Dinner doesn't have to be difficult when you let your slow cooker do all of the work. These easy slow cooker recipes call for fewer than eight ingredients and can be prepped in 20 minutes (or less!)
27 Lazy Day Slow-Cooker Recipes
Updated on Aug. 29, 2024
Potato Chowder
One of the ladies in our church quilting group brought this savory potato soup to a meeting, and everyone loved how the cream cheese and bacon made it so rich. It’s easy to assemble in the morning so it can simmer on its own all day. —Anna Mayer, Fort Branch, Indiana
1/27
2/27
Meatball Tortellini
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I combined some favorite staples from our freezer and pantry to come up with this easy dish. It has few ingredients and little preparation. —Tracie Bergeron, Chauvin, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 408 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 1592mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 16g protein.
3/27
Country Ribs Dinner
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ribs slow-cooked with carrots, celery, onions and red potatoes are pure comfort food for us. To add a little zip, we sometimes sprinkle in cayenne. —Rose Ingall, Manistee, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked meat with 1 cup vegetables and 1/4 cup gravy: 528 calories, 25g fat (8g saturated fat), 134mg cholesterol, 1016mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 6g fiber), 43g protein.
4/27
Slow-Cooker Meatball Sandwiches
Total Time
3 hours 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our approach to meatball sandwiches is a simple one: Cook the meatballs low and slow, load them into hoagie buns, and top them with provolone and pepperoncini. —Stacie Nicholls, Spring Creek, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 526 calories, 20g fat (7g saturated fat), 93mg cholesterol, 1674mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 4g fiber), 32g protein.
5/27
Meatball Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This soup is just like a meal in a bowl ... or for heartier appetites, serve it with a sandwich. It's great for chilly days. —Sue Miller, Walworth, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 248 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 778mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 20g protein.
6/27
Beef Brisket in Beer
Total Time
8 hours 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One bite of this super tender brisket and your family will be hooked! The rich gravy is perfect for spooning over a side of creamy mashed potatoes. —Eunice Stoen, Decorah, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounce-weight: 285 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 430mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 39g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
7/27
Slow-Cooked Cajun Corn
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband loves corn on the cob, and I love this slow-cooker recipe because I don't have to stand at a hot stove. We like a little spice, so the Cajun seasoning works well for us, but any spice blend works. —Audra Rorick, Lyons, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 ear of corn: 190 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 307mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
8/27
“Secret’s in the Sauce” BBQ Ribs
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A sweet, rich sauce makes this BBQ ribs recipe so tender that the meat literally falls off the bones. And the aroma is wonderful. Yum! —Tanya Reid, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 921 calories, 58g fat (21g saturated fat), 220mg cholesterol, 1402mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (45g sugars, 2g fiber), 48g protein.
9/27
Creamy Italian Chicken
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Italian salad dressing mix is like a secret weapon for adding flavor to this creamy chicken dish. Served over rice or pasta, this Italian dressing chicken is rich, delicious and special enough for company. —Maura McGee, Tallahassee, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 473 calories, 29g fat (14g saturated fat), 158mg cholesterol, 1556mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 40g protein.
10/27
Slow-Cooked Smokies
Total Time
5 hours 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to include these little smokies smothered in barbecue sauce on all my appetizer buffets since they're popular with both children and adults. —Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 331 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 1694mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
11/27
Spicy French Dip
Total Time
8 hours 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If I'm cooking for a party or family get-together, I can put this beef in the slow cooker in the morning and then concentrate on other preparations. It's a timesaver that never fails to get rave reviews. —Ginny Koeppen, Winnfield, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 315 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 582mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch.
12/27
Creamed Potatoes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These melt-in-your-mouth potatoes, in a mild creamy sauce, complement any meat entree, and they're a pleasant change from mashed or baked.
-Susan Ormond, Jamestown, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 243 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 495mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
13/27
Corn and Broccoli in Cheese Sauce
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Save room in the oven by making this savory side in your slow cooker. It is a standby in my house. My daughter likes to add leftover ham to create a hearty main course. —Joyce Johnson, Uniontown, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 148 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 409mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 starch, 1 medium-fat meat.
