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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Crockpot Magic: 21 Hearty Dishes That Will Change Up Your Routine

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 17, 2025, updated July 14, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Crockpots are a game changer for busy days, allowing you to prepare hearty meals with minimal effort. With 21 delicious recipes, you can easily switch up your routine and enjoy comforting dishes that warm the soul. From stews to casseroles, these meals are perfect for any occasion.

    Slow Cooker Beef Stew

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

    This stew is a comforting meal that cooks itself while you go about your day. It combines tender beef with potatoes, carrots, and peas in a rich, thick broth. This is a good dinner for busy nights when you want something warm and satisfying without spending a lot of time cooking.

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    Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

    Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This soup is simple to make with just a few ingredients and can cook all day in the crockpot. It's creamy without any cream, vegetarian, and gluten-free, making it a great option for everyone. Serve it in bread bowls and top it with your favorite taco toppings for a fun and filling meal.

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    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    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 can be ready with very little effort. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

    Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This dish features tender and tasty shredded chicken that’s perfect for making tacos on a hectic day. It’s really flexible and can be used in many different Mexican meals.

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    Slow Cooker Mexican Bubble Up Casserole

    Slow Cooker Mexican Bubble Up Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This casserole is slow-cooked to bring out all the great Tex-Mex flavors you love in a classic Mexican pizza. With just five simple ingredients, it’s amazing how delicious this dish can be. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and satisfying.

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    Slow Cooker Green Chicken Enchilada Soup

    Slow Cooker Green Chicken Enchilada Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Green Chicken Enchilada Soup brings together the bold flavors of green enchilada sauce and tender chicken, along with a handful of other tasty ingredients. It's a simple way to turn everyday items into a fun and satisfying meal for your family. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Cacciatore

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

    This hearty dinner is full of flavor and perfect for a weeknight or a cozy Sunday meal. This classic Italian dish cooks slowly in the crockpot, allowing all the ingredients to blend together beautifully. It pairs well with pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes, making it a versatile choice for any table.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros

    Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow cookers are perfect for making hearty meals that fit right into a busy weeknight. These chicken gyros feature tender chicken wrapped in soft pita bread, topped with fresh veggies. It's a satisfying dish that the whole family will enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker V8 Chili

    Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe With Ravioli.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This chili is packed with vegetables, thanks to the V8 juice in the sauce. It's a hearty dish that you can easily make in a large batch, perfect for freezing or sharing with friends and family. It's a great option for weeknight dinners when you want something filling and nutritious.

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    Creamy Crockpot Tortellini

    A bowl filled with Creamy Crockpot Tortellini.
    Photo Credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

    This creamy pasta dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy and delicious. Using frozen tortellini, it cooks up in a rich sauce that everyone will love. It's a satisfying meal that will have everyone coming back for more.

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    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Garden in the Kitchen.

    Chicken breasts cook slowly in a flavorful onion broth, becoming tender and juicy. Topped with melted Gruyere cheese, this dish brings a cozy feel to any meal. It's a simple way to enjoy a hearty dinner that fits perfectly into a busy weeknight.

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    Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

    Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie is a great way to enjoy a classic dish that everyone in the family will appreciate. It features ground beef, carrots, peas, and some other everyday ingredients, all topped with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes. This hearty meal is sure to become a regular in your weeknight dinner rotation.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    This creamy pasta dish combines all the delicious flavors of chicken cordon bleu in a slow cooker. It's filling and full of rich taste, making it a great choice for dinner. You'll find yourself wanting to prepare this meal time and time again.

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    Slow Cooker Curried Chicken Noodle Soup

    Slow Cooker Curried Chicken Noodle Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Curried Chicken Noodle Soup gives a fresh take on the traditional recipe. With the addition of curry powder and turmeric, it offers a warm and rich flavor that’s both comforting and satisfying. This dish is ideal for those chilly evenings when you want something hearty and delicious.

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    Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Pulled pork cooked in cherry cola and BBQ sauce is a delicious and flavorful dish. The meat turns out tender and juicy, making it a great option for dinner. This hearty meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy

    Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy.
    Photo Credit: One Hot Oven.

    Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy is a classic dish that turns out incredibly tender in a creamy mushroom and onion gravy. It's a great choice for a weeknight dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. This meal brings a sense of comfort and satisfaction, making it perfect for any evening.

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    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado

    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado features tender beef cooked in a flavorful red chile sauce, paired with warm tortillas for a simple and filling meal. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen. This dish brings comfort and warmth, making it a great choice for family dinners.

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    Asian Noodle Soup with Ground Pork and Peanuts

    Asian Noodle Soup with Ground Pork and Peanuts.
    Photo Credit: This Is How I Cook.

    This comforting soup is great for a quick meal when the weather is cold. The combination of peanut and scallion gives it a unique flavor that works well any time of the year.

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    Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken

    Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken brings together tender chicken breasts, creamy Caesar dressing, and parmesan cheese, along with some simple pantry ingredients. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table. It simplifies dinner time, making it a breeze to prepare a satisfying meal for the family.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Dizzy Cook.

    BBQ chicken thighs are simple to prepare, as everything goes into the slow cooker. You can serve the chicken thighs whole or shred them for delicious BBQ chicken sandwiches. This dish is great for weeknight dinners when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Tortellini

    Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Simply Stacie.

    This creamy dish features tender chicken, cheese tortellini, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, all infused with delicious Tuscan flavors. It's a simple yet satisfying meal that your family will enjoy. Perfect for busy weeknights, this hearty crockpot meal requires minimal effort while delivering a comforting and flavorful dinner.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chili.
      19 Dump-and-Go Ground Beef Dinners That Are Ready Before You Know It
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      21 Quick and Easy Pasta Dinners for the Whole Family
    • This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
      21 Grandma Approved Casseroles That Are Perfect for Weeknights
    • Chicken tater tot casserole.
      21 Easy Chicken Dinners That Do All the Work for You

    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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