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20 Easy Crock-Pot Recipes That You Might Fall in Love With

Recipes

Most of us want to eat a balanced and nutritious diet.

We don’t want to hit the fast food joints or frozen dinners, but it can be hard to find the time and energy to cook every day.

Prepping, cooking, eating, and cleaning up can easily take an hour or two.

Well, everything is about the change with just two simple words: crockpot recipes.

Seriously. They’re a game changer.

You dump a bunch of stuff into this lovely little device, set a timer, and come home to a delicious and nutritious dinner.

And if you haven’t had a Crock-Pot meal since the days of your grandma’s beef stroganoff, you’re in for a surprise.

You can cook all kinds of tasty delights in your trusty slow cooker, ranging from chicken wings to mac & cheese to shepherd’s pie and much, much more.

Enjoy!

Crock-Pot Wings

Picture courtesy of Rasa Malaysia

You don’t need a deep fryer to make amazing chicken wings. Stick them in the Crock-Pot for two hours, and they’ll come out tender and juicy.

These won’t be crispy, of course, but they’re finger-licking good with a teriyaki sauce. Other marinades also work for easy Crock-Pot wings, including honey mustard, barbecue sauce, and a spicy combo of Sriracha and soy sauce.

Serves 24

Ingredients

3 lbs. bone-in chicken wings (about 24)

1 bottle (21 oz.) Soy Vay Island Teriyaki marinade

2 scallions, thinly sliced

1 tsp. white sesame seeds, for garnish

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 150

Protein: 9 grams

Carbs: 9 grams

Fat: 8 grams

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Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Picture courtesy of Pinch of Yum

For a unique version of chicken, bacon, and potato soup, just add gnocchi. The result is a soup that’s every bit as creamy, just not as thick.

That lends itself better to including more healthy ingredients like spinach and shredded chicken for an easy soup that’s got over 20 grams of protein per bowl.

Serves 8

Ingredients

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast

2 cups mirepoix (chopped onions, celery, and carrots)

1 tsp. dried basil

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 tsp. poultry seasoning

1 tsp. salt

4 cups chicken broth

2 Tbsp. cornstarch + 2 Tbsp. water

2 cans (12 oz. each) evaporated milk

2 lbs. mini potato gnocchi

6 slices bacon

3 cloves garlic

5 oz. fresh baby spinach

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 407

Protein: 24 grams

Carbs: 43 grams

Fat: 15 grams

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Easy Pumpkin Macaroni & Cheese

Picture courtesy of Super Healthy Kids

Here’s a convenient way to make homemade mac and cheese without a cardboard box. This easy Crock-Pot macaroni and cheese only takes a few minutes to get ready, and it’s even healthy with pumpkin and yogurt. This comfort food is faster than a lot of other slow cooker meals too, taking only an hour on high.

Serves 8

Ingredients

24 oz. whole-wheat macaroni

Cooking spray

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 cup milk

1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

3 cups (about 12 oz.) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

1/2 cup (about 2 oz.) grated Parmesan

2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. ground mustard

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. ground sage

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 449

Protein: 27 grams

Carbs: 55 grams

Fat: 14 grams

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Sausage Lentil Soup

Picture courtesy of Hello Glow

How can you make Crock-Pot cooking even more convenient? Prepare everything in advance, and you can actually freeze it until you’re ready to fire up the slow cooker.

This make-ahead method will work with a wide variety of recipes, including marinated meats, pasta and meatballs with marinara sauce, and even soups like this one with sausage and lentils.

Serves 6

Ingredients

12 oz. kielbasa sausage, sliced

2 cups brown lentils

2 carrots, diced

1 stalk celery, diced

1 onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes

1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 386

Protein: 25 grams

Carbs: 48 grams

Fat: 11 grams

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Salisbury Steak Meatballs

Picture courtesy of SkinnyTaste

For a different take on meatballs, forget the tomato sauce, and dig into Salisbury steak instead.

