The Lazy Cook’s Guide to Legendary Slow Cooker Dinners

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Your Crockpot deserves a standing ovation—or at least a break from being shoved in the back of the pantry. It’s not just a winter warrior; it’s your year-round hero of set-it-and-forget-it greatness. With Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tamale Chili simmering away and Crockpot Twice Baked Potatoes stealing the side dish spotlight, you’re about to enter your low-effort, high-reward era. Fancy something French-ish? Slow Cooker French Wine and Mustard Chicken has you covered. Prefer full-throttle comfort? Crockpot Chicken and Gravy and Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf are basically edible hugs. Oh, and let’s not overlook Healthier Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup—for when you want cozy and a little smug. Whether it’s weeknight chaos or weekend laziness, these recipes do the heavy lifting so you can act like you totally planned this.

Crockpot Chili Meatballs and Spaghetti

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Crockpot Chili Meatballs and Spaghetti | halfbakedharvest.com
Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

This Crockpot Chili Meatballs and Spaghetti recipe is the easiest and most delicious one-pot dinner you’ll make all week! Combining classic spaghetti and meatballs with chili spices, this comforting dish is perfect for a cozy night in. Top it off with cheddar cheese, cilantro, and green onion for the ultimate flavor explosion.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili Meatballs and Spaghetti.

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches

Italian chicken sandwiches on a plate
Photo credit: Ambitious Kitchen

These Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches are a breeze to make and loaded with delicious Italian flavors. Perfect for an easy dinner or your next game day gathering, the recipe features tender chicken thighs cooked in a savory, spicy broth. Serve on hoagie buns with provolone and giardiniera for a satisfying meal!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches

Healthier Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup

side angled photo of Healthier Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

This Healthier Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup is the perfect easy fall dinner. It’s a warming, hearty, and healthy vegetarian soup that’s made in a slow cooker with cheese tortellini. You can easily customize it with your favorite veggies!
Get the Recipe: Healthier Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup.

Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf

a piece of mealoaf on a plate.
Photo credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

This Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf recipe puts a delicious twist on a traditional meal by adding bacon and barbecue sauce. Using a slow cooker makes it easy to prepare and results in a comforting, flavorful dish the whole family will love. It’s a hearty, flavorful main course perfect for a comforting dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tamale Chili

A close-up of a bowl of tortilla soup garnished with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, crumbled cheese, tortilla strips, and a lime wedge. A spoon is placed in the rich, chunky broth.
Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

This Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tamale Chili by Half Baked Harvest recipe combines the best of tamales and chicken tortilla soup into one delicious dish. Perfect for a cozy night in, this chili is packed with flavor and is easy to make in your slow cooker. Top with your favorite garnishes like avocado, cilantro, and goat cheese for a hearty and satisfying meal!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tamale Chili.

Crock-Pot Red Beans and Rice

Crock Pot Red Beans and Rice -- this easy recipe only takes a few minutes to prep, and it's full of the BEST Creole flavors. | gimmesomeoven.com
Photo credit: Gimme Some Oven

This flavorful and easy Crock-Pot Red Beans and Rice recipe is a set-it-and-forget-it version of the classic dish. With Andouille sausage, Creole seasoning, and a medley of aromatic vegetables, this recipe yields a hearty and delicious meal that serves 8-10 people.
Get the Recipe: Crock-Pot Red Beans and Rice

Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken

close up of bruschetta chicken plated
Photo credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

This Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken recipe is a delicious and easy Italian-inspired meal! Tender chicken breasts are cooked in your slow cooker and then topped with melted mozzarella cheese and a fresh, homemade bruschetta topping made with ripe tomatoes, garlic, shallots, and balsamic vinegar. This dish is perfect for a simple weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken

Slow Cooker French Wine and Mustard Chicken.

overhead photo of Slow Cooker French Wine and Mustard Chicken with 2 wine glasses in photo
Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

This Slow Cooker French Wine and Mustard Chicken recipe transforms a classic French dish into an easy, hands-off meal. The combination of white wine, Dijon mustard, and herbs creates a rich and flavorful sauce perfect for serving over mashed potatoes or rice. It’s the perfect comfort food to come home to!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Wine and Mustard Chicken.

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Crockpot BBQ chicken in a bun with coleslaw
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

This Crockpot BBQ Chicken recipe is so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients! Just toss everything in your slow cooker and let it work its magic. The result is fall-apart, flavorful pulled chicken perfect for sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Crockpot Twice Baked Potatoes

fork in crockpot twice baked potatoes
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These crockpot twice baked potatoes are incredibly rich and creamy! Loaded with cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions, this recipe makes the perfect side dish for any holiday or gathering. You’ll love how easy it is to make these in a slow cooker!
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Twice Baked Potatoes

Crockpot Chicken and Gravy

servings of crockpot chicken and gravy over rice on black plates.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Turn plain chicken breasts into a comforting and flavorful meal with this easy Crockpot Chicken and Gravy recipe. The slow cooker does all the work, transforming simple ingredients into a delicious, family-friendly dinner. Serve over rice and garnish with parsley for a complete and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken and Gravy

Mississippi Pot Roast

Crockpot Mississippi pot roast on a white bowl with mashed potatoes with white plates in the background
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

This Mississippi Pot Roast recipe is a savory and sweet comfort food that’s perfect for a chilly evening. Made with a chuck roast, ranch dressing, au jus gravy, dark brown sugar, and pepperoncini peppers, this dish is prepared in a flash and melts in your mouth! Serve over mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Swiss Steak

overhead of crockpot swiss steak on a white plate.
Photo credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

This Slow Cooker Swiss Steak recipe is a vintage classic! Round steak slow cooks in a savory sauce of tomatoes, peppers, and beef consomme until it’s fall-apart tender. Serve over rice for a comforting and delicious dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swiss Steak

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Crockpot chicken chili in a bowl with a wooden spoon lifting a serving up.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

This Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili recipe is perfect for a hassle-free and hearty meal. Just toss all the ingredients into your crock pot, and let it simmer to perfection for a comforting and flavorful chili that everyone will love. Garnish with cilantro for an extra touch of freshness!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Crockpot Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Crockpot WILD RICE CASSEROLE -- easy, delicious, and made simple using the slow cooker. Hearty, healthy meal the whole family will love. Recipe via chelseasmessyapron.com
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

This Crockpot Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole is the perfect family-friendly meal for a busy weeknight. With easy prep and packed with flavor, this no-bake recipe is sure to be a hit! Simply toss everything into your slow cooker and let it work its magic.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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