It’s a busy time of year!
Don’t worry, I’ve gotcha covered!
This time of year brings all sorts of added rushes. Everyone has to get back into the swing of the school schedule. There is drop-off, pick-up, after school activities, sports, playdates, homework groups, music lessons…..
As a working mom, I know that added stress of packing lunches AND planning dinners everyday is enough to push a sane person over the edge. This is why I rely so heavily on my crockpot. It really is a busy family’s best friend.
So you don’t have to search around the endless recipes on Google or Pinterest, I thought I would put together a group of my favorite 30 Easy Crockpot Recipes for the family. These are all in my regular rotation and are loved by all.
If you are ever in need of MORE crockpot ideas, make sure to follow my Crockpot OBSESSED Pinterest Board. The name really does say it all 🙂
Crockpot Lasagna Soup || Family Fresh Meals
Crockpot Carnitas || Pinch of Yum
Crockpot Orange Glazed Meatballs || Family Fresh Meals
Crockpot Lasagna || Family Fresh Meals
Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore || Family Fresh Meals
Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs || Family Fresh Meals
Crockpot Stuffed Peppers || Family Fresh Meals
Creamy Tomato Slow-Cooker Chicken || Betty Crocker
Slow Cooker Ribs || Family Fresh Meals
Slow Cooker Tamale Pie || Six Sisters’ Stuff
Crockpot Sesame Chicken || Family Fresh Meals
Easy Crockpot Pasta Bake || Family Fresh Meals
Crockpot Smothered Pork || Recipes That Crock
Mexican Lasagna Stack Up || Family Fresh Meals
Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Brisket || The Country Cook
Crockpot Cool Ranch Chicken || Family Fresh Meals
The Best Crockpot BBQ Chicken || Family Fresh Meals
Slow Cooker Honey Balsamic Pork Roast Recipe || Six Sisters’ Stuff
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken and Ranch Potatoes || The Magical Slow Cooker
Slow-Cooker Cheesy Italian Tortellini || Betty Crocker
Crockpot Cheesy Chicken and Rice || Family Fresh Meals
Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Sandwiches || Betty Crocker/Family Fresh Meals
Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Brisket || The Country Cook
Slow-Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Fajitas || Betty Crocker
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff || Yummy Healthy Easy
Cheesy Crockpot Cowboy Casserole || Family Fresh Meals
Whole Roasted Chicken in the Crockpot || Family Fresh Meals
Crockpot Thai Peanut Chicken || Family Fresh Meals
Slow Cooker Bacon Ranch Chicken & Pasta || Betty Crocker/Family Fresh Meals
The Best Crockpot Beef Stew || Family Fresh Meals
Do you love soup? Make sure to check out my favorite crockpot soups!
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XO
Corey, Darryl, Big D & Little D
Here is what I used to make these 30 Easy Crockpot Recipes!
Click on the images for more details
(Post contains affiliate links)
rachel d says
FYI – you have Betty Crocker cheesy italian tortellini in there twice. LOL!!
Corey says
Haha.. It’s just that good 🙂 Thanks for catching that!
momoffour says
With four very active kids (currently juggling one kid in high school football, one playing football in two separate leagues, one playing football AND soccer, and another “just” playing soccer, a full time job, and a husband) needles to say, I’m very busy! I love LOVE my crock pot! I have recently discovered freezer meals. (Another wonderful time saver!) But even better is freezing meals for the crock pot. Have you tried making any of these recipes ahead of time and popping them in the freezer until your ready for them? I have one week left before school starts and I go back to work. I’m trying to make up as many meals as I can this week to make my life so much simpler and avoid not having an answer for the dreaded “what’s for supper?” question.
jeanine says
When I was a single mom and my children still lived at home and I worked ten hour days, I named my crock pot ‘wife’. I did my shopping and prep work on one day kept everything in rubbermaid or baggies put my meals together, and put my frozen things in the pot in the morning, came home added fresh garnishes and voila…supper. I loved my wife…
Now alone in my home, I make soup, or ribs, or something else I don’t mind eating all week, we’ve grown old and matured together… plus it’s great for parties or when my grandkids come over… put something in before we go to the beach! woo hoo
Katharine+in+Brussels says
Thank you Jeanine for these awesome tips from the trenches. You’re an inspiration!
sherry Stambaugh says
I’d like a good recipe for ribs in a crock pot, do you have one?
