20 Crockpot Dinner Ideas (Simple, Family-Friendly Meals)

ByFoodarshia

If making dinner ever feels like an Olympic sport, you’re not alone. Between work, errands, and pretending you have your life together, cooking a full meal at 6 PM honestly feels illegal. That’s exactly why crockpot dinners are the real MVP. You throw everything in, press a button, walk away, and come back to something warm, flavorful, and comforting — it’s basically adult magic.

I’ve pulled together 20 simple, family-friendly crockpot dinner ideas that always hit the spot. These recipes are cozy, flavorful, low-effort, and perfect for busy nights. And the best part? Every recipe here is detailed, easy to follow, and full of personal tips to make your life easier.

Let’s make dinner the least stressful part of your day.

1. Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

Why You’ll Love It

Creamy, cozy, and kid-approved — this Alfredo tastes like comfort.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken breasts
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 16 oz fettuccine pasta
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

  1. Add chicken, cream, broth, garlic, salt, and pepper into the crockpot.
  2. Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours.
  3. Remove chicken, shred it, and return to the crockpot.
  4. Add uncooked pasta and stir.
  5. Cook an additional 30–40 minutes until pasta is tender.
  6. Stir in Parmesan and butter before serving.

Tips

  • Add spinach in the last 10 minutes for extra greens.
  • Use penne pasta for a sturdier bite.

2. Crockpot Beef Stew

Why You’ll Love It

Rich, hearty, and perfect for chilly nights.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs beef stew meat
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 3 potatoes, cubed
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt + pepper

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients into the crockpot.
  2. Stir to combine.
  3. Cook on LOW 8 hours.
  4. Serve warm.

Tips

  • Brown the beef before adding for richer flavor.
  • Add peas in the last 20 minutes.

3. Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Why You’ll Love It

A foolproof weekday dinner.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken breasts
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 cup salsa
  • ½ cup chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Add everything into the crockpot.
  2. Cook on LOW 6 hours.
  3. Shred chicken.
  4. Serve with tortillas and toppings.

Tips

  • Add cream cheese to make it creamy.
  • Use leftovers for nachos.

4. Crockpot Pot Roast

Why You’ll Love It

Tender, juicy, and pure comfort.

Ingredients

  • 3 lb chuck roast
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 4 potatoes
  • 4 carrots
  • 1 onion
  • 1 tbsp garlic
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire
  • Salt + pepper

Instructions

  1. Add roast to the crockpot.
  2. Add vegetables and seasonings.
  3. Pour broth and Worcestershire.
  4. Cook LOW 8–10 hours.

Tips

  • Sear roast first for extra flavor.
  • Add rosemary.

5. Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken

Why You’ll Love It

Sticky, sweet, and savory.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs
  • ½ cup honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 tbsp ketchup

Instructions

  1. Mix sauce ingredients.
  2. Add chicken + sauce.
  3. Cook LOW 6 hours.

Tips

  • Serve over rice.
  • Add broccoli.

6. Crockpot Chili

Why You’ll Love It

A family favorite full of flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 can kidney beans
  • 1 can tomatoes
  • 1 onion
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Salt + pepper

Instructions

  1. Brown beef.
  2. Add everything.
  3. Cook LOW 6–7 hours.

Tips

  • Add cocoa powder for depth.
  • Add jalapeños.

7. Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Why You’ll Love It

Warm, cozy, and nostalgic.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken breast
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup carrots
  • 1 cup celery
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cups egg noodles

Instructions

  1. Add everything except noodles.
  2. Cook LOW 7 hours.
  3. Add noodles last 30 minutes.

Tips

  • Add lemon for brightness.

8. Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork

Why You’ll Love It

Tender, smoky perfection.

Ingredients

  • 3 lb pork shoulder
  • 1 bottle BBQ sauce
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp paprika

Instructions

  1. Add everything.
  2. Cook LOW 8 hours.
  3. Shred pork.

Tips

  • Toast buns for sandwiches.

9. Crockpot Chicken and Rice

Why You’ll Love It

Creamy, filling, and family-friendly.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs
  • 1 cup rice
  • 3 cups broth
  • 1 onion
  • 1 cup celery
  • 1 cup carrots

Instructions

  1. Add everything except rice.
  2. Cook LOW 6 hours.
  3. Add rice last hour.

Tips

  • Add cheese.

10. Crockpot Lasagna

Why You’ll Love It

Yes, lasagna in a crockpot — and it works beautifully.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 jar marinara
  • 1 box lasagna noodles
  • 2 cups mozzarella
  • 1 cup ricotta
  • 1 tsp garlic

Instructions

  1. Layer sauce, noodles, cheese, beef.
  2. Repeat layers.
  3. Cook LOW 4 hours.

Tips

  • Add spinach.
  • Use Italian sausage.

11. Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

Why You’ll Love It

All the flavor, none of the skillet work.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken
  • 3 bell peppers
  • 1 onion
  • 1 packet fajita seasoning
  • ½ cup broth

Instructions

  1. Add veggies.
  2. Add chicken.
  3. Add seasoning + broth.
  4. Cook LOW 6 hours.

Tips

  • Add lime.
  • Serve with tortillas.

12. Crockpot Meatballs

Why You’ll Love It

Perfect for pasta night or sliders.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs frozen or homemade meatballs
  • 1 jar marinara
  • 1 tbsp garlic

Instructions

  1. Add meatballs + sauce.
  2. Cook LOW 4–5 hours.

Tips

  • Add mozzarella.

13. Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

Why You’ll Love It

Sweet, sticky, and perfect for meal prep.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken breast
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 2 garlic cloves

Instructions

  1. Add everything.
  2. Cook LOW 6 hours.
  3. Thicken sauce if needed.

Tips

  • Add pineapple.

14. Crockpot Sausage and Peppers

Why You’ll Love It

Flavorful, simple, and great for sandwiches.

Ingredients

  • 6 Italian sausages
  • 3 bell peppers
  • 1 onion
  • 1 jar marinara

Instructions

  1. Add sausages.
  2. Add peppers + onion.
  3. Pour marinara.
  4. Cook LOW 6 hours.

Tips

  • Serve on hoagies.

15. Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken

Why You’ll Love It

Bright, fresh, and easy.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • 1 cup broth
  • 4 garlic cloves

Instructions

  1. Add everything.
  2. Cook LOW 6 hours.

Tips

  • Serve with rice.

16. Crockpot White Chicken Chili

Why You’ll Love It

Creamy, hearty, flavorful.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken breast
  • 1 can white beans
  • 1 can corn
  • 1 can green chiles
  • ½ block cream cheese
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt + pepper

Instructions

  1. Add chicken, beans, corn, green chiles, broth, and seasonings into the crockpot.
  2. Cook on LOW 6–7 hours.
  3. Remove chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
  4. Stir in cream cheese until melted and creamy.
  5. Switch to “KEEP WARM” until serving.

Tips

  • Add a squeeze of lime for brightness.
  • Stir in cilantro.
  • Top with avocado slices or shredded cheese.

17. Crockpot Beef and Broccoli

Why You’ll Love It

This tastes like your favorite takeout dish — without the wok and without the stress.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 4 cups broccoli florets (add later)
  • 1–2 tbsp cornstarch slurry (optional)

Instructions

  1. Add steak, broth, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil.
  2. Cook on LOW 5 hours.
  3. Add broccoli during the last 30 minutes.
  4. Thicken with cornstarch slurry if desired.

Tips

  • Serve with rice or noodles.
  • Add red pepper flakes for heat.

18. Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie

Why You’ll Love It

All the cozy pot pie flavors — no pastry skills required.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken breast
  • 1 cup peas
  • 1 cup carrots
  • 1 cup celery
  • 1 cup potatoes, diced
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup broth
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 can biscuit dough (added at end)

Instructions

  1. Add chicken, vegetables, soup, broth, and seasonings.
  2. Cook on LOW 6 hours.
  3. Remove chicken, shred it, and return to pot.
  4. Cut biscuit dough into small pieces and place on top.
  5. Cook an additional 1 hour.

Tips

  • Replace biscuits with puff pastry (baked separately) for crispiness.
  • Add corn.

19. Crockpot Turkey Meatballs in Marinara

Why You’ll Love It

A lighter twist on classic meatballs — but still tender and flavorful.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground turkey
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 jar marinara
  • Salt + pepper

Instructions

  1. Mix turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, and seasonings.
  2. Roll into meatballs.
  3. Add marinara to crockpot.
  4. Add meatballs on top.
  5. Cook LOW 6 hours.

Tips

  • Brown meatballs first for a firmer texture.
  • Add Parmesan to mixture.

20. Crockpot Cheesy Taco Casserole

Why You’ll Love It

Cheesy, beefy, taco-flavored comfort — kids LOVE it.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 cup black beans
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar
  • 1 cup cooked rice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown beef with taco seasoning.
  2. Add beef, salsa, corn, beans, and rice.
  3. Cook on LOW 4–5 hours.
  4. Add cheddar during the last 10 minutes.

Tips

  • Add jalapeños.
  • Top with sour cream.
  • Serve in bowls or tortillas.

Conclusion

Dinner doesn’t have to feel like a daily battle — especially when your crockpot is willing to step in and become the hero of your kitchen. These 20 crockpot dinner ideas give you everything from comforting pastas to hearty soups, tender meats, and cozy casseroles. Each recipe is simple, family-friendly, and packed with flavor without demanding your full attention.

Try rotating a few of these into your week and watch how much easier evenings feel. FYI: the beef and broccoli and the chicken Alfredo ALWAYS vanish first at my place. 🙂 Dinner just got a whole lot easier — and way more delicious.

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