My philosophy for Sunday is simple: it should be the most relaxing day of the week. For me, that means a delicious, soul-warming dinner without the stress. This isn’t a dream; it’s a strategy, and its name is the slow cooker.
Think of this magical pot as your personal Sunday chef, simmering away while you do what you truly want to do. This guide is your secret weapon, packed with 26 set-it-and-forget-it recipes for a perfect, stress-free Sunday dinner.
Our Top Slow Cooker Dinner Recommendations
Looking for a foolproof recipe? Here are a few of our signature slow cooker meals that deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.
1. Slow Cooker Pot Roast
This is the quintessential slow cooker meal. Impossibly tender beef and vegetables simmer all day in a rich, savory broth. Walking into a house filled with this aroma is the ultimate feeling of ‘dinner is done.’
2. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
The ultimate low-effort, high-reward dinner. A pork shoulder is slow-cooked for hours until it can be effortlessly shredded. Tossed with BBQ sauce and piled on buns, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
3. Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
A lighter, yet equally delicious, take on classic chili. Tender chicken breast, white beans, and green chiles create a creamy, flavorful, and high-protein meal that’s perfect for a cozy Sunday.
4. Slow Cooker Lasagna
Yes, you can make a whole lasagna in your slow cooker without boiling the noodles! Layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce meld together into a wonderfully tender, cheesy, and comforting one-pot meal.
Explore by Theme: Find Your Perfect Slow Cooker Meal
- Hearty Roasts & Meaty Mains: Impressive centerpieces made from affordable cuts of meat.
- Flavorful Shredded Meats: The secret to the easiest sandwich or taco nights.
- Cozy Soups & Hearty Stews: Soulful bowls of comfort that simmer to perfection all day.
- Global Comfort in a Crockpot: Explore a world of flavor without leaving your kitchen.
- Easy Pastas & One-Pot Meals: Complete dinners with minimal active cooking time.
Our Complete Collection: 26 Slow Cooker Sunday Recipes
Hearty Roasts & Meaty Mains
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
This is the recipe that defines a slow cooker Sunday for me. The real magic isn’t just the impossibly tender beef that falls apart at the mere suggestion of a fork; it’s walking into a house filled with that rich, savory aroma after a relaxing afternoon.
- Style: Classic, Comfort Food, Centerpiece
- Why you’ll love it: The ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal; makes the house smell incredible; creates meltingly tender beef and vegetables.
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
Yes, you can cook an entire chicken in your slow cooker! This method results in the most incredibly moist and tender chicken you’ve ever tasted. Seasoned with simple herbs and lemon, it’s a foolproof way to get a perfectly cooked “roast” chicken without ever turning on the oven.
- Style: Roasts, Easy, Healthy
- Why you’ll love it: Guarantees juicy, tender chicken every time; frees up your oven for other dishes; incredibly simple to prepare.
Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
Get astonishingly tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs with almost no effort. The ribs are slow-cooked until they are incredibly succulent and infused with flavor. A final brush of your favorite BBQ sauce and a quick trip under the broiler gives them that perfect, sticky glaze.
- Style: BBQ, Crowd-Pleaser, Easy
- Why you’ll love it: Creates fall-off-the-bone tender ribs; no grill required; a guaranteed family favorite.
Slow Cooker Pork Loin
A lean pork loin becomes juicy and flavorful when cooked gently in the slow cooker. This recipe ensures the pork stays moist and tender, often cooked with a simple gravy or a sweet and savory glaze. It’s an elegant main course that’s deceptively easy to make.
- Style: Roasts, Elegant, Lean
- Why you’ll love it: Keeps lean pork loin juicy and moist; an impressive main course with minimal effort; adaptable to different flavor profiles.
Slow Cooker Corned Beef
Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any Sunday you crave a hearty, classic meal. The slow cooker gently simmers the corned beef for hours, making it incredibly tender and flavorful. Add cabbage and potatoes during the last couple of hours for a complete, one-pot meal.
- Style: Holiday Classic, One-Pot, Hearty
- Why you’ll love it: Makes corned beef incredibly tender; a complete meal with potatoes and cabbage; a festive and easy meal.
Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks
An elegant, restaurant-quality dish made effortlessly at home. Lamb shanks are braised for hours in a rich, aromatic broth, often with red wine and herbs like rosemary, until the meat is so tender it literally slips off the bone.
- Style: Elegant, Restaurant-Quality, Comfort Food
- Why you’ll love it: Achieves incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone meat; develops a deep, rich sauce; an impressive dish for guests.
Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Apples
A classic flavor combination that is perfect for a cozy autumn evening. Tender pork chops are slow-cooked with sweet apples and onions, creating a delicious, rustic sauce. The pork becomes incredibly moist and infused with the sweet and savory flavors.
- Style: Comfort Food, Seasonal, One-Pot
- Why you’ll love it: A perfect sweet and savory flavor combination; ensures pork chops stay moist; a cozy, rustic meal.
Flavorful Shredded Meats for Sandwiches
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
The ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal for a crowd. A pork shoulder is seasoned with a simple spice rub and cooked on low for hours until it can be effortlessly shredded. Toss with your favorite BBQ sauce and pile it high on soft buns for the perfect pulled pork sandwiches.
- Style: Crowd-Pleaser, Easy, Sandwich Night
- Why you’ll love it: The easiest way to feed a large group; incredibly tender and flavorful results; perfect for casual gatherings.
Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
A Chicago classic made easy. A beef roast is slow-cooked in a zesty, flavorful broth with Italian seasonings until it’s tender enough to shred. Served on crusty rolls with giardiniera, it’s a messy, delicious, and unforgettable sandwich.
- Style: Sandwich Night, Regional Classic, Hearty
- Why you’ll love it: A delicious, zesty, and savory sandwich; the beef becomes incredibly tender; brings a classic deli flavor home.
Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteaks
Get all the flavor of your favorite cheesesteak with none of the fuss. Thinly sliced beef (or a whole roast that you shred) is cooked with peppers and onions until tender. Simply spoon the mixture onto rolls and top with provolone cheese for a satisfying meal.
- Style: Sandwich Night, Takeout-Fakeout, Easy
- Why you’ll love it: All the flavor of a cheesesteak with less work; a satisfying, cheesy, and meaty meal; great for a casual Sunday.
Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef
This Mexican-inspired shredded beef is packed with a smoky, tangy flavor from chipotle peppers and spices. It’s incredibly versatile and perfect for making tacos, burritos, or rice bowls for a fun, interactive family dinner.
- Style: Mexican-Inspired, Versatile, Flavorful
- Why you’ll love it: Smoky, tangy, and deeply flavorful; perfect for tacos, bowls, or burritos; a fun, build-your-own meal.
Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
An incredibly satisfying and easy-to-make sandwich. A beef roast simmers all day in a rich, savory broth made with onions and herbs. Slice the tender beef, pile it onto crusty rolls, and serve the flavorful cooking liquid (the “au jus”) on the side for dipping.
- Style: Sandwich Night, Classic, Comfort Food
- Why you’ll love it: Creates a rich, flavorful broth for dipping; makes the beef incredibly tender; a satisfying and comforting classic.
Cozy Soups & Hearty Stews
Classic Beef Stew
A timeless classic made even better in the slow cooker. Chunks of beef become meltingly tender as they cook with potatoes, carrots, and celery in a rich, savory gravy. It’s the definition of a hearty, one-pot meal.
- Style: Stew, Classic, One-Pot
- Why you’ll love it: A deeply flavorful, comforting meal; makes beef meltingly tender; a complete meal in one pot.
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
A lighter, yet equally delicious, take on classic chili. Tender chicken breast, white beans, and green chiles simmer together to create a creamy, flavorful, and high-protein chili. Top with avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for a fresh finish.
- Style: Chili, Comfort Food, Healthy
- Why you’ll love it: Creamy, comforting, and packed with protein; a lighter alternative to red chili; great with lots of fresh toppings.
Slow Cooker Goulash
This Hungarian-inspired stew is a comforting mix of tender beef, onions, and a rich, sweet paprika-spiced sauce. The slow cooking process makes the beef incredibly tender and allows the paprika flavor to fully develop.
- Style: Stew, European Classic, Comfort Food
- Why you’ll love it: A rich, sweet, and smoky paprika flavor; incredibly tender beef; a unique and hearty comfort food.
Slow Cooker Potato Soup
The ultimate creamy, comforting, and budget-friendly soup. Cubed potatoes are cooked until perfectly tender in a savory broth, then partially mashed or blended to create a thick and hearty base. Load it up with bacon, cheese, and chives for a loaded baked potato experience.
- Style: Soup, Comfort Food, Budget-Friendly
- Why you’ll love it: Creamy, thick, and satisfying; endlessly customizable with toppings; an incredibly affordable meal.
Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana
A delicious copycat of the Olive Garden favorite. This creamy and flavorful soup is loaded with spicy Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and nutrient-rich kale. It’s a hearty, satisfying soup that will warm you from the inside out.
- Style: Soup, Restaurant-Copycat, Hearty
- Why you’ll love it: A creamy, spicy, and savory flavor combination; better and easier than going out; a satisfying one-bowl meal.
Slow Cooker Cuban Black Bean Soup
A deeply flavorful and nutritious vegan soup. Dried black beans are slow-cooked with aromatic vegetables like bell peppers and onions, and a blend of Latin spices until they are soft and creamy.
- Style: Soup, Vegan, Healthy
- Why you’ll love it: Incredible depth of flavor from simple ingredients; packed with fiber and plant-based protein; hearty and satisfying.
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham Hock
A classic, smoky, and incredibly comforting soup. Dried split peas break down over hours of slow cooking to create a thick, creamy soup, while a ham hock adds a deep, smoky flavor.
- Style: Soup, Classic, Budget-Friendly
- Why you’ll love it: A perfect way to use a leftover ham bone; a deep, smoky, and comforting flavor; thick, creamy, and filling.
Global Comfort in a Crockpot
Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
A healthier, easier version of the Chinese-American takeout classic. Chunks of beef become incredibly tender in a savory soy-ginger sauce. Just stir in fresh broccoli florets near the end of cooking to ensure they stay crisp-tender.
- Style: Asian-Inspired, Takeout-Fakeout, Easy
- Why you’ll love it: Better and healthier than takeout; creates a rich, savory sauce; beef becomes incredibly tender.
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
Let the slow cooker create a delicious teriyaki chicken that’s better than anything from a bottle. Chicken thighs or breasts are cooked in a simple homemade sauce of soy, honey, garlic, and ginger until tender and shreddable.
- Style: Asian-Inspired, Kid-Friendly, Easy
- Why you’ll love it: A simple homemade sauce with big flavor; chicken is tender and easy to shred; perfect over rice for a simple meal.
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
A simplified version of the beloved Indian dish. Tender chicken is cooked in a mildly spiced, creamy tomato and butter sauce. The slow cooking process allows the chicken to absorb all the wonderful, aromatic flavors.
- Style: Indian-Inspired, Comfort Food, Easy
- Why you’ll love it: A rich, creamy, and aromatic sauce; much easier than the traditional method; a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
A guaranteed family favorite with an irresistible sweet and savory sauce. Chicken is cooked in a sticky glaze of honey, soy sauce, and plenty of garlic until it’s tender and juicy.
- Style: Kid-Friendly, Easy, Asian-Inspired
- Why you’ll love it: A sticky, sweet, and savory sauce that everyone loves; incredibly simple to prepare; a foolproof weeknight-style meal.
Slow Cooker Chickpea and Vegetable Curry
A fragrant and incredibly easy vegetarian curry. Chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables are simmered in a coconut milk base with aromatic curry spices. It’s a healthy, plant-based meal that is packed with flavor.
- Style: Vegan, Indian-Inspired, Healthy
- Why you’ll love it: A set-it-and-forget-it plant-based meal; fragrant, creamy, and satisfying; a great way to eat more vegetables.
Easy Pastas & One-Pot Meals
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Yes, you can make a whole lasagna in your slow cooker! Simply layer uncooked lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, sauce, and mozzarella right in the crockpot. The result is a wonderfully tender, cheesy, and comforting lasagna without the need to boil noodles or heat up the oven.
- Style: One-Pot, Italian-American, Comfort Food
- Why you’ll love it: No need to boil noodles or use the oven; creates a perfectly tender, cheesy result; the ultimate one-pot comfort meal.
Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
A classic comfort food made even easier. Bell peppers are filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, rice, and tomatoes, then placed in the slow cooker to cook on low. The peppers become perfectly tender and infused with the flavor of the filling.
- Style: One-Pot, Classic, Comfort Food
- Why you’ll love it: A hands-off way to make a classic; peppers become sweet and perfectly cooked; a healthy and satisfying meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Guide to Unforgettable Sunday Dinners
Using your slow cooker isn’t ‘cheating’—it’s one of the smartest acts of self-care you can practice in the kitchen. You are gifting yourself time. My hope is that these recipes give you many delicious, effortless Sundays where the most important thing you have to do is simply relax and enjoy the moment.
Now that you’ve mastered the art of the slow cooker, are you looking for quick weeknight meals or healthy options? Be sure to explore our ultimate guide to Sunday Dinner Ideas for hundreds of more recipes for every occasion and cooking style!
What’s your favorite thing to make in your slow cooker? Share your go-to recipes in the comments below!