Three chicken breasts in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, garnished with cracked black pepper and herbs.

15 Suppers Running in the Background All Day

Some days need supper to keep working, even when you are nowhere near the kitchen. These 15 recipes focus on slow cooker mains that handle the long stretch, from shredded chicken and pork to roasts, soups, ribs, meatballs, and pasta. The mix gives you plenty of ways to get a full meal started early, then come back to something that is already close to done.

Three cooked chicken breasts in a creamy sauce, topped with herbs and sun-dried tomatoes, presented in a round dish.
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken

Shredded chicken mixed with sliced green peppers and seasoning in a green bowl.
Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Loaded with chicken breasts, ranch seasoning, au jus mix, pepperoncini juice, chopped pepperoncinis, and butter, Crockpot Mississippi Chicken cooks for 4 hours and serves 4. The chicken shreds right in the slow cooker, so it works well over mashed potatoes, rice, or toasted buns. Start it earlier in the day and the tangy, buttery sauce does most of the work before supper.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken

Slow Cooker Rump Roast

Slices of cooked beef with sprigs of herbs, served with small potatoes and carrots on a white plate.
Slow Cooker Rump Roast. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

With a 2 ½-pound rump roast, baby potatoes, carrots, beef broth, onion, rosemary, and thyme, Slow Cooker Rump Roast gives you a full meal from one pot. It serves 6 and has a total time of 5 hours and 5 minutes, though the recipe also notes a longer low setting option. This is the kind of supper that can sit low and steady while the rest of the day keeps moving.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Rump Roast

Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs

Close-up of meatballs covered in a rich, creamy yellow sauce, garnished with chopped green onions.
Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Frozen homestyle meatballs, Rotel tomatoes, Velveeta, taco seasoning, and heavy cream make Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs rich enough for supper but easy enough to set up fast. The recipe serves 6 and takes 4 hours and 5 minutes total. Spoon them over mashed potatoes, rice, or keep them as a heavier appetizer-style meal when people come in hungry.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of meat, carrots, potatoes, and garnished with fresh herbs in a thick, reddish-brown broth.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Packed with chuck roast, carrots, potatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme, Slow Cooker Beef Stew cooks low for 8 hours. It serves 8, which makes it useful when you want leftovers or need something that stretches past one meal. The vegetables and beef simmer together until the pot is ready to ladle out at supper.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

A close-up of a casserole dish featuring tater tots, creamy sauce, ground beef, corn, and garnished with chopped parsley.
Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Ground beef, corn, cream soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, onion, garlic powder, and tater tots turn Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole into a filling 6-serving meal. It takes 5 hours and 10 minutes total, with the option to broil the cooked casserole briefly if you want the tater tots browned. This one works well when you want something sturdy without building several sides.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

A close-up of soup with meatballs, carrots, celery, spinach, slivered almonds, and fresh herbs in a clear broth.
Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Small frozen meatballs, chicken broth, carrots, celery, small pasta, spinach, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder give Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup a full meal feel in 5 hours and 10 minutes. It serves 6 and finishes with the pasta and spinach near the end. Keep crusty bread or Parmesan nearby and it turns into an easy bowl supper.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese

A close-up of a spoon lifting creamy, melted cheese sauce with macaroni from a pot.
Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Uncooked macaroni, cheddar, mozzarella, whole milk, evaporated milk, butter, paprika, and Dijon mustard go straight into Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese. It serves 8 and takes 3 hours and 10 minutes total, with the slow cooker switched to warm after cooking. This works as a supper base, a side for a bigger meal, or an easy potluck dish that stays ready.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese

Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast

Shredded roast beef served over mashed potatoes with a pepper and a light drizzle of gravy, garnished with chopped herbs.
Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Made with pork shoulder or pork butt, ranch seasoning, au jus gravy mix, butter, pepperoncini peppers, and brine, Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast serves 8 after 8 hours and 5 minutes. The pork shreds back into its juices, so it can go over potatoes, into sandwiches, or beside simple sides. It is a strong choice when supper needs to cover more than one plate.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Shredded, seasoned meat spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet, topped with chopped onions and fresh cilantro.
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Seasoned with cumin, oregano, chili powder, onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth, Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas turns a 4-pound pork shoulder into 8 servings. The total time is 5 hours and 25 minutes, including optional broiling for crisp edges. Serve it in tortillas or bowls with red onion, avocado, and cilantro when you want supper to feel easy but not plain.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow cooker pot roast with mushrooms and carrots garnished with fresh rosemary.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chuck roast, onion, carrots, garlic, tomato paste, beef stock, red wine, potatoes, mushrooms, thyme, and rosemary make Slow Cooker Pot Roast a full 8-serving meal. The recipe takes 5 hours and 10 minutes total, with potatoes and mushrooms added later so they do not overcook. It is a steady slow cooker dinner that gives you meat, vegetables, and sauce from one pot.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

A bowl of creamy soup topped with chopped green onions, grated cheese, crispy bacon pieces, and ground black pepper.
Slow Cooker Potato Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Built with potatoes, chicken broth, bacon, onion, garlic, butter, flour, milk, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions, Slow Cooker Potato Soup serves 6. It takes 3 hours and 10 minutes total, and part of the potatoes get mashed or blended to thicken the soup. Add the toppings right before serving and it becomes a simple bowl meal for a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Ribs

A close-up of a barbecued pork rib with a glossy layer of barbecue sauce on a white plate.
Slow Cooker Ribs. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Baby back ribs, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, barbecue sauce, salt, and pepper make Slow Cooker Ribs a 4-serving supper with very little grill time. The total time is 4 hours and 20 minutes, including a short bake at the end for caramelized sauce. Pair them with slaw, potatoes, or corn when you want a bigger plate without tending ribs outside all afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ribs

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs

A close-up of saucy Salisbury steak meatballs served on a bed of egg noodles, garnished with chopped fresh herbs.
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Using frozen meatballs, beef broth, brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and a cornstarch slurry, Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs serves 6. The recipe takes 6 hours and 5 minutes total, with the sauce thickened at the end. Serve the meatballs over mashed potatoes or egg noodles for a low-effort supper that still feels complete.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs

Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf

Close-up of a slice of cheesy taco casserole topped with chopped tomatoes, green onions, and jalapeño slices on a white plate, reminiscent of the comforting flavors found in slow cooker taco meatloaf.
Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Lean ground beef, onion, green chiles, taco seasoning, crushed nacho cheese chips, Monterey Jack, eggs, milk, taco sauce, and Colby Jack make Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf a 6-serving meal. It takes 6 hours and 10 minutes total and finishes with melted cheese on top. Add tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, or salsa when serving and the slow cooker does the heavier part early.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf

Crockpot Marry Me Chicken

Three cooked chicken breasts in a creamy sauce, topped with herbs and sun-dried tomatoes, presented in a round dish.
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chicken breasts, chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic, red pepper flakes, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil give Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken a creamy sauce for pasta, rice, potatoes, or vegetables. It serves 3 and takes 4 hours and 5 minutes total. The chicken is seared first, then cooked low until the sauce is ready to spoon over whatever side is easiest.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Marry Me Chicken

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