10+ Quick Crockpot Recipes for Effortless Home Cooking
Quick crockpot recipes make cooking meals easy and stress-free. With just a little preparation, you can set your slow cooker and let it do the work while you go about your day. These recipes save you time and effort, allowing you to enjoy delicious meals without the fuss.
Whether you’re a busy parent, a working individual, or simply someone who wants to enjoy homemade food without spending hours in the kitchen, quick crockpot recipes are perfect for you. They offer a variety of tasty options that can satisfy any palate. From hearty soups to flavorful stews, you’ll find meals that warm you up and please your taste buds.
1) Chicken Pesto Sandwiches
Making Chicken Pesto Sandwiches in your crockpot is easy and fun. You’ll enjoy the delicious flavors of pesto with tender chicken. It’s perfect for a quick meal any day of the week.
To start, you need chicken breasts and your favorite pesto. Add these to the slow cooker, and don’t forget a pinch of salt and pepper for flavor. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
Once the chicken is tender, shred it with two forks. You can serve the shredded chicken on your favorite bread. Add cheese, tomatoes, or greens to make it even better.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 8 oz pesto
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Bread or rolls for serving
Cooking Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- Add pesto, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours (about 190-204°F or 88-96°C).
- Shred chicken with forks.
- Serve on bread or rolls.
2) Three-Ingredient Beef Tacos
Making three-ingredient beef tacos is simple and quick. You only need a few ingredients and a slow cooker. This meal is perfect for busy days.
To start, gather your ingredients. You can use ground beef, taco seasoning, and salsa. These three items come together to create a tasty and satisfying dish.
Place the ground beef in your slow cooker. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the meat and pour in the salsa. Mix everything well.
Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. Once finished, shred the beef with a fork and serve it in warm tortillas. Add your favorite toppings like cheese or lettuce.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
Cooking Instructions
- Place ground beef in the slow cooker.
- Add taco seasoning on top.
- Pour salsa over the beef.
- Mix well.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Shred beef and serve in tortillas.
3) Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Slow cooker butter chicken is a creamy and flavorful dish that’s simple to make. You can enjoy the taste of authentic Indian cuisine right at home. It’s perfect for busy days when you want a delicious meal without too much hassle.
To prepare, start by adding ginger, garlic, and spices to your slow cooker. Then, mix in tomato sauce and a bit of sugar to balance the flavors. Don’t forget to add the butter on top for that rich taste!
Cook on high for about 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. Enjoy your tender chicken with rice or naan for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (900 g) chicken thighs
- 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce
- 1 cup (240 ml) coconut milk
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) yogurt
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Place chicken in the slow cooker.
- Add tomato sauce, coconut milk, yogurt, onion, garlic, and curry powder.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Scatter butter on top.
- Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
- Serve with rice or naan.
4) Crockpot Lasagna Soup
Crockpot Lasagna Soup is a comforting dish that brings the flavors of traditional lasagna into a cozy soup. It’s perfect for busy days when you want something warm and filling.
You start by browning ground beef in a skillet. After that, you’ll combine it with other ingredients in your crockpot. This recipe typically takes about 4 to 8 hours to cook on low.
The best part? You don’t need to boil the noodles beforehand. Just add them straight into the pot.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar marinara sauce (about 24 ounces)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups uncooked lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat.
- Drain excess fat and transfer beef to the crockpot.
- Add marinara sauce, beef broth, noodles, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Stir well and cover.
- Cook on low for 4 to 8 hours.
- Before serving, stir in ricotta and sprinkle mozzarella on top. Enjoy!
5) Simple Pulled Pork
Making simple pulled pork in your crockpot is easy and delicious. You can enjoy tender, flavorful meat with minimal effort.
Start with a pork shoulder. Season it well with your favorite spices. Place it in the slow cooker with some onions and barbecue sauce.
Cook it on low for about 8 hours (around 175°C). The pork should reach an internal temperature of at least 200°F (93°C). This helps make it extra tender.
Once it’s done, shred the pork with two forks. Mix it in with the juices for added flavor, and it’s ready to serve on buns or rice.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Cooking Instructions
- Season the pork shoulder with salt and pepper.
- Place the chopped onion in the slow cooker.
- Add the pork shoulder on top of the onion.
- Pour the barbecue sauce over the pork.
- Cook on low for 8 hours until tender.
- Shred the pork and mix with the juices before serving.
6) Cheesy Potato Casserole
You will love this tasty Cheesy Potato Casserole. It’s easy to make and perfect for any meal. Just throw everything into the crockpot and let it cook.
Start with frozen hash browns and mix in some cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup. You can even add bacon for extra flavor. This dish is creamy and cheesy, making it a top choice for dinner or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen hash brown potatoes
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: cooked bacon pieces
Cooking Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together.
- Pour the mixture into your crockpot.
- Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours (or high for 3 to 4 hours).
- Serve warm and enjoy!
7) Hearty Beef Stew
Hearty beef stew is a warm and comforting meal perfect for chilly days. It is made with tender beef, potatoes, carrots, and flavorful broth. You can throw everything in the crockpot and let it cook.
Start by cutting your beef into chunks. Brown the beef in a pan for added flavor. Then, add it to your slow cooker with chopped vegetables and seasonings.
For a rich taste, include red wine and beef broth. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Your beef stew will be ready when the beef is tender and the flavors meld together.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into chunks
- 4 potatoes, diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon thyme
Cooking Instructions
- Brown the beef in a skillet.
- Place the beef in the crockpot.
- Add diced potatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic.
- Pour in beef broth and red wine.
- Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
8) Tangy BBQ Chicken
Tangy BBQ Chicken is a great choice for a quick and tasty meal. You can use chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe. The slow cooker makes it super easy to prepare.
For this dish, you’ll need BBQ sauce, Italian dressing, and a touch of brown sugar. These ingredients combine perfectly to create a delicious flavor.
Just place the chicken in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over it. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours until it’s tender.
Shred the chicken when it’s done, and enjoy it on sandwiches or with rice.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Cooking Instructions
- Place chicken in the slow cooker.
- Pour BBQ sauce, Italian dressing, and brown sugar over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours (about 75 to 85 degrees Celsius).
- Shred the chicken and serve.
9) Vegetable Curry Delight
Vegetable Curry Delight is a simple and tasty meal that you can make in your crockpot. It’s packed with flavor and uses fresh vegetables. This recipe is perfect for busy days when you need something delicious without much effort.
You can use a mix of vegetables like sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and spinach. Adding chickpeas boosts the protein content and makes it more filling. The creamy coconut milk gives it a rich taste that you’ll love.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sweet potatoes, diced
- 1 cup cauliflower florets
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 can chickpeas, drained
- 1 can coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Add all the vegetables and chickpeas to your crockpot.
- Pour in the coconut milk and add the curry powder.
- Stir gently to combine and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours (or on high for 3-4 hours). Enjoy your meal!
10) Savory Ham and Lentil Soup
You’ll love this hearty and comforting Savory Ham and Lentil Soup. It’s perfect for chilly days and great for using leftover ham. The lentils add a nice texture and are packed with protein.
Start by placing all your ingredients in the crockpot. As it cooks, the flavors meld together beautifully. You can enjoy it with crusty bread or a simple salad, making a balanced meal.
This soup is not only easy to make but also satisfying. It’s sure to warm you up and fill your belly!
Ingredients
- 2 cups lentils, uncooked
- 1 large ham hock or 2 cups diced ham
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 6 cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the crockpot.
- Add 6 cups of chicken broth.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours (around 95-105°C) or on high for 3-4 hours (around 105-120°C).
- Remove the bay leaf before serving. Enjoy!