11 Easy Crockpot Dinners For Busy Weeknights

Is there a more draining feeling than walking in the door after a long day, completely spent, only to be met with the dreaded question: “What’s for dinner?” The thought of chopping, sautéing, and standing over a hot stove can feel utterly defeating. I’ve been there more times than I can count, staring into the fridge, my energy at zero, tempted to just order takeout again.

This nightly pressure to produce a wholesome meal for myself or my family was a huge source of stress. It felt like a daily failure when I couldn’t muster the energy to cook. That cycle of exhaustion and guilt is a real struggle for so many of us on busy weeknights.

Here’s the deal: a slow cooker is the perfect solution for busy weeknights because it offers a “set it and forget it” approach to cooking. In my experience, it’s the single most effective tool for reclaiming my evenings. You can throw a handful of simple ingredients into the crockpot in the morning when you have a bit more energy, and you’ll come home hours later to the incredible aroma of a fully cooked, warm, and delicious meal. This simple appliance has single-handedly solved my weeknight dinner crisis, and in this post, I’m going to share the 11 foolproof, minimal-effort recipes that will do the same for you.

11 Incredibly Easy Crockpot Dinners (Just Dump, Set, and Forget!)

Get ready to transform your weeknights. I’ve personally curated this list of 11 incredibly easy crockpot dinners based on three core principles: they must be simple, require minimal prep (most are “dump and go”), and have crowd-pleasing, family-friendly flavors. These are my tried-and-true, go-to recipes that guarantee a successful and stress-free dinner, even if you’re a total beginner in the kitchen.

Here are the 11 best easy crockpot dinners for busy families and professionals:
1. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
2. Mississippi Pot Roast
3. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
4. Crockpot Mac and Cheese
5. Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
6. Slow Cooker Beef Stew
7. Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
8. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
9. Crockpot Italian Chicken
10. Slow Cooker Taco Pasta
11. Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

1. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

The recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos requires you to simply place chicken breasts, a packet of taco seasoning, and a jar of salsa in the crockpot and cook. This creates incredibly versatile, tender shredded chicken perfect for tacos, burritos, salads, or bowls with virtually zero effort.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 (16 oz) jar of your favorite salsa
  • 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
• Instructions:
  1. Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the chicken.
  3. Pour the entire jar of salsa over the top.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  5. Once cooked, shred the chicken with two forks directly in the slow cooker and stir to combine with the sauce. Serve warm.

Pro-Tip: In my experience, for extra flavor and texture, you can add a ½ cup of frozen corn and a can of drained and rinsed black beans during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This not only boosts the flavor but also stretches the meal even further, which is great for a larger family or for having leftovers.

Pin this ultra-easy taco recipe for your next Fiesta Tuesday!

2. Mississippi Pot Roast

The classic Mississippi Pot Roast recipe involves placing a chuck roast in the slow cooker and topping it with ranch seasoning, au jus mix, a stick of butter, and several pepperoncini peppers. It cooks for 8 hours on low, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth tender roast with a uniquely savory and tangy flavor.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 (3-4 lb) chuck roast
  • 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 packet (1 oz) au jus gravy mix
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 5-6 jarred pepperoncini peppers
• Instructions:
  1. Place the chuck roast in the slow cooker.
  2. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix and au jus gravy mix over the roast.
  3. Place the stick of butter on top of the seasonings.
  4. Arrange the pepperoncini peppers around the roast.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, without opening the lid.
  6. Shred the beef with two forks. Serve over mashed potatoes or on rolls.

Lesson Learned: One thing I learned the hard way was to trust the process. Don’t be tempted to add any extra liquid like water or broth! The roast and butter will create plenty of their own delicious, savory juices as it cooks. Adding more will only dilute that incredible flavor.

Save this ultimate comfort food recipe to your “Family Dinners” board!

3. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

The most basic, foolproof method for juicy pulled pork is to place a pork shoulder in the slow cooker and cover it with your favorite BBQ sauce. Cooking it low and slow for 8-10 hours breaks down the meat until it’s incredibly tender and easy to shred for perfect sandwiches.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 (4 lb) boneless pork shoulder (also called Boston butt)
  • 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (optional, for tang)
• Instructions:
  1. Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Pour over the pork.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours.
  4. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it on a cutting board using two forks.
  5. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and toss with the juices until well-coated. Serve on buns.

Pro-Tip: For a crispier texture that mimics traditional carnitas, here’s a game-changing step I always take. After shredding the pork, spread it out on a baking sheet and broil it in the oven for just 3-5 minutes. Watch it closely! The edges get wonderfully browned and crispy, adding amazing texture to your sandwiches.

Your search for the perfect pulled pork recipe ends here. Pin it now!

4. Crockpot Mac and Cheese

To make creamy mac and cheese entirely in the slow cooker, you combine uncooked elbow macaroni, shredded cheddar cheese, evaporated milk, whole milk, and butter in the crockpot. You simply stir it all together and cook on low for about 2.5 to 3 hours, with no boiling required.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 tbsp butter, cut into pieces
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Spray the inside of the slow cooker generously with non-stick spray. This is a crucial step!
  2. Add the uncooked macaroni, 3 cups of the cheese, evaporated milk, whole milk, butter, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring once or twice to prevent the pasta from sticking.
  4. Once the pasta is tender, turn off the heat and stir in the remaining 1 cup of cheese until it’s completely melted and the sauce is creamy. Serve immediately.

Lesson Learned: Do not overcook this dish. I can’t stress this enough. Slow cooker mac and cheese can go from perfectly creamy to sad and mushy in a very short window of time. I recommend starting to check for pasta doneness at the 2-hour mark, especially if your slow cooker tends to run hot.

Get ready for the creamiest mac and cheese of your life. Save this recipe!

5. Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

Making simple, creamy chicken and gravy involves placing chicken breasts in the slow cooker and pouring a mixture of cream of chicken soup, a chicken gravy packet, and water over the top. The chicken cooks until tender, creating its own rich, flavorful gravy perfect for serving over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.

• Ingredients:
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 1 packet (0.87 oz) chicken gravy mix
  • ½ cup water
• Instructions:
  1. Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, chicken gravy mix, and water until smooth.
  3. Pour the mixture evenly over the chicken.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  5. The chicken can be served whole or shredded with two forks, with the delicious gravy spooned over the top.

Pro-Tip: For an even richer, more luxurious flavor, I love to stir in about a ¼ cup of sour cream or a couple of ounces of cream cheese during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Just let it melt into the gravy and stir. It makes the final dish extra creamy and absolutely delicious.

Bring classic comfort back to the dinner table. Pin this recipe!

6. Slow Cooker Beef Stew

To make a classic, hearty beef stew, you combine beef stew meat, chopped onions, carrots, and potatoes in the slow cooker with a savory mixture of beef broth, tomato paste, and herbs. The long, slow cooking process makes the beef incredibly tender and melds all the flavors into a rich, satisfying meal.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cups baby carrots
  • 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed (use waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold so they hold their shape)
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour (for thickening)
• Instructions:
  1. Place the beef, onion, carrots, and potatoes into the slow cooker.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, thyme, salt, and pepper until combined. Pour this mixture over the meat and vegetables.
  3. Tuck the bay leaves into the liquid.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef and vegetables are tender.
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, whisk the ¼ cup of flour with about a ½ cup of cold water to create a smooth slurry. Stir this into the stew to thicken the gravy. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Pro-Tip: If you have an extra 10 minutes, here’s how I solve the “pale stew” problem for a deeper, richer flavor. Brown the beef stew meat in a hot skillet with a little oil before adding it to the slow cooker. It’s an optional step, but searing the meat creates a beautiful crust and adds a huge depth of flavor that makes a noticeable difference.

Warm up from the inside out. Save this classic beef stew recipe!

7. Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

This quick-to-prep chili is a true dump-and-go meal where you combine chicken breasts, canned white beans, a jar of salsa verde, green chiles, chicken broth, and cumin in the slow cooker. It cooks into a healthy, flavorful, and creamy chili that’s a perfect lighter alternative to traditional red chili.