Corey says
I do!
http://www.familyfreshmeals.com/2012/02/slow-cooker-barbecue-ribs.html
Edward Lumm says
Mairnate Ribs over night and put in crockpot with no liquid. When done take them out and apply Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce on them they will fall off the bone.
Y Charles says
Thank you Janine!! I think I need to get “my wife” outta the cupboard …. lol
This will make my life soooo much easier …. thank you!!
Basia says
I also work 9-10 hour days, but I have never made chicken in my crockpot. Most of the recipes say cook for 6 hours, but I certainly won’t be home by then. If I leave the chicken for 9 hours on low, will it overcook too far?
Kathleen says
No it comes out super tender. I work 10 hours or more put the frozen chicken with whatever else i want in it set it to cook 10 hours and by the time I get home it’s on warm and dinners ready
Bridget says
I put my chicken in frozen (after I buy it, I open the package, take out the giblets, etc and then wrap and freeze) and it cooks up perfectly. I do the same thing with stew meat, pot roast, etc…
Tara says
I am a busy working mom and commute 30 miles for work. I have found that outlet timers work great for the meals that only need to be in the crockpot for 6-8 hours. I throw in the ingredients- usually frozen crockpot meals or semi thawed at 7 before I leave for work, and set the timer to have the crockpot turn on accordingly! Has worked wonders for our family meals!
Jill says
OMG I never thought of that, thank you so much Tara, this is utter genius!!!
Tim from NZ says
Hi Tara I had the same problem and came up with the same solution. Plug Crock pot into the wall outlet timer and set to go. Dinner comes on about 1 in the afternoon and is ready to serve at 6-7 pm. I usually let it go longer after dinner time to keep seconds hot and allow for being late home. Works a treat and the timers are cheap.
Cindy says
Back in the 1980’s, I would make freezer meals for my boys. I had trays that looked like the TV dinner trays. I didn’t have a microwave, so making meals was more time consuming. I was a single mom who worked late a lot. The boys are grown now with families of their own. They tell their wives they need to make freezer meals. They had no clue as to what that was till I told them. It’s nice to read some one else was doing the same thing.
Sharon says
Some of these recipes look really delicious (and easy – win!). My only question is that a lot of them say cook for low 4-5hrs (ish). Could it stay on warm all day? I work all day and aren’t able to turn it off after 4 hours. How will it turn out if it kept in there longer?
Corey says
Some crockpots have a timer that will switch to warm once it is done cooking. I hope that helps Sharon 🙂
Katharine+in+Brussels says
Hi Sharon, if I can add some ideas I work 12-hr shifts 2-3 weeks of the month so have the same problem. My slow cooker has an auto setting that cooks on high for 4 hours then goes to warm, but sometimes that’s still too overcooked. First, the ideal is to use stew and soup recipes with a lot of liquid, and if you really can’t stand overcooked veg to add tiny minced pieces when you get home then wait another half hour, or sauté them seperately in a pan. Another idea is to cook in quantity over the weekend–I like setting up the slow cooker and then doing the shopping to come home for dinner ready and waiting, then package up the rest to eat later. I have also been known to freeze ingredients in advance, then dump and turn on the slow cooker before running out the door. But sometimes that’s still too fast. So I started using an timer plug attachment like what one uses to turn on the lamp every evening when you’re on vacation: I set it for two hours and put in frozen ingredients but my crock pot insulates really well and 120mins later a lot is still frozen, so I could make that longer. So far I have just used that over the weekend when I’m at home since I haven’t totally got the hang of when everything thaws to room temp, and I don’t want to court food poisoning. FWIW I’m vegetarian so I don’t make anything with raw or frozen raw meat in it–and notably most veggie dishes cook faster than omnivore ones. The solutions are out there, but stay safe!
Debbie says
I’m away at work all day myself and my crockpot is not programmable so I use a timer on mine (the kind you use for your Christmas lights). It works great! It allows me to program when I want my crockpot to turn on and off that way your food is not overcooked when you get home:) Hope this helps:
Holly says
Unbelievably brilliant!
Sara says
Wow, that is so freaking easy and so smart! My crock pot it a hand me down from my Grannie so it is not programmable! I am heading to the hardware store this weekend and I am gonna cook away. Thank you, THANK you for this tip!!!
