17 Go-To Slow Cooker Dinners That Keep You Out of Takeout Mode

Takeout sounds tempting when dinner feels like one more thing to deal with. These 17 slow cooker recipes handle the heavy lifting so you can still eat something satisfying at home. They’re warm, filling, and built for real weeknights. We let the slow cooker keep us on track.

A close-up of slow-cooker-crack-chicken being stirred with a wooden spoon. — Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

Chicken spaghetti slow cooked with pasta and creamy sauce. — Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti cooks in about 4 hours with chicken, pasta, and creamy sauce. We love how it turns into instant comfort with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

Paleo Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

Slow cooker bolognese simmered into a thick, hearty meat sauce. — Paleo Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Paleo Slow Cooker Bolognese cooks in about 6 hours with ground meat and tomatoes. It makes dinner feel handled before you even get home.
Get the Recipe: Paleo Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

Slow Cooker Vegetable Barley Soup

Vegetable barley soup slow cooked until hearty and warming. — Slow Cooker Vegetable Barley Soup. Photo credit: Blackberry Babe.

Vegetable Barley Soup cooks in about 6 hours with vegetables and hearty grains. It’s filling, budget-friendly, and great for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetable Barley Soup

Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders in the Slow Cooker

BBQ chicken cooked in a slow cooker until tender and piled onto soft rolls. — Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders in the Slow Cooker. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

BBQ Chicken Sliders cook in about 4 hours with chicken and sauce. We love these for easy dinners that also work for lunches.
Get the Recipe: Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders in the Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Pot Roast cooks in about 8 hours with beef and tender vegetables. It’s a classic way to skip takeout without thinking too hard.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Lentils

Beef stew with lentils slow cooked until thick, hearty, and aromatic. — Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Lentils. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew cooks in about 6 hours with beef, lentils, and vegetables. We lean on this one when we want something hearty and steady.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Lentils

Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast

Boneless turkey breast slow cooked until juicy with simple seasoning. — Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast cooks in about 4 hours with turkey and simple seasoning. It’s an easy dinner that feels like more than a weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast

Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers

Italian stuffed peppers slow cooked until the filling is tender and rich. — Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers cook in about 6 hours with peppers, meat, and sauce. They feel like comfort food without extra cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and dumplings slow cooked with soft dumplings on top. — Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings. Photo credit: Stetted.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings cook in about 5 hours with chicken, broth, and soft dumplings. We love how it tastes like the kind of dinner that fixes a rough day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

Cranberry pork loin slow cooked in a sweet, tangy sauce. — Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin cooks in about 6 hours with pork and cranberry sauce. It’s sweet, savory, and perfect when you want something easy but different.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

Beef and barley soup slow cooked with short ribs and vegetables. — Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup cooks in about 7 hours with beef and barley. It’s filling enough that nobody asks what else is for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

Slow Cooker Beef Shanks

Slow cooked beef shanks simmered until the meat slips off the bone. — Slow Cooker Beef Shanks. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Beef Shanks cook in about 8 hours with rich broth and tender meat. We make this when we want deep flavor without doing much.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Shanks

Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos

Slow cooked turkey taco filling with tender seasoned turkey. — Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos cook in about 4 hours with turkey and seasoning. They make taco night easy even when you’re exhausted.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Creamy chicken noodle soup slow cooked until rich and comforting. — Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup cooks in about 6 hours with chicken and noodles. It’s the kind of comfort meal that keeps takeout cravings away.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Pulled pork slow cooked until it shreds easily for sandwiches or tacos. — Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork cooks in about 8 hours with pork and spices. We love how it turns into sandwiches, bowls, or tacos all week.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

Three BBQ chicken sliders stacked on a white plate, with a red checked cloth and a green glass nearby. — Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders cook in about 4 hours with turkey and sweet-savory sauce. They’re easy to serve and impossible not to snack on.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken

Cheesy Ranch Chicken cooks in about 6 hours with chicken, cheese, and ranch seasoning. We make this when we want a no-effort dinner that still feels satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken