I am 120% sure that these recipes are going to change the way you look at a humble package of ground beef. From saucy enchiladas to cozy soups, the slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into something that tastes like it simmered all day because it actually did. Hello to the most delicious and low-maintenance meals ever.
1. Crockpot Enchiladas
I will happily devour a saucy enchilada any day of the week, no questions asked. Once you try this slow cooker version, you are going to want them on the menu constantly.
You just dip your tortillas in sauce, roll up that savory meat mixture, and place them seam side down in the pot.
Hours later, you walk through the door and get hit with the most incredible aroma. It is a miracle and a delight.
2. Slow Cooker Meatloaf
It feels like you can cook literally anything in a slow cooker, and meatloaf is certainly no exception! The meatloaf stays wonderfully tender and gets packed with flavor after simmering in the sauce for hours.
If you want to be a little extra, you can even mix in some peppers or bacon.
Serve this tender beauty with some mac and cheese or mashed potatoes and your family is in for a serious treat.
3. Crockpot Poor Man’s Stew
This dish gets called poor man’s stew because it relies on simple, budget-friendly ingredients, but honestly? It tastes like slow-cooked perfection.
The list of ingredients is super minimal and mostly pantry staples like carrots, onions, garlic, and thyme.
The beef stock and potatoes make it incredibly hearty, while the diced tomatoes just pull everything together in a big warm hug.
Feel free to sneak in extra veggies because the kids will never even know.
4. Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs
These honey garlic meatballs are festive enough to serve as a fun appetizer but hearty enough to be the main event at dinner. You can absolutely use store-bought meatballs if you don’t have the energy for homemade.
Just brown them up, toss them in the slow cooker with that luscious honey garlic sauce, and voila! You have juicy, flavor-packed meatballs ready to go.
5. Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
These effortless stuffed peppers are absolutely loaded with bold Tex-Mex flavors. My favorite part is how versatile they are; while the recipe uses brown rice, black beans, corn, and ground beef, you can swap in your own favorites easily.
Just finish them off with a dollop of guacamole or sour cream. It is a complete, satisfying meal wrapped up in a cute, colorful pepper package.
6. Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
So many dinner table memories happen over a messy plate of sloppy joes. They are simple, super tasty, and honestly just fun to say.
I ditched the canned sauce ages ago when I realized that making it from scratch with pantry staples is stupidly easy.
Let it all bubble away in the pot so the flavors can get to know each other. Toast your bun, maybe add a slice of cheese, and enjoy!
7. Crockpot Taco Meat
Taco meat is already pretty quick, but this slow cooker version takes “easy” to a whole new level. It is especially perfect for families who practically live on enchiladas, burritos, and tacos.
Hello, meal prep! This is actually one of my go-to breakfast hacks, too.
I set it up before bed so I can wake up to savory huevos rancheros or breakfast tacos first thing in the morning.
8. Slow Cooker Chinese Pie
You won’t find traditional Asian flavors here, as this dish is actually a shepherd’s pie adaptation created by Chinese cooks during the Canadian railway construction era.
It features layers of bell pepper, ground beef, potatoes, corn, and gravy. After cooking slowly for hours, the flavors all meld together into one succulent, creamy dish.
It is hearty, delicious, and comes with a side of history lesson!
9. Crockpot Hamburger Helper
I definitely grew up eating Hamburger Helper from a box, but these days I usually cook from scratch. This Crockpot version is the perfect way to bring those two worlds together.
My favorite thing about this recipe is that it is actually easier than the boxed stuff! You just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do its thing.
Stir in the pasta about 15 minutes before serving and you will never go back to the box again.
10. Crockpot Hamburger Vegetable Soup
I always get the urge to make massive pots of soup the second the weather turns even slightly chilly. This hamburger vegetable soup is guaranteed to warm you right up!
It is actually a surprisingly healthy dish, even though it tastes way too good to be good for you.
It is super versatile, so feel free to skip the veggies you hate and load up on the ones you love.
11. Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese
Can we all just agree that making pasta sauce in the slow cooker is pure genius? This spaghetti bolognese is about to become your new best friend.
To get that bold, aromatic sauce, you really need to cook it low and slow all day long. But who has time to stand at the stove?
Just dump the ingredients in, walk away, and come back hours later to a beautiful sauce. Boil some noodles and you are set!
