When life gets busy, a slow cooker can feel like a real lifeline. With 23 set-and-forget recipes, it’s possible to pull off a week of hearty meals without ever opening the oven. These dishes require just a few steps before letting the slow cooker take over, making dinner feel almost effortless. Nobody needs to clock overtime in the kitchen to enjoy something warm after a long day.

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.

4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken

With just a few pantry staples, 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken offers an easy solution for busy days, requiring minimal effort and producing a reliable meal. Anyone seeking to keep the oven off will appreciate how this recipe fits into the dump-and-go approach, streamlining dinner preparations. Simply combine the four ingredients, set your slow cooker, and let the flavors blend together throughout the day.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker 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.

For those looking to avoid complicated steps, Easiest Slow Cooker Rump Roast stands out as a set-it-and-forget-it recipe that always delivers tender results. This approach makes it possible to prepare a hearty meal with barely any prep, making it ideal for busy households. Ingredients go straight into the slow cooker, removing the need for oven use or constant supervision.
Get the Recipe: Easiest Slow Cooker Rump Roast

31 of Chef Jenn's FAVE Casseroles!

Recipes for Comfort-Filled Family Meals

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Ribs and Sauerkraut

With the combination of tangy sauerkraut and rich ribs, Ribs and Sauerkraut brings familiar comfort straight from the slow cooker without turning on the oven. This recipe relies on layering ingredients and letting the slow cooker do the work, simplifying the cooking process. The slow simmer ensures everything turns out tender and flavorful, perfect for an easy, dump-and-go meal.
Get the Recipe: Ribs and Sauerkraut

Slow-Cooker Taco Soup

Busy cooks can rely on Slow-Cooker Taco Soup to provide maximum flavor with minimum effort, making it a prime candidate for dump-and-go meal planning. After placing the main ingredients in the cooker, there is little more to do than wait and enjoy the inviting aroma. This recipe conveniently keeps the oven off, saving energy and avoiding extra heat in the kitchen. One bowl delivers the comfort and ease home cooks are seeking on hectic days.
Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Taco Soup

Cowboy Cornbread Casserole

For an all-in-one meal, Cowboy Cornbread Casserole comes together simply by layering ingredients in the slow cooker and setting the timer. This method means easy cleanup and less time spent cooking or monitoring, offering a practical answer for families. The key to this meal is the cornbread topping, which bakes up right in the slow cooker rather than the oven. This dish brings both convenience and reliable comfort to the table.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Cornbread Casserole

Pot Roast with Bacon

While keeping the oven off, Pot Roast with Bacon uses the slow cooker to create a meal with great texture and rich layers of flavor. Bacon adds a smoky twist that pairs well with slow-cooked beef and vegetables, all combined in one pot. Preparation is quick and fits perfectly with the dump and go theme, freeing up more of your day. At mealtime, everyone can enjoy a hearty dinner without extra pots or oven use.
Get the Recipe: Pot Roast with Bacon

Slow Cooker Southwestern Chili

For anyone who enjoys bold spices, Slow Cooker Southwestern Chili offers an easy way to assemble ingredients and rely on the slow cooker for a hands-off meal. Just dump in everything, turn on the heat, and let the mixture cook gently throughout the day. With no need to heat up the kitchen, this is an ideal solution for hassle-free cooking. Dinner is ready with only one pot to clean, fitting well into a busy routine.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southwestern Chili

German Pork Loin

Bringing tradition to the table, German Pork Loin features straightforward prep and all-day convenience, perfect for dump-and-go fans. The slow cooker is the only equipment needed, making the process simple and the results reliable. As the pork loin cooks gently, flavors develop fully without any oven involved.
Get the Recipe: German Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

Fans of robust flavors will find Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken quick to assemble and even easier to cook throughout the day. After adding the core ingredients to the slow cooker, the rest is automatic, keeping dinner plans simple and oven-free. As the chicken cooks slowly, it absorbs all the seasonings, requiring no additional effort later on.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

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.

