40 Crockpot Dinner Ideas to Inspire Your Next Meal

Slow cookers are a great way to make tasty, low stress meals. With a slow cooker, you simply add your ingredients, set a timer, and let the Crockpot do the rest. You can make enough to feed your whole family or make a large batch of your favorite recipe to freeze for later. Plus, the possibilities of Crockpot meals are endless. Pastas, soups, and chicken wings are just a few recipes worth trying. Read ahead for 40 Crockpot dinner ideas you can make at home.

40 Crockpot dinner recipes for every taste

• 1. Buffalo chicken lettuce wraps

These buffalo chicken lettuce wraps are the perfect low-carb, high-protein meal. This recipe is also gluten and dairy-free, and only contains eight ingredients. All you'll need is chicken breasts, celery, an onion, garlic, chicken broth, cayenne pepper sauce, lettuce, and shredded carrots. You can also replace the lettuce with a bun or crackers for a higher carb option.

• 2. Garlic parmesan chicken

This garlic parmesan chicken and potatoes takes 15 minutes to prep and contains less than 10 ingredients. Before tossing your ingredients into the Crockpot, you'll need to cook your chicken in a skillet until golden, about three minutes each side. Then, add your potatoes, butter, garlic, parsley, thyme, parmesan and chicken to the slow cooker. Cook on high for four hours or on low for eight.

• 3. Slow cooker pizza

Instead of throwing a pre-made frozen pizza in the oven for a quick weeknight meal, create your own homemade one in the Crockpot. Start by spraying the bottom and sides of your Crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Then, press your pizza dough into the slow cooker, ensuring the bottom is fully covered. Top with pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings and cook on low for three to four hours.

• 4. Tuscan white bean soup

This comforting, hearty vegetarian soup is the perfect meal to come home to on a cold day. It's also high in protein and fiber, and low in fat. This recipe calls for carrots, celery, kale, white beans, diced tomatoes, garlic, and vegetable stock. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook for four hours on high or on low for eight hours, until the vegetables are tender.

• 5. Barbacoa beef tacos

This beef chuck roast is slow cooked for eight hours in herbs and spices, giving it a bold flavor that'll have your tastebuds dancing. You can serve with tortillas, rice and beans, or if you're following a low-carb diet, throw it into a salad.

• 6. Cornbread chili

Combine two cold-weather staples into one delicious dish with this simple to prepare recipe. You'll cook your chili on high for three hours before adding cornbread mix. Cook for one additional hour and serve with your favorite toppings.

• 7. Slow cooker ribs

Enjoy sweet and tangy, low-fuss ribs with the help of your Crockpot. Just place the ribs in your slow cooker, cover them in barbecue sauce, and cook on low for eight hours or on high for four. You can use your favorite brand of sauce, or make your own with brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar and spices.

• 8. Onion soup-mix pot roast

Make a flavorful, tender pot roast with only six ingredients. All you need is chuck roast, gold potatoes, onion, carrots, water, and dried onion soup. Combine your ingredients and set your slow cooker on low for eight hours.

• 9. Ratatouille

Get your daily dose of vegetables with this family-friendly slow cooker recipe. Ratatouille calls for bell peppers, green and yellow zucchini, onion, potatoes, marinara, and a blend of seasoning. Once cooked, you can enjoy leftovers for up to five days.

• 10. Mustard pork chops

Make dinner for four with only a few ingredients and minimal prep time. You'll need boneless pork loin chops, flour, whole-grain mustard, honey, shallot, and a Fuji apple. Cook for roughly three hours, then serve over grits or rice.

• 11. Mac and cheese

Slow cooker mac and cheese is perfect for a potluck, family dinner, or as leftovers. You'll need heavy cream, eggs, shredded cheese and elbow macaroni, but you can easily substitute the noodles for a gluten-free alternative.

• 12. French dip sandwich

Create a French dip sandwich with the help of your slow cooker. This recipe only requires 10 minutes of prep and six ingredients - roast beef, provolone cheese, toasty bread, and a mix of au jus, Italian dressing mix and beef broth for the savory dipping sauce.

