44 Slow Cooker Dinners That’ll Make You Forget You Ever Owned an Oven

Slow cooker dinners make weeknight cooking way easier, and these recipes are proof that you can get big flavor without standing over the stove. They’re packed with ingredients that come together on their own, so you end up with meals that taste like you spent hours on them, even when you didn’t. Perfect for busy nights, these dishes fill the house with amazing smells and leave you with plenty of time to actually sit down and enjoy dinner instead of stressing in the kitchen.

Crockpot Cheesy Salsa Chicken on a plate with rice and sauce. — Crockpot Cheesy Salsa Chicken. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Lentil Soup

This lentil soup simmers into a thick, hearty meal brightened with lemon. It’s an excellent slow cooker dinner for cozy evenings since it cooks on its own and keeps well for later meals.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Soup

Ratatouille

This ratatouille features tender vegetables and herbs cooked evenly over time. It’s a steady slow cooker dinner option that saves you from standing over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille

Black Bean Soup

This black bean soup turns creamy and filling with almost no prep. It’s a reliable slow cooker dinner that makes mealtime easy on busy days while keeping things flavorful and simple.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Soup

Spaghetti Squash

This spaghetti squash cooks easily without needing to monitor it. It’s a convenient slow cooker dinner component that frees up time while still giving you a light, wholesome dish.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash

Vegetarian Chili

This vegetarian chili develops deep flavor with a gentle kick of spice. It’s a strong choice for a slow cooker dinner since the ingredients simmer together effortlessly, creating a balanced and hearty meal without much hands-on work.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Chili

Chicken Zoodle Soup

A bowl of slow cooker Chicken Noodle Soup. — Chicken Zoodle Soup. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This chicken zoodle soup features tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and a light broth. It’s a simple slow cooker dinner for busy weeknights that tastes fresh and balanced without much work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Zoodle Soup

Cheesy Salsa Chicken

This cheesy salsa chicken adds bold flavor to your dinner routine. It’s a practical slow cooker dinner that comes together easily and quickly becomes a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Salsa Chicken

Vegetable Soup

This vegetable soup is loaded with fresh vegetables and finishes with a touch of lemon. It’s a comforting slow cooker dinner that requires almost no supervision and tastes like a home-cooked meal.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Soup

Butternut Soup

This butternut soup turns creamy and smooth with rich fall flavors. It’s a comforting slow cooker dinner that fills the kitchen with great aroma and requires little effort.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

This chicken noodle soup is made simple with a slow cooker. It’s a dependable slow cooker dinner that builds flavor from chicken, vegetables, and herbs without constant attention.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup

Potato Soup

This potato soup turns thick and filling as it simmers throughout the day. It’s a practical slow cooker dinner because it cooks evenly without needing attention, making weeknight meals easier to manage.
Get the Recipe: Potato Soup

Mexican Street Corn Soup

Street corn soup with potatoes, corn and red pepper in the crock pot with a spoon on the side. — Mexican Street Corn Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Mexican street corn soup becomes creamy and flavorful as it simmers. It’s a convenient slow cooker dinner that requires little prep and can cook all day while you handle other things.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Soup

Mac and Cheese

This mac and cheese stays creamy with almost no hands-on work. It’s a dependable slow cooker dinner that feeds a group with minimal effort and consistent results.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese

Pork Loin

Pork tenderloin on a cutting board next to a slow cooker. — Pork Loin. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This pork loin turns out moist and tender every time with hands-off cooking. It’s a practical slow cooker dinner that removes the guesswork from timing and keeps the meat juicy.
Get the Recipe: Pork Loin

Sriracha Honey Garlic Pork Chops

These pork chops turn out tender and well-seasoned with a light glaze. It’s a convenient slow cooker dinner that locks in flavor as it cooks through the day.
Get the Recipe: Sriracha Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Salsa Chicken

This salsa chicken simmers in your favorite salsa until tender and flavorful. It’s a flexible slow cooker dinner that works perfectly for tacos, wraps, or rice bowls with very little effort.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken

Chicken Verde

These simple meals come together quickly for busy nights. Slow cooker dinners like these let you set them early and return later to find everything ready to serve.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Verde

Thai Chicken Curry

This Thai chicken curry develops bold flavor as it simmers in coconut milk and spices. It’s a practical slow cooker dinner since it cooks itself while you focus on other parts of your day.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Curry

Al Pastor Carnitas

These al pastor carnitas cook until tender and packed with flavor. They make a great slow cooker dinner choice for tacos, salads, or simple plates with rice.
Get the Recipe: Al Pastor Carnitas

Lamb Ragu

This lamb ragu cooks low and slow until the meat becomes tender and rich. It’s a satisfying slow cooker dinner that pairs well with pasta and requires little effort once started.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Ragu

Authentic Hungarian Goulash

Hungarian Goulash in two white bowls. — Authentic Hungarian Goulash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This Hungarian goulash becomes rich and tender through slow cooking. It’s a traditional-style slow cooker dinner that pairs well with noodles or a spoonful of sour cream.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Hungarian Goulash