12. Crockpot Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
For an effortless and creative twist on your favorite burger, you need to try this bacon cheeseburger soup. Think about what you normally love on your burger and just add it to the soup!
This recipe uses tomatoes, onions, ground beef, cheese, and bacon, but you can even throw in pickles if that’s your jam.
The addition of potatoes makes it a hearty meal that the whole family is going to obsess over.
13. Crockpot Frito Chili Pie
Even the pickiest eaters at your table are going to fall in love with Frito pie. With Fritos, beans, and meat involved, what is not to love?
If you ask me, though, the toppings are really what make this dish shine. Add jalapenos, sour cream, cheese, or even a big scoop of guacamole!
The options are endless.
14. Crockpot Pizza Casserole
Did I hear someone say pizza? This pizza casserole is nearly as easy as ordering delivery and every bit as delicious!
Cheesy and gooey, this meal comes together in just 30 minutes. You can add sausage or pepperoni, veggies or no veggies—just make it to your liking.
Use whatever pasta is hanging out in your pantry because it really couldn’t get any easier.
15. Crockpot Hamburger Hash
If you need a hearty meal, you really don’t need to look further than this hamburger hash. This cheesy dish has everything you need for a complete dinner all in one pot.
We’re talking meat, veggies, and potatoes galore! I love that it lets me use up whatever random vegetables are sitting in the fridge.
Throw it all in the pot, save the cheese for the end, and enjoy!
16. Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie
Flavorful and savory, shepherd’s pie is truly comfort food at its absolute finest. The hardest part is literally just browning the meat and mashing some potatoes.
Using frozen vegetables is a solid hack to keep this dish simple and save time. Everything except the mash goes into the pot, and then you add the potatoes for the last two hours.
You could even use instant potatoes if you really want to speed things up!
17. Homemade Meatball Subs
Treat your family (or just treat yourself) to these homemade meatball subs straight from the slow cooker. The homemade meatballs are the real star here, so don’t try to get away with the frozen ones.
It just isn’t the same. They get so tender and infused with flavor after bubbling in the sauce all day long.
Serve them on your favorite bun with plenty of cheese.
18. Slow Cooker Golombki
Golombki is basically just a fancy way to say stuffed cabbage rolls. Except this slow cooker version is much simpler and doesn’t demand hours of your life in the kitchen!
Instead of stuffing and rolling each leaf, you just layer the ingredients lasagna-style. Your ground beef mixture, cabbage, and sauce get stacked several times, building flavor on top of flavor.
Come back later to the most juicy and tender meal ever!
19. Crockpot Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole
There is something so relaxing about knowing dinner will be ready and waiting the moment you get home. With this cheeseburger casserole, you definitely have something to look forward to!
The dish gets its big flavor from garlic powder, butter, and paprika, while the shredded cheese and cream cheese make it incredibly creamy.
No one will ever guess how easy it was to make!
20. Slow Cooker Beef Chili
This beef chili absolutely needs to be a staple on everyone’s weekly menu. It is perfect for game day, a cold winter night, or just those days when you have zero time!
It doesn’t taste like health food, but this recipe is actually pretty healthy with plenty of fiber and protein.
Okay, it’s maybe slightly less healthy if you load it up with sour cream and cheese like I do. Serve it over rice or just with crackers!
21. Crockpot Cowboy Casserole
I always love when recipes have fun names, and Cowboy Casserole just sounds like hearty comfort food. This recipe uses breakfast sausage and ground beef, giving the dish a ton of extra flavor.
You thinly slice your potatoes, add them to the pot with corn, beans, salsa, and cream of mushroom soup.
It gets topped with a layer of cheese and cooks into a creamy dream that would fill up any cowboy!
22. Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole
Are you exhausted from spending hours cooking food that your kids refuse to eat? This tater tot casserole is your golden ticket to full bellies and a quiet dinner table.
I have even more good news — aside from browning the beef, there is zero prep for this dish. Corn, black beans, green chiles, salsa, taco seasoning, and enchilada sauce get tossed in the pot.
Layer it with tots, let it bubble, and don’t forget the cheese!
23. Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
The classic combo of sweet and sour makes this dish totally unforgettable. These meatballs are sure to replace your usual takeout order.
The recipe calls for homemade meatballs, but you can easily swap in store-bought ones to make life even easier. The sweetness comes from brown sugar and pineapple, while apple cider vinegar brings that perfect touch of tang.
Serve it with a side of rice for a hearty meal the whole family will love!