• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Get our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide
freezer meal quick start guide

Get Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide

Loading

 

About
Free Resources
Contact

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

YouTube

TikTok

Thriving Home

Food & Lifestyle

  • Recipe Index
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch & Dinner
      • Sides & Salads
      • Soups & Chilis
      • Appetizers
      • Snacks
      • Desserts
      • Baked Goods
      • Beverages
      • Condiments
    • Method
      • Freezer Meals
      • Stovetop
      • Oven
      • Slow Cooker
      • Instant Pot
      • Grill or Smoker
      • 6 Ingredients or Less
    • Diet
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
      • Vegetarian
    • Ingredients
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Pasta & Pizza
    • Holiday
      • Birthday
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentine's Day
    • All Recipes
  • Freezer Cooking
    • Start Here
    • Freezer Meal Recipes
    • 1 Hour Freezer Prep
    • Cookbooks
  • Menu Plans
  • Shop
    • Cookbooks
    • 1 Hour Freezer Prep
    • Shop Our Favorites
    • Gift Guides
Search...
Home Recipe Round-Ups

20+ Easy Crock Pot Recipes

Rachel Tiemeyer
By: Rachel TiemeyerPosted: 7/21/23Updated: 9/20/23

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

One of my secrets to low-stress family dinners or hosting a crowd is to utilize this list of easy crock pot recipes. These recipes allow me to work ahead and then relax during dinner. You’re going to love these well-tested meals!

Table of Contents
  • 20+ Easy Crock Pot Recipes
  • Crock Pot FAQ’s
  • Love These Easy Crock Pot Recipes? Try Our Cookbook!
  • Need to Feed a Large Group?

20+ Easy Crock Pot Recipes

We love crock pot recipes so much, we even wrote a cookbook full of delicious slow cooker (and Instant Pot) recipes: From Freezer to Cooker. You can also find our cookbook on Amazon. If you don’t find a crock pot recipe in this list that hits the spot, be sure to check out our cookbook!

Slow cooker cooking times chart on a clipboard.

Slow Cooker Cooking Times Chart

We spent years testing slow cooker timing for various recipes for our second cookbook. We put all our knowledge into one handy printable cheat sheet for you. Never overcook (or undercook) a crock pot meal again!

Download Now
Slow cooker cooking times chart on a clipboard.

Loading

Whether you’re searching for crock pot party food or just some really good family crock pot recipes, you’ve come to the right place! These easy recipes are all tried and true ones we’ve used in our homes for years.

Chicken parmesan sliders on a cutting board.

Chicken Parmesan Sliders

This might be the easiest recipe of all for a crowd or simple weeknight meal. Simply dump raw chicken breasts (that’s right, no precooking!), marinara sauce, and a little seasoning into the crock pot, and you’ll have a delicious sandwich filling in a few hours. Kids love this one, too.

Chicken Parmesan Sliders
Pulled Pork sandwich and coleslaw on a plate with a small bowl of homemade BBQ sauce next to it.

Crockpot Pulled Pork

I love how easy and budget-friendly this slow cooker meal is for a group or for a family on a budget. Serve with our Killer Homemade BBQ Sauce and 5 Ingredient Coleslaw on the side.

Crockpot Pulled Pork
Cooked chicken drumsticks on a serving platter with steamed broccoli.

Crockpot Drumsticks

These drumsticks require only 4 pantry ingredients and come out moist and delicious every time. Not only are they gluten-free and dairy-free, but they work great as a make-ahead freezer meal too. All ages love these.

Crockpot Drumsticks
Breakfast Casserole in a Crockpot on a wooden cutting board

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole with Bacon and Gruyere

Everyone loves breakfast for dinner! Guests will oooh and ahhhh over this gourmet casserole at your next brunch or holiday gathering. Its depth of flavor and beautiful color come from the bacon, onions, garlic, kale, roasted red peppers, and Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses. Bonus: It’s naturally gluten-free.

