Why does summer slip away so fast? I don't know about you, but I am just not ready for fall, and all it comes with. Jam-packed schedules, weeknight chaos, and the need to get dinner on the table the minute we get home.
This collection of 31 easy slow-cooker back-to-school recipes is your crockpot's chance to shine! From slow cooker ramen and pizza-inspired meals to easy meatballs and tacos, these kid-friendly dishes are stress-free. They are made with readily available and better-for-you ingredients you can feel good about putting on your table.
Every recipe here is organized by category. Whether you're in the mood for something saucy, cheesy, or handheld, you can jump straight to it. Everything picky eaters and their parents could want!
Recipe round-up at a glance (TL;DR)
- Total Recipes: 31
- Prep Time: Most recipes take 10-15 minutes
- Recipe Categories: Ramen, Pizza-inspired, Meatballs, Tacos, Sloppy Joes
- Best for: Busy school nights and picky eaters
- Why they are lazy: Minimal prep, no stovetop babysitting, dump-and-go.
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📚Crockpot Ramen Dinners
Swap the instant packets in your ramen for these unique recipes. These crockpot ramen recipes turn your chewy noodles into genuine one-pot dinners. No extra boiling required.
Chicken Ramen
This Slow Cooker Chicken Ramen is a tasty take-off of a traditional Asian noodle soup. This version is more noodles, less soup, and all delicious!
Taco Beef Ramen
This Slow Cooker Taco Beef Ramen recipe is the perfect weeknight comfort food! It combines the classic flavors of tacos with the quick, easy convenience of ramen noodles for a perfect one-pot meal.
Mongolian Meatballs Ramen
Slow Cooker Mongolian Meatball Ramen combines tender, juicy meatballs with a rich, savory Mongolian-inspired sauce. Chewy ramen noodles round out this amazing all-in-one-pot meal. The ultimate family-friendly slow cooker meal!
Curry Chicken & Ramen
Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Ramen with Chicken is an amazingly delicious, simple, one-pot meal. This easy recipe turns creamy coconut milk, aromatic curry spices, and tender chicken into a crave-worthy dish
Buffalo Chicken Ramen
Slow Cooker Buffalo Ramen is bursting with flavor and comes together effortlessly. Tender chicken and chewy ramen noodles nestled together perfectly in a creamy buffalo sauce.
Sesame Chicken Ramen
Slow Cooker Sesame Ramen is an easy, better-than-takeout dish that is full of flavor. Bite-sized chicken, veggies, and a sweet, savory sauce cook together effortlessly in your slow cooker. This one-pot dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and stress-free meal prep.
📚Slow Cooker Pizza Inspired Meals
All the cheesy, saucy flavor of pizza night, right in your slow cooker. No dough, no delivery, no fuss, all great!
Pizza Chicken
This easy Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken recipe is a perfect school night dish. Tender chicken smothered in pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and your choice of pizza toppings - what could be better? The whole family will beg for seconds!
Pizza Beans
Slow Cooker Pizza Beans are about to be your new favorite recipe! This one-pot, protein-packed dish has all the flavor of pizza but in a healthier format. Tender beans, marinara sauce, melty cheese, and savory pepperoni all cook together to make an irresistible meal!
Crustless Pizza
Slow Cooker Crustless Pizza Casserole is an easy recipe that will satisfy even your strongest pizza cravings. It is full of your favorite pizza flavors, just without the crust.
Pizza Sloppy Joes
Slow Cooker Pizza Sloppy Joe Sliders are everything you love about pizza and sloppy Joes combined. They start with savory ground meat, which cooks low and slow in a rich, seasoned tomato sauce. Next, they are piled onto slider rolls and loaded with cheese and your favorite pizza toppings for a fun, messy treat.
📚Easy Crockpot Meatball Recipes
These crockpot meatball recipes turn a freezer staple into dinner - no browning or babysitting required! Just sauce, seasonings, meatballs, and a slow cooker that does all the work.
Sweet Chili Meatballs
This Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Meatball recipe is a flavor explosion that takes minimal effort to prepare! Tender meatballs simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce create a delicious main course that all will devour.
Enchilada Meatballs
Slow Cooker Enchilada Meatballs are delicious, easy, and fun. The ultimate toss-and-walk-away dish. Perfect served over rice or noodles, or even wrapped in a tortilla for those ultra-busy nights!
Spicy Maple Meatballs
Slow Cooker Spicy Maple Meatballs are a sweet-and-savory meatball delight. Filled with sweet maple and tons of delicious flavor, this dish is the perfect family dinner treat!
