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55+ Easy Crockpot Recipes Worth Pulling Out Your Slow Cooker For

These easy slow cooker recipes – from soups to pasta to tacos — do not disappoint!

By Christy Piña and Drew Anne Salvatore

Updated: Dec 10, 2020

Woman's Day Magazine

Life isn't always easy. Balancing work with chores and social obligations can feel overwhelming at times. So, the simpler you can make things for yourself, the better, and that's where crockpots (or slow cookers, depending on who you ask) really come in handy. They're one of the most convenient kitchen appliances out there. All you have to do is prep the meal and set the slow cooker. Once you've combined the ingredients needed to make any of these easy crockpot recipes, you can forget about it for the rest of the day and come home to a fully cooked meal. As for the best things about these crockpot recipes? Their simplicity doesn't take away from the quality of the meal, and they're so tasty, even the pickiest of eaters will devour them.

Regardless of what meal you’re in the mood for, chances are you can make it in a slow cooker. If it's taco night, there are crockpot recipes for that. If the weather's dropping, and you’re craving something that'll warm you up, like a cozy soup or stew, there's a recipe for that, too. You and your friends can even switch out your go-to margaritas this week for a cozy slow cooker drink. So, whether you know you have a long day ahead of you and will be too tired to make dinner when you get home, or you just want to marathon-watch The Crown all weekend, and not spend hours in the kitchen, any one of these crockpot recipes will be your new go-to meal.

Woman's Day

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup

Add a few of your favorite spices, like ginger, curry powder, and cinnamon, to this sweet potato soup for the best way to wake up your tastebuds. Top it off with almonds and Greek yogurt, and you're good to go.

Get the Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup recipe.

crockpot recipes rosemary mashed potatoes

Mike Garten

Slow-Cooker Rosemary Mashed Potatoes

Put a simple yet new spin on the classic side by cooking these one-pot mashed potatoes with a few sprigs of fresh rosemary for a strong, fragrant flavor.

Get the Slow-Cooker Rosemary Mashed Potatoes recipe.

BUY CROCKPOT

bhofack2

Slow Cooker Applesauce Spice Cake

When you think of a slow cooker, you mind may go to main dishes or sides, but you can make desserts in it, too, like this applesauce spice cake — perfect for every season.

Get the Slow Cooker Applesauce Spice Cake recipe.

James Baigre

Chinese Red-Cooked Pork Shoulder

This pork shoulder will practically melt in your mouth when it finishes cooking. The Asian-style stew simmers for hours in soy sauce, dry sherry, fresh ginger, and orange peel. Yum.

Get the Chinese Red-Cooked Pork Shoulder recipe.

Getty Images

Slow Cooker Applesauce

Forget buying packs of applesauce at the grocery store. This homemade take on the classic is easy and even tastier.

Get the Slow Cooker Applesauce recipe.

Jonny Valiant

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Making pot pie in the slow cooker brings out one of the best parts of the savory meal: the creamy chicken filling, which comes out so perfect, you may not even want to put it in a puff pastry. Consider eating it with a couples pieces of bread, and voila! You'll have your new favorite meal.

Get the Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie recipe.

crockpot recipes italian stuffed peppers

Theresa Raffeto

Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers

You may be accustomed to making stuffed peppers in the oven, but with this recipe, you can make them in any slow cooker for the tastiest take on a classic meal.

Get the Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers recipe.

Monkey Business Images

Slow Cooker Coconut Rice Pudding

Prepping this delicious dessert only takes 5 minutes, and then you just have to let it set for a couple of hours. This rice pudding is quick to prep, easy to make, and has the dreamiest silky texture, thanks to the can of coconut milk in it. The whole family will love it.

Get the Slow Cooker Coconut Rice Pudding recipe.

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crockpot recipes lentil stew butternut squash

James Baigre

Lentil Stew with Butternut Squash

Add butternut squash to your typical go-to hearty, slow-cooker lentil stew, for a subtle sweetness and lots of vitamins A and C.

Get the Lentil Stew with Butternut Squash recipe.

Zakharova_Natalia

Slow Cooker Smoky Split Pea Soup

This easy and delicious soup only takes 15 minutes to prep, and when it’s done you can top it with some freshly crumbled bacon if you’re feeling fancy.

Get the Slow Cooker Smoky Split Pea Soup recipe.

Yunhee Kim

Slow Cooker Coconut Beef with Rice Noodles

This dish with tropical hints will satisfy your hunger without being super heavy on your stomach

Get the Slow Cooker Coconut Beef with Rice Noodles recipe.

Tara Donne

Slow-Cooker Latin Chicken with Black Beans and Sweet Potatoes

Bring the heat with this spicy chicken dish. Once it's done slow cooking for eight hours, use the chicken, beans, and potatoes to make some super savory tacos.

Get the Slow-Cooker Latin Chicken with Black Beans and Sweet Potatoes recipe.

Jonny Valiant

Piperonata (Slow-Cooked Peppers and Onions)

Watch as sliced legs of lamb marinate in all the juices from the slow-cooked peppers and onions. Pair with some rice for a delightful dish.

Get the Piperonata (Slow-Cooked Peppers and Onions) recipe.

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Anna Williams

Spaghetti and Meatballs

You can never go wrong with a classic like this, and the slow-cooked sauce perfectly complements the homemade meatballs and spaghetti.