Troy says
That IS brilliant. Woohoo!
CheesyLouise says
Actually, I have cooked meat all night in a crock on just the “Keep Warm” setting and it is fully cooked. So YES you can use a lowest setting possible if you are going to be gone all day.
Karen says
I use a light timer to turn my crock pot on at a certain time. That way a breakfast meal can start cooking at midnight or 2 am and an evening meal can start cooking at 10 am or noon. We do a lot of slow cooking when we are camping and this works perfectly. We get back from riding our horses, just need to put the finishing touches on our meal and it is ready to eat.
Wanda says
A timer! That is the greatest idea! I can’t believe I never thought of that. Thanks for sharing.
Claire says
I use a timer switch. So the slow cooker comes on at lunchtime (or however long it needs to) so its ready for dinner time. So if something needs 6 hours in the slow cooker and I eat at 6pm, I set it to come on at 12 midday. My slow cooker doesn’t have a timer switch, so this is a cheaper way of doing the job 🙂
Sandra says
These all look really good, going to have to break out the crockpot and give them a go. Thanks =]
nicole says
My crock pot does not have a timer to switch to keep warm..would I be able to have the setting on keep warm all day? I am in school until 8 pm and my husband works all day too. Thanks ahead of time!
Katharine+in+Brussels says
Hi Nicole, I’m not Corey but I put a few ideas in another reply if those help 🙂
Debra says
These will come very handy thank so much these all look delish!
Rachel says
Are there good substitutes for all the cream of chicken/mushroom soups? Whole ingredients?
Corey says
Yes Rachel. My friend Laura over at MOMables has a Cream of Soup substitution recipe! See it here: http://bit.ly/diycreamofsoup
Rachel says
That’s awesome. Thank you!
Katharine+in+Brussels says
Rachel, I’ve used a recipe for ‘cream of anything soup’ from Once a Month Meals, which is actually how I found Corey’s amazing crockpot lasagne soup–always served about twice a month chez nous.
Katharine in Brussels says
Thank you Corey for this awesome roundup! Our family is yours ‘in reverse’: I’m veg and husband is not. I can make everything here, including the chicken recipes (although they won’t shred) with Quron chick’n pieces. I buy in bulk frozen so they can even be added at the same time as you add raw chick’n. And I am going to figure out how to veg that beef stew too! 🙂 Am so psyched… I have American family and friends visiting this week and was wondering what I was going to make, especially since I have kind of forgotten what we eat a lot in America. Thanks to you Corey–problem solved!
Corey says
Awesome Katharine! Can you get the veggie beef by you? There is a brand I use called Gardein and they make vegetarian friendly “beef-less beef tips”.
Kelly Hedley says
I was wondering if these meals could be made, and then frozen for quick reheat on busy week night?
Elizabeth says
Awesome post will definitely be trying these this fall… you also have honey balsamic pork roast in there twice also.
Cris says
Thanks so much for linking to our Smothered Pork!
Corey says
It looks AMAZING!
Rian says
This is a great post! Brilliant to the lady that uses a christmas light timer to turn her crock pot off!
I’ve emailed 6 different recipes to try in the next two weeks. Thank you so much for the help. I have such a hard time deciding what to make for dinner, and my husband works late two to three nights a week so it’s just me and my son. Crock pot would make it easy to keep it warm for him when he gets home.
Karina says
I see that it’s been asked but not answered yet. These meals look great, but can they be prepped then frozen so that we can just pop them in the crockpot in the morning for those busy days? Please respond if you have tried it this way. Thanks!
Corey says
I have not made any of these as freezer meals myself. Can anyone else who has please let us know which ones work for this method?
Tanya says
I love having these recipes all in one place so I was happy to follow you on Pinterest.
I’m not sure if every working parent is able to, but I took my crock pot to work with me! I was making something that i knew would overcook before I got home, so I filled it it in the morning and stashed it in the work fridge. Around noon I plugged it in at my desk and it was pretty much done by the time the day ended. There wasn’t any waiting for dinner that night!
