What's for Dinner? Easy Slow Cooker Recipes the Whole Family Will Love

Slow cooker meals are a lifesaver—just toss in the ingredients in the morning (or even the night before) and come home to a hot, hearty dinner. I don’t really follow recipes when I cook... I mostly use them as a guide or for inspiration. Honestly, most of the time I’m just working with what I’ve got on hand and hoping for the best!

Below you’ll find some of our family’s favorite “dump” dinners—simple, delicious, and perfect for busy days when dinner doesn’t need to be fancy... it just needs to taste good.

And yes, I know it sounds redundant, but I like to make sure the word “crockpot” is in the name of every single one—because my oldest claims to hate crockpot food. (Spoiler alert: he eats them anyway and loves most of them!)

The crockpot is a life saver at our house!

Crockpot Chicken and Rice

A classic comfort food! This one is perfect for weeknights and totally customizable.

Add 3–4 chicken breasts, 1½ cups of uncooked rice, and 4 cups of chicken broth to your slow cooker. You can toss in chopped carrots and peas (about 1 cup each), or just steam a bag of frozen peas and carrots and mix them in at the end.

Season with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.

I like to pull the chicken out and shred it with a fork—or toss it in the blender (sounds weird, but it works!). Stir the chicken back in, mix in about 1 cup of co-jack or cheddar cheese, and if it’s too sticky, just splash in a little extra broth.

Crockpot Chili

A true family favorite and perfect for chilly days!

Brown 2 pounds of lean ground beef in a skillet. Add 1 diced onion and cook until tender. Stir in 3 cloves of garlic, 2 tsp cumin, 2 Tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper.

Transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker and add:

• 1 can black beans (rinsed)

• 2 cans kidney beans (rinsed)

• 2 cans diced tomatoes

• 1 can Rotel

• 1–2 cups frozen corn

• 2 cans tomato sauce

Stir and cook on high for 3–4 hours or low for 6–8 hours. I’ve made this with and without beans—delicious either way. Serve with all the toppings: cheese, sour cream, green onions, cornbread… you know the drill.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken

This one sounds fancy but is so easy it’s almost unfair.

Place 4 chicken thighs in your slow cooker. Add 8 oz cream cheese, 4 cloves minced garlic, and ½ cup grated Parmesan. Cook on low for 6 hours, shred the chicken, and stir everything together. Serve over rice, pasta, or whatever carb makes your heart happy.

Creamy Crockpot Ranch Chicken Fiesta

Comfort food meets bold flavor in this easy dinner win.

Place 3 frozen chicken thighs or breasts into your slow cooker. Add:

• 2 cans Rotel

• 1 bag frozen corn (or 2 cans, undrained)

• ½ cup chicken broth (omit if using canned corn)

• 2 cans black beans (drained and rinsed)

Season with:

• 2 ranch dressing packets

• 2 Tbsp cumin

• 3 tsp chili powder

• 2 tsp onion powder

• Optional: 1–2 tsp paprika and red pepper flakes for heat

Top with 2 blocks of cream cheese, cover, and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4. Stir once or twice if you can. Shred the chicken and mix it all up before serving.

Serve with rice, tortilla chips, in taco shells, or wrapped in tortillas. Creamy, spicy (if you want), and super satisfying!

Crockpot Cowboy Stew

This one’s hearty, filling, and full of Tex-Mex flavor—great for feeding a crowd!

Brown 2 pounds of ground beef, then add 1 diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and cook until tender. Toss in 2 packages of sliced kielbasa and cook for a couple minutes more.

Transfer to your slow cooker and add:

• 2 cans diced tomatoes (drained)

• 2 cans pinto beans (with liquid)

• 1 can corn (drained)

• 2 cans Rotel

• 4 diced potatoes

• 1 bag frozen mixed veggies

• 4 cups water

• 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp chili powder, and salt & pepper to taste

Stir it all up and cook on low for 6 hours. Serve with cornbread, crackers, or shredded cheese on top if you’re feeling fancy.

Crockpot Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch

If you’ve got bacon, ranch, and cream cheese—you’ve already won dinner.

Place chicken breasts or thighs in your crockpot. Add a bit of chicken broth, then dump in:

• Crumbled cooked bacon

• Salt & pepper

• Minced garlic

• 1 ranch dressing packet

• 1 block of softened cream cheese

Cook on low for 6–7 hours. Shred the chicken, stir in sour cream, and let it cook for another 30 minutes. Serve over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or spaghetti squash. Total comfort food.

Crockpot Pizza Casserole (aka Hotel Pizza!)

This is my go-to meal for sports tournaments—it travels like a champ and tastes like pizza night without the greasy box.

Brown 1 lb ground beef with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Drain and stir in:

• 1 tsp oregano & basil

• 2 cups chopped cauliflower

• ¼ cup parmesan cheese

• 2 cups marinara sauce

• 1 oz pepperoni, chopped (save some for topping)

Pour into greased slow cooker. Cook on low for 4–6 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, top with 1½ cups mozzarella cheese and the rest of the pepperoni. Turn to high and cook until melty and bubbly.

Cheesy, protein-packed, and kid-approved—whether you’re home or away.

Pro Mom Tip:

I almost always double these recipes—we’re a family of five (with four boys!), so doubling means leftovers for lunches the next day. Work smarter, not harder!

Slow Cookers: The Real MVP

Crockpot cooking is a total game-changer for busy families. It’s real food, real easy, and nobody’s asking you to sear anything at 6 a.m. These meals are flexible, forgiving, and full of flavor—just how dinner should be.

So the next time someone asks, “What’s for dinner?” you can point at the slow cooker and say, “Already handled.”

Oh—and don’t forget the crockpot liners for easy cleanup. You’re welcome. 😉