19 slow cooker dinners that make home feel like it’s got you covered

A slow cooker has a way of making dinner feel handled before the evening even begins. These 19 slow cooker dinners that make home feel like it’s got you covered focus on meals that cook quietly while you move through your day. With minimal prep and steady results, they take pressure off the kitchen. When dinner works this smoothly, the whole day feels easier.

A black bowl filled with creamy pasta coated in a thick sauce, topped with a fresh basil leaf. A metal spoon rests inside the bowl. The background is a light-colored surface. — Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

A bowl of penne pasta topped with shredded meat and garnished with fresh basil leaves. A fork is placed in the bowl. Red tomatoes and additional fresh basil leaves are on the marble surface nearby. — Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara cooks in about 4 hours with chicken, tomato sauce, and seasoning for a simple dinner. The chicken stays tender as it simmers. The sauce thickens slightly and coats well. It pairs easily with pasta or rice for serving.
Get the Recipe: Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

Easy Slow Cooker Butternut Squash

A dish filled with mashed sweet potatoes topped with chopped nuts, a pat of butter, and a sprig of thyme. The dish is placed on a wooden board, with a few thyme sprigs scattered around. — Easy Slow Cooker Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy Slow Cooker Butternut Squash cooks in about 4 hours with squash, butter, and seasoning for a soft, simple dish. The squash becomes tender and easy to mash. The flavor is mild with natural sweetness. It works well as a side or base for meals.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Butternut Squash

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Creamy soup with vegetables and herbs in a white bowl, next to a spoon and a striped towel. — Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup cooks in about 6 hours with chicken, gnocchi, and cream for a filling meal. The broth becomes thick and smooth. The gnocchi stay soft and tender. It serves easily as a complete dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

A plate of shredded chicken is garnished with herbs, black olives, and sliced cherry tomatoes. Two lemon wedges and pieces of flatbread accompany the dish. A fork is resting on the edge of the plate. — Slow Cooker Greek Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken cooks in about 6 hours with chicken, lemon, and herbs for a light but flavorful dish. The chicken stays tender as it cooks. The flavor is savory with a mild citrus note. It pairs well with rice or vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

Slow Cooker Carrot Soup

A black bowl filled with creamy orange soup, garnished with herbs, pepper, and a drizzle of oil. A gold spoon rests inside the bowl. A textured brown cloth and a cup are in the background. — Slow Cooker Carrot Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Carrot Soup cooks in about 5 hours with carrots, broth, and seasoning for a smooth dish. The texture becomes slightly thick and creamy. The flavor is mild with natural sweetness. It serves easily as a light meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Carrot Soup

Slow Cooker Lentil And Carrot Soup

A bowl of lentil soup with carrots, tomatoes, herbs, and a spoon, garnished with fresh parsley. — Slow Cooker Lentil And Carrot Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Lentil And Carrot Soup cooks in about 6 hours with lentils, carrots, and broth for a filling option. The lentils soften into a thick base. The carrots blend into the flavor. It serves well as a steady dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lentil And Carrot Soup

Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

Meatballs topped with melted cheese and chopped parsley in a slow cooker. — Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs cook in about 5 hours with meatballs, onions, and broth for a rich dish. The onions soften into a deep base. The meatballs stay tender throughout cooking. It serves well over bread or rice.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken

Plate of creamy chicken casserole topped with sliced almonds and green onions, served with crackers. — Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken cooks in about 6 hours with chicken, cheese, and sauce for a creamy meal. The chicken becomes tender as it cooks. The sauce thickens into a smooth layer. It serves easily with simple sides.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken

Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie

Golden-brown stuffing topped with chopped herbs, baked until crispy in a black dish. — Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie cooks in about 6 hours with turkey, vegetables, and sauce for a comforting dish. The filling thickens as it cooks. The turkey stays tender throughout. It serves well with bread or biscuits.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie

Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup

A bowl of creamy orange soup is placed on a black plate, garnished with a swirl of cream and a sprig of herb. A spoon rests inside the bowl. Small sprigs of thyme are scattered on the marble surface nearby. — Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup cooks in about 5 hours with squash, broth, and cream for a smooth soup. The squash softens into a thick texture. The flavor is mild and slightly sweet. It serves easily as a warm meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

A ladle of beef stew with carrots, potatoes, and parsley in a rich brown sauce. — Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon cooks in about 8 hours with beef, vegetables, and wine for a hearty dish. The beef becomes very tender as it cooks. The sauce thickens into a rich base. It pairs well with potatoes or noodles.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Glazed chicken breasts with cranberries, green beans, and stuffing on a white plate, garnished with parsley. — Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken cooks in about 6 hours with chicken and cranberry sauce for a balanced dish. The chicken stays moist and tender. The sauce adds a sweet and tangy flavor. It serves well with simple sides.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

A bowl of creamy beef stroganoff with egg noodles, garnished with chopped parsley. — Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff cooks in about 6 hours with beef, mushrooms, and cream for a rich meal. The beef becomes tender as it simmers. The sauce thickens into a creamy base. It pairs well with noodles.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs

Braised meat with gravy, fresh cranberries, and herbs served over mashed potatoes on a white plate. — Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs cook in about 8 hours with ribs and cranberry sauce for a slow-cooked dish. The meat becomes very tender and easy to pull apart. The sauce adds a sweet and savory balance. It serves well as a main dish.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala

Plate of mashed potatoes topped with chicken, mushrooms, and creamy gravy, garnished with chopped herbs. — Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala cooks in about 6 hours with chicken, mushrooms, and sauce for a steady dinner. The chicken becomes tender as it cooks. The sauce develops a rich flavor. It pairs well with pasta or potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala

Slow Cooker Osso Buco

A plate of cooked lamb chops sits on a bed of sliced, cooked carrots. The dish is garnished with chopped green onions. Utensils, a wooden spoon with spices, and a small bowl of more green onions are nearby on a burlap cloth surface. — Slow Cooker Osso Buco. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Osso Buco cooks in about 8 hours with beef shanks and vegetables for a slow-cooked meal. The meat becomes very tender as it cooks. The sauce develops a deep, savory flavor. It serves well as a main dish.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Osso Buco

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken

A plate of roasted chicken and baby potatoes, garnished with herbs and grated cheese, on a red-striped napkin. — Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken cooks in about 6 hours with chicken, garlic, and cheese for a simple dinner. The chicken becomes soft and tender. The sauce coats it evenly with a savory flavor. It pairs well with pasta or rice.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops

Grilled pork chops with roasted potatoes and broccoli served in a white bowl on a wooden surface. — Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops cook in about 6 hours with pork, garlic, and cheese for a rich meal. The pork becomes tender as it cooks. The sauce thickens into a creamy layer. It serves easily with vegetables or rice.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken cooks in about 6 hours with chicken, cream, and tomatoes for a smooth dish. The chicken stays tender throughout cooking. The sauce becomes rich and coats well. It pairs easily with pasta or rice.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken