23 hands-off recipes that let the crockpot run the kitchen

ByKsenia Prints

Some days move so quickly that dinner needs to handle itself while everything else gets done. A slow cooker can quietly take care of the cooking while work, errands, and family schedules fill the rest of the day. These 23 slow cooker recipes include soups, chicken dinners, hearty mains, and even a few comfort-style extras that simmer while you focus on other things. By the time evening rolls around, dinner is already waiting.

A plate of spaghetti topped with chunky meat sauce and garnished with grated cheese and parsley.
Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Meat Sauce. 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 for about 4 hours using chicken, marinara sauce, garlic, and herbs. The chicken simmers slowly in the tomato sauce. The sauce thickens as it cooks. Flavor tastes savory with mild tomato sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

A bowl of chicken noodle soup with carrots, celery, herbs, and a spoon inside.
Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup cooks for about 6 hours using chicken, noodles, carrots, celery, and broth. The vegetables soften while simmering. The chicken becomes tender in the slow cooker. Flavor tastes savory and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage

A bowl of sausage, potatoes, and green beans garnished with chopped parsley.
Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage cooks for about 4 hours using potatoes, smoked sausage, cheese, and seasoning. The potatoes soften slowly during cooking. The sausage adds rich flavor to the dish. Taste comes through hearty and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage

Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Creamy chicken gnocchi soup with vegetables served in a white bowl, bread and herbs on the side.
Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup cooks for about 4 hours using chicken, gnocchi, broth, vegetables, and cream. The soup thickens gradually while simmering. The gnocchi soften during cooking. Flavor tastes creamy and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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 Olive Garden Chicken Marsala cooks for about 4 hours using chicken, mushrooms, Marsala sauce, and seasoning. The chicken simmers until tender. The mushrooms soften in the sauce. Flavor tastes savory with rich depth.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala

Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

Shredded pork with cranberry sauce served over mashed potatoes, garnished with rosemary on a white plate.
Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin cooks for about 6 hours using pork loin, cranberry sauce, garlic, and broth. The pork becomes tender while simmering. The sauce thickens during cooking. Flavor tastes savory with mild sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

Three BBQ chicken sliders stacked on a white plate, with a red checked cloth and a green glass nearby.
Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders cook for about 4 hours using turkey, barbecue sauce, cranberry sauce, and slider buns. The turkey cooks until tender in the sauce. The meat shreds easily before serving. Flavor tastes sweet and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

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 for about 4 hours using chicken, lemon, garlic, herbs, and broth. The chicken slowly absorbs the seasoning while cooking. The sauce forms in the pot. Flavor tastes savory with bright citrus notes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

Crockpot Crab Dip

A bowl of creamy dip garnished with lemon slices and green onions, served with slices of baguette.
Crockpot Crab Dip. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Crab Dip cooks for about 2 hours using crab meat, cream cheese, herbs, and seasoning. The dip warms slowly in the slow cooker. The cheese melts into a smooth mixture. Flavor tastes creamy and savory.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Crab Dip

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 for about 4 hours using chicken, bacon, cheese, and creamy sauce. The chicken becomes tender during cooking. The sauce thickens slightly while simmering. Flavor tastes rich and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken

Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

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.

Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken cooks for about 4 hours using chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and garlic. The sauce thickens gradually. The chicken simmers until tender. Flavor tastes creamy with savory tomato notes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Slow Cooker Mushroom Broth

Two white bowls filled with a dark broth garnished with sliced green onions. Wooden spoons are placed beside each bowl. Green onion stalks are scattered on a light tiled surface.
Slow Cooker Mushroom Broth. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Mushroom Broth cooks for about 4 hours using mushrooms, garlic, herbs, and water. The mushrooms slowly release flavor into the liquid. The broth darkens during cooking. Flavor tastes earthy and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mushroom Broth

Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

Pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw, served with potato chips on a white plate.
Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich cooks for about 6 hours using pork shoulder, barbecue sauce, and spices. The pork becomes tender enough to shred. The sauce coats the meat during cooking. Flavor tastes smoky and savory.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

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 for about 6 hours using beef, carrots, onions, broth, and herbs. The beef becomes tender during long cooking. The sauce thickens slowly. Flavor tastes rich and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

A plate of creamy spaghetti with shredded chicken, topped with chopped parsley and black pepper.
Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti cooks for about 4 hours using chicken, spaghetti, cheese, and tomato sauce. The ingredients cook together into a thick mixture. The pasta absorbs the sauce while simmering. Flavor tastes savory and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast

Shredded pot roast with gravy and cranberries on mashed potatoes, with a fork on a white plate.
Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast cooks for about 6 hours using beef roast, cranberry sauce, onions, and broth. The roast becomes tender in the slow cooker. The sauce thickens while cooking. Flavor tastes savory with mild tang.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip

A bowl of buffalo chicken dip garnished with celery sticks, carrot sticks, chips, and sprinkled cheese.
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip cooks for about 2 hours using shredded chicken, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and cheese. The ingredients melt together while heating. The dip thickens as it warms. Flavor tastes creamy with mild heat.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip

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 for about 4 hours using kabocha squash, broth, onion, and seasoning. The squash softens during cooking. The soup blends into a smooth texture. Flavor tastes savory with gentle sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup

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 for about 4 hours using squash, butter, and seasoning. The squash softens slowly during cooking. The butter melts through the dish. Flavor tastes mild and slightly sweet.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Butternut Squash

Slow Cooker Sausage Biscuit Gravy Casserole

A plate of crispy roasted potatoes topped with creamy sauce and herbs, on a red checkered napkin.
Slow Cooker Sausage Biscuit Gravy Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Sausage Biscuit Gravy Casserole cooks for about 3 hours using sausage, biscuit dough, gravy, and cheese. The biscuits cook through while simmering. The gravy thickens during cooking. Flavor tastes savory and hearty.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage Biscuit Gravy Casserole

Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge

A plate of chocolate fudge squares stacked in a pyramid shape on a white surface. The fudge is topped with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt.
Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge cooks for about 2 hours using chocolate, condensed milk, gingerbread spices, and sugar. The mixture melts together slowly. The fudge firms up after cooling. Flavor tastes sweet and warmly spiced.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge

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 Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup cooks for about 4 hours using chicken, gnocchi, vegetables, broth, and cream. The soup thickens as it cooks. The gnocchi soften during simmering. Flavor tastes creamy and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Meat Sauce

A plate of spaghetti topped with chunky meat sauce and garnished with grated cheese and parsley.
Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Meat Sauce. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Meat Sauce cooks for about 6 hours using ground beef, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. The sauce slowly develops flavor during cooking. The beef softens in the tomato base. Flavor tastes rich and savory.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Meat Sauce