Get the Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe.

Ryan Liebe

Herbed Chicken with Beets and Brussels

This recipe leaves you with tender chicken that cuts like butter and falls right off the bone. It's an easy meal that everyone will enjoy.

Get the Herbed Chicken with Beets and Brussels recipe.

LISA HUBBARD

Stewed Pork and White Beans

This easy and delicious meal only takes 20 minutes to prep, and when it's done you can pair it with some crusty bread if you're going for a chili vibe.

Get the Stewed Pork and White Beans recipe.

crockpot recipes balsamic ginger chicken lettuce cups

Woman's Day

Slow Cooker Balsamic-Ginger Chicken Lettuce Cups

Sometimes it can feel like slow-cooker recipes are strictly for heavy and hearty soups and stews, but that's not the case! These lettuce cups are light and flavorful, and they feel unique compared to more traditional crockpot recipes.

Get the Slow Cooker Balsamic-Ginger Chicken Lettuce Cups recipe.

Con Poulos

Slow Cooker Pork Ragu

This recipe is perfect for when you want to create that classic Italian comfort food at home. If you close your eyes, you'll think you're in a fancy Italian restaurant instead of at your kitchen table.

Get the Slow Cooker Pork Ragu recipe.

BUY SLOW COOKER

crockpot recipes indian spiced chicken cauliflower

STEVE GIRALT; FOOD STYLING BY FRANCES BOSWELL; PROP STYLING BY MARINA MALCHIN

Indian-Spiced Chicken and Cauliflower

Chicken and veggies tend to be a pretty light and satisfying combination, but they have the potential to taste a bit bland at times. Kick things up with some Indian spices in this slow cooker recipe.

Get the Indian-Spiced Chicken and Cauliflower recipe.

Ryan Dausch

Chili Pork Tacos

This pulled pork is spicy, zesty, and garlicky — everything you want in a flavor-packed slow cooker taco!

Get the Chili Pork Tacos recipe.

crockpot recipes beef and vegetable stew

Kana Okada

Slow Cooker Spring Beef and Vegetable Stew

This stew manages to be just as flavorful and light as it is hearty and comforting. Serve with egg noodles for a tasty dish the whole family will love.

Get the Slow Cooker Spring Beef and Vegetable Stew recipe.

Con Poulos

Pork Pozole Verde

Tomatillos give this slow cooker soup its green hue, plus a bright acidic flavor that pairs perfectly with tender, juicy pork.

Get the Pork Pozole Verde recipe.

Chris Court

Stroganoff Style Beef Stew

This retro classic makes a delicious comeback in this crockpot recipe. Plus, it only takes 15 minutes to prep!

Get the Stroganoff Style Beef Stew recipe.

Mike Garten

Corn and Potato Chowder

Cured chorizo gives this crockpot recipe a delicious, smoky taste that gets better as it stews.

Get the Corn and Potato Chowder recipe.

crockpot recipes honey lime pork pineapple slaw

Danielle Occhiogrosso

Honey-Lime Pork with Pineapple Slaw

Pair sweet-and-sour slow cooker pork with a bright and crunchy fruity slaw for a crockpot recipe so good, you'll want to make double.

Get the Honey-Lime Pork with Pineapple Slaw recipe.

Mike Garten

Hearty Beef Soup

It's hot. It's hearty. This crockpot recipe for beef soup is a cold weather winner.

Get the Hearty Beef Soup recipe.

BUY CROCKPOT

crockpot recipes mini meat loaves polenta

CON POULOS. FOOD STYLIST: CHRISTINE ALBANO. PROP STYLIST: SARAH SMART

Slow Cooker Mini Meat Loaves and Polenta

Cooking mini meat loaves in the slow cooker makes this easy, prepare-ahead meal the perfect comfort food dinner.

Get the Slow Cooker Mini Meat Loaves and Polenta recipe.

CON POULOS; FOOD STYLIST: CHRISTINE ALBANO; PROP STYLIST: SARAH SMART

Chicken Pot Pie Chowder

Take chicken pot pie filling and turn it into a delicious, slow cooker soup that's topped with a perfectly crispy puff pastry "crust."

Get the Chicken Pot Pie Chowder recipe.

crockpot recipes zesty pork slaw sandwich

CHRIS COURT; FOOD STYLIST: JUSTINE POOLE; PROP STYLIST: LUCY TWEET

Zesty Pork and Slaw Sandwiches

Pulled pork is the ultimate slow cooker recipe! Douse this version with a vinegary, North Carolina-style BBQ sauce that cuts through the richness of the pork and adds tons of flavor.

Get the Zesty Pork and Slaw Sandwiches recipe.

Mike Garten

Smoky Shredded Beef Burritos

Chipotle chiles in adobo gives this shredded slow cooker flank steak a flavorful, smoky flavor that's perfect for burritos — and more!

Get the Smoky Shredded Beef Burritos recipe.

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Christy Piña Digital Fellow Christy Piña is the digital fellow at WomansDay.com, where she covers women’s issues, lifestyle, and entertainment.

Drew Anne Salvatore Drew Anne Salvatore is the Senior Food Editor in the Hearst Lifestyle Group, whipping up tasty food stories across Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, and Prevention magazines.