Those interested in traditional flavors can discover how Birria de Res combines classic spices and tender beef using only a slow cooker. With dump-and-go convenience, it becomes possible to experience depth and comfort without any complicated steps or oven use. Slow-cooking brings out unique richness in the broth and meat, making this dish suitable for both newcomers and seasoned home cooks. Dishes like this make it easier to serve something special with minimum prep.
Get the Recipe: Birria de Res

Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

A white rectangular plate with several meatballs covered in tomato sauce, garnished with chopped basil. — Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Anyone searching for approachable meals will appreciate Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs as an option that is straightforward and consistently enjoyable. All necessary components can be placed in the slow cooker at once, making it easy to keep the oven off for the day. With no browning or extra steps required, it’s an excellent match for the dump-and-go style.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

Beef Barbacoa

For great taste with minimal effort, Beef Barbacoa highlights the benefits of letting your slow cooker do all the work. By just combining a few key ingredients, you can prepare a hearty dish that usually requires a lot of hands-on attention. This recipe allows home cooks to keep the oven off while infusing the meat with deeply delicious flavor.
Get the Recipe: Beef Barbacoa

Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops

With only a few minutes of preparation, Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops provide a straightforward way to plan dinner using the dump-and-go approach. After adding all the components to the slow cooker, the hard part is done, letting you focus on other tasks. Because there’s no need to use the oven, kitchen clean-up stays simple.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops

Retro Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes & Apples

Sliced slow cooker pork roast with sweet potatoes & apples on a white plate. — Retro Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes & Apples. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Home cooks can prepare Retro Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes & Apples simply by loading everything into a slow cooker and letting it do all the cooking for them. The combination of pork, sweet potatoes, and apples is a classic pairing that works perfectly for family meals. This dish keeps the oven off and keeps the process straightforward, matching today’s interest in easy, dump-and-go dishes.
Get the Recipe: Retro Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes & Apples

Authentic Hungarian Goulash

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

Anyone can experience comfort from across the globe by making Authentic Hungarian Goulash in a slow cooker, following just a handful of straightforward steps. The dump-and-go technique simplifies preparation while still honoring the rich flavors of this traditional meal. There’s no oven required, so cleanup is quick and efficient.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Hungarian Goulash

Slow Cooker Carnitas Board

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

Feed a crowd or enjoy a family meal with Slow Cooker Carnitas Board, designed for easy preparation and hands-off cooking. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, meaning you can avoid turning on the oven altogether. Preparing a variety of fixings and assembly options encourages customization at the table.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Carnitas Board

Al Pastor Carnitas

Creating Al Pastor Carnitas at home becomes a simple process thanks to the slow cooker’s consistent results using the dump-and-go method. By adding your pork and seasonings to the cooker and letting it do all the work, you free up valuable time and energy. The result is a tender, juicy meal ready to be enjoyed as tacos, bowls, or other favorite formats.
Get the Recipe: Al Pastor Carnitas

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.

Enjoy convenience with Slow-Cooker Pork Chile Verde, which only requires dropping a handful of ingredients into the slow cooker and leaving the rest to time. This meal keeps the oven off and avoids the need for long hours in the kitchen. The pork becomes fork-tender as it absorbs the rich blend of peppers and spices throughout the day.
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.

Relying on tried-and-true simplicity, Vintage Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers is prepared in just minutes and cooks gently throughout the day with no oven required. The dump-and-go style ensures all the flavors mingle while you go about other activities. This option makes weeknight dinners less stressful while still featuring hearty ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Vintage Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers

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.

Skip complicated stovetop steps by choosing Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala, which brings favorite restaurant-style flavors home with little effort. Just combine the necessary spices and chicken, then let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting all day. No oven use is required, making it perfect for those looking to streamline dinner preparation.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

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.

Make an easy meal with Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Gravy by simply adding everything to the slow cooker and letting time do the rest. The combination of creamy gravy and tender chicken fits perfectly with the dump-and-go routine. No oven is needed, reducing both heat and mess in the kitchen. This recipe is a dependable choice for effortless family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Gravy

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.

Discover convenience in Mississippi Meatballs, where all the main ingredients can be placed in the slow cooker with very little prep required. This easy approach keeps the oven off and aligns with the core dump-and-go philosophy. The slow cooker creates a flavorful sauce and tender meatballs, ideal for serving over noodles or rice. Dinner becomes much less stressful with this hands-off strategy.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Meatballs

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.

Bring home classic comfort with Slow Cooker German Pot Roast, where you only need to combine ingredients and let the slow cooker work its magic. No oven is necessary, and cleanup stays manageable, so this recipe is perfect for busy days. The method ensures tender results every time, whether making it for family or friends.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker German Pot Roast