12 Delicious Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Ideas

Sep 04, 2025

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Back-to-school season is here, and busy nights call for easy meals. With these 12 slow cooker and Instant Pot recipes, dinner practically cooks itself. Whether you’re juggling after-school activities or just want something hearty on the table fast, these recipes are packed with wholesome ingredients that the whole family will love.

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
Instant Pot Lasagna
Crockpot Steak Bites
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala
Instant Pot Corned Beef
Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce
Instant Pot Chili
Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing
Peanut Butter Chicken Curry (Instant Pot)
Crockpot Chicken Tetrazzini

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

A close-up of a Crock-Pot filled with chicken and dumplings. The dish features tender chicken pieces, vegetables like peas and carrots, and fluffy dumplings in a creamy, seasoned broth. Fresh chopped parsley is sprinkled on top for garnish. — Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food, and it’s perfect for busy school nights. Tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a rich broth come together in your slow cooker, making this recipe a must-have for back-to-school meals. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this dish will quickly become a family favorite, especially when you’re juggling homework and after-school activities.
Get This Recipe: Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Instant Pot Lasagna

Close-up of a serving of lasagna on a white plate. The lasagna has layers of pasta, ground meat, ricotta cheese, and is topped with a generous amount of marinara sauce. The background is slightly blurred, featuring greenery and kitchen elements. — Instant Pot Lasagna. Image Credit: Noshing With The Nolands.

This Instant Pot Lasagna lets you enjoy a classic, cheesy Italian favorite without spending hours in the kitchen. Perfect for those hectic school nights, this recipe makes dinner prep a breeze by combining all the traditional flavors in a fraction of the time. It’s an ideal addition to your list of quick back-to-school instant pot meals that everyone will love.
Get This Recipe: Instant Pot Lasagna

Crockpot Steak Bites

A plate featuring tender, bite-sized beef stew chunks garnished with parsley, a serving of mashed potatoes to the right, and steamed broccoli florets on the left. — Crockpot Steak Bites. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

These Crockpot Steak Bites are a simple yet flavorful dinner option that practically cooks itself. The tender, juicy steak pieces slow-cook to perfection, and they pair well with veggies or rice for an easy, stress-free meal. If you’re looking for a slow-cooker recipe to add to your back-to-school dinner rotation, this one is a no-brainer.
Get This Recipe: Crockpot Steak Bites

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

Two bowls of creamy orange soup topped with herbs and a drizzle of cream sit on a dark table. Surrounding them are crackers, a dish of diced red and green vegetables, a bowl of salt, pepper, a spoon, and scattered flowers for decoration. — Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup. Image Credit: Noshing With The Nolands.

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup offers a warm, velvety blend of fall flavors that’s perfect for those chilly evenings after a long day at school. This creamy soup comes together quickly in your Instant Pot, making it a go-to meal when you’re in a rush. It’s a great addition to your list of quick and healthy meals during the busy school season.
Get This Recipe: Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala

A black bowl filled with white rice, chicken curry garnished with cilantro, and a piece of naan on the side. The dish is set on a white background with additional naan pieces and a sprig of cilantro scattered around. — Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala brings the rich, spiced flavors of Indian cuisine to your dinner table with minimal effort. The slow-cooked chicken and creamy sauce make it an easy, flavorful meal option for busy weeknights, especially when you need something hearty for back-to-school dinners. Serve with rice or naan for a complete meal the family will love.
Get This Recipe: Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala

Instant Pot Corned Beef

Sliced corned beef with a crispy, seasoned crust is arranged on a wooden cutting board. The meat appears tender and juicy, with a pinkish hue, showcasing its cooked-through texture. A jar with a dark cap is partially visible in the background. — Instant Pot Corned Beef. Image Credit: Will Cook For Smiles.

This Instant Pot Corned Beef recipe takes all the guesswork out of preparing a traditional meal with its quick and simple Instant Pot method. Perfect for busy back-to-school nights, it delivers tender, flavorful corned beef in no time. Serve it with cabbage or your favorite sides for an easy dinner that’s sure to please everyone.
Get This Recipe: Instant Pot Corned Beef

Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce

A plate of spaghetti topped with a rich, hearty meat sauce garnished with chopped parsley and grated cheese. The background features fresh herbs, and two forks are placed on either side of the plate. The dish is presented on a cork trivet. — Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce. Image Credit: Noshing With The Nolands.

Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce delivers rich, robust flavors in a fraction of the time it would take to simmer on the stove. This recipe is perfect for back-to-school nights when you need a quick and satisfying meal. Just pair it with your favorite pasta for a family-friendly dinner that’s ready in no time.
Get This Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce

Instant Pot Chili

A close-up of a bowl of chili topped with diced avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, and a wedge of lime. A spoon is resting in the hearty mixture of beans, ground meat, and rich tomato-based sauce. An avocado half is blurred in the background. — Instant Pot Chili. Image Credit: Will Cook For Smiles.

Instant Pot Chili is a hearty, flavorful option that’s perfect for those cooler fall nights when you need something filling after a busy school day. The pressure cooker brings all the bold flavors together in a snap, making this chili a great back-to-school recipe for quick and comforting meals. Top it with cheese or sour cream for an extra treat.
Get This Recipe: Instant Pot Chili

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

A white bowl filled with tomato-based chicken stew, containing chunks of chicken, mushrooms, tomatoes, and green bell peppers, sits on a white wooden table. Creamy mashed potatoes garnished with parsley accompany the dish. A green-striped napkin is nearby. — Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore. Image Credit: Noshing With The Nolands.

This Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore brings Italian comfort food to your table in a fraction of the time. With tender chicken, tomatoes, and herbs, this one-pot meal is ideal for those busy back-to-school evenings when you need dinner on the table fast. Serve it over pasta or rice for a complete meal that feels fancy without the fuss.
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Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing

A plate featuring shredded chicken mixed with a creamy sauce, garnished with fresh parsley, and accompanied by a serving of white rice. A fork and some parsley sprigs are visible in the background. — Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing brings together juicy chicken and savory stuffing in a slow-cooker meal that feels like a holiday dinner. This recipe is perfect for back-to-school days when you want something hearty but don’t have time to cook. It’s a comforting, easy option that practically makes itself while you handle the school-day chaos.
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Peanut Butter Chicken Curry (Instant Pot)

A bowl of red curry is garnished with peanuts, cilantro, and a red chili pepper, resting on a textured metal tray. A silver spoon is placed nearby, along with a bowl of white rice. A brown napkin lies beneath the spoon and tray. — Peanut Butter Chicken Curry (Instant Pot). Image Credit: Noshing With The Nolands.

Peanut Butter Chicken Curry offers a unique blend of creamy peanut butter and bold spices, all cooked quickly in your Instant Pot. This dish is perfect for back-to-school nights when you want to serve something flavorful without spending hours in the kitchen. Pair it with rice or naan for a comforting meal that’s ready in no time.
Get This Recipe: Peanut Butter Chicken Curry (Instant Pot)

Crockpot Chicken Tetrazzini

A bowl of creamy pasta with mushrooms and chunks of chicken, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. The pasta looks rich and flavorful, served on a green ceramic plate. — Crockpot Chicken Tetrazzini. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

Crockpot Chicken Tetrazzini is a creamy, comforting pasta dish that slow cooks to perfection. The tender chicken and rich sauce make it a standout option for back-to-school nights when you need a hands-off dinner. Serve this classic pasta dish with a side of garlic bread for a meal the whole family will love.
Get This Recipe: Crockpot Chicken Tetrazzini