17 Slow Cooker Recipes So Good, They’re Worth the Wait

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Slow cookers bring ease and depth of flavor to your kitchen, making meal prep as simple as setting it and walking away. This collection of 17 slow cooker recipes takes you on a culinary journey with dishes like barbacoa beef taco bowls, Italian sausage Sunday sauce, and curried lentil soup. Whether you’re craving a hearty stew, a comforting pasta, or a spiced-up sandwich, these recipes bring slow-cooked perfection to every meal. Ideal for busy days or anytime you want to come home to a delicious aroma, these dishes will keep you coming back for more.

Teriyaki Meatballs

A black slow cooker filled with glazed meatballs, topped with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, showcases one of the best Slow Cooker Recipes, with a gold serving spoon resting inside. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Sink your teeth into these irresistible meatballs! Each bite bursts with juicy, savory flavor, perfectly balanced by a hint of sweetness and the deep umami notes of white miso, garlic, and ginger. Whether you bake them in a flash or let them slow-cook to tender perfection, they’re a guaranteed weeknight hero that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Get The Recipe: Teriyaki Meatballs

Barbacoa Beef Taco Bowls

A vibrant bowl filled with shredded meat from one of our favorite slow cooker recipes, cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, leafy greens, and a drizzle of creamy dressing, garnished with cilantro. There is a fork resting on the rim of the blue bowl. — Image Credit: Carlsbad Cravings

Your loved ones are going to have a blast making their taco bowls, and you’ll love how effortlessly they come together! These Barbacoa Beef Taco Bowls are packed with delicious, spicy Barbacoa Beef (feel free to customize it!), cheesy hash browns (so yummy), fresh lettuce, crunchy bell peppers, warm black beans, zesty cilantro corn, all drizzled with tangy Avocado Ranch dressing and topped off with crispy tortilla chips! Enjoy!

Get The Recipe: Barbacoa Beef Taco Bowls

Pasta Fagioli alla Veneta

A black crockpot filled with vegetable pasta soup, featuring small pasta shapes, diced tomatoes, onions, and herbs, with a wooden spoon resting inside. The soup appears hearty and colorful, placed on a light marble surface. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Dive into the rich, comforting flavors of Pasta Fagioli alla Veneta, where tender beans, smoky pancetta, and hearty pasta come together in a warm, savory broth that feels like a hug in every bite. Whether you make it on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get The Recipe: Pasta Fagioli alla Veneta

Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks

This recipe serves as a scrumptious canvas for your culinary creativity! Dive into the world of flavors by experimenting with various herbs, spices, and vegetables to craft a lamb shank dish that’s uniquely yours. It’s a versatile, comforting meal that invites you to make it your own and impress your taste buds!

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks

Slow Cooker Cuban Sandwiches

Tender pork, marinated in delicious seasonings and zesty citrus juice, really takes the spotlight in these tasty Slow Cooker Cuban Sandwiches. If you’re in the mood for a hearty dish packed with flavor, this recipe is a must-try! It’s sure to be a favorite for both adults and kids alike!

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Cuban Sandwiches

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.

This slow cooker chicken breasts recipe makes juicy, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for any meal! The savory seasoning blend with onions and garlic adds a delicious burst of flavor, making it a great choice for salads, sandwiches, tacos, and so much more. Enjoy!

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Crock Pot Chicken Breasts

Braised Boneless Short Ribs

Close-up of a savory beef stew with chunks of beef, carrots, and vegetables in a thick brown gravy, served over creamy mashed potatoes. This indulgent entry from our Beef Recipes collection is garnished with chopped green herbs. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This amazing recipe for Braised Boneless Short Ribs gives you incredibly succulent beef that just melts in your mouth! It’s the perfect example of comforting, heartwarming cuisine!

Get The Recipe: Braised Boneless Short Ribs

Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

A close-up of spaghetti bolognese topped with grated cheese highlights this classic ground beef recipe. The dish features spaghetti noodles mixed with a savory meat and tomato sauce, garnished with shredded cheese, creating a hearty and appetizing appearance. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Whip up this speedy Spaghetti Bolognese recipe and you’ll have a meat sauce so packed with Italian flavor, it might just start singing opera! Ready in just 30 minutes—because who has time to wait for deliciousness?

