19 Takeout Favorites You Can Make in Your Slow Cooker

Takeout cravings always seem to hit on the busiest days, when cooking feels like the last thing you want to deal with. I love slow cooker dinners for those nights because you can still get big flavor without hovering over the stove. These 19 takeout-style favorites bring the comfort, the sauce, and the “worth it” bite, but with way less effort. They’re perfect for when you want dinner handled and still want it to taste like you treated yourself.

Three birria tacos with lime wedges, sliced onions, and dipping sauce on a white plate. — Slow Cooker Birria Tacos. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

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 Greek Chicken is a hands-off dinner that takes about 4 hours and tastes like something you’d order from your favorite Mediterranean spot. Chicken cooks with lemon, garlic, oregano, and olive oil until tender and juicy. The flavor is bright, savory, and herby, with a tangy finish that pairs perfectly with rice or pita. It’s a great choice when you want big flavor without doing much after morning prep.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

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 is a comforting dinner that takes about 4 hours and feels like a takeout pasta night made easy. Chicken cooks into a creamy sauce with pasta, cheese, and seasonings for a scoopable meal. The flavor is rich, savory, and cheesy, with tender chicken and soft noodles throughout. It’s a great option when you want something filling that still feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

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 is a hearty dinner that takes about 4 hours and tastes like comfort food from a diner menu. Potatoes cook with smoked sausage, onions, and seasoning until everything is soft and flavorful. The flavor is smoky, savory, and salty in the best way, with tender potatoes that soak up all the juices. It’s perfect when you want a warm, filling meal that practically serves itself.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage

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 are an easy dinner that takes about 3 hours and feel like a takeout sandwich night at home. Turkey cooks in cranberry BBQ sauce until tender and easy to pile onto buns. The flavor is sweet, smoky, and tangy, with a sauce that makes every bite juicy. They’re great for feeding a crowd or making dinner feel fun without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

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 is a classic slow cooker dinner that takes about 8 hours and feels like comfort food you didn’t have to babysit. Pork cooks until tender with potatoes, carrots, broth, and simple seasoning. The flavor is savory, rich, and hearty, with vegetables that soak up the juices all day. It’s a perfect choice when you want dinner ready the second you walk in the door.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pork Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

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 is a rich dinner that takes about 4 hours and tastes like restaurant pasta chicken at home. Chicken cooks in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and seasoning until tender. The flavor is savory, creamy, and slightly tangy, with a bold tomato finish that feels special. It’s great served over pasta or rice when you want something that feels like a splurge.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

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 are a comfort dinner that takes about 4 hours and taste like something you’d order with extra cheese. Meatballs cook in a French onion-style sauce with onions, broth, and seasonings until tender. The flavor is savory, rich, and slightly sweet from the onions, with plenty of sauce for dipping or serving over potatoes. They’re perfect when you want a slow cooker meal that feels snacky and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

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 are a slow cooker dinner that takes about 8 hours and feel like a fancy takeout order made effortless. Short ribs simmer in a cranberry sauce with seasonings until they turn fall-apart tender. The flavor is savory, slightly sweet, and deep, with a sauce that tastes amazing over mashed potatoes. It’s a great option when you want dinner to feel special without cooking all night.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs

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 is a creamy dinner that takes about 4 hours and tastes like the restaurant version without leaving home. Chicken cooks with gnocchi, broth, and vegetables into a thick, comforting soup. The flavor is savory, mild, and rich, with soft gnocchi making it extra filling. It’s perfect when you want takeout comfort but still want it waiting in your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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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 is a slow cooker dinner that takes about 8 hours and feels like a restaurant meal without the work. Beef cooks with red wine, carrots, onions, and mushrooms until tender and rich. The flavor is deep, savory, and comforting, with a sauce that tastes perfect over noodles or mashed potatoes. It’s the kind of meal that makes staying in feel like the better plan.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

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 is a slow cooker dinner that takes about 8 hours and tastes like a cozy comfort meal with a twist. Beef cooks until tender with cranberry sauce, onions, and seasoning for a rich, sliceable roast. The flavor is savory with a sweet-tangy edge, and the sauce pairs well with potatoes or rice. It’s a great takeout-style dinner when you want something hearty without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast

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 is a hearty side or dinner option that takes about 4 hours and tastes like something you’d order with BBQ. Beans cook with bacon, brown sugar, and seasonings until thick and saucy. The flavor is smoky, sweet, and savory, with bacon adding richness to every bite. It’s perfect when you want comfort food that stays warm and feeds a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

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 is a hands-off dinner that takes about 4 hours and feels like the easiest comfort meal possible. Chicken and rice cook with broth and simple seasonings into a soft, scoopable dish. The flavor is mild, savory, and steady, with tender chicken that stays juicy. It’s great when you want something filling that still beats ordering delivery.
Get the Recipe: Easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Rice

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 is a simple slow cooker dinner that takes about 6 hours and feels like a sweet-savory takeout plate. Pork loin cooks in cranberry sauce with seasonings until tender and easy to slice. The flavor is tangy, slightly sweet, and rich, with plenty of sauce for rice or mashed potatoes. It’s a great option when you want dinner done and still a little special.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

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 is a slow cooker dinner that takes about 8 hours and tastes like a fancy braised meal from a restaurant. Beef or veal simmers with broth, tomatoes, and vegetables until the meat turns tender. The flavor is savory, deep, and rich, with a sauce that tastes even better the longer it cooks. It’s perfect when you want something impressive that still feels effortless.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Osso Buco

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 is a simple dinner that takes about 4 hours and tastes like a sweet-savory takeout chicken dish. Chicken cooks in a cranberry-based sauce with seasonings until tender and juicy. The flavor is savory with a bright sweetness, and the sauce works well over rice or potatoes. It’s a great option when you want dinner handled but still want it to feel like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

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 is a hands-off dinner that takes about 4 hours and tastes like restaurant chicken over pasta. Chicken cooks in a marsala-style sauce with mushrooms and seasonings until tender. The flavor is savory, slightly sweet, and rich, with a sauce that coats every bite. It’s perfect when you want takeout flavor without leaving the house.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala

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 is a creamy comfort dinner that takes about 4 hours and feels like a rich takeout-style chicken plate. Chicken cooks with a creamy sauce, bacon, and cheese for a thick, scoopable meal. The flavor is savory, salty, and rich, with a sauce that pairs well with rice or potatoes. It’s a great choice when you want dinner to taste indulgent without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken

Slow Cooker Birria Tacos

Slow Cooker Birria Tacos are a slow cooker dinner that takes about 8 hours and taste like a takeout taco order worth waiting for. Beef cooks with chilies, spices, and broth until tender enough to shred easily. The flavor is rich, smoky, and savory, with a sauce that’s perfect for dipping. It’s a great option when you want bold flavor and a full meal ready by dinnertime.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Birria Tacos