I am a lover of two things: easy dinners and my Crockpot. And the good news for those of us who love the convenience of a slow cooker is that THIS DUMP DINNER THING WAS MADE FOR YOU. This is why dump dinners are pure gold.
- They need just minutes to prepare.
- The ingredient lists are short.
- They deliver big, big, happy flavor.
- They make awesome leftovers.
Have you ever had a zesty orange chicken that you didn’t have to stand over? You’re about to!
1. Crockpot Pulled Pork
Is there anything better than pulled pork that just melts in your mouth? Getting that perfect result is all about the cut of meat.
I always suggest a shoulder cut; it has marbled fat that renders down, leaving you with fork-tender pork every single time.
Seriously, this is one of the best dump and go recipes around. And it makes enough for the whole family for a couple of meals!
2. Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
It’s Monday. You’re already feeling the week, and dinner feels like a huge task. Why not grab a page from the Big Easy’s book and whip up a big bowl of red beans and rice?
Down in New Orleans, this is a weekly staple in so many homes. You can keep it veggie-friendly or toss in some smoked sausage.
3. Healthy Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
I have a confession: I used to really dislike split pea soup. I don’t know if it was the color or what, but it took making it myself to truly appreciate it.
Now, I have a deep love for this soup, probably because it’s made with a huge ham bone for flavor and has extra shredded meat.
To my vegetarian pals, it’s just not the same without that salty goodness.
4. Easy Crockpot Tortellini And Spinach Soup
I’m not totally sure if this is a soup or a pasta dish. It’s wonderfully thick, loaded with tortellini, and has an amazing creamy sauce.
Using canned tomatoes is a fantastic way to speed up prep. Just be sure to cut your cream cheese into chunks so it melts in perfectly.
For a little something extra, try adding some chopped chilis or even some corn for color and sweetness.
5. Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
I have a friend who orders orange chicken everywhere we go. And honestly, I can’t blame her. It’s one of the most popular Chinese takeout meals for a reason!
I just love that this recipe uses orange marmalade for a really deep citrus flavor that cooks down into the most perfect glaze.
6. Moroccan Chickpea Stew
Ever since I started doing meatless Mondays, I’ve been hunting for incredible meat-free meals. So many of them have chickpeas to bulk them out, which I absolutely adore.
Depending on how they’re cooked, chickpeas have such a great texture. In this recipe, they give a nice bite that goes so well with the soft squash.
7. Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
A green bean casserole that will have everyone fighting for more, and it only needs four ingredients? Yes, please. It’s almost silly how easy this is.
You just mix cream of mushroom or chicken soup with green beans and milk, let it cook, and then top it with crunchy fried onions.
You could even swap the green beans for broccoli or cauliflower for a fun twist.
8. Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken
When I visited Thailand, I might have gone a little crazy with the food. It’s all so fresh and exciting! One of my absolute favorite things is the peanut sauce.
I’m convinced it’s good on almost anything, but it’s especially perfect with chicken. The chicken’s mild flavor doesn’t overpower the sauce, and using a Crockpot ensures it’s always super juicy.
9. Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Korean Beef Tacos
If I get to choose, I will always go for shredded meat in my tacos. It’s so tender and flavorful, and I just prefer the texture over ground meat.
And when making it is as simple as tossing it in the pot and walking away, why would you make anything else? It’s a total win.
10. Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken (Freezer Meal)
I know it’s in the name, but for all you cilantro haters, feel free to leave it out! This is a meal I love to prep over the weekend.
I make a few bags at once and pop them in the freezer, which cuts my weeknight dinner work down to almost nothing.
For the best flavor, let everything marinate in the bag overnight, then just dump it in the Crockpot before you head out for the day.
11. Crockpot Pineapple Chicken
You might not believe it, but adding pineapple to your next chicken meal will be a complete game-changer.
This chicken comes out so insanely juicy because it cooks right in a pineapple-juice sauce. All that flavor has nowhere to go but right into the meat!
12. Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs
Let’s be real: do you sometimes go to Ikea just to wander around and buy frozen meatballs? Same here!
I’ve been to Sweden, and I’m always so happy to see meatballs on the menu. Instead of marinara, this recipe features a decadent, creamy sauce made simple with beef broth and chicken soup.
13. Simple Slow-Cooker Yellow Dal
This spiced lentil stew is as common in India as mac and cheese is here. Everyone has their own version, and they are all incredible.
