8 Easy Crockpot Dinners for Busy Weeknights

Busy weeknights call for dinner that practically cooks itself. These easy crockpot dinners use simple ingredients, take about 10 minutes to prep, and are ready when you walk through the door. Pick one, load the slow cooker in the morning, and come home to a warm meal.

Quick tips for slow cooker success

• Thaw meat first. Do not cook frozen chicken or beef in a slow cooker. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.
• Do not lift the lid. Every peek adds about 15 to 20 minutes of cooking time.
• Fill it half to two thirds full. Too little or too much food cooks unevenly.
• Low or high? Low is gentler and best for tough cuts. High is great when you are short on time. Most recipes below work on either, just adjust the time.
• Use a liner for easier cleanup.

8 easy crockpot dinners

1. Crockpot chicken tacos

Two main ingredients and almost no effort. The chicken turns tender and shreds in seconds.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 tbsp taco seasoning
• ½ cup chicken broth
• Tortillas and toppings (cheese, lettuce, sour cream)

Method:

1. Place the chicken in the slow cooker and add the salsa, taco seasoning and broth.
2. Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
3. Shred with two forks, stir it into the juices and serve in warm tortillas.

2. Crockpot creamy Cajun chicken pasta

Creamy, a little spicy and totally comforting. The pasta is cooked separately so it never gets mushy.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• 8 oz penne, cooked al dente
• Chopped parsley, to serve

Method:

1. Add the chicken, broth, Cajun seasoning and garlic powder to the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Shred or cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Stir in the cream cheese, heavy cream and Parmesan.
4. Cover and cook on high for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once, until the sauce is smooth.
5. Fold in the cooked pasta, top with parsley and serve.

3. Classic crockpot pot roast

The ultimate Sunday dinner, with vegetables that cook right in the juices.

Ingredients:

• 3 lb beef chuck roast
• 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
• 4 carrots, cut into chunks
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp garlic powder, salt and pepper

Method:

1. Season the roast generously with salt, pepper, thyme and garlic powder.
2. Layer the onion, potatoes and carrots in the slow cooker. Place the roast on top and add the garlic and broth.
3. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 6 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
4. Shred the beef and spoon the juices over everything.

4. Honey garlic chicken thighs

Sweet, salty and sticky, perfect over rice.

Ingredients:

• 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• ⅓ cup honey
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water
• Cooked rice and sliced green onions, to serve

Method:

1. Whisk the honey, soy sauce, ketchup and garlic. Pour over the chicken in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours.
3. Stir in the cornstarch mixture, cover and cook on high for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
4. Serve over rice with green onions.

5. Easy crockpot pulled pork

One pork shoulder, endless meals: sandwiches, tacos, nachos and more.

Ingredients:

• 3 to 4 lb pork shoulder (Boston butt)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1½ tsp salt
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• Buns, to serve

Method:

1. Mix the sugar and spices and rub all over the pork. Place in the slow cooker and add the broth.
2. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours, until the pork shreds easily.
3. Shred the meat, discard excess fat, and toss with the BBQ sauce and a little of the cooking juices.
4. Pile onto buns and serve.

6. Italian sausage and peppers

A hearty, low-effort dinner for sandwiches or over pasta.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lb Italian sausage links
• 3 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Hoagie rolls or cooked pasta, to serve

Method:

1. Add the peppers and onion to the slow cooker and place the sausages on top.
2. Pour over the marinara and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
3. Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the sausages reach 160°F (71°C).
4. Serve in rolls or over pasta.

7. Crockpot marinara meatballs

The easiest dinner on the list, and kids love it.

Ingredients:

• 24 oz frozen fully cooked meatballs
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella
• Cooked spaghetti or sub rolls, to serve

Method:

1. Add the meatballs and marinara to the slow cooker and stir to coat.
2. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until heated through.
3. Top with mozzarella, cover for 5 minutes until melted, and serve over spaghetti or in sub rolls.

8. Crockpot beef tips and gravy

Tender beef in a rich, savory gravy. Serve it over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.

Ingredients:

• 2 lb beef sirloin tips or stew meat
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water
• Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Add the beef, onion, garlic, soup, broth and Worcestershire to the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is tender.
3. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook on high for 15 minutes to thicken the gravy.
4. Serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.

Frequently asked questions

Can I leave a slow cooker on all day?

Yes. Slow cookers are designed to run for many hours unattended, as long as it sits on a heat-safe surface away from the edge of the counter and you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Can I cook frozen chicken in the crockpot?

It is not recommended. Frozen meat takes too long to reach a safe temperature. Thaw it in the refrigerator first.

Low or high, which is better?

Low heat gives the most tender results, especially for roasts and pork shoulder. High heat is fine for chicken and when you are short on time. As a rule of thumb, one hour on high equals about two hours on low.

How do I thicken a slow cooker sauce?

Stir in a mixture of 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water, then cook on high for 10 to 15 minutes.

Can I meal prep these recipes?

Absolutely. Most of these dinners store well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days and freeze for up to 3 months in airtight containers.

Which one will you make first? Save this post to your Pinterest board so you always have an easy dinner idea ready.