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    Home » Quick & Easy Meals

    Slow Cook, Quick Prep: 12 Easy Weeknight Crockpot Recipes

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 31, 2023, updated January 2, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Busy weeknights call for a cooking solution that's both effortless and delicious. That's where these recipes come in. With minimal prep and the magic of a slow cooker, you can have mouthwatering meals ready to savor as soon as you walk through the door. Let's dive into these 12 easy weeknight crockpot recipes that will make your evenings a breeze!

    Chicken Tacos

    Chicken tacos.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    With only 3 ingredients and just 5 minutes of prep time, these slow cooker shredded chicken tacos are almost too easy to make! Just toss everything in the crock pot, come back a few hours later, shred the chicken and you're ready to sit down for dinner!

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    Get the recipe: Chicken Tacos

    Short Rib Chili

    Short Rib Chili
    Photo Credit: midwest foodie blog.

    The perfect cozy Sunday afternoon recipe, this beef short rib chili takes just minutes to prep, and then it simmers on the stove (or in the crockpot!) all afternoon. It's loaded with plenty of beans and veggies but also filled with tender, fall-off-the-bone shredded beef short ribs.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore with pasta.
    Photo credit: Saporito Kitchen.

    A simple yet flavor packed dinner that makes an easy weeknight meal or Sunday dinner. This classic Italian dish is cooked low and slow and can be served over pasta, polenta or mashed potatoes.

    Get the recipef rom Saporito Kitchen: Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup

    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup
    Photo Credit: midwest foodie blog.

    This Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup is the ultimate vegan comfort food! It's loaded with tons of veggies, and pillowy soft gnocchi in a creamy, flavorful broth. It takes just 30 minutes from start to finish with simple ingredients you've likely got in the kitchen already!

    Get the recipe

    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    Enchilada Bake is super-easy to prepare using pantry and freezer staples, and so tasty it's sure to become a long-time family favorite! No need to turn on your oven, this recipe uses the magic of your slow cooker.

    Get the recipe.

    Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils

    Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils
    Photo Credit: hey nutrition lady.

    This Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup is packed with protein thanks to the addition of red lentils! It's a healthy recipe with warming spices that's easy to make in your Instant Pot, Crockpot, or on the stove top (instructions are included for all three!).

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

    Chicken thighs and pineapple sauce in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    This Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken dish is both sweet and spicy, and so simple to make. This cheap chicken recipe is a weeknight dinner superstar. With only 4 ingredients, this tasty and super quick dinner couldn't get any easier!

    Get the recipe.

    Taco Soup

    Taco Soup
    Photo Credit: inquiring chef.

    With savory spices, seasoned ground beef, corn, beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes, Taco Soup is a soupy twist on taco night. Add your favorite toppings to finish these colorful bowls.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Green Chile Chicken

    Crock Pot Green Chile Chicken.
    Photo credit: Love from the Table.

    This deliciously creamy Crock Pot Green Chile Chicken is a simple recipe your whole family will love. This effortless and tasty slow cooker meal is perfect for the busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe.

    Slow Cooker Classic Beef Chili

    Slow Cooker Classic Beef Chili
    Photo Credit: inquiring chef.

    Chili, which improves in flavor the longer it cooks, is a perfect recipe for the slow cooker. It takes a bit of work at the stovetop upfront, but you are rewarded with savory aromas from the slow cooker all day and dinner ready to go.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetable Tortellini Soup in Crockpot

    Vegetable Tortellini Soup in Crockpot
    Photo Credit: foodess.

    This delicious, light and creamy Crockpot Tortellini Soup is an easy slow cooker recipe loaded with green vegetables. Learn how to make tasty tortellini soup in the crockpot with this easy, healthy crockpot tortellini soup recipe. All you need are simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep!

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Lasagna: Crazy-Good Cheesy Meat Lasagna in a Crockpot

    Slow Cooker Lasagna: Crazy-Good Cheesy Meat Lasagna in a Crockpot
    Photo Credit: foodess.

    This Crockpot Slow Cooker Lasagna is super cheesy and delicious. I love that the slow cooker does double duty: it creates a rich, meat sauce with the deep flavour of being simmered all day and also “bakes” the lasagna all in one step. Also, no need to boil the noodles, saving an extra step and dirty pot.

    Get the recipe

    Storebought Wins: 10 Foods That Are NOT Better Homemade

    A woman forming dough.
    Photo credit: Shutterstock.

    A lot of the time we value homemade food much higher than what we get from the store. And in many cases, this is correct - homemade is better. But for some foods, this is definitely not the case. Whether due to the difficulty of making it, lack of access to the right ingredients, or just the homemade version missing that special "something" we get in the storebought version - some foods are just not worth it making at home. Read on for the 10 top foods that are NOT better homemade, as decided by a group of foodies on an internet forum.

    Find the whole list here.

    12 Most Overrated Restaurant Chains In The United States

    A cashier at McDonald's handing over a bag of food.
    Photo credit: Sorbis / Shutterstock.com.

    Curious about which restaurant chains live up to the hype, and which definitely do not? Join us as we explore the 12 restaurant chains that have sparked a lively debate in a recent internet forum discussion. While these establishments may have garnered popularity, they're not without their share of critics. We'll delve into what makes these chains some of the most overrated in the nation, shedding light on the dining experiences that might leave you questioning the hype.

    Find the whole list here.

    You're Doing It Wrong! 12 Common Cooking Mistakes Almost All Home Cooks Make.

    A chef with a mask serving food.
    Photo credit: Shutterstock.

    There are some mistakes almost all home cooks make, no matter how experienced and for how long they have been cooking. Recently, a group of foodies, where many of them have worked in the restaurant industry, started discussing what the most common mistakes home cooks make are, and the results were eye-opening. I am a professional recipe creator, and even I admit to making some of these mistakes on occasion!

    Find the whole list here.

    Dump, Bake, and Enjoy: 13 Hands-Off Recipes Done in 30 Minutes or Less.

    Pizza Baked Butter Beans
    Photo credit: Life as a Strawberry.

    Imagine making a delicious meal with just a few simple steps and less than 30 minutes of your time. Well, you can do just that with these 13 dump-and-bake recipes! They're perfect for busy days when you want something tasty without all the fuss.

    Find the whole list here.

    12 Common Groceries That Are A Total Waste Of Money

    A latino woman holding an apple.
    Photo credit: Shutterstock.

    Are you tired of feeling like your grocery bills are climbing higher and higher each month? You're not alone. We're about to uncover a secret that could save you a significant amount of money, so you can spend it where you really need it instead! Get ready to discover the 12 common groceries that might just be a total waste of your hard-earned cash. Buckle up, savvy shoppers, it's time to make your grocery list smarter and more budget-friendly!

    Find the whole list here.

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      Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole With Walnuts
    • Buffalo mac and cheese.
      Buffalo Mac and Cheese
    • Air fryer nachos.
      Air Fryer Nachos With Tajin

    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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