15 Slow Cooker Recipes for Effortless Dinners

Slow cookers are perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. These 15 slow cooker recipes are easy to prepare and will have dinner ready when you are—letting the slow cooker do all the work while you go about your day. From hearty stews to comforting casseroles, there’s something for everyone!

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1. Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender.
3. Serve hot with crusty bread.

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2. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions:

1. Place chicken breasts, taco seasoning, salsa, and water in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
3. Shred the chicken with two forks and serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

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3. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Rub the pork shoulder with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
2. Add the pork, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar to the slow cooker.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
4. Shred the pork and serve on buns or in tacos.

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4. Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 cans black beans, drained
• 1 can kidney beans, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 bell peppers, chopped
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 3 cups vegetable broth

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
3. Serve with avocado, cheese, or sour cream.

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5. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp dried basil

Instructions:

1. Whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, ketchup, and basil.
2. Place chicken in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over the top.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
4. Serve with rice and steamed vegetables.

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6. Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef stew meat
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Add beef, onion, garlic, broth, and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
3. Stir in sour cream and cornstarch. Cook for an additional 30 minutes.
4. Serve over egg noodles.

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7. Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
3. Serve with basmati rice and naan bread.

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8. Slow Cooker Lasagna

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 package lasagna noodles (gluten-free if needed)
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook ground beef and onion in a skillet until browned.
2. Layer marinara sauce, uncooked lasagna noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, and beef mixture in the slow cooker.
3. Repeat the layers and end with a final layer of mozzarella.
4. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the noodles are tender.

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9. Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar

Instructions:

1. Add chicken, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and vinegar to the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
3. Shred chicken and serve with rice and vegetables.

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10. Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs beef roast
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 4 potatoes, chopped
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions:

1. Add beef roast, onions, carrots, potatoes, and seasonings to the slow cooker.
2. Pour beef broth over the top.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
4. Serve with gravy made from the cooking juices.

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11. Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers, tops removed and seeds cleaned out
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. Mix ground meat, rice, and marinara sauce together.
2. Stuff each pepper with the mixture and place in the slow cooker.
3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
4. Sprinkle with cheese before serving.

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12. Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Add squash, onion, garlic, broth, cinnamon, and seasoning to the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
3. Blend the soup until smooth and stir in coconut milk.

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13. Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs baby back ribs
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions:

1. Season ribs with paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Place ribs in the slow cooker and pour BBQ sauce, vinegar, and brown sugar over them.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
4. Serve with extra BBQ sauce.

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14. Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 jar Alfredo sauce
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Place chicken, Alfredo sauce, Parmesan, cream, garlic, and Italian seasoning in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
3. Serve over pasta.

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15. Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 lb ziti pasta (gluten-free if needed)
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook ground beef and onion in a skillet.
2. Layer uncooked ziti, marinara, ricotta, and beef in the slow cooker.
3. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
4. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan, and cook for another 30 minutes.

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Conclusion

With these 15 slow cooker recipes, you can enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals with minimal effort. Just set it and forget it, and dinner will be ready when you are!