• 13. Buffalo chicken wings

These wings are simple, stress-free, and only take five minutes to prepare. All you need is bone-in chicken wings, butter, garlic, and buffalo sauce. If you're not a Buffalo sauce fan, substitute barbecue, garlic Parmesan, or whatever flavor suits your preference.

• 14. Chicken and dumpling soup

Make this classic recipe for your next family dinner. This soup is made with a traditional base of chicken with vegetables and broth. Instead of noodles, though, it features comforting doughy dumplings.

• 15. Beef stroganoff

Savor this flavorful and filling hearty beef recipe. The creamy sauce is made with flour, butter, sour cream, mustard, dry vermouth, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook on high for three to four hours or on low between four and six hours. Serve on top of egg noodles.

• 16. Parmesan spinach meatballs

These Parmesan spinach meatballs are packed with protein and even contain some hidden greens. You'll need marinara, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic, sweet Italian sausage, ground beef and spinach. Pair these with pasta, or a light salad for a low-carb option. You can also skip the breadcrumbs if you follow a gluten-free diet.

• 17. Jambalaya

If you're in the mood for something a little spicy, this recipe combines shrimp, chicken, sausage and creole seasoning in the slow cooker with rice, peppers, and tomato sauce. Jambalaya can be stored in the fridge for up to three days or freeze and enjoy on a later date.

• 18. Tuscan chicken

This rich Tuscan chicken recipe combines juicy tender chicken breast with a Parmesan and sundried tomato sauce. It's fresh, tasty, and requires very little prep.

• 19. Breakfast casserole

Breakfast foods don't have to be eaten only in the morning. This Crockpot sausage, hashbrown, and egg bake makes the perfect breakfast-for-dinner meal. It's a dump-and-go recipe that only contains seven ingredients, and takes three to four hours to cook on high.

• 20. Sweet potato and peanut soup

Step outside your comfort zone with this vegetarian-friendly spiced sweet potato soup. This savory soup calls for sweet potatoes with fresh ginger, cinnamon, diced tomatoes, and peanut butter.

• 21. Teriyaki beef

All you need is beef stew meat, teriyaki sauce, and an onion to create this dish. Set your slow cooker on high for four hours. Then pair your meat with rice and steamed veggies.

• 22. Sloppy Joes

You can't go wrong with this crowd-pleasing sandwich. Add ground beef, onion, and bell peppers to your slow cooker, along with a well-seasoned tomato sauce. After cooking on low for three hours, place your meat into a toasted bun with a slice of cheddar cheese and enjoy.

• 23. Meatloaf and baked potatoes

Looking for a low effort, satisfying dinner? You can make meatloaf and baked potatoes all together in your Crockpot. Prep a well-balanced, protein-rich meal in just 20 minutes that'll be ready for you when the clock reaches dinner time.

• 24. Black bean soup

Black bean soup combines black beans, chiles, and spices. Add ham or other vegetables such as carrots for extra flavor, and cook on high for four to five hours. To elevate your soup even more, top it with Mexican crema, jalapenos and a spoonful of fresh pico de gallo.

• 25. Cheeseburger tater tot casserole

You'll need to do a little bit more prep work than with most slow cooker recipes, but this casserole is worth the extra steps. After cooking your meat in a separate pan, you'll pour over a layer of tater tots, then cover with a layer of gooey cheese.

• 26. Vegan tacos with walnuts

These vegan walnut tacos are filled with fiber, healthy fats, protein, and nutritious plants. One serving contains 17 grams of fat, 18 grams of protein, and four grams of fiber. Add this 'vegan meat' to a corn tortilla and top with fresh slaw for the perfect flavorful dish.

• 27. Blueberry crisp

Craving something sweet for dinner? This crisp combines fresh blueberries with lemon, sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter. You can also modify the crisp topping with gluten-free ingredients. Cook on high for an hour and 30 minutes for the perfect warm, berry-bursting sweet treat.

