10+ Crockpot Dinner Recipes for Effortless Weeknight Meals

Crockpot dinner recipes are a fantastic way to prepare meals with minimal effort. You can set it and forget it, allowing your slow cooker to do all the hard work while you go about your day. These easy recipes are great for busy families or anyone looking to enjoy a home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

With a variety of flavors and ingredients, crockpot cooking offers something for everyone. From hearty stews to simple chicken dishes, you can find recipes that fit your taste and lifestyle. Embrace the convenience of the crockpot and discover how simple it is to create delicious dinners.

1) Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Slow cooker chicken tacos are a simple and tasty dinner option. You can prepare them with just a few ingredients. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights.

Start by placing chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Add salsa, taco seasoning, or your favorite spices. Let it cook on low for about 7-8 hours (around 60°C).

When the chicken is tender, shred it with two forks right in the pot. Serve it in taco shells with your favorite toppings like lettuce, cheese, and avocado.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• Tortillas or taco shells
• Optional toppings (lettuce, cheese, avocado)

Cooking Instructions

1. Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
2. Add salsa and taco seasoning.
3. Cook on low for 7-8 hours (60°C).
4. Shred the chicken in the pot.
5. Serve in tortillas with toppings.

2) Butter Beef

Butter beef is an easy and delicious dish you can make in your crockpot. You need just three ingredients: cubed beef, butter, and onion soup mix. This recipe results in tender, flavorful meat that melts in your mouth.

Start by placing the cubed beef into your crockpot. Top it with pats of butter and sprinkle the onion soup mix over everything. You can cook it on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.

You’ll love how simple this meal is to make and how great it tastes!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds cubed beef
• 1 cup butter (slices)
• 1 packet onion soup mix

Cooking Instructions

1. Place cubed beef in the crockpot.
2. Top with slices of butter.
3. Sprinkle the onion soup mix over the beef.
4. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

3) Ham with Pineapple

Ham with pineapple is a delicious and easy meal to prepare in your crockpot. The sweet and savory flavors blend perfectly, making it a great dish for any occasion.

To start, you will need a bone-in spiral ham, canned pineapple chunks, and some brown sugar. The ham soaks up the pineapple juice and sugar, creating a tasty glaze as it cooks.

You can make this dish with just a few simple ingredients. Set your crockpot on low and let it cook for several hours. The result is a tender, flavorful ham that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 10 lb (4.5 kg) spiral ham (bone-in)
• 20 oz (567 g) canned pineapple chunks
• 1 cup (200 g) packed light brown sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the ham in the crockpot.
2. Pour the pineapple chunks and juice over the ham.
3. Sprinkle the brown sugar on top.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours (about 93 to 104 degrees Celsius).
5. Serve and enjoy!

4) Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili is a warm and hearty dish. It’s perfect for busy evenings when you want something healthy and delicious. Using a crockpot makes it easy to prepare. Just add your ingredients and let it cook while you do other things.

You’ll need sweet potatoes, black beans, tomatoes, and spices for flavor. This chili is not only filling but also packed with nutrients. You can adjust the spices to suit your taste.

Feel free to top your chili with avocado, cheese, or cilantro for an extra kick. It’s a versatile dish that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Put sweet potatoes, black beans, tomatoes, onion, and garlic in the crockpot.
2. Add vegetable broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir to combine all ingredients.
4. Cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours until sweet potatoes are tender.
5. Serve and enjoy!

5) Crockpot Baked Ziti

Crockpot Baked Ziti is a tasty and easy meal you can prepare any day. It combines pasta, cheese, and sauce for a comforting dish. This recipe takes little prep time and lets the slow cooker do the work.

To make this dish, you’ll need ingredients like ziti pasta, ground beef, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and marinara sauce. You can add fresh herbs for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) ziti pasta
• 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
• 15 ounces (425 g) ricotta cheese
• 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 24 ounces (680 g) marinara sauce
• Fresh basil, salt, and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet.
2. Mix ricotta, half the mozzarella, basil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Layer pasta, meat, ricotta mix, and marinara in the crockpot.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours (140-175°C).
5. Add the remaining mozzarella 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

6) Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Honey garlic chicken thighs are a simple and tasty dinner option. Using a crockpot makes this recipe easy, with minimal prep time. The sweet and savory sauce brings out great flavors in the chicken.

You need chicken thighs for this dish. Pair them with honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a few spices to create a delicious blend. You can serve it over rice or with veggies for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup ketchup
• ⅓ cup honey
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried basil

Cooking Instructions

1. Place chicken thighs in the crockpot.
2. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, ketchup, honey, garlic, and basil.
3. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
4. Cook on low for 6-7 hours (approximately 165°F or 74°C).
5. Serve with your choice of sides.

7) Beef Stroganoff

Beef stroganoff is a warm and comforting dish that’s perfect for your crockpot. You can easily let it cook throughout the day and enjoy a delicious meal at dinner time.

To make beef stroganoff, you will need tender beef, mushrooms, onions, and a creamy sauce. It pairs well with egg noodles or rice for a complete meal.

You can prepare the ingredients in just a few minutes before adding them to your slow cooker. Set it to cook on low for about eight hours or on high for five hours.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef (round steak or sirloin)
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked egg noodles or rice for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the beef into strips.
2. Place beef, onion, and mushrooms in the crockpot.
3. Add the mushroom soup, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 5 hours.
6. Serve over egg noodles or rice.

8) Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow cooker pot roast is a classic dish that’s easy to prepare. You can make it with just a few ingredients for a hearty meal.

Start with a 3 lb chuck roast. Season it with salt and pepper. Place it in your slow cooker along with vegetables like potatoes and carrots. You can also add some onions and garlic for added flavor.

For cooking, set your slow cooker to low for about 8 hours or high for 4 hours. The meat will turn tender and flavorful as it cooks.

If you like gravy, use the juices from the pot roast to make a simple sauce. Just whisk some of the juices with flour or cornstarch until smooth.

Ingredients

• 3 lb chuck roast
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 4 potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper.
2. Place the roast in the slow cooker.
3. Add chopped carrots, diced potatoes, sliced onion, and minced garlic.
4. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
5. Use the juices to make gravy if desired.

9) Tuscan Chicken with Cream Sauce

Crockpot Tuscan Chicken is a simple and delicious dish. You will enjoy tender chicken cooked in a creamy sauce full of flavor. Sun-dried tomatoes and garlic add a rich taste that is hard to resist.

To prepare, you will use boneless chicken breasts. The slow cooker makes it easy; just set it and forget it. In about 6 to 8 hours on low, your meal will be ready.

This dish pairs well with pasta, rice, or a fresh salad. The creamy sauce is perfect for drizzling over your sides.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
2. Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes on top.
3. In a bowl, mix butter, heavy cream, and chicken stock. Pour over the chicken.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours (160°F / 71°C).
5. Stir in spinach and parmesan cheese before serving.

10) Chicken Curry

Chicken curry is a delicious and easy meal to make in your crockpot. You can use chicken thighs or breasts, along with coconut milk and a mix of spices. The flavors blend beautifully as it cooks.

Start by adding diced chicken, coconut milk, and your choice of veggies.

Common options include bell peppers, carrots, and onions. Don’t forget to sprinkle in some Indian spices like cumin and turmeric for that authentic taste.

Set your crockpot on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Your house will smell amazing, and you’ll have a comforting dinner ready to go!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
• 1 cup diced bell peppers
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place chicken in the crockpot.
2. Add coconut milk and vegetables.
3. Stir in spices, salt, and pepper.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. For a faster option, cook on high for 3-4 hours.
5. Serve over rice or with naan.
6. Enjoy!