Since it’s typically made with ground beef and mushroom gravy, Salisbury steak makes excellent meatballs to serve with mashed potatoes. Or keep it low-carb with mashed cauliflower, which will be delicious smothered in this brown gravy.

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1/2 cup diced onion

1/2 lb. 93% lean ground beef

1/2 lb. 93% lean ground turkey

1/3 cup seasoned whole-wheat breadcrumbs

1 large egg, beaten

2 Tbsp. tomato paste, divided

Salt to taste

Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. red wine vinegar

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (or to taste)

1/4 tsp. mustard powder

5 oz. sliced mushrooms

1 1/4 cups reduced-sodium beef broth

Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 271

Protein: 28 grams

Carbs: 12 grams

Fat: 12 grams

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Creamy Italian Crockpot Chicken

Picture courtesy of Corina Nielsen

Instead of going out to a restaurant, you can make a satisfying Italian chicken dinner in a Crock-Pot – pasta included.

This is a great way to use whole-wheat pasta or a gluten-free variety since they’ll hold up to slow cooking. Or, you could substitute the pasta for spiralized zucchini, which will be perfectly cooked along with the chicken and creamy sauce.

Serves 6

Ingredients

1/2 package (4 oz.) fat-free cream cheese, room temp.

6 oz. non-fat plain Greek yogurt

1 can (10.5 oz.) cream of chicken soup

1 packet (.7 oz.) Italian dressing mix and seasoning

3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or water)

6 boneless skinless chicken breast (about 5 oz. each), frozen or thawed

8 oz. pasta (or noodles of choice)

2 Tbsp. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 350

Protein: 44 grams

Carbs: 29 grams

Fat: 6 grams

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Whole Chicken in a Crock-Pot

Picture courtesy of The Little Kitchen

Intimidated by cooking a whole bird? Just stick it in a Crock-Pot, and you’re good to go. It’s not much different than prepping a roast chicken: Rub it down with herbs and spices, and put some lemon wedges inside.

Since the slow cooker has a lid on it to keep in the liquid, it’ll evenly cook and won’t dry out at all. And if you want crispy skin, just finish it under a broiler for about 5 minutes.

Serves 8

Ingredients

4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. ground cayenne

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. dried thyme

1 tsp. ground white pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 onion, chopped

4 carrots, scrubbed and halved

4 stalks celery, cut into thirds

2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

1 lemon, quartered

4 lbs. fryer chicken

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 326

Protein: 29 grams

Carbs: 7 grams

Fat: 20 grams

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Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Wild Rice Soup

Picture courtesy of The Pretty Bee

This fall soup makes a great potluck dish or an easy weekend lunch that’ll warm you up. Get most of the ingredients in the Crock-Pot in the morning, and you just have to add the beans and season to taste an hour before digging in. Then serve with crusty bread for a small meal, or enjoy it as an appetizer before a pot roast or baked chicken breast.

Serves 8

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 onion, chopped

3 large sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs.), peeled and diced

1 can (4 oz.) green chilies

4 cups vegetable broth

1 can (15 oz.) pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup short-grain brown rice

1/4 cup wild rice

1 1/2 Tbsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 tsp. granulated sugar

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 329

Protein: 10 grams

Carbs: 65 grams

Fat: 4 grams

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Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

Picture courtesy of Kristine’s Kitchen Blog

Creamy sweet potato casserole comes out even better when you make it in a Crock-Pot. Since it cooks for longer, the starch really breaks down and takes on the flavors of honey and cinnamon.

Fresh apples contribute natural sweetness in place of the sugary marshmallows, and toasted pecans on top add richness without having to use much butter.

Serves 8

Ingredients

3 1/2 lbs. sweet potatoes

2 medium apples

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup pure honey (or maple syrup)

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter (optional)

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped, lightly toasted

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 377

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 73 grams

Fat: 9 grams

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Corn Chowder with Parmesan Rind & Pancetta

Picture courtesy of Sustaining the Powers

An easy way to add rich, restaurant-quality flavor to a soup is to cook it with a Parmesan rind. Then you get the flavor, but you don’t actually have to melt cheese into the soup.

The result is a luxurious soup – even though this one is made with canned corn and frozen hash browns. Easily upgrade this soup with a garnish of fried pancetta or crumbled bacon.

Serves 8

Ingredients

3/4 cup diced onion

1 tsp. minced garlic

3 Tbsp. butter, divided

4” Parmesan cheese rind

2 cups shredded potatoes, fresh or frozen

1 cup diced ham, cooked

1 can (15 oz.) whole kernel sweet corn, drained

1 can (15 oz.) creamed corn

1 can (10.75 oz.) cream of mushroom soup

2 1/2 cups milk

1/2 tsp. rubbed sage

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 323

Protein: 8 grams

Carbs: 33 grams

Fat: 9 grams

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Chipotle Stout Crock-Pot Chili

Picture courtesy of Whitney Bond

It’s possible to make a quick chili in a half hour, but soup or stew can’t develop complex flavors without enough cooking time. For convenience and unbeatable flavor, make a hearty slow cooker chili like this one.

You don’t even need that many ingredients, just the standard ground beef and beans, plus chipotle peppers and beer to upgrade this classic chili.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb. 90% lean ground beef

1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes

1 can (15.5 oz.) kidney beans

2 chipotle peppers in adobo, diced

1 bottle (12 oz.) stout beer

1 tsp. adobo sauce

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. salt

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 467

Protein: 38 grams

Carbs: 32 grams

Fat: 18 grams

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Crock-Pot BBQ Chicken

Picture courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats

When you do shredded chicken in a Crock-Pot, it’s easy to make a homemade barbecue sauce at the exact same time. Use your favorite sauce recipe, if you have one.

Or go with this simple barbecue sauce that combines brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and Worcestershire to hit all the right notes.

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast

1 cup ketchup

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1/3 cup water

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp. smoked paprika

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (or to taste)

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. onion powder

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 324

Protein: 53 grams

Carbs: 19 grams

Fat: 3 grams

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Cider-Chai Pulled Pork

Picture courtesy of The Roasted Root

You can make shredded meats in a slow cooker with just some liquid like broth or water. But put in a few more minutes of active cooking time, and you can create some awesome flavors in a Crock-Pot like this spiced pork. Either way, you can easily make pulled pork at home, which can be used for sandwiches, burritos, or casseroles.

Serves 6

Ingredients

2 lbs. boneless pork loin roast

2 tsp. salt

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 cups boiling water

2 Tbsp. coco chai loose leaf tea

1 cup unsweetened apple cider

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 373

Protein: 37 grams

Carbs: 6 grams

Fat: 22 grams

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Kerala Fish Curry

Picture courtesy of Boulder Locavore

If you love curry, The New Indian Slow Cooker by Neela Paniz is a must-have. When you use a Crock-Pot, the only work to worry about for this curry is making the homemade masala paste.

Indian food typically required several steps to layer the flavors together. So while most dishes in the cookbook like chicken biryani aren’t entirely fix-it-and-forget-it recipes, the slow cooker makes it a lot easier to enjoy Indian food at home.

I Want This

Serves 4

Ingredients

Masala Paste:

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 tsp. ground fennel seeds

2 tsp. red chili powder

2 Tbsp. ground coriander

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup water

1 Tbsp. oil

2 medium onions, thinly sliced

2 serrano chiles, thinly sliced

1” fresh ginger, peeled and julienned

10 curry leaves

2 cans (15 oz. each) light coconut milk

Fish:

1 1/2 lbs. mild white fish fillets (such as red snapper)

Juice of 2 lemons

1 tsp. ground turmeric

1/2 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. oil

Lemon wedges, for garnish

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 434

Protein: 34 grams

Carbs: 25 grams

Fat: 24 grams

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Crock-Pot Beef Stew for Two

Picture courtesy of Food.com

Need an incredible dinner for two on a weeknight? Although slow cookers are great when you want to prepare large portions, they can be just as handy for a small meal.

