Cold fall nights make a hot dinner especially welcome when the day has already been long. These 23 slow cooker recipes cover chicken, beef, pork, soups, casseroles, ribs, meatballs, and creamy pasta. Most need only a short stretch of prep before the slow cooker takes over for several hours, so dinner can be cooking while the rest of the day keeps moving. The mix gives you plenty of ways to come home to something hot without standing at the stove all evening.
Slow Cooker Chicken Breast
Silky mushroom sauce gives Slow Cooker Chicken Breast a rich finish after a mostly hands-off cook. The recipe takes 2 hours 40 minutes and makes 4 servings with chicken breasts, mushrooms, garlic, Marsala wine, chicken broth, heavy cream, paprika, and garlic powder. The chicken is seared first, then cooks on low before a cornstarch slurry and cream thicken the sauce. Serve it with mashed potatoes, noodles, or bread for the extra sauce.
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Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin
A sweet-savory glaze keeps Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin from turning into a plain roast dinner. The recipe takes 4 hours 15 minutes and makes 6 servings with pork tenderloins, apple cider vinegar, honey, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, ginger, and smoked paprika. The pork gets a quick sear before going into the slow cooker. Thicken the cooking liquid at the end, then slice the tenderloin and spoon the sauce over each portion.
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Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes makes Crockpot Marry Me Chicken a substantial dinner with only a few minutes of prep. The recipe takes 4 hours 5 minutes and makes 3 servings with chicken breasts, chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic, red pepper flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes. The chicken goes into the slow cooker with the sauce ingredients and cooks until tender. Finish with basil and serve over pasta, rice, or potatoes.
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Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese
Melty cheese coating every noodle makes Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese useful when the main goal is a hot bowl waiting at dinnertime. The recipe takes 3 hours 10 minutes and makes 8 servings with uncooked macaroni, cheddar, mozzarella, whole milk, evaporated milk, butter, paprika, and optional Dijon mustard. The pasta cooks directly in the slow cooker with the dairy and cheese. Stir before serving so the sauce coats the macaroni evenly.
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Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken
Tangy pepperoncini and ranch seasoning give Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken plenty of flavor with just 5 minutes of prep. The recipe takes 4 hours 5 minutes and makes 4 servings with chicken breasts, au jus mix, ranch seasoning, pepperoncini juice, chopped pepperoncini, and butter. Everything cooks together until the chicken is tender enough to shred. Spoon it over mashed potatoes or rice, or pile it onto toasted rolls for an easy dinner.
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Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup
Tender meatballs and small pasta make Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup substantial enough for a cold fall supper. The recipe takes 5 hours 10 minutes and makes 6 servings with beef or turkey meatballs, chicken broth, carrots, celery, small pasta, spinach, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. The meatballs and vegetables cook first, then the pasta and spinach go in near the end. Ladle into bowls and add Parmesan or bread at the table.
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Pulled Pork Sliders
Soft rolls piled with saucy pork make Pulled Pork Sliders an easy way to turn a slow-cooked roast into a full tray of dinner. The recipe takes 6 hours 15 minutes and makes 16 sliders with pork shoulder, barbecue sauce, beer, ketchup, brown sugar, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, coleslaw, and slider buns. The pork cooks until easy to shred, then goes back into its juices. Top each bun with pork and slaw just before serving.
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Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Creamy broth with beans and corn makes Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili a strong match for colder October evenings. The recipe takes 4 hours 25 minutes and makes 6 servings with chicken breasts or thighs, white beans, corn, green chiles, onion, chicken broth, cumin, cream cheese, and heavy cream or milk. The chicken cooks until tender enough to shred, then returns to the pot. Add avocado, cheese, cilantro, or tortilla chips at serving time.
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Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Tender beef and mushrooms in a creamy sauce make Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff built for a long, chilly day. The recipe takes 6 hours 10 minutes and makes 6 servings with stewing beef or chuck roast, onion, mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, sour cream, and egg noodles. The beef and sauce cook together before sour cream is stirred in at the end. Spoon the stroganoff over separately cooked noodles before serving.
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Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs
Cheesy sauce wrapped around meatballs gives Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs a dinner that can also pull double duty as a party dish. The recipe takes 4 hours 5 minutes and makes 6 servings with frozen meatballs, tomatoes with green chiles, Velveeta, taco seasoning, heavy cream, and scallions. Everything goes into the slow cooker with very little prep. Serve the meatballs in bowls, over rice, or with sturdy tortilla chips for scooping.
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Slow Cooker Potato Soup
Thick potato broth with bacon and cheddar gives Slow Cooker Potato Soup the kind of bowl that works well after a cold evening commute. The recipe takes 3 hours 10 minutes and makes 6 servings with potatoes, chicken broth, bacon, onion, garlic, butter, flour, milk, cheddar, sour cream, and green onions. The potatoes cook until tender before some are mashed to thicken the soup. Finish with the dairy and toppings just before serving.
