best crock pot recipes

28 Best Crock Pot Recipes that Are So Easy and Simple

It has been a long week and if all you want to do is to have a weekend that is fuss-free and doesn’t require hours of slaving away in the kitchen then you are in luck.

These easy and simple crock pot recipes will help to take the pressure off and make cooking this weekend a breeze.

Crock pot easy and simple recipes are great for all occasions and take almost no time to prepare.

If lunch and dinner meals scare you then be sure to check out these crockpot recipes that are simple and easy and will be a hit at the dining table.

#1. Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Tender beef is something that warms the heart and soul without any effort, and this slow-cooking beef stew does just that.

A rich, thick sauce bubbling away filled with beef that will melt in your mouth and hearty vegetables is a Sunday afternoon dish that will please the whole family.

Great on its own with thick slices of bread on the side to dip into the sauce between bites, or served with fluffy rice to soak up all the juices.

This is one of those slow cooker easy and simple recipes that does all the work and delivers an impressive meal.

Get recipe: thecozycook.com

#2. Crockpot Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic Butter Sauce

A healthy crock pot recipe that brings all the creaminess and tanginess of bold flavors together in a winning combination.

Chicken thighs are high in protein and a good amount of fat and won’t dry out when cooked for long periods, especially when smothered in creamy, garlic butter.

Garlic seems to make any dish taste good, sprinkled with a generous amount of Himalayan salt to elevate the existing flavor components and dinner will be well received.

If you want effortless, these easy and simple crock pot recipes that look great and taste even better then you have come to the right place.

Try this slow cooker dish one evening and you can be sure the family will sleep soundly with full tummies that night.

Get recipe: eatwell101.com

#3. Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

What do you get when you combine cheese, bacon, chicken, and ranch sauce?

These easy and simple slow cooker recipes will have you doubling the ingredients before you know it as the family comes back for second helpings.

It has all the goodness you could want in a slow cooking meal and takes no effort on your part at all.

Be sure to volunteer to make this creation for the next family gathering and you know you will be the highlight of the conversation.

Get recipe: eatingonadime.com

#4. Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This colorful sensation is as pleasing on the palate as it is on the eyes.

Filled with ingredients that are everyday basics and most likely in your fridge and pantry already, and is a healthy crockpot option that takes no time at all to make.

We all love the idea of a rich, hearty soup in the winter and this easy crockpot method makes things that much simpler.

Once the chicken is done slow cooking in the sauce, take it out and shredded into pieces, and add it back into the mix to soak up all the juices and bring it all together.

A dish that is a hit with the kids and even more so when sprinkled with crushed tortilla chips for a texture variation and avocado cubes for added freshness.

Get recipe: thecozycook.com

#5. Crock pot French dip

There is not a kid that I haven’t met that doesn’t enjoy a meal that requires some form of dipping, and who knew you could do that with a slow cooker?

This meal is so quick and easy that your kids will be asking for you to make it again and again and will be like music to your ears.

A crock pot filled with thick gravy ready to serve alongside the homemade meat sandwiches is a delight at the lunch table.

Once the meat is soft and tender you have to shred it finely and allow it to cool, you simply put the filling into the bread rolls and plate it with a generous helping of gravy in a side bowl.

Be sure to have a lot of serviettes on hand as these tasty dipping moments are very saucy and will be running down little hands and fingers before you know it.

Get recipe: eatingonadime.com

#6. Crock Pot Baked Ziti

If you haven’t heard of or tried this dish then be sure to put it at the top of the list of crock pot easy and simple recipes to try.

It has all the tastes of a well-made lasagna but without the hour of layering and prepping like with the traditional baked dish.

The versatility of this easy crockpot meal is a hit because you can combine any variation of cheeses, and when you have more than one child you have a great chance to let them choose their own cheese to add into the mix.

This way everyone has a part to play in making dinner.

A tasty, cheesy family effort.

Get recipe: crockpotsandflipflops.com

#7. Crock Pot Cube Steak

Comfort is key when it comes to the end of a long hard day and all you want are those slow cooker easy and simple recipes that will feed the family with minimal effort.

A steak slow cooker meal tastes delicious with fluffy rice and garlic bread and is simple in its tastiest form.

There are other options too like pasta or whole grain couscous to change things up in the kitchen if you are making this dish more frequently.

The hubby will love trying this healthy crockpot supper and you can count on him looking for another portion.

Get recipe: eatingonadime.com

#8. Slow Cooker Potato Soup recipe

The ease and process of this healthy crockpot meal shouldn’t be dismissed.

All you have to do is cut and cube your favorite ingredients and throw them into the slow cooker, top with a generous amount of stock or broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable varieties will do equally well), and leave to simmer.

Once the potatoes and meat of choice are soft and tender and ready to eat you can add a large ladle of heavy cream, or if you have time, a homemade roux of butter and flour is added to the mix to thicken the soup.

Simply dish into bowls with fresh coriander on top and you are good to go.

Get recipe: gimmesomeoven.com

#9. Crock pot smothered pork chops

A healthy crockpot meal of chops smothered in a smooth, velvety creamy sauce is one that will go down like a hot knife through butter.

When you place these tender chops on top of creamy homemade mashed potato and the sauce soaks into and down the white clouds, all you’ll want to do is dive in and be warmed by the goodness.

What is great is that this menu-worthy dish is easily increased for more people when needed by adding in more chops (and we know a slow cooker can handle the work) and a few more potatoes.

A Sunday lunch creation that will bring the week to a close that is well deserved.

Get recipe: eatingonadime.com

#10. Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup

This thick soup is a crowd-pleaser and the kids will love dipping crusty crouton fingers into it and popping them into their mouths.

Cheese is something we all love in any form but if it’s a cheeseburger even better, then to top it off as a soup as well and you will blow their mind.

So many experiences in one bite, and the thick soup is a great tummy filler on a cold winter’s evening.

It is easily reheated the next day, freezes well, and can be made in bulk to portion out for the freezer.

Get recipe: life-in-the-lofthouse.com

#11. Crock Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe

The best crock pot recipe that is easy and simple to make and is budget-friendly is a winner in our house.

We could all use a helping hand when it comes to our finances and this is one meal that won’t break the bank.

Chicken and rice is a classic in itself but when all you need to do is pop all the ingredients into the slow cooker and come back to it later when it is ready, it makes it that much more appealing.

No effort and minimal supervision are needed, and a hearty meal is ready when the family comes home from school and work.

Get recipe: eatingonadime.com

#12. Crock Pot Chicken Marsala recipe

While this recipe calls for Marsala wine the alcohol content easily cooks off as the dish gets more flavorsome and thick.

But not before the taste of this fruity wine soaks into the ingredients into the dish and balances the spices and herbs for a complemented sensation.

A small bowl of this with fresh salsa and crispy naan bread will be like dining out at a restaurant but without the hefty price tag.

These easy and simple crock pot recipes have been successfully tried and tested and will be a frequent meal option in your home once you let the family try it.

Get recipe: diethood.com

#13. Hawaiian Meatballs

The taste of holiday is easily manifested throughout this dish with the freshness and sweet acidity of the pineapple chunks combined with the tangy sweetness of the BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought, either is perfectly fine).

A great appeal factor about this dish as commented on by culinary enthusiasts and home cooks is that you needn’t have ready thawed meatballs to make this dish.

You only need to pop the frozen meatballs into the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients and switch it on, when you come back to it a few hours later the meatballs will have cooked, soaked up the sauce, and be sticky and sweet to dish onto rice or even into taco shells with fresh salsa.

A fan favorite during the summer or when the children have friends over.

Get recipe: asouthernsoul.com

#14. Hamburger Soup recipe

Is it a stew? Is it soup? It is the best of both dishes.

This saucy dish is a meal filled with potatoes and hardy vegetables, minced meat (lean or fatty are good options), and a smooth sauce that is not too greasy.

You could double the ingredients and freeze half for those days when the week seems to be never-ending.

Pop the frozen mixture into the crockpot in the morning and when you finish the last load of laundry and pack away the kid’s toys at the end of the day, the ready dish will send aromas through the house calling to be eaten.

A hamburger flavor with the texture of a soup, what’s not to love?

Get recipe: saltandlavender.com

#15. Creamy Italian tortellini sausage soup

The traditional tomato and pasta dish has taken on a new look and taste.

