Collage of crockpot dinner recipes.

22 Crockpot Dinners You Can Just Set and Forget

Nothing beats walking into your house after a long day to the smell of dinner already done. These crockpot dinners take the stress out of weeknight cooking with just a bit of easy prep upfront, then your slow cooker handles everything else while you tackle your to-do list.

Sure, you might need to brown some meat or chop a few vegetables before you start, but once that lid goes on, you’re free to forget about dinner until it’s time to eat. From hearty stews to fall-apart roasts, these set-and-forget recipes are hassle-free.

1. Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore in crockpot
Photo Credit: Savvy Honey

This mouthwatering slow cooker chicken cacciatore makes dinnertime effortless. Juicy chicken and tender vegetables simmer in a rich tomato sauce, creating a cozy, comforting meal everyone will want seconds of.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

2. Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Slow cooker chicken enchiladas served on a plate with a fork.
Photo Credit: From Valerie’s Kitchen

This stacked casserole approach gives you all the flavors of traditional enchiladas without the tedious rolling process. The tortillas soften perfectly while the creamy chicken filling and homemade-style sauce meld together into pure comfort food.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

3. Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna

ravioli casserole in crockpot
Photo Credit: Persnickety Plates

This genius lazy lasagna uses frozen ravioli to skip all the work of traditional lasagna while delivering the same comforting flavors. Just layer everything in the pot and let it cook, with no need to boil pasta or spend time assembling layers.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna

4. Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Crockpot BBQ chicken in buns on a wooden board.
Photo Credit: Jack Slobodian

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best ones, and this two-ingredient wonder proves it. The slow cooker transforms ordinary chicken breasts into shreddable, saucy meat that’s ready for sandwiches, salads, or however you want to use it.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot BBQ Chicken

5. Crockpot Spicy Beef Short Ribs

Crockpot spicy beef short ribs served over rice.
Photo Credit: My Chef’s Apron

These ribs cook low and slow in their own juices, which means maximum flavor with zero babysitting required. The homemade spice blend creates a beautiful crust while the long cooking time ensures you get that fall-off-the-bone texture everyone craves.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Beef Short Ribs

6. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Slow cooker chicken tacos on a white plate.
Photo Credit: From Valerie’s Kitchen

Skip the jarred salsa and let diced tomatoes and green chiles do the work instead for a fresher taste. This dump-and-go recipe makes enough shredded chicken for Taco Tuesday and plenty of leftovers for burrito bowls later in the week.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

7. Crockpot Mongolian Beef

Crockpot Mongolian beef served over rice on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Deliciously Home Cooked

Bring takeout flavors home with this restaurant-style dish that’s surprisingly easy to make. The secret is coating the beef in cornstarch before cooking, which helps create that signature glossy sauce that clings to every bite.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mongolian Beef

8. Crockpot Cowboy Beans with Kielbasa

Crockpot cowboy beans with kielbasa in a bowl.
Photo Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian

This hearty crowd-pleaser combines three different meats for a protein-packed meal that’s perfect for game day or feeding a hungry bunch. Browning the meats first adds extra depth, then everything simmers together until the flavors meld beautifully.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cowboy Beans with Kielbasa

9. Slow Cooker Chicken & Stuffing

Slow cooker chicken and stuffing served with green beans on a plate.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook

Why wait for Thanksgiving to enjoy this cozy combination? The stuffing mix absorbs all the savory juices from the chicken and creamy sauce, creating a one-pot meal that tastes like the holidays any day of the year.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken & Stuffing

10. Crockpot Sloppy Joes

Three crockpot sloppy joes on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

Forget the packets and make your own sauce that develops rich, complex flavors during the long cooking process. These homemade sloppy joes taste so much better than anything from a can, and they’re perfect for feeding kids or serving at casual gatherings.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Sloppy Joes

11. Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Crockpot mac and cheese scooped with a wooden serving spoon.
Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen

This creamy, dreamy mac and cheese cooks the pasta right in the pot for ultimate convenience. The combination of Velveeta and sharp cheddar creates that smooth, restaurant-quality texture that beats any boxed version hands down.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mac and Cheese

12. Thai Peanut Chicken

Thai peanut chicken over rice on a black plate.
Photo Credit: Freezer Meals 101

This freezer-friendly recipe brings authentic Thai flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort. Serve it over rice noodles, in lettuce cups, or however you like your Thai food, and enjoy the creamy, aromatic sauce that makes everything taste restaurant-quality.