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 (15 oz) cans Great Northern or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (16 oz) jar salsa verde
  • 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp cumin
• Instructions:
  1. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and give it a good stir to combine.
  2. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  3. When ready to serve, remove the chicken breasts, shred them with two forks, and then return the shredded meat to the slow cooker.
  4. Stir everything together and serve warm with your favorite toppings like fresh cilantro, avocado slices, shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream.

Lesson Learned: One thing I learned was how to get a creamy texture without adding any dairy. Before adding all the ingredients, take about half of one can of the beans and mash them with a fork until they form a paste. Add this paste along with the whole beans. This simple trick will naturally thicken the chili as it cooks, giving it a wonderful body and creaminess.

Looking for a healthy and easy dinner? Pin this White Chicken Chili recipe!

8. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

This super easy, sweet and savory chicken is made by cooking chicken in a simple sauce of honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic. The sauce reduces in the slow cooker, creating a sticky, delicious glaze that’s perfect for spooning over rice.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • ½ cup honey
  • ½ cup soy sauce (low sodium is recommended)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional, but recommended)
• Instructions:
  1. Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and optional ginger. Pour this sauce over the chicken.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
  4. Remove the chicken from the pot. To thicken the sauce, whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker sauce and cook on HIGH for 10-15 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and thickened.
  5. Return the chicken to the thickened sauce and toss to coat. Serve immediately over rice, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.

Pro-Tip: In my experience, using chicken thighs instead of breasts for this recipe yields a much better result. Thighs are more forgiving and contain more fat, which means they stay incredibly tender and juicy and are almost impossible to dry out during the slow cooking process.

This sticky-sweet chicken is a guaranteed winner. Save it for later!

9. Crockpot Italian Chicken

This is one of the easiest crockpot recipes ever, requiring you to simply top chicken breasts with a packet of zesty Italian dressing mix and some grated Parmesan cheese. As it cooks, the chicken releases its own juices to create a concentrated, zesty sauce.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 packet (0.7 oz) zesty Italian dressing mix
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Instructions:
  1. Place the chicken in a single layer in the slow cooker.
  2. Sprinkle the Italian dressing mix evenly over the chicken.
  3. Top with the grated Parmesan cheese.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours. Do not add any liquid.
  5. Shred the chicken with two forks directly in the crockpot and toss it with the flavorful pan juices. It’s delicious served on toasted rolls with melted provolone or over pasta.

Lesson Learned: The first time I made this, I almost added a splash of broth, but trust me, there’s no need to add any liquid. The chicken will release plenty of its own juices, which then combine with the potent dressing mix and salty cheese to create a perfectly seasoned, concentrated sauce all on its own.

3 ingredients are all you need for a delicious dinner. Pin this genius recipe!

10. Slow Cooker Taco Pasta

This one-pot mash-up is made by combining browned ground beef, taco seasoning, tomatoes, and broth in the slow cooker, then stirring in uncooked pasta near the end of the cooking time. The pasta cooks directly in the taco-flavored sauce, and it’s all finished with a generous amount of melted cheese.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups uncooked medium pasta shells
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• Instructions:
  1. In the slow cooker, combine the pre-cooked ground beef, chopped onion, taco seasoning, undrained diced tomatoes, and beef broth.
  2. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
  3. Stir in the uncooked pasta shells. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 30-45 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
  4. Turn off the heat, stir in the cheese until it’s completely melted and the sauce is creamy. Serve warm.

Pro-Tip: To prevent the pasta from getting mushy, I’ve found it’s best to use a sturdy pasta shape like medium shells, rotini, or penne. Also, be sure to start checking it for doneness right at the 30-minute mark after you add it. Al dente is what you’re aiming for!

Tacos or Pasta? Have both! Save this incredible one-pot meal!

11. Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

To make restaurant-quality French Dips, you slow cook a beef roast in a simple liquid of beef consommé and water until it’s fall-apart tender. The beef is then piled onto crusty rolls, topped with provolone cheese, and served with the savory cooking liquid (the au jus) for dipping.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 (3 lb) beef roast (rump or chuck roast works well)
  • 2 cans (10.5 oz each) condensed beef consommé or French onion soup
  • 1 cup water
  • 6-8 sturdy, crusty sandwich rolls
  • 8 slices provolone cheese
• Instructions:
  1. Place the beef roast in the slow cooker. Pour the beef consommé and water over the top.
  2. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, until the beef is very tender.
  3. Carefully remove the roast from the slow cooker and thinly slice or shred it.
  4. Return the beef to the slow cooker to soak in the delicious juices (au jus).
  5. To assemble, lightly toast the rolls. Use tongs to pull a generous amount of beef from the juice and pile it onto the rolls. Top with a slice of provolone cheese and place under the oven broiler for a minute or two to melt the cheese. Serve immediately with a small bowl of the warm au jus for dipping.

Lesson Learned: One thing I now know for sure is that the quality of the roll is absolutely key for French Dips. Don’t use soft sandwich bread. You must use a sturdy hoagie roll, a French baguette, or a ciabatta roll that can hold up to the juicy beef and being dipped in the au jus without turning into a soggy mess.

Make your own deli-style favorite at home. Pin this French Dip recipe now!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to crockpot dinners

To wrap it all up, here are the most important things I’ve learned from years of relying on my slow cooker. Keep these in mind, and you’ll have a perfect meal every time.

• Embrace “Dump & Go”: The beauty of the crockpot lies in its simplicity. The easiest and often most-loved recipes require you to simply add ingredients and turn it on. Don’t feel the need to overcomplicate things.
• Low and Slow is Best: For the most tender, fall-apart meat (especially for larger cuts like roasts and pork shoulder), cooking on the LOW setting for a longer period almost always yields better, more succulent results than cooking on HIGH for a shorter time.
• Minimal Liquid Needed: Always remember that the slow cooker is a sealed environment that traps moisture. You often need significantly less liquid (like broth or water) than you would for a similar recipe cooked on the stovetop or in the oven.
• Thicken Sauces Last: If you find your final sauce or gravy is too thin, don’t panic. Simply create a slurry by whisking a tablespoon of cornstarch with a couple of tablespoons of cold water. Stir this into the crockpot, turn the heat to HIGH, and let it bubble for 15-30 minutes until thickened.

People Also Ask About crockpot dinners

What is the best thing to cook in a crockpot?

The absolute best things to cook in a crockpot are tougher, less expensive cuts of meat like beef chuck roast, pork shoulder (Boston butt), and chicken thighs. The long, slow, moist cooking process is uniquely designed to break down tough connective tissues, resulting in incredibly tender, flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth meat. Soups, stews, and chilis are also exceptional, as their flavors deepen and meld beautifully over hours of slow cooking.

What is a good lazy dinner?

A good lazy dinner is one that requires minimal prep time, very few ingredients, and almost no active cooking time. “Dump and go” crockpot meals are the ultimate lazy dinner solution. Recipes like Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos (which is just chicken, salsa, and seasoning) or the 3-Ingredient Italian Chicken are perfect examples where you just place the items in the pot and walk away for hours.

What is dump and go?

“Dump and go” is a popular term for slow cooker or Instant Pot recipes that require absolutely no pre-cooking, browning, or complex prep work. You literally “dump” all the raw ingredients into the cooker, set the timer, and “go” about your day. These recipes are specifically designed for maximum convenience and are a lifesaver for busy weeknights.

Final Thoughts

With a slow cooker in your corner, the 5 PM dinner scramble can become a thing of the past. It’s more than just a kitchen appliance; it’s a tool that gives you back your time and energy, proving that a delicious, home-cooked meal is absolutely achievable, even on the most chaotic of days. You deserve to come home to a warm meal without the added stress.

I hope these 11 easy crockpot dinners inspire you to pull out your slow cooker and reclaim your weeknights. Now I’d love to hear from you—which recipe are you most excited to try first? Do you have a go-to crockpot tip that has saved you on a busy day? Share it in the comments below