In one bowl you get the best of ingredients from your favorite Bolognese or lasagna but garnished with fresh spinach to elevate it to the next level.

These easy and simple slow cooker recipes show the kids that vegetables can taste great, although they may not notice any whilst scooping the saucy sausages and pasta shells into their mouths.

A cheaper alternative that uses sausages that are easily tweaked with your protein of choice for a change during the week.

Get recipe: wholelottayum.com

#16. Crockpot Pork Chop Stuffing

Every husband that comes home after his long commute to work will be delighted to smell this dish wafting through the house as he walks through the door.

It ticks all the boxes of being full of flavor, filling to satisfy the hunger growing in his tummy, and delicious all at once.

The stuffing sucks up the sauce and swells into goodness.

An easy slow-cooker dinner option that can be thrown together in the wink of an eye and ready in a mere few hours.

No hassle, fuss-free, and the best crockpot recipe that will please the whole family.

Get recipe: recipesthatcrock.com

#17. Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken

Cream and tomatoes cooking on the stove always remind me of my childhood when I would sit and watch my granny stirring a steaming pot of some creation getting ready for dinner or lunch.

This easy and simple crockpot wonder is a recipe that takes no time at all but once cooked looks like a million-dollar dish.

Slice the chicken into strips, butterfly the breast over a generous portion of rice, and drench with the creamy, tomato sauce.

Get the kids to sprinkle the freshly chopped basil onto the bowls just before setting them on the dining table.

Get recipe: thereciperebel.com

#18. Easy Slow Cooker Taco Pasta

This healthy crock pot dish delights the kids when they see it bubbling away gently in the slow cooker.

They can’t wait to see who has the most taco pasta shells in their dish, as they count and eat at the same time.

Meaty and saucy, this easy recipe offers all the joys a child could look for in a meal.

You would think the pasta would become soft and mushy, but no, when thrown in halfway through the final product never disappoints.

Top generously with strong cheddar for a punch for the adults or mild Gouda for the kids (which I am sure they will want to do themselves).

Get recipe: kristineskitchenblog.com

#19. Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

A basic dish that is quickly elevated with a sprinkle of dried chili flakes and fresh coriander.

Garlic and parmesan have always been a harmonious combination and this recipe is no different.

Grey winter evenings are soon forgotten when this steaming bowl of creamy deliciousness is in front of you.

As the warm bites fill your tummy, you feel a sense of comfort and coziness in your soul and the world seems all right again.

Feeding the family this dish is a quick and easy task and is warmly accepted each time.

Get recipe: crockpotsandflipflops.com

#20. Slow Cooker Seasoned Chicken, Potatoes, and Green Beans

The classical ingredients are all under one umbrella so to speak, and seemingly complement each other’s flavors perfectly.

Too often we can overcook green beans and they end up limp and colorless, or the potatoes have been forgotten on the stove only to be impossible to slice during the meal, but no more.

You have the seasoned chicken moist and tender, the beans and potatoes cooked to perfection, and all at the finish line together ready to eat.

A squeeze of fresh lemon is a lovely way to give the meal a little something extra.

Add a sprinkle of salt and be ready to hear the praises as the family tucks in.

Get recipe: themagicalslowcooker.com

#21. Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

A meal that is colorful with peas, carrots, and corn is always a pleasure to dive into.

The rainbow of hues combined with the creamy tenderness of chicken and lunchtime is a walk in the park.

A few hours of cooking and this healthy crockpot menu addition will be a recipe to pass down through the generations.

The dumplings act as a great filler and are packed with flavor as they soak up the liquid while simmering in the slow-cooker for a few hours.

Try these crock pot easy and simple recipes for a midweek meal and add it to your recipe collection, it is sure to be a hit.

Get recipe: flavormosaic.com

#22. Crock pot pork loin roast and potatoes

Butter, garlic, and onion bring this humble yet bold meal together.

Pork loin is a great healthy crockpot alternative to the traditional roast beef for Sunday lunch and is done just as easily.

You don’t need to constantly be checking into the oven and measuring the temperature of the pork to ensure it is safe to eat, this slow cooker method is flop proof and you can have peace of mind that it will cook through when the time comes to eat.

