10+ Simple Crock Pot Recipes for Easy Weeknight Meals

Using a crock pot can make cooking easier and more enjoyable. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create delicious meals that practically take care of themselves.

Simple crock pot recipes allow you to enjoy homemade dishes without the hassle, making them perfect for busy days.

Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned cook, these recipes can fit into your routine effortlessly. The slow cooking process brings out rich flavors and tender textures, making mealtime a delight.

You’ll find that with a little planning, dinner can be ready when you are, leaving you more time to relax.

1) Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Making chicken tacos in a slow cooker is simple and delicious. You’ll need just a few ingredients to create a tasty meal. This recipe is perfect for busy days when you want something easy.

Start by adding chicken breasts, salsa, and spices to your slow cooker. You can also use onion and canned tomatoes for added flavor.

Cook on low for about 7 to 8 hours (around 75-80°C).

Once the chicken is cooked, shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker to soak up more flavors. Serve in taco shells with your favorite toppings like cheese, lettuce, or avocado.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons taco seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Place chicken, salsa, onion, and diced tomatoes in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours (75-80°C).
3. Shred chicken with forks and return to cooker.
4. Serve in taco shells with desired toppings.

2) Dump and Go Beef Stew

Making a delicious beef stew is easy with this dump and go recipe. You just toss the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it do the work.

Start with beef stew meat, potatoes, carrots, and onion. You can add seasoning to give it a warm flavor.

This dish is perfect for busy days or chilly evenings. It fills your home with a wonderful aroma as it cooks.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef stew meat
• 4-5 medium potatoes, cut into chunks
• 4-5 large carrots, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 package (1.5 oz) beef stew seasoning mix
• 4 cups beef broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the beef stew meat in the slow cooker.
2. Add the chopped potatoes, carrots, and onion.
3. Pour in the beef broth and sprinkle the seasoning mix.
4. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours (about 93°C) or on high for 4 hours (about 150°C).
5. Stir before serving.

3) Meatball Subs with Marinara Sauce

Meatball subs with marinara sauce are a fun and easy dinner option. You can make them in your slow cooker with minimal effort. Just imagine tender meatballs smothered in rich marinara sauce, all served in a warm sub roll.

To make this dish, you’ll need frozen meatballs, marinara sauce, and your favorite sub rolls. You can add cheese on top if you want extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 bag frozen meatballs
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• Sub rolls
• Shredded cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Place frozen meatballs in the slow cooker.
2. Pour marinara sauce over the meatballs.
3. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours (about 150°C to 160°C).
4. Serve in sub rolls and sprinkle with cheese if desired.

4) Simple Pulled Pork

Making pulled pork in a slow cooker is easy and delicious. You’ll enjoy tender, flavorful meat that’s perfect for sandwiches or tacos.

To start, place a pork roast in your slow cooker. Add your favorite barbecue sauce, a splash of vinegar, and chicken broth. Mixing in a bit of brown sugar and mustard adds great depth to the flavor.

Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours (about 93 to 104 degrees Celsius). Once it’s tender, shred the meat with forks. Serve it on buns or over rice.

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 pounds pork roast
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the pork roast in the slow cooker.
2. Pour in barbecue sauce, vinegar, and chicken broth.
3. Stir in brown sugar and mustard.
4. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
5. Shred the pork and serve.

5) 3-Ingredient Butter Beef

This easy recipe for 3-Ingredient Butter Beef is perfect for busy days. You only need three simple items: stew meat, onion soup mix, and butter.

Simply add the cubed beef to your crock pot. Sprinkle the onion soup mix over the meat, then add pats of butter on top.

Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. The beef will become tender and flavorful. You can also add carrots or potatoes if you want extra veggies.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds cubed beef
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• ½ cup butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the cubed beef in the crock pot.
2. Sprinkle the onion soup mix over the meat.
3. Add pats of butter on top of the beef.
4. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

6) Crockpot Chili

Crockpot chili is a warm and hearty dish that’s perfect for busy days. It’s easy to make and full of delicious flavors. You can throw everything in the crockpot and let it cook while you take care of other tasks.

For a simple base, use ground beef, canned beans, and tomatoes. You can season it with chili powder or your favorite spices for extra flavor.

Cooking low and slow makes the ingredients blend beautifully. Set your crockpot to low for about 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 cans (15 oz) kidney beans
• 2 cans (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup chili seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a pan.
2. Drain the grease and add to the crockpot.
3. Stir in beans, tomatoes, and chili seasoning.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

7) Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Making a slow cooker pot roast is easy and rewarding. You can enjoy a tender, flavorful meal with minimal effort. Simply choose a good cut of beef like chuck roast.

Start by placing thinly sliced onions at the bottom of your crockpot. Add in some carrots and quartered potatoes. Then, set the roast on top and season as you like.

For extra flavor, you can use onion soup mix or your favorite spices. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours (about 93°C) or high for 4 hours (about 149°C).

Your pot roast will come out juicy and delicious every time. Serve it with the veggies, and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 3-4 pounds (about 1.4-1.8 kg) chuck roast
• 2-3 medium carrots, chopped
• 3-4 medium potatoes, quartered
• 1 large onion, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: onion soup mix

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the onions and place them in the crockpot.
2. Add the carrots and potatoes.
3. Place the roast on top of the vegetables.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and optional onion soup mix.
5. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

8) Easy Vegetable Soup

Making easy vegetable soup in a crock pot is a great way to enjoy a hearty meal with minimal effort. Gather your favorite vegetables, like carrots, celery, and potatoes. You can add tomatoes for some extra flavor.

Start by placing all the ingredients into your slow cooker. Pour in vegetable broth or water to cover the veggies. Season with herbs such as thyme or basil for added taste.

Set your crock pot to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours. If you’re in a hurry, you can cook it on high for 3 to 4 hours. This makes a warm soup that is perfect for any day.

Ingredients

• 2 cups carrots, chopped
• 2 cups celery, chopped
• 2 cups potatoes, diced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Chop all the vegetables.
2. Add vegetables to the slow cooker.
3. Pour in vegetable broth.
4. Add herbs, salt, and pepper.
5. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

9) Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey Garlic Chicken is a delicious meal that’s easy to make in your crock pot. The combination of honey, garlic, and soy sauce creates a sweet and savory flavor.

You can use either chicken thighs or breasts. The slow cooking makes the chicken tender and juicy. It’s perfect for serving with rice or vegetables.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup honey
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• ½ cup ketchup

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the chicken in the crock pot.
2. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ketchup.
3. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours (about 93-107 degrees Celsius).
5. Serve with your favorite sides.

10) Lazy Lasagna

Lazy Lasagna is a quick and easy dish that saves you time in the kitchen. You can layer everything in your crockpot and let it cook while you do other things.

To make Lazy Lasagna, start with your favorite lasagna noodles. You don’t need to boil them first. Add layers of ground beef, tomato sauce, and cheese. Repeat these layers until you’ve used all your ingredients.

Cook the lasagna on low for about 6-8 hours (approximately 175-190°C) or on high for 3-4 hours (around 190-200°C). This method allows all the flavors to blend together perfectly.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 jar (about 24 oz) tomato sauce
• 9 lasagna noodles
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet. Then, drain any excess fat.
2. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce in the bottom of the crockpot.
3. Layer 3 uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
4. Spread half of the ricotta cheese on top of the noodles.
5. Add half of the cooked beef, followed by a layer of sauce and mozzarella.
6. Repeat the layers, ending with noodles, sauce, and Parmesan cheese.
7. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
8. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.