And this beef stew is loaded with protein, so it’s perfect if you’ve got a date at the gym and want a nourishing meal to enjoy together after.

Serves 2

Ingredients

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 lb. beef bottom round roast, cut into bite-sized chunks

1 1/2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced

3/4 cup carrot, diced

1 1/2 cups beef broth

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 bay leaf

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 510

Protein: 58 grams

Carbs: 36 grams

Fat: 13 grams

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Crock-Pot Fire-Roasted Shrimp Tacos

Picture courtesy of Whiskey and Wings

Instead of making tacos on a skillet or braising meat, just use a Crock-Pot to bring all the filling ingredients together.

These slow cooker shrimp tacos will serve two hungry people, or make four smaller servings if you’re also having sides like rice and beans. The fire-roasted filling is delicious with corn tortillas, or use the shrimp to top a hearty taco salad with diced avocado.

Serves 2

Ingredients

11 oz. medium frozen raw shrimp, peeled

1 can (14.5 oz.) fire-roasted diced tomatoes

2 Tbsp. spicy salsa

1/2 cup chopped bell pepper

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1/4–1/2 tsp. ground chili (or cayenne)

1/2 tsp. minced garlic

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 262

Protein: 34 grams

Carbs: 12 grams

Fat: 9 grams

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Slow Cooker Low-Carb Shepherd’s Pie

Picture courtesy of The Gracious Pantry

This healthy shepherd’s pie comes together easily in a Crock-Pot. It’s not the kind of recipe where you can throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker and leave it to do the rest, but this will cut down your time in the kitchen.

Brown the onions, mushrooms, and meat in a skillet, and then to finish, simply layer everything in the slow cooker to set on low for a few hours.

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 medium head cauliflower

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 cups chopped brown mushrooms

2 lbs. 93% lean ground turkey

1 Tbsp. garlic powder

2 tsp. dried thyme

1 Tbsp. dried parsley

2 medium zucchini, chopped

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

1/2 cup (about 2 oz.) grated Parmesan

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 327

Protein: 37 grams

Carbs: 13 grams

Fat: 16 grams

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Homestyle Pork Chops

Picture courtesy of Recipes that Crock

Overcooked pork chops are a thing of the past once you get a Crock-Pot. Not only will these be tender and juicy – even if you use boneless chops – but you’ll love these macros.

This entrée has over 50 grams of protein with a fraction of the fat. And with this tasty gravy, you can serve these pork chops with simple roasted veggies and make it into a comforting side dish.

Serves 8

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

8 boneless pork chops (about 6 oz. each)

2 Tbsp. oil

1 can (10.5 oz.) chicken broth

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 396

Protein: 55 grams

Carbs: 6 grams

Fat: 15 grams

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Slow Cooker Spring Chicken Soup

Picture courtesy of New Leaf Wellness

Excited by the sight of new vegetables in the springtime? Use all your favorites at once in this easy Crock-Pot chicken soup.

It’s adaptable for whatever you want to use, whether that’s asparagus, celery root, or spring onions. And for even more freshness, add a handful of mustard greens to wilt just before serving.

Serves 8

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts

6 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

1 bunch scallions, chopped, white and green parts separated

1 clove garlic, minced

5 carrots, peeled and sliced

3 stalks celery, sliced

Juice of 1 lemon

1 1/2 tsp. dried dill

1 1/2 tsp. dried parsley

1/4 tsp. ground white pepper

1/2 cup orzo

1/2 lb. asparagus (or zucchini)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 274

Protein: 31 grams

Carbs: 15 grams

Fat: 9 grams

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