• 28. Chicken tacos with avocado-cilantro sauce

These tacos might taste like they took hours to prep, but in reality the Crockpot does most of the work. To cook the chicken breasts, all you need is salt, salsa of your choosing, and taco seasoning - it's that simple. Add to a warm tortilla and top with the avocado cilantro sauce, which you can make in a blender or food processor, to take these tacos to the next level.

• 29. Summer beef stew

It's the same idea as a winter beef stew, but bursting with bright seasonal vegetables, including zucchini, bell peppers, and fresh basil. Top with a dash of Parmesan cheese for a hearty yet light summer stew that's packed with protein.

• 30. Greek chicken

This slow cooker Greek chicken is friendly for Whole30, keto, and gluten-free diets. You'll need boneless chicken thighs, Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, an onion, spices, and feta. You can serve this alone, or with rice, potatoes, or cauliflower rice.

• 31. Tuna noodle casserole

This recipe is full of veggies, high in protein, and has a rich cream sauce. It only takes 25 minutes to prep and cooks in four hours on low setting.

• 32. French toast casserole

Whether it's a hectic weeknight or a lazy weekend, this recipe will hit the spot any time. All you need is brioche bread, pecans, eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. If you're dairy-free or gluten-free, you can also substitute for gluten-free bread or plant-based milk.

• 33. Stuffed shells

Pipe pasta shells with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese, then layer with pasta sauce and meat in your slow cooker. You can opt for ground beef, sweet Italian sausage, or go meatless. This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and three hours to cook on high setting.

• 34. Butter chicken

Made with seasoned chicken and a velvety curry sauce, this slow cooker favorite will fill your house with an appetizing aroma. Once the chicken is cooked, pair it with naan or a sticky white rice for the ultimate mouth-watering comfort dish.

• 35. Sausage and peppers

Looking for a meal that you can use throughout the week? All you need is Italian sausage links, bell peppers, onion, marinara sauce, garlic, and Italian seasoning. You can create tons of variations with this dish by pairing it with pasta, rice or throw it into a wrap for a meal on-the-go.

• 36. Hawaiian chicken

Enjoy a tropical getaway without leaving your kitchen. This recipe combines sweet pineapple flavors with a smokey barbeque twist. You only need three ingredients - boneless chicken breasts, crushed pineapple, and barbeque sauce. Throw it all into the Crockpot and let it cook on high for roughly two hours.

• 37. Chicken alfredo

Toss your chicken, dairy products, and seasonings into the Crockpot, and cook on high for four hours. Shred your chicken and add pasta for 30 more minutes and voila! You've got a classic pasta dish that only took half the effort.

• 38. Cheesy Kielbasa

For this recipe, you'll need a kielbasa, diced potatoes, heavy whipping cream, a can of cheddar cream soup, chicken broth, cheese, and seasonings. Although it's a dinner recipe, it pairs perfectly with eggs in the morning.

• 39. Apple oatmeal

A hearty breakfast-for-dinner that tastes like dessert? Yes, please. This oatmeal includes a delicious brown sugar, apple, and cinnamon topping. You can also go the extra mile and add raisins or a splash of milk for the perfect warm, comforting, and sweet meal.

• 40. Steak bites

Steak bites are a great protein option if you're looking for something easy and don't want to cook a full steak. For this recipe, all you'll need is skirt steak, garlic, a sweet onion, beef stock, gravy mix, butter, and parsley for a garnish. Place the ingredients into a slow cooker for four hours on high. Then plate over a bed of mashed potatoes for the perfect weeknight meal.

If you don't have time to cook, allow Meal Village to do it for you

Although Crockpot dinners can come in handy, sometimes even these recipes take more time to prepare than you have available. Luckily, Meal Village can do the cooking for you. With over 130 weekly recipes, you can find the right meals that fit your lifestyle and taste buds. Just find your meals, then order them online or over the phone. There are no commitments or subscriptions - just tasty meals delivered right to your door.