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
Three carnitas tacos on a plate with toppings in bowls in the background.

Slow Cooker Crispy Carnitas

This is the type of recipe our readers go crazy over. Slow Cooker Carnitas are a dump-and-go crock pot meal that is easy, freezes well before or after cooking, and feeds an army.

Slow Cooker Crispy Carnitas
tortilla soup in multiple bowls

Crockpot Tortilla Soup

This dump-and-go Tortilla Soup is one of the easiest and cheapest you’ll ever make. Almost every ingredient comes straight from your pantry and is quite healthy. We love it so much that we included it in our cookbook, From Freezer to Cooker.

Crockpot Tortilla Soup
Whole wheat spaghetti with meat sauce served on a plate with fresh parsley on top.

Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce

With only 6 main ingredients, this Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce couldn’t be easier or tastier! Serve over pasta, zoodles, or spaghetti squash for a delicious and healthy dinner.

Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce
Honey Bourbon Chicken with stir-fried veggies on a white serving platter.

Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Chicken

A little sweet and a little spicy, this EASY Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Chicken recipe is BIG on flavor and takes just minutes. It’s a fan favorite and, of course, freezer-friendly!

Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Chicken
Crockpot Mexican Chicken served in a white bowl with avocado chunks, shredded cheese, and chopped cilantro on top.

Crockpot Mexican Chicken

This creamy, comforting dish makes for a delicious, healthy, and EASY meal. Serve over brown rice with your favorite Mexican toppings. Freezer meal instructions included, so you can double the batch and have another later.

Crockpot Mexican Chicken
Cooked roast in a crockpot with potatoes and carrots around the edges waiting to be served.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

This Slow Cooker Pot Roast yields a tender, shredded chuck roast with baby Yukon gold potatoes and carrots smothered in a velvety, complex-tasting brown gravy. No cream soups or gravy packets here! Just real food goodness that’ll have you asking for seconds!

Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Mexican Soup served in a bowl with avocado chunks, tortilla chips, and a slice of lime on top with tortilla chips on the side.

Crowd Pleaser Mexican Soup

This Mexican Soup recipe is one of those tried and true recipes that I’ve been making for years and years. It’s easy, super flavorful, freezer friendly, and makes a huge batch.

Crowd Pleaser Mexican Soup
French dip sandwiches on a baking sheet with a crock of au jus.

Crockpot French Dip

There’s no getting around the truth–this easy Crockpot French Dip sandwich recipe is absolutely mouthwatering! Perfect for busy nights or to serve to groups. As always, we’ll show you how to prep this meal ahead for the freezer, too.

Crockpot French Dip
Chicken Taquitos piled on a serving platter with avocado lime salsa on top.

Creamy Chicken Taquitos

The great thing about this meal is you can make it in advance and toast them in the oven right before you’re ready to eat. Set them out with an assortment of toppings like salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, or sour cream. You can also serve with our colorful Fiesta Chopped Salad and some tortilla chips.

Creamy Chicken Taquitos
Chicken and dumplings served in a bowl with chopped parsley on top.

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings in the crock pot? Yes! It can be done! This classic comfort food will fill your home with delicious smells as it simmers for hours in the slow cooker.

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings
overhead shot of balsamic shredded beef

Slow Cooker Balsamic Shredded Beef

This freezer-friendly recipe is a win for my family and is a great recipe for large groups. Serve this dump-and-go meal over mashed potatoes or polenta for the perfect Sunday dinner.

Slow Cooker Balsamic Shredded Beef
Chicken pot pie filling in a bowl with a biscuit on top.

Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie

Our Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie recipe with a secret “flavor bomb” ingredient is creamy, dreamy, and super easy to make. Plus, it’s healthier than most versions and freezer-friendly, too. My family will eat the chicken and veggie filling with or without the homemade biscuits on top–it’s that good.

Cheddar and bacon potato soup in a bowl with chopped scallions and bacon on top.

