19 Slow Cooker Recipes That Simmer All Day So You Don’t Have to Think at Night

The slow cooker earns its place in my kitchen on the days when I know my future self will be tired. A few minutes of prep in the morning means dinner is already waiting by the time the busiest part of the day rolls around.

There is something deeply satisfying about walking into the house knowing the hardest part of dinner is already done. These 19 slow cooker recipes are the ones I rely on when I want to make life easier for myself later.

Cheesy meatballs with caramelized onions, garnished with herbs and served with melted cheese on top—perfect for fans of comforting slow cooker recipes. — Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Roast beef, potatoes, and carrots in a bowl. — Slow Cooker Pot Roast. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Just toss beef chunks, carrots, and potatoes into the pot in the morning and let them simmer away in a rich gravy all day. Setting the dial to low before you walk out the door guarantees a hearty dinner is ready the second you get home. It gives you a traditional family feast without any of the evening stove work.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Lentil And Carrot Soup

A bowl of lentil soup with carrots, tomatoes, herbs, and a spoon, garnished with fresh parsley. — Slow Cooker Lentil And Carrot Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

I love just dumping lentils and sliced carrots into the base and letting the slow cooker turn them into a thick, warming vegetable soup. Leaving it to run all afternoon builds a deep, comforting flavor with minimal prep from you. It is a budget-friendly meal that lets you walk straight to the table after a tiring day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lentil And Carrot Soup

Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Meat Sauce

A plate of spaghetti topped with chunky meat sauce and garnished with grated cheese and parsley. — Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Meat Sauce. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

I firmly believe that a good meat sauce needs hours to actually taste like anything, so just pour your ground beef, tomatoes, and herbs into the slow cooker early and completely forget about it. The long, slow simmer creates a thick Italian pasta sauce that tastes like you stood over a stove for hours. Your kitchen stays clean while the pot handles the heavy lifting.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Meat Sauce

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

A bowl of creamy beef stroganoff with egg noodles, garnished with chopped parsley. — Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

There is absolutely no reason to buy the expensive cuts of meat for this because the slow cooker makes basic beef strips and mushrooms melt-in-your-mouth tender. Right before you want to eat, just spoon the hot, seasoned cream mixture over thick egg noodles. It delivers a classic comfort meal with zero hands-on cooking when you are tired.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

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.

Some people think chicken and rice gets mushy in a slow cooker, but the trick is just throwing your chicken, grains, and soup base in early and walking away. It handles dinner while you focus on relaxing.
Get the Recipe: Easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Rice

Slow Cooker Tex Mex Pulled Pork

Pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw and diced tomatoes, served with lime wedges on a wooden board. — Slow Cooker Tex Mex Pulled Pork . Photo credit: Thermocookery.

I think pork shoulder was practically invented for the slow cooker, so just drop a large roast in with spices and citrus juice. It gets so tender you can shred it right in the pot with a fork.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tex Mex Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops

Grilled pork chops with roasted potatoes and broccoli served in a white bowl on a wooden surface. — Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Pork chops can dry out in a blink on the stove, which is why I love letting them simmer in a rich garlic-Parmesan cream sauce until they fall apart. Set it early and walk into a house that smells amazing.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Crack Potato Soup With Frozen Hash Browns

A bowl of creamy soup topped with shredded cheese, bacon bits, and chopped green onions on a wooden table. — Slow Cooker Crack Potato Soup With Frozen Hash Browns. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Peeling potatoes is my absolute least favorite kitchen chore, so skip the prep by dumping frozen hash browns, bacon, and dairy straight into the pot. It is a smart shortcut that yields a thick, gooey soup.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Crack Potato Soup With Frozen Hash Browns

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

A bowl of chicken noodle soup with carrots, celery, herbs, and a spoon inside. — Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

I am convinced there is nothing better for a rainy day than a big bowl of soup, so start your chicken and broth on soggy mornings. Drop the egg noodles in near the end for a perfect scratch-made bowl.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Want to save this?

Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week.

Slow Cooker Sausage Biscuit Gravy Casserole

A plate of crispy roasted potatoes topped with creamy sauce and herbs, on a red checkered napkin. — Slow Cooker Sausage Biscuit Gravy Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Savory meat crumbles, fluffy dough pieces, and rich white cream bake right inside your countertop machine. Serve this heavy, old-school breakfast classic for a fun and incredibly comforting breakfast-for-dinner surprise tonight. This hands-off routine keeps your prep work minimal while ensuring everyone leaves the table completely full.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage Biscuit Gravy Casserole

Crock Pot Chili for Two

Crock Pot Chili served in two white bowls with spoon. — Crock Pot Chili for Two. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Making a massive pot of chili when it's just two people always leads to a week of boring leftovers, so leave your beef and beans to simmer gently in this perfectly scaled-down, small-batch pot.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chili for Two

Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Enchilada Meatball

A bowl filled with saucy meatballs garnished with chopped parsley. — Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Enchilada Meatball. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

I think a four-ingredient recipe is a total sanity-saver on a packed weekday, which is why I rely on this trick constantly. Bathe your meatballs in enchilada sauce and cheese, then let everyone build their own sliders.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Enchilada Meatball

Slow Cooker Matzo Ball Soup

Bowl of chicken and dumplings soup with shredded chicken, vegetables, and three large dumplings, garnished with herbs. — Slow Cooker Matzo Ball Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

In my family, the best matzo balls are the ones that turn out incredibly light and fluffy, so slide the lid in place early to let them expand inside a golden chicken broth with carrots and celery.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Matzo Ball Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Creamy chicken gnocchi soup with vegetables served in a white bowl, bread and herbs on the side. — Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Potato gnocchi are so much better when they get to soak up a rich broth, so pair this velvety, creamy chicken soup with a simple side salad. It gives you a restaurant-style meal with only one pan to wash.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Slow Cooker Birria Meatballs

Spicy meatballs garnished with lime slices, jalapeño rings, and red onion on a white plate. — Slow Cooker Birria Meatballs. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Traditional birria takes way too much hands-on effort for a Tuesday, but these beef rounds soak up that flavorful chili and garlic sauce all afternoon on autopilot. Serve them over hot rice for a fresh, exciting meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Birria Meatballs

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken

A plate of roasted chicken and baby potatoes, garnished with herbs and grated cheese, on a red-striped napkin. — Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

You can never have too much garlic and cheese in a sauce, so set your chicken breasts to cook beneath a smooth blend of sharp Parmesan and real butter. Switch it to 'warm' so dinner is ready whenever you are.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

A bowl of rice with meat and peppers in front of a slow cooker. — Slow Cooker Pepper Steak. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Honestly, takeout steak can get incredibly rubbery by the time it gets delivered, so skip the apps and throw your beef and bell peppers into the pot early. It has a savory glaze that beats delivery any day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

Slow Cooker Nacho Soup

A bowl of cheesy soup with beans, peppers, jalapeños, and tortilla strips, next to tortilla chips. — Slow Cooker Nacho Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Anything with 'nacho' in the name is bound to be a total hit with kids, and this recipe blends melted cheese, salsa, and beef perfectly. Just crush tortilla chips over the bowl right before serving for a great crunch.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Nacho Soup

Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

The smell of sweet, caramelized onions cooking down is one of my favorite things, so let these meatballs simmer low and slow. The sauce develops right around them without needing a single second of your attention.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

Turn the cooker dial to low, lock the lid, and let dinner handle itself.