27 Slow Cooker Recipes Meant for Busy Days and Full Evenings

Busy days leave very little room for last-minute cooking decisions, especially when evenings are already full. This list of 27 slow cooker recipes is built for meals that take care of themselves while you handle everything else. Each dish relies on familiar ingredients, steady cook times, and flavors that hold up well after hours of simmering. These are dependable meals that make coming home to dinner feel easier.

A plate of shredded chicken is garnished with herbs, black olives, and sliced cherry tomatoes. Two lemon wedges and pieces of flatbread accompany the dish. A fork is resting on the edge of the plate. — Slow Cooker Greek Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup

A bowl of creamy orange soup is placed on a black plate, garnished with a swirl of cream and a sprig of herb. A spoon rests inside the bowl. Small sprigs of thyme are scattered on the marble surface nearby. — Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup is a smooth soup made with kabocha squash, broth, onion, and simple seasoning. It cooks for about 6 hours, giving the squash time to fully soften. The texture becomes creamy once blended without needing heavy additions. The flavor is gently sweet, earthy, and calming.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

Three BBQ chicken sliders stacked on a white plate, with a red checked cloth and a green glass nearby. — Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders feature shredded turkey cooked with barbecue sauce and cranberry sauce. They take about 5 hours to cook, making them easy to prep earlier in the day. The turkey stays moist and pulls apart easily. The flavor is smoky, tangy, and lightly sweet.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs

Braised meat with gravy, fresh cranberries, and herbs served over mashed potatoes on a white plate. — Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs combine beef short ribs with cranberries, broth, and seasoning. They cook for about 7 to 8 hours, allowing the meat to become very tender. The sauce thickens naturally as it cooks. The flavor is rich, savory, and balanced with mild sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs

Easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Rice

A bowl of creamy chicken stew garnished with chopped herbs and served with a spoon. — Easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Rice. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Rice brings together chicken, rice, broth, and simple seasoning. It cooks in about 4 to 5 hours, making it faster than many slow cooker meals. The rice absorbs the broth and stays soft. The taste is mild, comforting, and familiar.
Get the Recipe: Easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Rice

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Creamy soup with vegetables and herbs in a white bowl, next to a spoon and a striped towel. — Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup combines chicken, gnocchi, vegetables, and cream into a filling soup. It cooks for about 6 hours, letting the flavors meld slowly. The gnocchi stay tender without breaking down. The flavor is creamy, savory, and balanced.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage

A bowl of sausage, potatoes, and green beans garnished with chopped parsley. — Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage mixes sliced potatoes, smoked sausage, onion, and seasoning. It cooks for about 6 to 7 hours, making it dependable for long days. The potatoes soften while absorbing smoky flavor. The taste is savory, hearty, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage

Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Curry

Shredded chicken in a tomato-based sauce served over white rice, garnished with fresh cilantro. — Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Curry. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Curry uses cooked turkey, curry spices, and sauce for a second-day meal. It takes about 4 to 5 hours to cook, making it easy to manage. The turkey absorbs the spiced sauce as it heats. The flavor is warm, savory, and gently spiced.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Curry

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Plate of glazed chicken with cranberries, green beans, and stuffing on a red and white checkered cloth. — Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken pairs chicken with cranberry sauce and pantry staples. It cooks for about 6 hours, allowing the sauce to thicken around the meat. The chicken stays juicy and tender. The flavor is tangy, lightly sweet, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Slow Cooker Osso Buco

A plate of cooked lamb chops sits on a bed of sliced, cooked carrots. The dish is garnished with chopped green onions. Utensils, a wooden spoon with spices, and a small bowl of more green onions are nearby on a burlap cloth surface. — Slow Cooker Osso Buco. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Osso Buco features veal shanks cooked with vegetables, broth, and herbs. It takes about 7 to 8 hours, letting the connective tissue fully soften. The sauce becomes rich as it cooks down. The flavor is deep, savory, and slightly earthy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Osso Buco

Slow Cooker Candied Pecans

A glass jar filled with candied pecans, with more pecans on a tray and scattered on a white surface nearby. — Slow Cooker Candied Pecans. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Candied Pecans combine pecans, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla for a snack or topping. They cook for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally. The coating sets evenly on the nuts. The flavor is sweet, warm, and lightly spiced.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Candied Pecans

Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie

A spoonful of creamy chicken and stuffing casserole garnished with herbs. — Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie brings together turkey, vegetables, and a creamy base. It cooks for about 6 hours, giving the filling time to thicken. The turkey stays tender throughout cooking. The flavor is mild, savory, and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie

Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken

Plate of creamy chicken casserole topped with sliced almonds and green onions, served with crackers. — Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken uses chicken, bacon, cheese, and seasoning for a rich dinner. It cooks for about 6 hours, making it reliable for busy schedules. The chicken stays moist in the sauce. The flavor is savory, creamy, and familiar.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken

Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

A white bowl filled with a red kidney bean stew, including visible pieces of meat or vegetables, sits on a dark cloth napkin with a fork and spoon beside it. A small bunch of parsley is on the table nearby. — Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon combine beans, bacon, sauce, and seasoning. They cook for about 6 to 7 hours, allowing the flavors to blend. The beans stay tender and thick. The taste is smoky, sweet, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

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Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

Shredded pork with cranberry sauce served over mashed potatoes, garnished with rosemary on a white plate. — Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin features pork loin cooked with cranberry sauce and simple seasoning. It takes about 6 to 8 hours, making it easy to plan ahead. The pork stays juicy while cooking slowly. The flavor is sweet, tangy, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge

A plate of chocolate fudge squares stacked in a pyramid shape on a white surface. The fudge is topped with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt. — Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge blends chocolate, warm spices, and condensed milk into a soft fudge. It cooks in about 2 hours, shorter than most slow cooker recipes. The texture stays smooth and sliceable. The flavor is sweet, spiced, and rich.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge

Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast

Shredded pot roast with gravy and cranberries on mashed potatoes, with a fork on a white plate. — Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast pairs beef roast with cranberry sauce, onion, and broth. It cooks for about 8 hours, letting the beef become tender. The sauce thickens naturally during cooking. The flavor is savory with gentle sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Casserole

A slice of apple pie with whipped cream on top, served on a white plate with apples in the background. — Slow Cooker Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Casserole combines cinnamon rolls, apples, and spices. It cooks for about 3 to 4 hours, making it flexible for timing. The rolls absorb apple juices while staying soft. The flavor is sweet, spiced, and familiar.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

A plate of creamy spaghetti with shredded chicken, topped with chopped parsley and black pepper. — Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti mixes chicken, pasta sauce, cheese, and spaghetti. It cooks for about 6 hours, letting the noodles absorb the sauce. The chicken stays tender and shreds easily. The flavor is creamy, savory, and balanced.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala

Plate of mashed potatoes topped with chicken, mushrooms, and creamy gravy, garnished with chopped herbs. — Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala features chicken, mushrooms, Marsala wine, and cream. It cooks for about 5 to 6 hours, giving the sauce time to mellow. The chicken stays moist and tender. The flavor is smooth, slightly sweet, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala

Slow Cooker Carrot Soup

A black bowl filled with creamy orange soup, garnished with herbs, pepper, and a drizzle of oil. A gold spoon rests inside the bowl. A textured brown cloth and a cup are in the background. — Slow Cooker Carrot Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Carrot Soup uses carrots, broth, onion, and seasoning for a simple soup. It cooks for about 6 hours, allowing the carrots to soften fully. The texture becomes smooth once blended. The flavor is lightly sweet and earthy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Carrot Soup

Crock Pot Pork Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

A bowl of shredded pot roast with baby potatoes and carrots, garnished with parsley, on a woven placemat. — Crock Pot Pork Roast with Potatoes and Carrots. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crock Pot Pork Roast with Potatoes and Carrots combines pork roast, potatoes, carrots, and broth. It cooks for about 7 to 8 hours, making it dependable. The pork becomes tender while vegetables absorb flavor. The taste is savory and classic.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pork Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

Meatballs topped with melted cheese and chopped parsley in a slow cooker. — Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs cook meatballs in an onion-flavored broth and sauce. They take about 5 to 6 hours, letting the flavors deepen. The meatballs stay juicy and soft. The flavor is savory and onion-forward.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A black bowl filled with creamy pasta coated in a thick sauce, topped with a fresh basil leaf. A metal spoon rests inside the bowl. The background is a light-colored surface. — Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken combines chicken, sun dried tomatoes, cream, and seasoning. It cooks for about 5 to 6 hours, letting the sauce thicken naturally. The chicken stays tender throughout. The flavor is creamy, tangy, and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

A ladle of beef stew with carrots, potatoes, and parsley in a rich brown sauce. — Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon blends beef, red wine, mushrooms, and vegetables into a stew. It cooks for about 8 hours, allowing the beef to soften completely. The sauce becomes rich and concentrated. The flavor is savory and wine-forward.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Slow Cooker Mushroom Broth

Two white bowls filled with a dark broth garnished with sliced green onions. Wooden spoons are placed beside each bowl. Green onion stalks are scattered on a light tiled surface. — Slow Cooker Mushroom Broth. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Mushroom Broth uses mushrooms, aromatics, and water to create a flavorful base. It cooks for about 6 hours, releasing depth from the mushrooms. The broth stays clear but full-bodied. The taste is earthy and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mushroom Broth

Slow Cooker Caramel Pie

A close-up of a creamy pie slice with whipped topping, chocolate curls, and chopped nuts in a crumb crust. — Slow Cooker Caramel Pie. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Caramel Pie is a dessert made with sweetened condensed milk and a simple crust. It cooks for about 4 to 5 hours, making it mostly hands-off. The filling thickens as it cooks. The flavor is rich, buttery, and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Caramel Pie

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken combines chicken, lemon, garlic, herbs, and olives. It cooks for about 6 hours, letting the flavors soak into the meat. The chicken stays juicy and tender. The taste is bright, savory, and lightly citrusy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Greek Chicken