Like with so many Indian dishes, the magic is all in the spice mix. And feel free to leave out the cilantro or even try parsley for something a little different.
14. 15 Bean Soup
It might sound like a lot, but you can actually buy a 15-bean blend! You can usually find it in the dry bean aisle, and it will save you so much time.
Just like the split pea soup, what makes this dish so good is using a ham bone for flavor, plus some extra meat for garnish.
15. Slow Cooker Cauliflower Cheese Soup
I know this soup has plenty of cream and cheese, but it’s also packed with cauliflower, so in my mind, it’s healthy.
Usually, creamy soups are loaded with starchy potatoes, but not this one! The cauliflower does all the work, and it’s best when you blend it all up.
16. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Pot Roast
I always remember pot roast being a huge event in my house. It felt like it took forever to prep and hours to cook, but it was so worth it when it hit the table.
Well, now it’s insanely easy. After a low, slow cook, you’ll have the most tender pot roast you’ve ever had.
17. Easy Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
I usually make Mongolian beef in my wok, and I have to say, sometimes it comes out a little tough. So, using the slow cooker just makes perfect sense.
It might take longer, but you know you’ll end up with fork-tender beef that is packed with so much flavor.
18. Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
This might not be the most beautiful dish you’ll ever make, but it is brimming with nutrients. It’s full of flavor, vegan, and super cheap to put together, too.
I happen to be a huge fan of black bean soup. From its texture to its flavor (I love it spicy!), I’ll often order it when we’re out.
It’s so inexpensive to make when you use dried beans, and most of the other ingredients are pantry staples.
19. Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew
As much as I love a good beef stew, sometimes I’m just craving something a little more cheesy.
This recipe has all the heartiness you want—potatoes, veggies, and lots of chicken—but it all comes together in a light and silky smooth, creamy broth.
Just a little tip: keep the dairy out until the end so it doesn’t curdle.
20. Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken
After how well Dr. Pepper pulled pork turned out, making this recipe was a no-brainer. Just like with the pork, the root beer not only tenderizes the meat but also adds so much incredible and unique flavor.
It won’t taste exactly like root beer, but it will have a wonderful sweetness.
21. Crockpot White Chicken Chili
You can’t have a list of crockpot dump meals without chili! And after days of eating beef and tomato chili, it’s so nice to have a change.
This white chicken chili couldn’t be more different, but it’s delicious and filling all the same. I definitely recommend blending some of it to get a thicker finish, but it will taste amazing no matter what.
22. Slow Cooker Lentil Soup
Okay, so this might not be the prettiest dish ever, but it is packed with nutrients, full of flavor, vegan, and pretty cheap to make.
A little pro-tip: try adding a dash of curry powder to the mix. It gives this already tasty soup a whole new dimension of flavor. I also like to sprinkle it with chopped nuts and a tiny bit of cinnamon.
23. Sweet Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken Recipe
The sweet and salty sauce for this dish is just a simple mix of honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic, and pepper flakes. That’s it!
I bet you have all of that in your pantry right now. Once the chicken is done, thicken the sauce with some cornstarch before tossing everything together for a sticky, savory mid-week dinner.
24. Crockpot Steak and Gravy
If you ask any Brit, a meat and potato dinner needs a generous amount of gravy, and I totally agree! It’s not about covering up dry meat, but enhancing it with rich seasoning. You can adjust the moisture to get it just how you like it, and then serve it all with a mountain of mashed potatoes.
25. Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
Before you stir in the cheese, this looks just like a tasty veggie stew. I’ve even made extra before and served some with roasted chicken and mashed potatoes.
But let’s be honest, nothing tastes quite as good as it does with melted cheese, right? I like to use a mature cheddar for this, but I have to admit that Velveeta melts into the soup perfectly.
26. Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
The “pepper” in this recipe is the vegetable, not the seasoning. Although, you can never go wrong with extra black pepper on beef.
If you’re worried about beef being too pricey for a recipe like this, just make sure to get chuck or another stewing cut. You definitely don’t want to be chopping up perfect ribeyes!
27. Slow Cooker Turkey Vegetable Soup
Looking for cheap crock pot meals? Soup is always the answer! Plus, it’s one of the best ways to use up holiday extras.
I know you won’t always have leftover turkey on hand, so any chicken you have will work just as well. When it comes to the vegetables, just use whatever you’ve got.
You really can’t go wrong, and the more veggies, the better!