Slow Cooker Cheddar and Bacon Potato Soup

When the air turns crisp and the leaves start to change, making a comforting batch of Cheddar and Bacon Potato Soup is mandatory. Using the slow cooker means your home will smell cozy and delicious, too!

Slow Cooker Potato Soup
BBQ shredded beef sandwich on a plate with corn on the cob and grapes.

Crock Pot BBQ Beef Sandwiches

A crowd-pleasing dinner doesn’t get much easier than our Crock Pot BBQ Beef Sandwiches, which is a dump-and-go slow cooker recipe. The cooking method and spice mixture yields super flavorful and tender BBQ shredded beef that goes well with our Homemade BBQ Sauce.

Crock Pot BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Three bowls of no peek stew with crusty bread in them.

No Peek Stew

This dump-and-go meal takes minutes to put together in the slow cooker and cooks on LOW for about 8 hours. Serve up with some crusty bread and a side salad for a homestyle dinner.

No Peek Stew
Healthy Turkey Chili with Sweet Potatoes and Black Beans served in a white bowl with a dollop of sour cream.

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili with Sweet Potato and Black Beans

This lean, healthy turkey chili is not only hearty and absolutely delicious, but it’s also chock full of fiber, protein, and nutrients. It’s also gluten-free & dairy-free! This crockpot chili is delicious fresh but is also a great make ahead meal.

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
bowl of white chicken chili with toppings

Crockpot White Chicken Chili

This healthy Crockpot White Chicken Chili recipe is a little lighter than others yet still so comforting and packed with flavor! It’s also gluten-free, dairy-free, and freezer-friendly.

Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Pumpkin spice latte being poured into a white mug with cookies sitting on a plate next to it.

Crock Pot Pumpkin Spice Latte

This homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe is EASY to make and is my go-to drink when entertaining in the fall or winter. It’s made with REAL ingredients from your pantry and everyone is amazed that it’s made in a slow cooker. Serve this with our Snickerdoodle Cookies, and you’ll be in heaven!

Crock Pot Pumpkin Spice Latte
Pizza soup served in a white bowl with shredded Parmesan on top and garlic bread slices on the side.

Pizza Soup

Two of our favorite meals–pizza and soup–come together in this gluten-free, dairy-free Pizza Soup recipe to create a meal that’s healthy, filling, and incredibly tasty. It’s absolutely delicious and can be prepped as a freezer meal.

Pizza Soup
Two bowls of tomato soup with croutons and fresh basil on top.

Homemade Tomato Soup

This Tomato Soup is budget-friendly, delicious, and makes a very large portion. Serve with some grilled cheese sandwiches or crusty bakery bread. Use our freezing instructions to make it ahead of time and freeze, too. This recipe is linked to an Instant Pot version but we’ve shared how to make it in the slow cooker in the blog post.

Homemade Tomato Soup

Crock Pot FAQ’s

Is it better to cook food on High or Low in a Crock Pot?

Low and slow is almost always the better choice. You run less chance of overcooking your food.

Can you cook a freezer meal in a Crock Pot?

Sorry to be the bearers of bad news, but while cooking a frozen meal in the Instant Pot is safe, putting a frozen meal in the slow cooker is not generally recommended. Loading your slow cooker with icy ingredients will keep food in the temperature danger zone (40° to 140°F), where bacteria can flourish for too long.

How do I keep from overcooking my food?

A meat thermometer will become your best friend when using a slow cooker. Let it be your guide instead of the clock, and you’ll be amazed at how great food can be when it’s cooked perfectly.

Why is my chicken coming out dry?

You’re likely overcooking it. With the exception of larger recipes (like 8+ servings), It only takes 2.5-3.5 hours on LOW for boneless, skinless chicken breast to be fully cooked in the slow cooker.

Can I lift the lid while it’s cooking?

Each peek you take during the cooking process will add 15 to 20 minutes to the cooking time. So curb the urge to open the lid and stir, unless we specifically instruct you to. It’s usually not necessary and tends to slow down the cooking.