Susan Johnson says
where can I buy the book
Jackie Walker says
Thanks for all the great recipes. I don’t know why everyone keeps saying “crock pot season is coming” or “this fall”. I use my crock pot all year round. It really helps to keep from heating the kitchen to unbearable on a hot summers day. (BBQ grill is the only thing that works better but alot of times I don’t feel like standing outside on a hot day either.) I own 3 crock pots & sometimes use all 3 for Holiday meals. They help keep me out of the kitchen & enjoying family &/or friends. Before my crock pots, I slaved all day in the kitchen while my family enjoyed the holidays!
Corey says
I totally agree Jackie! I love to use the crockpot all year round to keep the kitchen cool 🙂
Erin says
Just added this link to my favorites! I currently do not have a stove.. Just a crock pot and a toaster oven!! Plus a 8 month old and a busy job! I could get everything ready the night before and toss it in on my lunch! By the time I get off everything would be done and yummy!!
Lauren says
They all look so good, hard to chose.
Ali says
COOL RANCH CROCKPOT CHICKEN IS MY FAVORITE! Yes, it needs to be in all caps because it makes me THAT excited. I found that first one in Pinterest and have made it half a dozen times. Excited to follow your blog!
Gemma says
My crockpot has two settings: low and high. I assume the cook times given in your recipes refer to the high setting? And if so, can cook time just be increased if the low setting is used? By how much?
Corey says
It will say in the recipe if your should cook on HIGH or LOW. Some have settings for both listed in the recipe if I have tested it both ways. If you find a particular recipe you have a question on, just let me know 🙂
Heather says
Question about the orange glazed meatballs… If you make your own from scratch should they go in he crock pot frozen or fresh?
Alma Dunham says
How can I pin the whole crockpot recipes?
Tiffany Jarrett says
Is there a way to print all of the recipes so I can have the collection to make a cookbook with these recipes?
April Davis says
Yes me too! I would like printable ones too!
April Davis says
I was wondering do you have a shopping list/ingredient price breakdown?? Plus can all of these recipes be frozen to be heated later in the crock pot? These are amazing meals! Thank you for sharing them!
Annabell Manners says
I have had my crockpot for probably 5 years……. i found your website the other night by googled crockpot recipes and so far I have made, the sesame chicken, very easy and delicious! Avocado Chicken Enchiladas easy and delicious and tomorrow is the BBQ chicken, after that I want to try the Thai chicken. I am a married working Mum of 2 boys, a 4 year old and an 11 month old so I am always on the go and its always hard to decide wants for dinner. I am so happy I found your site! Thanks Corey!
Corey says
Thank you so much for your kind words Annabell! I am so happy to hear you are enjoying my recipes. That truly made my day. 🙂
D Wells says
Just an idea ladies…they make timers you can plug lamps into so your lights turn on/shut off depending on what time you set it to. I also work long hours and just plug my crockpot (which doesn’t have a built in timer) into the store-bought timer. Hope that makes sense? When I get home I just turn it on for a little while to heat the food.
Joann says
Just a note with the holidays coming. I use my crockpot to “make” my precooked ham. It keeps my oven free and the ham is delicious and the house smells great all day! I have also taken this to work pot lucks and plugged it in the morning and the ham is hot by lunchtime!
Peggy says
Made the ribs tonight…thank you Corey…they were delicious!
Corey says
Thanks Peggy
m0mmy3203 says
Hi It’s just me & my husband so most of these meals would make more than enough for us. Any suggestions on freezing these recipes & then cooking or cook 1st then freeze leftovers????? Thanks
jen says
Just wondering about all the comments regarding adding frozen meat to the crockpot. I read recently that it is really not recommended to add frozen meat, especially chicken, because the time it takes the meat to thaw and then heat up is a major risk for food poisoning. Any thoughts? I always added frzn meat but now worried about the risk.
Trish says
So many yummy recipes. I definitely want to add a couple to this week’s menu plan.
Meghan says
Thank you so much for sharing these recipes! So far I’ve tried 8 of them and they have all been amazing! I can’t wait to try the rest 🙂
Sandra says
Wow the bbq chicken and ranch potatoes where sooo yummy my boyfriend loved them thanks its gonna be a keeper.
Mom2Girls says
These are ALL meat-heavy, which is disappointing. I was really hoping to find something, anything, without meat. We only have 1 meat-eater in our house and the rest of us need decent meal ideas, too!
