Weeknights can be a challenge, especially when dinner decisions sneak up on you. That’s where a trusty slow cooker steps in and makes things a bit easier, offering hassle-free meals that keep everyone around the table a little longer. This round-up features 23 easy recipes, each one designed to turn everyday meals into something people actually want to text their friends about.

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

Slow Cooker German Pot Roast

A plate of German pot roast beef with a sauce being poured over it. — Slow Cooker German Pot Roast. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

With Slow Cooker German Pot Roast, rich flavors are drawn from tender beef cooked with onions, carrots, and aromatic spices. Slow simmering allows the meat to become perfectly tender and absorb every nuance. The hearty gravy gives every plate a robust character, pairing seamlessly with potatoes or bread. This recipe brings tradition to life, making a classic dish easy to serve for gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker German Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Gravy

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with shredded chicken in creamy gravy, garnished with chopped parsley. — Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Gravy. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Homey comfort comes together in Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Gravy, where chicken breasts simmer for hours in creamy ranch-flavored sauce. The combination of seasoning and slow cooking ensures the meat remains moist and tasty. Pour the gravy over mashed potatoes or rice for a meal everyone will want seconds of. Popular for family dinners, its simple preparation encourages sharing food and good conversation.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Gravy

31 of Chef Jenn's FAVE Casseroles!

Recipes for Comfort-Filled Family Meals

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Slow Cooker Carnitas Board

A platter of pork carnitas board on a wooden table. — Slow Cooker Carnitas Board. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Authentic flavors stand out in Slow Cooker Carnitas Board, presenting well-cooked pork that’s perfect for tacos and burritos. Slow cooking results in pork that’s tender enough to shred easily for serving with fresh toppings. A variety of sides and fixings let everyone customize their plate and enjoy food together. Always a crowd-pleaser, this recipe simplifies traditional street food for home kitchens.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Carnitas Board

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

A rectangular plate of Chicken Tikka Masala with herbs on top. — Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Fragrant spices blend into coconut and tomato sauce in Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala, creating a well-spiced dish for hearty evenings. Chicken pieces soak up the bold ingredients during hours of slow simmering. Ladle the flavorful mixture over rice or warm naan to capture every drop of sauce. This comforting classic highlights how simple steps and slow cooking are ideal for sharing globally-inspired food.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Slow Cooker Southwestern Chili

Beef, beans, and vegetables unite under gentle heat in Slow Cooker Southwestern Chili, producing a filling main dish perfect for large groups. Spicy touches from chili powder and cumin mingle with tomatoes for a lively sauce. Choosing your favorite toppings, from cheese to green onions, makes each bowl customizable. Versatile and convenient, this recipe transforms basic ingredients into a meal worth remembering.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southwestern Chili

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes & Apples

Combining pork tenderloin, sweet potatoes, and apples in Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes & Apples blends sweet and hearty elements. Fork-tender pork stands beside naturally sweet sides, all cooked together in just one pot. Each mouthful gives a balance of fruit and delicious tastes that’s fulfilling on its own or with bread. This hands-off recipe is ideal for bringing joy to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes & Apples

Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Meatballs

Honey-Garlic Meatballs in a thick red sauce are being stirred with a wooden spoon in a white ceramic pot. — Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Meatballs. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Sweet and garlicky notes fill each bite in Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Meatballs, a simple way to make a memorable main dish. Meatballs slowly simmer in honey-garlic sauce, developing a gentle, pleasing flavor. Pile them on rice or noodles to turn an ordinary night into a special gathering. Whether for a family meal or sharing with friends, this recipe delivers a delicious plate with very little effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Meatballs

4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken

Busy evenings feel easier with 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken, requiring minimal prep for maximum convenience. Chicken breasts simmer until tender with just a handful of common ingredients and plenty of time. Versatile results allow you to serve the finished dish with pasta, vegetables, or bread. Bringing this recipe to the table shows how simple food can be perfect for sharing.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken

Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

Rice blends with ground beef inside Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs, creating a lovely texture in every meatball. A flavorful tomato sauce surrounds each one through hours of simmering, infusing robust flavor. This recipe provides a comforting, homemade taste that appeals to all ages. Gathering around a dish like this makes even plain ingredients shine.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

Slow-Cooker Pork Chile Verde

A bowl of white rice and green chili verde garnished with cilantro, radish slices, jalapeño, and a lime wedge, set on a white surface with a colorful cloth in the background. — Slow-Cooker Pork Chile Verde. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Braised pork and green chiles mark Slow-Cooker Pork Chile Verde as a flavorful stew for spreading across tortillas or rice. Hours of simmering create a rich, green sauce that gently envelops the tender meat. Cumin, garlic, and cilantro further shape the recipe’s taste, ready to be spooned and shared. Welcoming and simple, it brings people together without fuss.
Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pork Chile Verde

Vintage Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers

Slow cooker sausage and peppers garnished with grated cheese and chopped parsley. — Vintage Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Classic sausage and bell pepper flavors get a boost in Vintage Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers, a familiar dish made simpler. Browning and slow cooking develop richer notes that pair well with pasta or crusty bread. Onion slices add extra depth, creating a meal that’s both hearty and comforting. Served family-style, this recipe stands out among slow cooker favorites.
Get the Recipe: Vintage Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers

Slow-Cooker Taco Soup

Hearty, tomato-based broth and ground beef shape Slow-Cooker Taco Soup into an ideal dish for gatherings. Beans, corn, and seasoning mingle in the pot, delivering an easy way to serve multiple people at once. Top each bowl with cheese, sour cream, or avocado for personalized meals. Offering warmth and ease, this recipe is always ready for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Taco Soup

Mississippi Meatballs

A close-up of a meatball on a fork, with more meatballs in the background. — Mississippi Meatballs. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Tangy and delicious flavors mix in Mississippi Meatballs, as beef meatballs simmer in a signature mix of ranch, au jus, and pepperoncini. The sauce adds unique depth and keeps the meatballs moist for several hours. This recipe is great over mashed potatoes or noodles and comes together with minimal fuss. Making this dish shows how flavorful food can come from simple steps and slow cooking.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Meatballs

German Pork Loin

Robust flavors result from slow braising in German Pork Loin, which pairs lean pork with spices and vegetables. Each hour brings additional tenderness and complexity, resulting in a dish ready for carving and sharing. Traditional seasonings lend a character recognizable in every bite. This recipe demonstrates how slow cooking can turn basic cuts of meat into something special.
Get the Recipe: German Pork Loin

Al Pastor Carnitas

Pork shoulder absorbs a blend of Mexican spices during slow simmering in Al Pastor Carnitas, building rich flavor ideal for tacos and bowls. Pineapple adds subtle sweetness to balance delicious meat, making the end result ready for assembly. Shred and pile into tortillas with onions and cilantro for a festive spread. Simple steps and long cooking yield a dish everyone will reach for.
Get the Recipe: Al Pastor Carnitas

Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

Tangy ranch and pepperoncini combine with chicken breasts in Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken, leading to fork-tender meat inside a flavorful sauce. The recipe’s mix of ingredients ensures each bite stands out, yet remains easy to prepare for any meal. Serving with potatoes or rolls brings out the best in its rich gravy. Gatherings benefit from food that’s both easy and memorable.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

Easiest Slow Cooker Rump Roast

A plate of slow cooker rump roast with potatoes, carrots, onions, and a sprig of rosemary on a white dish. — Easiest Slow Cooker Rump Roast. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Beef roast cooks low and slow in Easiest Slow Cooker Rump Roast, producing slices that fall apart in gentle juices. Simple seasoning and long simmering allow the flavor to deepen, making every serving worth sharing. This dish pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes. Straightforward preparation and comforting results make it a household staple.
Get the Recipe: Easiest Slow Cooker Rump Roast

Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops

Pork chops thrive in Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops, where mushrooms and onions settle into a creamy sauce over hours of cooking. The end result is moist and flavorful, with a blend that’s perfect for serving with rice or potatoes. Reliable and hearty, every plate is sure to please everyone at dinner. Sharing this recipe means comfort is just a slow simmer away.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops

Birria de Res

Two white bowls filled with slow cooker birria garnished with fresh lime wedges. — Birria de Res. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Tender beef stews for hours with guajillo and ancho chiles in Birria de Res, a dish known for robust flavor and vibrant color. The fragrant broth invites dipping with tortillas or ladling over rice, creating options for serving. Time and patience transform inexpensive cuts into something special. Gathering around a meal like this means flavors and stories blend together.
Get the Recipe: Birria de Res

Slow Cooker Herb-Crusted Pork Roast

Sliced Herb-Crusted Pork Roast on a rectangular white plate with a floral napkin in the background. — Slow Cooker Herb-Crusted Pork Roast. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Fresh herbs coat pork roast in Slow Cooker Herb-Crusted Pork Roast, infusing every slice with aromatic notes as it cooks. The slow process keeps the meat juicy and lets the flavors develop gradually. Finished pork pairs well with vegetables or bread, making it a versatile centerpiece. Sharing food from this recipe brings comfort with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Herb-Crusted Pork Roast

Ribs and Sauerkraut

Pork ribs soften gradually in Ribs and Sauerkraut, absorbing tangy sauerkraut and spices during extended cooking. The combination creates a dish with both succulent meat and bold flavor from fermented cabbage. Serve with potatoes or rye bread for a plate that encourages sharing and conversation. Simple ingredients and slow time help classic comfort food come alive.
Get the Recipe: Ribs and Sauerkraut

Pot Roast with Bacon

Slow-cooked beef and bacon combine in Pot Roast with Bacon, lending richness and smoky notes to a classic meal. Vegetables and broth cook alongside, rounding out each serving with extra heartiness. Bacon provides depth to the gravy, making it a favorite for big family tables. Bringing this dish out sets the scene for memorable meals worth sharing.
Get the Recipe: Pot Roast with Bacon

Cowboy Cornbread Casserole

Robust beef, beans, and corn meet a golden cornbread topping in Cowboy Cornbread Casserole, assembled right in the slow cooker. Layers come together as the meat simmers underneath and cornbread bakes up above. Slice and serve for an easy, shareable dish everyone will enjoy. Reliable and comforting, this recipe makes gatherings feel complete.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Cornbread Casserole