Get The Recipe: Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Veggie Lasagna Soup

A closeup of vegan lasagna soup in a bowl shows freshly chopped herbs on top and a creamy sauce. — Image Credit: Namely Marly

Cozy up with a warm bowl of vegan lasagna soup! This hearty dish brings all the delicious flavors of traditional lasagna into a comforting, slurpable form, featuring a rich tomato broth, tender pasta, and creamy vegan ricotta. Enjoy every delightful bite!

Get the recipe: Vegan Lasagna Soup

Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken

Just toss some chicken with honey, soy sauce, and other tasty ingredients, then let your slow cooker work its magic! You’ll have tender, flavorful chicken ready for you with hardly any effort—perfect for those busy weeknights!

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken

Crockpot Bulgogi Jackfruit

Bulgogi Pulled Jack Fruit is great on a sandwich! — Image Credit: Namely Marly

Enjoy the delicious, umami flavors of Korean cuisine with this slow-cooked jackfruit bulgogi! Tender jackfruit chunks are simmered in a sweet and savory sauce, packed with the delightful aromas of garlic, ginger, and sesame. It’s a fun plant-based twist on the classic Korean favorite!

Get the recipe: Crockpot Bulgogi Jackfruit

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Skip the jar! These homemade Italian meatballs are simmered in a rich spaghetti sauce, bringing you a taste of authentic Italian comfort food that you’ll love.

Get The Recipe: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Slow Cooker Curried Lentil Soup

A close-up image of a ladle scooping hearty lentil soup from a black slow cooker. The soup includes visible chunks of carrots, spinach, and lentils in a thick, rich broth—a perfect addition to your collection of slow cooker recipes. — Slow Cooker Curried Lentil Soup

This Slow Cooker Curried Lentil Soup is so quick and easy, it practically preps itself! It’s loaded with feel-good ingredients and bursting with delightful curried flavors that will have your taste buds dancing like nobody’s watching!

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Curried Lentil Soup

Greek Style Meat Sauce

A close-up view of a ladle scooping rich, reddish-brown meat sauce from a pot. The sauce is chunky and well-cooked, with visible pieces of ground meat and tomato, suggesting a hearty texture and flavorful dish. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This is a simple and classic Greek-style meat sauce made with tomatoes, perfect for tossing with pasta on those busy weeknights when you need a quick and tasty meal!

Get The Recipe: Greek Style Meat Sauce

Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash

A wooden spoon holds a serving of cheesy potato casserole, featuring tender potato chunks, bits of corn, and melted cheese, with strings of cheese pulling as the spoon is lifted. Ideal for slow cooker recipes, the background shows the edge of a white casserole dish. — Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie

Prepare yourself for a flavor fiesta! Our crockpot hamburger hash is a symphony of tender potatoes, juicy beef, and sweet corn, all swimming in a creamy mushroom sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance. And the cherry on top? A glorious layer of melted cheese that’s basically the universe saying, “Yes, please!” This hearty dish is so good, you’ll be back for seconds (or thirds) before you know it!

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash

Italian Sausage Sunday Sauce

Spaghetti and Italian Sausage with a block of cheese and grater in the background. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe is your ticket to Italian comfort food paradise! Bursting with flavor and crafted with love, it’s a delicious reminder that the best things in life are homemade—sorry, takeout!

Get The Recipe: Italian Sausage Sunday Sauce

Smothered Chicken

Close-up of a dish with tender pieces of meat simmered in a slow cooker, enveloped in a rich, thick curry sauce, and garnished with chopped cilantro. The deep orange-brown hue reflects a masterful blend of spices and flavors that only slow cooker recipes can achieve. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

You’ll love this smothered chicken recipe—it’s super easy to whip up, whether you use the stove or a slow cooker! Just imagine those tender chicken thighs swimming in a delicious gravy, perfect for all you comfort food lovers out there!

Get The Recipe: Smothered Chicken