14/27
Saucy Indian-Style Chicken & Vegetables
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This Indian-style dish seems to develop a devoted following. Prepared sauce makes
it easy to bring the rich flavors of Indian cuisine to your family. Feel free to use more or less tikka masala sauce according to your personal taste. —Erica Polly, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 334 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 686mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch.
15/27
Cinnamon Apples
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’re feeling festive, scoop some vanilla ice cream over a bowl of my cinnamon spiced apples. They’re homey, aromatic and just plain heavenly. —Amie Powell, Knoxville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 181 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 48mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 2g fiber), 0 protein.
16/27
Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Total Time
3 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I got the idea for these sliders from my mom and dad, who’d made a similar recipe for a family get-together. To make it special, I sometimes use several types of Buffalo sauce and let my guests mix and match their favorites. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
2 sliders: 396 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 873mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein.
17/27
Brown Sugar-Glazed Baby Carrots
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These delicious glazed carrots come to the rescue when I’m preparing a special meal. They cook while I prepare the other dishes, and the slow-cooker simmering saves me precious oven space. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 144 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 364mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein.
18/27
Shredded Pork with Beans
Total Time
8 hours 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend gave me this recipe, which my sons say is a keeper. For a change of pace, spoon the tasty filling into soft tortillas. —Sarah Johnston, Lincoln, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 207 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 595mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch.
19/27
Creamed Corn with Cream Cheese
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Five ingredients are all you'll need for my popular creamed corn recipe. It's wonderful no matter what the occasion is. Try it on a barbecue buffet or holiday menu. —Barbara Brizendine, Harrisonville, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 378 calories, 26g fat (16g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 439mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 8g protein.
20/27
Contest-Winning Bavarian Meatball Hoagies
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
12 sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
When my husband is not manning the grill, I count on my slow cooker. These meatballs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser when I serve them as a party appetizer or spooned over crusty rolls and topped with cheese for irresistible sandwiches. —Peggy Rios, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 643 calories, 36g fat (18g saturated fat), 95mg cholesterol, 1302mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein.
21/27
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tacos
Total Time
5 hours 40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our fun, simple recipe is perfect for taco Tuesdays or a relaxing dinner with friends. If we have any leftover filling, I toss it into a garden-fresh taco salad. —Tracy Gunter, Boise, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
2 tacos: 291 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 674mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch.
22/27
Scalloped Taters
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy, comforting slow-cooked side tastes marvelous with almost any main dish and is a snap to assemble with frozen hash browns. It's a good way to make potatoes when your oven is busy with other dishes. —Lucinda Wolker, Somerset, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 234 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
23/27
Green Chili Chops with Sweet Potatoes
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It takes only a few minutes to combine the ingredients in a slow cooker, and you'll have a filling, healthy dinner waiting for you at the end of the day. We like to serve it with fresh-baked garlic bread. —Marina Ashworth, Denver, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 495 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 909mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 5g fiber), 39g protein.
24/27
Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Total Time
8 hours 50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband is a huge fan of pulled pork sandwiches, so my sister shared this incredibly easy recipe with me. At potlucks and family dinners, nobody can get enough of this root beer-braised version. —Carolyn Palm, Radcliff, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 453 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 907mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
25/27
Flavorful Pot Roast
Total Time
7 hours 10 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
On hectic days, this is so quick and easy to prep! Convenient packages of dressing and gravy combine to create a sauce worthy of a fall-apart roast. For a filling meal-in-one, serve with mashed potatoes and ladle the juices over top.
—Arlene Butler, Ogden, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
6 ounce-weight: 142 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 496mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 15g protein.
26/27
Crockpot Stuffing
Total Time
3 hours 30 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner this year, add this simple slow-cooked stuffing to your menu to ease entertaining. The recipe comes in handy when you run out of oven space at large family gatherings. I use this Crock Pot dressing recipe often. —Donald Seiler, Macon, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 178 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 635mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
27/27
Shredded French Dip
Total Time
6 hours 5 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A chuck roast slow-simmered in a beefy broth is delicious when shredded and spooned onto rolls. I serve the cooking juices in individual cups for dipping. —Carla Kimball, Callaway, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 399 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 1104mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein.