Chili for Two

Crock Pot Chili served in two white bowls with spoon. — Chili for Two. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This small-batch chili cooks quickly and develops rich flavor in just a few hours. It’s a manageable slow cooker dinner for one or two that’s ready without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Chili for Two

Taco Soup

This taco soup combines chicken, meatballs, cabbage, and spices into one hearty meal. It’s a flexible slow cooker dinner that cooks itself while you take care of other things.
Get the Recipe: Taco Soup

Split Pea Soup

This split pea soup cooks down into a smooth, comforting meal full of vegetables. It’s a convenient slow cooker dinner that requires very little effort while still being hearty and satisfying with bread on the side.
Get the Recipe: Split Pea Soup

Short Rib Ragu

This short rib ragu cooks until the meat is fall-apart tender and rich. It’s an easy slow cooker dinner that brings deep flavor without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Short Rib Ragu

Beef Barbacoa

This beef barbacoa develops deep flavor and tender texture over several hours. It’s an excellent slow cooker dinner that’s easy to serve in tacos, burritos, or rice bowls.
Get the Recipe: Beef Barbacoa

Chunky Ham, Potato, Cheese and Broccoli Soup

This ham, potato, cheese, and broccoli soup thickens as it cooks for a hearty result. It’s an easy slow cooker dinner that makes great use of leftovers without adding steps.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Ham, Potato, Cheese and Broccoli Soup

Tortilla Soup

This tortilla soup comes together quickly and can be finished with your favorite toppings. It’s an easy slow cooker dinner that works well for busy schedules or relaxed evenings at home.
Get the Recipe: Tortilla Soup

Ham and Bean Soup

This ham and bean soup builds depth from garlic, mustard, and herbs as it simmers. It’s an efficient slow cooker dinner that comes together smoothly without extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Bean Soup

Green Bean Casserole

This green bean casserole needs very little prep and complements any meal. It’s a practical slow cooker dinner addition since it can cook while you handle other dishes.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Mexican Pork Carnitas

Pork carnitas in taco shells with lime, guacamole, onion, and tomato on white plate on wood table. — Mexican Pork Carnitas. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

These pork carnitas street tacos come out juicy and full of balanced flavor. They make an excellent slow cooker dinner that suits both gatherings and quiet nights at home.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Pork Carnitas

Lemonade Chicken

This lemonade chicken uses a tangy-sweet sauce for a balanced flavor. It’s a solid slow cooker dinner that keeps the chicken tender while the sauce thickens naturally.
Get the Recipe: Lemonade Chicken

Cabbage

This cabbage side dish becomes tender and buttery as it cooks slowly with garlic. It’s a helpful slow cooker dinner component because it manages the timing and texture for you.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage

Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

These meatballs simmer in tomato sauce until soft and flavorful. They’re an easy slow cooker dinner that can be served with pasta, sandwiches, or as appetizers.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower Mash

Crockpot Shepherd's Pie in ceramic bowl on matching plate with wooden spoon and oregano garnish. — Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower Mash. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This shepherd’s pie features ground beef, vegetables, and a creamy cauliflower mash topping. It’s an efficient slow cooker dinner that reheats well for lunches or quick weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower Mash

French Onion Soup

This French onion soup builds flavor slowly as the onions caramelize and melt into the broth. It’s a dependable slow cooker dinner because the even heat develops sweetness in the onions without constant stirring.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup

Creamy Chicken

This creamy chicken dish combines a rich sauce with tender meat and gentle spices. It’s a quick slow cooker dinner that works well for busy days when you want something hearty.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken

Pot Roast

Roast beef, potatoes, and carrots in a bowl. — Pot Roast. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This pot roast features tender chuck roast cooked slowly with broth and spices. It’s a hearty slow cooker dinner that delivers family-style comfort with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Pot Roast

Tofu Tikka Masala

An overhead image of slow cooker tikka masala in a bowl with rice, with a slow cooker on the background. — Tofu Tikka Masala. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This tikka masala develops rich, layered spices during its long cook time. It’s a great choice for a slow cooker dinner since the low, steady heat deepens the sauce and lets you step away from the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Tikka Masala

Chicken Wild Rice Soup

This chicken wild rice soup cooks down with vegetables and herbs to create a smooth, creamy bowl. It’s a practical slow cooker dinner that lets you step away while it simmers to perfection.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Collard Greens

These collard greens soften completely with the help of steady heat and balanced seasoning. They’re a natural fit for a slow cooker dinner since the slow cooking develops flavor and perfect texture.
Get the Recipe: Collard Greens

Cashew Chicken

This cashew chicken cooks until tender with a flavorful sauce and crunchy cashews. It’s a dependable slow cooker dinner that brings together convenience and great texture in one dish.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken

Ramen

This ramen cooks all in one pot with noodles, broth, and seasoning. It’s a time-saving slow cooker dinner that takes the work out of making a comforting bowl.
Get the Recipe: Ramen

Creamy Chicken Hominy Soup

A bowl of mexican chicken chowder with corn and black beans. — Creamy Chicken Hominy Soup. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

This chicken and hominy soup has a creamy texture and hearty consistency. It’s an easy slow cooker dinner that simmers steadily with little need for oversight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Hominy Soup