Corey says
I am sorry you are disappointed 🙁 I have a vegetarian hubby and make many of these vegetarian friendly by subbing in a vegetarian protein, beans, or baked tofu. Please shoot me an email if you need help adapting anything.
Marley says
This is a great collection of recipes. They all actually look good appetizing.
My question has been brought up earlier, just looking for more detail, – I’m away from my house 10-11 hours like many mentioned. I do not like the idea of raw food sitting in the crockpot from 7am-10am before beginning to cook.
But – if I set it in the morning to cook on low for 6-8 hours, and then automatically switch to warm. What’s the rule of thumb for how long it can sit on warm for? 2hrs, 5 hrs, trial and error?
Terri says
many crockpot recipes call for a 3-4 quart pot and I only have a 6 quart one. Are there any adjustments that should be made in cooking in a larger size pot? I’ve heard that the crockpot should be at least 1/2 full for things to cook correctly.
Corey, your recipes sound so great…..will try ribs and beef stew this week.
Corey says
Most of mine are for a 6qt, if that helps. You can always double the recipe and just freeze the leftovers for meals later too 🙂
Jerome Jassenoff says
All Well and good ! However, I am a diabetic 2 an d ATF ( Coumadin) Patient and am in need of foods that address these problems, In the case of addressing my Diabetic 2 situation I have to know the counts on calories, carbohydrates, sugar, sodium. In the case of ATF I am not allowed broccoli, spinach, heavy greens, so, can you help me ?
RSVP Jerome
Stacey says
All of your recipes sound so delicious; I can’t wait to try them with my family! I would love to purchase the 30 Easy Crockpot Recipes as an ebook or paperback. Any chance that will happen? I’d much rather download all of them at once or get a book! 🙂 Thank you for your time!
Corey says
Thanks Stacey!
An ebook will hopefully be in my future 🙂 Stay tuned 🙂
Stacey says
Hooray!! 🙂 Please email me when it does. Thank you!
Lea says
Me too .
Laurie says
For the stuffed pepper crockpot recipe…do you brown the meat first or do you just mix the raw meat with everything and put it in the peppers to cook? Thanks
Corey says
You start with raw meat Laurie. It will cook inside the pepper 🙂
Kelly says
Corey, you officially made me a crockpot master! Thank you for all the great recipes, I love your website! My favorite is the bbq chicken!! So good!! 🙂
Corey says
You are the sweetest Kelly! I am so happy you are loving my recipes 🙂
Tiffany says
I have tried a few different recipes that you have posted and every single one was great! Thank you so much for sharing these!
Corey says
Thanks Tiffany!
Andrea wallin says
I would be interested in what brand/size of crock pot you have, or any recommendations you might be able to make. I am a teacher and want to utilize my crock pot more often, but am frequently gone 8-10 hours. My food is often overcooked–even on low.
Lori says
Can you please repost the Slow Cooker Taco Pasta recipe or send me the ingredients/measurements – I just received my bulk order of the El Paso sauce that I ordered in bulk specifically so I could try this recipe because it looks and sounds amazing and now it is not posted 🙁
Ps I am cooking my way through all you’re crockpot recipes. They are all delicious!!
Corey says
I am sorry that is not showing up Lori. I’ll contact Betty Crocker about that, and in the mean time, I’ll email you the recipe today 🙂
Janet says
Corey, I too was interested in the slow cooker taco pasta. Could I ask you to email me the complete recipe too?
Thanks in advance
Janet
Corey says
Yep! I’ll do that now 🙂
Vicky says
Wow! Saved and Pinned! Thank you 🙂
Michelle @ Modern Acupuncture says
Another great list! I’m not a great cook… but the crockpot I can totally handle! Very excited to try the Thai Peanut Chicken!
Ruben LeBlanc says
Any Cajun Recipes?
Erica says
I recently fell in love with my Crockpot. I’m behind the game I know, but as a single mom, student and working 2 jobs I felt like my only options were to cook after a long day or eat out. Someone suggested I try the Crockpot, and my life is forever changed. I came across your blog on a google search and I am so excited to try out some of these recipes! I’m on a 30 day Crockpot binge, and was running out of ideas, so thank you for sharing! XO
Shelia says
Do you have a recipe book? I would like all these crock pot recipes without the ads getting in the way.
Corey says
I don’t at the moment Shelia, but hopefully in the future!