6 Easy Crockpot Dinners

why make this recipe

Crockpot dinners are perfect for busy families or anyone who wants a tasty meal without spending much time in the kitchen. They allow you to throw in ingredients and let the slow cooker do all the work. This means less stress and cleanup. Plus, the flavors meld beautifully over the long cooking time, leading to delicious meals that taste like you spent hours preparing them.

how to make Easy Crockpot Dinners

To create these easy crockpot dinners, simply gather your ingredients, combine them in your crockpot, and let the magic happen. It’s that straightforward! Here are some delicious recipes to get you started.

Ingredients

1. Creamy Chicken Curry

   • 3 lb chicken breasts
   • 1 cup onion
   • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
   • 1 cup tomato sauce
   • 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
   • 6 tbsp tomato paste
   • 1 tbsp minced garlic
   • 1 tbsp grated ginger
   • 2 ½ tsp curry powder
   • 2 tsp chili powder
   • 2 tsp garam masala
   • ½ tsp cumin
   • ½ tsp salt
   • 2 tbsp cornstarch
   • 4 cups jasmine rice

2. Garlic Herb Chicken

   • 1.5 lb chicken breast
   • 1 tsp salt
   • 1 tsp pepper
   • 1 tbsp olive oil
   • 4 cloves garlic
   • 1 cup chicken broth
   • ½ cup heavy cream
   • 2 tbsp cornstarch
   • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
   • 4 springs fresh thyme
   • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
   • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese

3. Sweet and Sour Chicken

   • 2 lb chicken breast
   • ¾ cup pineapple juice
   • ½ cup brown sugar
   • ¼ cup soy sauce
   • 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
   • 1 tsp minced garlic
   • 2 tbsp cornstarch
   • 1-2 tbsp green onions
   • 1 tbsp olive oil

4. Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

   • 1 lb lean ground beef
   • ½ cup diced yellow onion
   • 1 tbsp minced garlic
   • 2 tsp Italian seasoning blend
   • ½ tsp salt
   • ¼ tsp black pepper
   • 1 lb standard spaghetti noodles
   • 48 oz tomato & basil marinara sauce
   • 15 oz crushed tomatoes
   • 2 cups chicken broth
   • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
   • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
   • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

5. Lasagna

   • 1 ½ lb ground beef
   • 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
   • 24 oz roasted garlic herb spaghetti sauce
   • 1 cup beef broth
   • 2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
   • 2 ½ cups small curd cottage cheese
   • 1 large egg
   • 12 lasagna noodles
   • Fresh minced parsley

6. Chili

   • 1 lb lean ground beef
   • 1 cup sweet yellow onions
   • 1 tbsp minced garlic
   • 16 oz dark red kidney beans
   • 14.5 oz petite diced tomatoes
   • 10 oz diced tomatoes and fire-roasted hatch chilies
   • 1 cup frozen corn
   • 1 tsp kosher salt
   • ½ tsp black pepper
   • ¼ tsp chipotle powder
   • 1 ½ lb Yukon gold potatoes
   • 1 ¼ cups Colby and Monterey jack cheese

Directions

For each recipe, combine all ingredients in the crockpot. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.

how to serve Easy Crockpot Dinners

These dishes are fantastic served on their own or with a side of rice, bread, or salad. Make sure to garnish them with fresh herbs or cheese to add a special touch. Enjoy them hot with your family and friends!

how to store Easy Crockpot Dinners

Leftover crockpot dinners can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the meals in freezer-safe bags or containers. They can last for up to 3 months in the freezer. Just make sure to label and date your containers to know what you have!

tips to make Easy Crockpot Dinners

• Prep your ingredients the night before to save time in the morning.
• Don’t skip the browning step for meats if your recipe suggests it. It adds extra flavor.
• Experiment with spices and herbs according to your taste preferences.
• Avoid lifting the lid too often while cooking, as it lets out heat and prolongs cooking time.

variation

Feel free to swap out the protein in these recipes. For example, instead of chicken, you can use turkey or pork. Change the veggies based on what you have on hand to make these recipes more flexible.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken in these recipes?
   Yes, you can use frozen chicken in your crockpot. However, make sure to increase your cooking time to ensure it’s thoroughly cooked.

2. Can I double the recipe?
   Absolutely! Just make sure your crockpot can handle the increased volume and adjust the cooking time as needed.

3. What if my meal is too thick?
   If your meal is too thick, you can add some broth or water to reach your desired consistency. Stir it in and let it cook for a bit longer.

Crockpot Dinners

Delicious and effortless meals made in a slow cooker, perfect for busy families or anyone looking for convenient, flavorful dishes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 600

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Creamy Chicken Curry

• 3 lb chicken breasts
• 1 cup onion
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1.25 cups heavy cream
• 6 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 2.5 tsp curry powder
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 0.5 tsp cumin
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 4 cups jasmine rice

Garlic Herb Chicken

• 1.5 lb chicken breast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 4 springs fresh thyme
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese

Sweet and Sour Chicken

• 2 lb chicken breast
• 0.75 cup pineapple juice
• 0.5 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup soy sauce
• 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1-2 tbsp green onions
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 0.5 cup diced yellow onion
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning blend
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 lb standard spaghetti noodles
• 48 oz tomato & basil marinara sauce
• 15 oz crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Lasagna

• 1.5 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 24 oz roasted garlic herb spaghetti sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2.5 cups mozzarella cheese
• 2.5 cups small curd cottage cheese
• 1 large egg
• Fresh minced parsley

Chili

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 cup sweet yellow onions
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 16 oz dark red kidney beans
• 14.5 oz petite diced tomatoes
• 10 oz diced tomatoes and fire-roasted hatch chilies
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp chipotle powder
• 1.5 lb Yukon gold potatoes
• 1.25 cups Colby and Monterey jack cheese

Method

 

Cooking Instructions

1. For each recipe, combine all ingredients in the crockpot.
2. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.

Notes

Leftover crockpot dinners can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the meals in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Label and date your containers.