Thriving Home's cookbook, From Freezer to Cooker, lying on a counter.

Love These Easy Crock Pot Recipes? Try Our Cookbook!

In our most recent cookbook, From Freezer to Cooker, every recipe has both slow cooker AND Instant Pot instructions PLUS instructions on how to make it a freezer meal. We spent two years developing and testing these recipes, so you can be sure they work!

From Freezer to Cooker

Need to Feed a Large Group?

If you like our easy crock pot recipes, you’re sure to like our round-up of 20+ Meals That Feed a Crowd too.

hero image of 20+ meal ideas for a crowd
20+ Meals for Groups of People
836 shares
  • Share
  • Email
Rachel Tiemeyer

Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!

Read more...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. AvatarPatti says

    Posted on 10/17/21 at 10:56 am

    As a family of eight — we thank you for continually blessing us with healthy simplicities of making our Dinner choices & tasks so easy!!

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 10/18/21 at 10:59 am

      This truly makes us so happy, Patti!

      Reply
  2. Avatarlynn vanasse says

    Posted on 12/2/20 at 10:33 am

    hi my name is Lynn and I live with my daughter and 5 grandchildren, we are a very busy family with children going to school and working so I am looking for some recipes to cook good meals for a family of 7 that would be great.

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 12/3/20 at 10:17 am

      I hope these recipes helpful, Lynn. Our Kid-Friendly Freezer Meals might also be helpful to you, as you can make them ahead of time for fast and easy dinners later. Find those here: https://thrivinghomeblog.com/kid-freezer-meal-post/

      Reply
  3. AvatarLyverta says

    Posted on 2/27/20 at 9:11 am

    I can’t wait to try these new recipes out for my meal prep next week.

    Reply

sidebar

polly and rachel

Welcome

We’re moms, cookbook authors, and freezer cooking evangelists. Our mission is to help your home thrive, one delicious meal at a time. Let’s make the most of your time in the kitchen! Read more.

Follow Us On Instagram!

freezer cooking

Order On:

Amazon • Target

Autographed Copy

Learn More

freezer to table

Order On:

Amazon • Target

Autographed Copy

Learn More
Dump and go freezer meal email cta.

Make 6 Dump-and-Go Freezer Meals in 1 Hour

  1. Shopping & equipment lists
  2. Step-by-Step instructions & video tutorial
  3. Serving suggestions & dietary substitutions & more

Try Session 18 (a $6.99 value) for free!

Loading

Fall Recipes

Autumn Salad tossed with apple cider vinaigrette in a white bowl on a wooden cutting board.

Autumn Chopped Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Pumpkin chili in a dutch oven ready to be served.

Pumpkin Chili

Hearty Baked Penne Pasta

Pumpkin spice latte in a mug with two snickerdoodle cookies on a plate next to it.

Crock Pot Pumpkin Spice Latte

Fast Weeknight Meals

chicken parmesan casserole in a glass baking dish with a spoon

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Taco bar with all the toppings lined up

Totally Tasty Taco Bar

Overhead portrait photo of tomato bisque soup

Tomato Bisque

Pork tenderloin sliced and on a plate with salad.

Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Popular Round-Ups

20+ Easy Crock Pot Recipes

freezer meal

100+ Best Freezer Meals on the Planet

Collage of 6 mason jars with various overnight oats prepared in them.

7 Overnight Oats Recipes

7 Chicken marinades side by side - 1

7 BEST Chicken Marinades

freezer meal update
New to freezer cooking?

Grab Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide!

5 days of recipes & tips from freezer meal experts.

Loading

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

YouTube

TikTok

About
About Us
Work With Us
Press
Recipes
All Recipes
Freezer Meals
Menu Plans
Shop
Cookbooks
1 Hour Prep Sessions
Gift Guides
Explore
Free Resources
Shop Our Favorites
Facebook Group
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Disclaimers
Contact
© 2023 Thriving Home
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
836 shares