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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Easy Slow Cooker Meals for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 13, 2025, updated September 24, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    These 21 slow cooker meals are perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Just set it and forget it, and come home to a warm, satisfying dinner that the whole family will enjoy. From hearty soupsto flavorful lasagna, these recipes make weeknight cooking so much easier.

    Loaded Baked Potato Soup

    A bowl of creamy soup.
    Photo credit: Peas and Crayons.

    A hearty loaded baked potato soup is easy to prepare in your slow cooker. This dish combines creamy potatoes, cheese, and bacon for a filling meal that warms you up. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Loaded Baked Potato Soup

    Cowboy Stew

    Cowboy Stew
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons.

    Cowboy Stew is a great choice when you need to feed a crowd without spending too much time in the kitchen. This dish combines ground beef, smoked sausage, potatoes, beans, and vegetables for a filling meal that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and satisfying.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Steak Bites

    Crockpot Steak Bites
    Photo Credit: Easy Family Recipes.

    Inexpensive cuts of beef become tender and juicy in the slow cooker, creating delicious steak bites served with a tasty au jus for dipping bread. This easy meal requires only a few minutes of prep, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken.
    Photo credit: Dinner at the Zoo.

    Chicken breasts are slow-cooked with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and honey, resulting in tender meat that can be easily shredded. This dish is perfect served over rice, making it a great choice for a quick and satisfying dinner on busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

    Chicken tikka masala served over white rice.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy and flavorful. Just toss everything into your slow cooker and let it do the work for you. Enjoy the delicious Indian-inspired flavors without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Corn Chowder is a warm and cozy dish that captures the essence of summer. This creamy soup is loaded with sweet corn and finished off with crispy bacon, fresh green onions, and melted cheddar cheese, making it a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken & Dumplings

    Chicken and dumplings.
    Photo credit: Belle of the Kitchen.

    This dish offers a fresh take on a beloved comfort food, simmering gently in the slow cooker throughout the day. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without putting in a lot of effort. Just set it up in the morning, and by dinner time, you'll have a satisfying meal ready to enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Salsa Chicken

    A bowl of salsa chicken.
    Photo credit: Belle of the Kitchen.

    Dinner can be a challenge when you're short on time, but this Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken is here to help. Just throw a handful of ingredients into the slow cooker, and you'll have a delicious meal ready for the whole family. It's an easy way to enjoy a satisfying dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Steak Bites

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

    Steak can add a lot of flavor to your weeknight dinners, and these taco-seasoned steak bites in a creamy queso sauce are a great way to enjoy it. This dish is simple to prepare and brings a delicious twist to your meals. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken & Veggies

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken & Veggies.
    Photo credit: This DIY Life.

    This slow cooker meal combines chicken, potatoes, and vegetables, all simmered together with tasty seasonings. It's an easy way to prepare dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish offers a hearty and satisfying option for the whole family.

    Get the recipe

    Black Eyed Pea Soup

    A bowl of black eyed pea soup.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Black Eyed Pea Soup is a comforting and filling dish that uses dried black eyed peas. It's a healthy option that cooks quickly in your instant pot or slow cooker, making it perfect for a weeknight meal.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Posole Stew

    Slow Cooker Recipe With Chicken: Chicken Posole Stew
    Photo Credit: G Free Foodie.

    Chicken Posole Stew is a go-to dish for busy weeknights. It features hominy, which is dried corn that has been soaked and had its hull removed, adding a unique texture and flavor. This hearty stew is perfect for a comforting meal that doesn't require much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Butternut Cauliflower Soup

    A bowl of soup topped with cheese and bacon.
    Photo credit: Peas and Crayons.

    This creamy soup is simple to make with your slow cooker or pressure cooker. The Instant Pot Butternut Cauliflower Soup is full of flavor and doesn't need much prep time, which is great for busy weeknights. It's a comforting dish that warms you up and satisfies your hunger.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Mushroom Risotto

    Mushroom risotto cooked in a slow cooker.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    Slow cooker mushroom risotto is creamy and packed with delicious, buttery mushrooms. It's surprising how easy it is to prepare this comforting meal without having to brown anything in a pan first. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner, allowing you to enjoy a hearty meal with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Chicken tortillas soup.
    Photo credit: Peas and Crayons.

    Crock-pot chicken tortilla soup is a family favorite that's both delicious and healthy. It's easy to prepare and works well for freezing, making it a great option for busy weeknights. This soup is hearty and satisfying, perfect for a cozy dinner at home.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Beef Stew

    Slow cooker beef stew on a pot.
    Photo Credit: Fed by Sab.

    This stew is a great option for a simple weeknight dinner. It features tender beef along with potatoes, carrots, and peas all simmered together in a rich, thick broth. It's comforting and satisfying, making it a perfect choice when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry.
    Photo credit: A Cedar Spoon.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry is a simple meal that cooks throughout the day, filling your home with the wonderful smells of curry, coconut, and cumin. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and comforting. Pair it with rice and naan for a filling dinner that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Slow cooker lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    Slow Cooker Lasagna is loaded with cheese and rich flavors. The slow cooker handles everything, from cooking the meat sauce to layering the lasagna, so there's no need to boil the noodles separately. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Chicken Alfredo

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a hearty dish filled with smoked sausage and bold cajun spices, all mixed together in a creamy cheese sauce. It's perfect for any night of the week when you want something satisfying and easy to prepare. Just set it up in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore with pasta.
    Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This Italian dish is packed with flavor and is great for a relaxed weeknight dinner or a comforting Sunday meal. Simply let it simmer in the slow cooker, and serve it over pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Vegetable Tortellini Soup

    Vegetable Tortellini Soup in Crockpot
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    Tortellini Soup is an easy slow cooker dish filled with fresh green vegetables. It's creamy and light, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a delicious meal ready to enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      18 Hearty Soups You Can Make with Kitchen Staples
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      28 Simple Crockpot Recipes That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine
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      25 Simple Dinner Solutions: Just Dump and Go!
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      22 Hearty Casseroles That Will Make Everyone Smile

    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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