list and try to avoid brands with added sugar or with ingredients you can’t pronounce.This chicken and veggie mixture is extremely versatile, so serve it however you like. Stuffed into tacos, wrapped in lettuce leaves, over brown rice, or just as it is.Feel free to pile on the toppings. Think sliced avocado, sour cream, grated cheese, chopped cilantro, green onions, or hot sauce.