If you’re looking for an easy hands-off dinner, look no further! These 20 easy crockpot recipes will make dinnertime completely stress-free!
When it comes to dinner time, I often feel so tired and worn out. Is that just me? I remember the “witching hour” when my kids were toddlers and I swear it applies to adults too.
You’ve adulted all day long and now you have to make dinner? And you have to do it every day??? C’mon, can’t a girl catch a break?
Enter, the slow cooker. Capitalize on your morning energy and get that dinner in your crockpot. Then, when 5:00 or 6:00 rolls around, you can sit back, relax, and just put a few finishing touches on dinner.
Plus, you’re already kind of committed to see it through since it’s already started, so there’s no carry-out out to take at this point in the game. Sometimes I just need to be forced to do something if I don’t really feel like doing it, you know?
And then there’s the bonus of the smells! Everyone will be excited for dinner because of how deliciously fragrant your whole house will smell!
We’ve featured all dinner and main dish recipes on this list. If you want more slow cooker recipes (sides, etc), find all our crockpot recipes here.
Tips for Success
There are a few things to keep in mind when cooking with a slow cooker. Beyond the obvious things you’ll find in your manual, here are some tips that come with experience.
- Make Clean Up Easy: I like to spray the inside of my slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. You can also buy liners but the thought of cooking my food in plastic for hours just doesn’t sit well with me personally. Spraying the inside prevents the food from sticking and makes for an easy clean up.
- Leave the Lid On! Every time you open the lid, a lot of heat escapes and slows down the cooking process. This is not only important for timing of your recipe being ready, but also for food safety. So resist the urge to peek or stir, unless the recipe specifically calls for it.
- Safety: If your crockpot has a timer, make sure to use it. Most will automatically go to low when the time has elapsed. I heard a horror story once about a house burning down because someone couldn’t get home for some reason or another and their crockpot just kept cooking, cooking, cooking. So now I’m super careful.
What’s the Difference Between a Slow Cooker and a Crockpot?
As you can see, I use the terms interchangeably. They’re the same thing, but Crockpot is a specific brand of slow cooker. Kind of like Kleenex and Bandaid, the name Crockpot has become synonymous with slow cooker. Same thing applies to Instant Pot and pressure cookers.
PS: Crockpot is a trademarked product. Crockpot is a proprietary brand that I want to acknowledge and give credit to. This post is not directly affiliated with them.
20 Crockpot Dinner Recipes
Tender and juicy pork with a sweet balsamic glaze, this slow cooker pork loin is a dinner favorite. Fix it and forget it!
Crockpot BBQ chicken is irresistible and a real crowd-pleaser! With only 3 ingredients, it’s super easy to make.
Whether you’re entertaining or just looking for an easy dinner with great leftovers, crockpot ham is the answer. Hands-off and delicious!
Perfect for parties, crockpot mac and cheese is creamy, flavorful, and so easy to make. Ready to serve in just 2 hours!
Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken Thighs cook all day while you’re busy doing other things. They’re super flavorful, filling, and nutritious.
Boneless skinless chicken breasts and homemade teriyaki sauce served over rice make this crockpot teriyaki chicken a perfect weeknight meal.
Warm, comforting, and hearty — all words that describe this simple and easy to make crockpot tomato soup. It’s a crowd pleaser!
You won’t believe how good Italian pot roast is! This slow cooker beef roast is sure to become a family favorite. And it’s easy!
You’ll discover that chili doesn’t require meat to be hearty and delicious. This vegetarian chili is thick, rich, and flavorful, and it’s so easy to make.
Try easy to make slow cooker ribs, so tender and juicy, with loads of flavor from a homemade dry rub and lots of barbecue sauce. Fix ’em and forget ’em for up to ten hours.
Change up your taco menu with slow cooker pork tacos, a Mexican riff on tender pulled pork with green tomatillo sauce. Serve on warm corn tortillas with all the fixings.
Rich and full of warm heat, this slow cooker Texas style chili will instantly become your favorite chili recipe. The big chunks of beef will fall apart in your mouth!
This slow cooker white chicken chili will become your go-to recipe for cool weather entertaining and busy weeknights. Included in the recipe are more than 5 ways to adapt this and make it perfect for YOU!
Slow cooker chicken kale soup simmers all day for a healthy, hearty dinner that’s ready when you are. It’s packed with lean chicken, lots of leafy green kale, cannellini beans, and loads of flavor.
This mango bourbon pulled pork has the perfect combination of sweet and spicy – and the bourbon gives it that WOW factor!
Slow cooker beef Marsala stew will fill your house with tantalizing aromas as it simmers. You’ll look forward to dinner all day long!
A citrus based marinade adds flavor and tenderness to slow cooker Cuban pork. Change up your normal routine of pulled pork with this unique flavor combination.
Slow cooker shredded chicken that only takes 3 ingredients. Easy, versatile and delicious.
This crockpot buffalo chicken is made in the crockpot and becomes so tender and flavorful as it cooks. It’s perfect on sandwiches or sliders!
Start crockpot spaghetti sauce in the morning and forget about it all day. At dinner time, cook up a big pot of pasta and enjoy an absolutely delicious homemade spaghetti dinner.