Get the Recipe: Thai Peanut Chicken

13. Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

Slow cooker stuffed peppers filled with seasoned meat and rice, drizzled with sauce.
Photo Credit: Chef Savvy

These colorful peppers cook hands-free while you go about your day, emerging tender and packed with hearty filling. The combination of rice, beans, and enchilada sauce makes each pepper a complete meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

14. Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash

Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash on a narrow white plate.
Photo Credit: Jack Slobodian

This authentic recipe uses traditional techniques to build layers of rich, warming flavors. The long cooking time breaks down tough cuts of beef into tender morsels while creating a deeply satisfying broth that’s nothing like American-style goulash.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash

15. Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken

Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken in a bowl.
Photo Credit: One Pot Only

Fresh, zesty flavors make this chicken perfect for Taco Tuesday or any time you want something light and bright. The lime keeps everything tasting fresh while the slow cooking ensures the meat stays juicy and pulls apart easily for whatever you’re serving.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken

16. BBQ Pulled Pork with Root Beer

BBQ pulled pork with root beer in a slow cooker.
Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen

Root beer helps break down the meat while adding subtle sweetness that complements the smoky BBQ sauce. This unique combination creates pulled pork that’s incredibly tender and has a flavor twist that’ll have people asking for your secret.

Get the Recipe: BBQ Pulled Pork with Root Beer

17. Crockpot Meatloaf

Sliced crockpot meatloaf on a rectangular white plate.
Photo Credit: Meatloaf and Melodrama

Making meatloaf in the slow cooker means you’ll never have a dry slice again, and you won’t heat up your kitchen in the summer. The gentle, even heat keeps everything moist while the sweet glaze on top caramelizes to perfection.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Meatloaf

18. Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken

Honey sriracha chicken in a slow cooker.
Photo Credit: Chef Savvy

Sweet meets heat in this crowd-pleasing dish that gets seared first for extra flavor, then slow-cooked until fork-tender. The balance of honey and sriracha creates a sticky, addictive sauce that’s perfect over rice or noodles.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken

19. Crockpot Pot Roast

Crockpot pot roast with carrots, potatoes, and celery.
Photo Credit: Meatloaf and Melodrama

This classic comfort food uses a packet of onion soup mix to create deep, savory flavors without any fuss. Throw in some potatoes and carrots alongside your chuck roast, and you’ve got a complete Sunday dinner that cooks itself while you relax.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Pot Roast

20. White Bean Soup

White bean soup scooped with a spoon in a bowl.
Photo Credit: Haute and Healthy Living

This vegetarian soup proves that meatless meals can be just as satisfying as any other. The beans and vegetables simmer all day until they’re melt-in-your-mouth tender, and mashing some of the beans creates a naturally creamy texture that’s both hearty and healthy.

Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup Recipe

21. Bacon Chicken Ranch Tater Tot Crockpot Casserole

Bacon chicken ranch tater tot crockpot casserole on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food

This ultimate comfort food casserole combines all your favorite loaded potato flavors into one indulgent dish. The tater tots stay crispy on top while everything underneath gets creamy and melted, creating a texture contrast that’s absolutely irresistible.

Get the Recipe: Bacon Chicken Ranch Tater Tot Crockpot Casserole

22. Peach BBQ Chicken Thighs

Peach BBQ chicken thighs served on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Kim Schob

The peach jam creates a beautiful glaze that caramelizes during cooking while adding just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tangy BBQ sauce. A hint of cayenne keeps things interesting, making this perfect for when you want something familiar with a fun twist.

Get the Recipe: Peach BBQ Chicken Thighs

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