15 Hearty Slow Cooker Dinners for Effortless Weeknight Meals

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If you have a busy schedule but still want delicious, hassle-free meals, look no further. Discover our collection of 15 outstanding slow cooker recipes that are sure to impress anyone who tries them.

Crock Pot Ramen

Top view of slow cooker chicken ramen in the Crock Pot. — Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings

Crock Pot Ramen elevates convenience to a new level of culinary artistry. Simply combine the ingredients, set it, forget it, and return to savor a bowl of piping-hot, richly flavored ramen.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ramen

Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Bowl of copycat Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup in a bowl with breadsticks in the background. — Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings

A recipe for recreating Olive Garden’s chicken gnocchi soup. This simple yet comforting soup features a creamy broth with tender chicken and vegetables, all in a slow cooker preparation.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

Pork chop topped with onion gravy on a white plate. — Photo credit: One Hot Oven

Indulge in a timeless crockpot dish featuring succulent Crock Pot Pork Chops bathed in a luscious creamy mushroom and onion gravy. An ideal choice for a weekend evening meal.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Crock Pot Chicken Breasts

Sliced roasted chicken breast garnished with rosemary sits on a white plate alongside green beans and two lemon slices. The chicken appears juicy with a golden-brown glaze, showcasing the best of slow cooker recipes for mouthwatering results. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This delightful recipe for slow cooker chicken breasts guarantees tender, juicy chicken infused with a savory seasoning blend, aromatic onions, and garlic to create a burst of rich flavor. This versatile dish can be used in salads, sandwiches, tacos, and numerous other delicious creations.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Crock Pot Chicken Breasts

Slow Cooker Ham & Potato Chowder

A blue bowl of ham and potato soup. — Photo credit: One Hot Oven

Indulge your family with the luxurious flavors of Slow Cooker Ham & Potato Chowder—a velvety, heartwarming delight in a bowl. Ideal for a swift, delightful dinner, relish a tasteful evening meal with ease. Your slow cooker handles all the preparation, serving up a gratifying dish of comfort with minimal fuss and maximum taste.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ham & Potato Chowder

Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

This quick and easy Spaghetti Bolognese recipe makes a meat sauce bursting with Italian flavor. It’s ready in just 30 minutes!

Get The Recipe: Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Slow Cooker Beef And Noodles

Treat yourself to the ultimate comfort food with this slow cooker beef and noodles recipe, featuring creamy mushroom sauce and tender egg noodles. If you’re a beef stroganoff or mushroom stew fan, this dish will surely delight.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef And Noodles

Slow Cooker Beef with Mushrooms

A close up image of a bowl filled with Beef with Mushrooms and noodles. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe is a delicious foundation for your personal touch! Feel free to add your favorite vegetables or herbs to the slow cooker for a customized meal that’s perfect for your taste preferences. It’s a versatile and comforting dish that’s easy to make your own.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef with Mushrooms

Slow Cooker Oxtail Orzo Soup

Oxtail and orzo come together in perfect harmony in this slow cooker soup. The tender oxtail meat and chewy orzo pasta create a delightful textural experience, all bathed in a rich and flavorful broth.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Oxtail Orzo Soup

Brown Sugar Crockpot Pork

Shredded pork on a white plate. — Photo credit: Trina Krug

Prepare to unleash the potential of your crockpot with a delectable pork shoulder! Brace yourself for the explosion of flavors in this Brown Sugar Rub Crockpot Pork – boasting a rich, bold, caramelized taste that is sure to satisfy and impress a gathering.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Crockpot Pork

Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks

This recipe is a delicious foundation for your personal touch! Feel free to experiment with different herbs, spices, or vegetables to create a customized lamb shank dish that reflects your taste preferences. It’s a versatile and comforting dish that’s easy to make your own.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks

Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne

Indulge in a savory Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne bathed in a luscious beefy tomato sauce, brimming with ground beef, pasta, and cheese. This Crock Pot comfort food dish is a simple yet beloved recipe that delights the entire family.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne

Slow Cooker Italian Pulled Pork

A white bowl full of Italian Pulled Pork. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Italian pulled pork isn’t just for sandwiches! While it shines on a toasted bun, shred it up and add it to pasta dishes, stuff it into tacos, or serve it over polenta for endless flavor combinations.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken

Simply toss chicken with honey, soy sauce, and other delicious ingredients, then let your slow cooker do the work. Tender, flavorful chicken awaits you with minimal effort – perfect for busy weeknights!

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken

Braised Boneless Short Ribs

A hearty beef stew in a pot, featuring chunks of tender beef and braised short ribs, sliced carrots, whole mushrooms, and garnished with chopped fresh parsley. The rich, dark broth adds a comforting warmth to the beautifully presented dish. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This outstanding recipe for Braised Boneless Short Ribs produces unbelievably succulent beef that practically melts in your mouth. It’s the epitome of comforting, heartwarming cuisine!

Get The Recipe: Braised Boneless Short Ribs