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Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
A tater tot layer over beef and cheese makes Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole a filling one-pot dinner with very little last-minute work. The recipe takes 5 hours 10 minutes and makes 6 servings with ground beef, corn, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, cheddar, onion, garlic powder, and frozen tater tots. The beef mixture goes into the slow cooker first, followed by the potatoes. Serve once the filling is hot and the tots are cooked through.
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Slow Cooker Ribs
Sticky barbecue sauce and a smoky spice rub give Slow Cooker Ribs the kind of finish usually associated with a much longer grill session. The recipe takes 4 hours 20 minutes and makes 4 servings with baby back ribs, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and barbecue sauce. The ribs cook until tender, then spend about 10 minutes under the broiler. Brush on extra sauce before broiling so the outside turns glossy and caramelized.
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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Dark beer and a sweet mustard mixture give Slow Cooker Pulled Pork a deeper sauce than a standard barbecue version. The recipe takes 6 hours 10 minutes and makes 12 servings with pork loin, olive oil, brown sugar, mustard, soy sauce, bay leaves, dark beer, salt, and pepper. The pork cooks on low until it can be shredded with forks. Leave it uncovered briefly afterward so the cooking liquid can reduce and coat the meat more closely.
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Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf
Taco-seasoned beef with melted cheese gives Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf a different route to a familiar family dinner. The recipe takes 6 hours 10 minutes and makes 6 servings with ground beef, onion, green chiles, taco seasoning, crushed nacho cheese chips, Monterey Jack, eggs, milk, taco sauce, and Colby Jack. The mixture cooks in a foil-lined slow cooker, then gets sauce and cheese on top. Add scallions or other taco toppings before slicing.
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Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken
Creamy ranch sauce over chicken and vegetables makes Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken a complete dinner from one pot. The recipe takes 8 hours 5 minutes and makes 6 servings with chicken breasts, baby potatoes, carrots, dry ranch dressing mix, cream of chicken soup, and heavy cream. The vegetables go in first, followed by the chicken and sauce mixture. Cook it through the workday, then spoon the sauce over both the chicken and vegetables when serving.
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Slow Cooker Pork Chops
A thick garlic-Parmesan sauce keeps Slow Cooker Pork Chops juicy while they cook for several hours. The recipe takes 4 hours 5 minutes and makes 4 servings with boneless pork chops, heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional parsley. The pork goes into the slow cooker under the sauce and cooks until tender. Spoon plenty of the cream sauce over each chop and add potatoes, noodles, or vegetables on the side.
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Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Chunks of beef, potatoes, and carrots make Slow Cooker Beef Stew one of the fullest meals in the collection. The recipe takes 8 hours 10 minutes and makes 8 servings with chuck roast, onion, carrots, russet potatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, red wine, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Everything simmers together until the beef is tender and the vegetables have absorbed the broth. Ladle into deep bowls with bread if you want something alongside.
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Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Fork-tender beef surrounded by vegetables makes Slow Cooker Pot Roast a classic dinner to come home to on a cold night. The recipe takes 5 hours 10 minutes and makes 8 servings with chuck roast, onion, carrots, garlic, tomato paste, beef stock, red wine, potatoes, mushrooms, thyme, rosemary, and parsley. The roast cooks first before the potatoes and mushrooms are added later. Serve thick slices of beef with vegetables and spoonfuls of the cooking liquid.
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Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Citrus and warm spices give Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas a brighter finish than many of the creamy dishes in this list. The recipe takes 5 hours 25 minutes and makes 8 servings with pork shoulder, cumin, oregano, chili powder, onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, chicken broth, and optional toppings. The pork cooks until tender, then gets a short broil for crisp edges. Use it in tacos, bowls, or plates with avocado and red onion.
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Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs
Savory brown gravy turns Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs into a low-prep dinner built around frozen meatballs. The recipe takes 6 hours 5 minutes and makes 6 servings with meatballs, beef broth, brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, cornstarch, and water. The meatballs simmer in the sauce until hot, then a slurry thickens the gravy near the end. Serve them over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
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Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast
Pepperoncini and ranch seasoning give Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast plenty of savory, tangy flavor with only 5 minutes of prep. The recipe takes 8 hours 5 minutes and makes 8 servings with pork shoulder or pork butt, ranch seasoning, au jus mix, butter, pepperoncini peppers, and pepperoncini brine. Everything cooks together until the pork pulls apart easily. Shred the meat into its juices and serve with potatoes, rice, or rolls.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach gives Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs a rich finish after a hands-off cook. The recipe takes 4 hours 15 minutes and makes 6 servings with bone-in chicken thighs, Italian seasoning, onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan. The thighs can be seared first for extra color, then cook slowly in the sauce. Spoon the creamy mixture over each serving at the table.
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