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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Family-Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 9, 2025, updated May 6, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy weeknights can make it tough to prepare healthy and satisfying meals for the family. Slow cookers are a lifesaver, allowing you to set it and forget it while you tackle your evening routine. Here are 18 family-friendly recipes that are easy to make and sure to please everyone at the table.

    Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches

    Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This dish features tender, shredded Italian beef with pepperoncini piled onto warm sandwich rolls topped with melted provolone cheese. With only a little prep time, you can enjoy these hearty sandwiches even on your busiest days.

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    Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef

    Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

    Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef is a simple dinner option that everyone will enjoy. This dish results in tender barbecue beef with very little effort.

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    Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

    Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This stew is a hearty meal made with ground beef that’s easy to prepare and budget-friendly. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want something filling without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Barley Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Barley Soup.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Caramel Sunday.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Barley Soup is an easy meal that cooks itself while you go about your day. Packed with vegetables, chicken broth, and tender shredded chicken, this soup is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

    Slow Cooker Crack Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Creamy and cheesy Slow Cooker Crack Chicken is a delicious mix of shredded chicken, cream cheese, Ranch seasoning, and bacon. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want a simple and tasty meal.

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    Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken

    Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken is a simple dinner option that everyone in the family will enjoy. It puts a fun spin on regular chicken, making it a great choice for busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles is a simple and comforting dish. It combines tender chicken, carrots, peas, and a flavorful sauce, all mixed with noodles for a filling meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker chicken fajitas are a simple way to prepare a big batch of this Tex Mex favorite. With just three ingredients and minimal prep, dinner will be ready in no time!

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    Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

    Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

    Enjoy a delicious mix of sweet honey and savory garlic with these slow-cooked chicken thighs. This simple recipe is great for a weeknight dinner and goes well with your favorite sides.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken with Sweet Peach Barbecue Glaze

    Chicken with sweet barbecue glaze served with mashed potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Modern Honey.

    This simple main dish features chicken covered in a sweet peach barbecue sauce. It's a quick and easy meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Cool Ranch Tacos

    Slow Cooker Cool Ranch Tacos.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    These Slow Cooker Cool Ranch Tacos are a fun and tasty way to enjoy taco night. With just four simple ingredients, you can easily prepare a meal that everyone will enjoy, so consider making extra because they’re sure to be a hit!

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    Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Food Blog.

    Slow cooker cream cheese chicken chili is an easy dish full of protein, veggies, and flavorful spices. The cream cheese adds a rich and creamy texture, making it a comforting meal for everyone.

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    Mexican Steak Bites

    Mexican Steak Bites
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Steak adds great flavor to any meal, and these tasty steak bites take it up a notch. Seasoned like tacos and paired with a creamy queso sauce, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup

    Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This homemade soup is easy to prepare in the slow cooker. Packed with fresh vegetables, beans, spices, and chicken, it’s a healthy and creamy option for chilly days.

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    Slow Cooker Goulash

    Slow Cooker Goulash.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    Looking for a hearty, easy meal? Try this Slow Cooker Goulash recipe with tender chunks of beef wrapped in a rich tomato sauce. This Hungarian Beef Stew is perfect for busy weeknights—minimal prep, all the flavour, and no extra work in the evening!

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    Crockpot Chicken Potatoes and Green Beans

    Crockpot Chicken Potatoes and Green Beans.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Naptime.

    Crockpot chicken with potatoes and green beans is a simple dinner that you can prepare in one pot with very little effort. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Papa’s Gone All Day Stew

    Papa’s Gone All Day Stew
    Photo Credit: Easy Budget Recipes.

    This stew is a classic comfort food that serves 12, making it great for family dinners on Sundays. It's also simple enough to whip up during the week.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

    Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    These fajitas are perfect for a simple family dinner. Juicy chicken breasts are cooked with peppers, onions, and tomatoes, creating a tasty filling to wrap in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Lemon basil chicken linguine.
      20 Bright and Flavorful Pasta Recipes to Enjoy This Summer
    • Walking taco casserole.
      26 Stupid Simple Ground Beef Recipes That Will Transform Your Weeknight Dinners
    • Mexican chicken.
      24 Slow Cooker Meals That Make Summer Cooking a Breeze
    • A veggie casserole.
      22 Quick and Easy Summer Casseroles for Busy Nights

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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