Plated alongside the potatoes be sure to smother it in thick gravy for that comfortable feeling.

Get recipe: beyerbeware.net

#23. Crock Pot Mississippi Beef Noodles recipe

Heading out the door in the morning and knowing that by simply turning on the slow-cooker when you come home from work that afternoon that dinner will be ready.

This is the kind of meal that makes my heart sing for joy.

No effort, no fuss, and a result that tastes wonderful.

A joint of meat is not always tender if not constantly basted or kept an eye on, but not with these slow cooker easy and simple recipes.

Come home and shred the meat, toss it back into the sauce to coat fully, and serve with noodles for the best crockpot meal you won’t believe you hadn’t tried before now.

Get recipe: recipesthatcrock.com

#24. Crock Pot Beefy Potato Taco Casserole

Unlike other easy and simple crock pot recipes, the preparation for this meal takes more than 5mins, but rather along the 10-minute mark.

But it is well worth it.

Sliced potatoes have always been my favorite growing up no matter how they were served, but now seeing and tasting them in this thick, beefy gravy I can never go back.

As you layer the potatoes, then the beef, and finally the seasoning you cover the whole mixture with a generous portion of beef broth and let the crockpot work its magic.

Come sunset and you have yourself a tender, hearty dish to fill the gap. Win-win.

Get recipe: recipesthatcrock.com

#25. Crock Pot BBQ Brisket

The traditional method of cooking brisket is not one to look down upon but it does require a significant amount of attention, and who has the time to sit at home all day watching meat?

Now you can still make your husband’s favorite meal but without the hassle of staring at the oven all day.

A one-pot wonder that is beautifully delicate as you dish.

If you want a meal that works as both a main supper meal and the leftovers as lunch box fillers for the rest of the week then this easy and simple crockpot recipe is the answer you have been looking for all along.

The cold beef meat tastes just as delicious sandwiched between brioche buns and filled with mayonnaise and salad for the children’s after-school snacks or to wrap for your other half to take with him to work.

A winner all-around.

Get recipe: easyfamilyrecipes.com

#26. Crock Pot Mongolian Beef

Mongolia has long been known for its great dishes and flavor profiles, but unless you have the luxury to visit the country and try the authenticity of the meals, or dine out every time you want a feast of Asian flavors, you will need an alternative.

These easy and simple slow cooker recipes offer you all that and more.

Not only is it so simple to make and prepare but the dish essentially cooks itself.

A dark, rich sauce that stands out against fluffy white rice and sprinkled with freshly chopped spring onion makes this a winner for special occasions and then some.

Packed with flavor this is a meal to impress the in-laws with and without all the headaches.

Get recipe: flouronmyface.com

#27. Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs

Creamy mushroom sauce is my husband’s favorite and he can eat it on anything.

The problem is that sometimes life gets busier than we expect and the slicing, sautéing, browning, and supervising of simply cooking mushrooms is not necessarily at the top of my list.

Until now.

When I landed on this recipe that combined all of his favorite ingredients into one but still meant I could get on with my day, I had to try it.

I only wish I had found it sooner because it turned out fantastic.

The meatballs (frozen meatballs can also be used in making this dish last minute which I will now keep in mind for future reference) are cooked through perfectly and moist, soaking up the creamy mushroom flavor throughout the day.

I spooned a generous (probably too much if I’m being honest) amount onto a portion of rice for him and garnished it with crispy fried onions (optional).

Let’s just say I have perfected this recipe since discovering it.

Get recipe: thecountrycook.net

#28. Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip

As we stay home more often than usual we are looking for healthier meal alternatives and this dip is quick to make, and a healthy crockpot option to add to the table in the late summer afternoons.

Serve with crispy crackers or tortilla chips and you have a snack to enjoy that is easy and simple all at once.

It tastes so good that the children will only focus on the creamy cheesy taste and tortilla chips and not even notice the spinach and artichokes which give them the essential vitamins and minerals.

A fun way to get the kids to eat their vegetables.

Get recipe: homecookingmemories.com

Now that you have a good idea and collection of quick, easy, and simple crockpot recipes to try this summer, be sure to visit our blog for even more inspiration.

Crock pot cooking has never been this effortless.

See more:

Scroll to Top