Tahini Meatballs
Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tahini Sauce features tender meatballs simmered in creamy lemon-tahini goodness. This unique recipe is super easy to throw together and full of amazing flavor.
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Meatballs and Ravioli
Slow Cooker Meatballs and Ravioli is a simple one-pot meal that delivers major comfort with minimal effort. Frozen meatballs simmer in your favorite red sauce all day. The ravioli is added towards the end, so the texture stays perfect.
Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs
Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs are easy to prep, full of flavor, and kid-approved. Great with frozen or homemade meatballs. Serve over rice or pasta for the perfect finish.
📚Slow Cooker Taco/Nacho Night
These crockpot taco and nacho recipes turn build-your-own dinner into a totally hands-free event. Just set out the toppings and let everyone create their own masterpiece!
Ground Beef Tacos
Who can resist tacos?? This Slow Cooker Ground Beef Taco recipe is one you will want to add to your regular rotation. It's simple ingredients that assemble quickly for a great meal - any night of the week. Perfect for a fun family build-your-own-taco night!
Chicken Tacos
Flavorful Crockpot Chicken Tacos make for an easy dinner any night of the week. Serve in crunchy or soft taco shells or even lettuce cups alongside your favorite toppings for an easy-pleaser dish!
Ground Turkey Tacos
Delicious, tender, and juicy Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Tacos make the perfect school-night meal. Served along with all your favorite toppings, make-your-own tacos are the perfect family-friendly, pre-homework meal!
Taco Casserole
Slow Cooker Taco Casserole with potatoes is an amazing one-pot meal. This dish is made with ground taco meat, cheese, hash brown potatoes, and lots of taco-y goodness!
Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos
Creamy salsa verde chicken is an easy, delicious meal that will quickly become a fan favorite. All the intense flavors of salsa verde slow-cooked to perfection with creamy chicken. Perfect served in soft or crunchy taco shells or taco bowls.
Shredded Beef Taco
This delicious Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Taco Recipe will forever change your Taco Tuesday! Just imagine tender, flavorful beef simmering away while you go about your day. This beef dish is perfect served in taco shells, bowls, burritos, and more.
Ground Chicken Nachos
Slow Cooker Cheesy Ground Chicken Nachos are exactly what you NEED in your busy life! Economical ground chicken, a blend of three cheeses, and bold seasonings make this easy slow cooker recipe a "must-try". Bonus: there's NO Velveeta-just real, melty cheese for the perfect bite every time!
📚Crockpot Sloppy Joe Recipes
These crockpot sloppy Joe recipes take the classic ground-meat-and-bun combo in many unexpected but wonderful directions. From sweet to cheesy to spicy and beyond, all without any pre-browning!
Dill Pickle Sloppy Joe
Slow Cooker Cheesy Dill Pickle Sloppy Joes will have everyone begging for seconds. This one-pot recipe combines ground beef, mild chili sauce, and gooey melted cheese with the unique crunch of dill pickles. Turns any weeknight into a special event!
Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joe
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Sloppy Joes are the ultimate lazy slow cooker recipe! It has all the flavor of traditional chicken parmesan but with a fraction of the work. Tender ground chicken, savory sauce, and gooey cheese, all cooked together by your crockpot. You will be making this one OFTEN!
Kimchi Sloppy Joe
This Slow Cooker Kimchi Sloppy Joe recipe elevates an old classic comfort food with the bold, tangy flavors of kimchi. It's an irresistible fusion of savory ground beef and spicy Korean flavors all made in one pot. No pre-browning of meat is necessary!
Honey Garlic Sloppy Joe
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Sloppy Joe is a delicious mash-up. This sweet and savory recipe combines the comfort of sloppy joes with a delicious, Asian-inspired honey-garlic sauce. It is an easy meal that will please the whole family!
Chicken Satay Sloppy Joe
Slow Cooker Chicken Satay Sloppy Joe is a fusion of classic comfort food with the irresistible flavors of chicken satay. This easy-to-make recipe transforms ground chicken into a mouthwatering masterpiece.
Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe
Slow Cooker Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe combines classic Philly cheesesteak flavors with the ease of a slow-cooked ground beef recipe. It is a simple and delicious dish that your family will request on repeat.
Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joe
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joe is a delicious and easy mash-up of two classic dishes. Famous buffalo wing sauce slow-cooked together with ground chicken and served sloppy Joe-style. What could be better??
Sloppy Taco Joe
A Slow Cooker Sloppy Taco Joe is a crockpot creation that is part sloppy Joe and part taco. Drippy, gooey, and delicious beef filled with that distinctive taco flavoring served in a crusty sub roll. Top with melted cheese for extra goodness. Pure yum!!
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