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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    29 Slow-Cooker Dinners Worth Leaving On All Week

    Published: Oct 20, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    After a long week of experimenting in the kitchen, I left my slow cooker on all week and ended up with some surprisingly amazing dishes. What started as a little test to see how much flavor and comfort a slow cooker could deliver turned into a lineup of cozy, hearty meals that practically cooked themselves. From tender meats to melt-in-your-mouth stews, every day brought something new, and honestly, I’m not mad about the results.

    Mushroom Pork Chops That Cook Themselves

    Mushroom soup and rice with a slow cooker pork chop on a plate.
    Crock Pot Pork Chops In Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    When I left this one simmering all day, I came home to the richest, creamiest pork chops ever—like Sunday dinner with zero effort.
    Get the Recipe: Mushroom Pork Chops That Cook Themselves

    Slow Cooker Mac That Stays Creamy All Day

    A close-up of creamy scrambled eggs topped with melted cheddar cheese, served in a black skillet next to a spoon on a gray cloth—comfort food perfect for pairing with cozy slow cooker dinners.
    Easy Crock Pot Mac And Cheese Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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    This one surprised me—hours later, the mac and cheese was still creamy, cheesy, and absolutely addictive.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mac That Stays Creamy All Day

    Slow-Cooked Pork Tenderloin With Sweet Potatoes

    Sweet potatoes and pork on a platter.
    Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe With Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    After a full day on low, the pork was melt-in-your-mouth tender and the sweet potatoes tasted like caramelized gold.
    Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooked Pork Tenderloin With Sweet Potatoes

    Sticky BBQ Ribs That Fell Off the Bone

    A platter of baby back ribs.
    Fall-Off-The Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    I forgot these were even cooking until the smell took over my kitchen—tender, sticky perfection without touching the oven.
    Get the Recipe: Sticky BBQ Ribs That Fell Off the Bone

    Slow-Cooked Beef Carnitas Surprise

    Two beef tacos on a platter.
    Tender And Juicy Beef Carnitas In A Slow Cooker. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This one barely made it to the table—the beef came out so juicy and flavorful, I ended up eating half before dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooked Beef Carnitas Surprise

    Sunday Pot Roast That Made It All Worth It

    A close-up of a plate of slow cooker pot roast with gravy, featuring tender, shredded beef, carrots, mushrooms, and potatoes in a savory sauce. The dish is placed on a white plate against a light blue tablecloth background.
    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Homemade Mushroom Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    By the time I lifted the lid, the beef was falling apart in gravy so rich, I forgot this was supposed to be “hands-off.”
    Get the Recipe: Sunday Pot Roast That Made It All Worth It

    Beef Ribs That Melted After a Week

    Fall-Off-the-Bone Crockpot Beef Ribs. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

    Left on low longer than I meant to, these ribs turned into buttery bites that didn’t even need a knife.
    Get the Recipe: Beef Ribs That Melted After a Week

    Classic Pot Roast That Never Gets Old

    A platter of roast beef with carrots and potatoes.
    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Carrots And Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Every bite of this old-school roast reminded me why the slow cooker is still unbeatable for comfort food.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Pot Roast That Never Gets Old

    Ham, Green Beans & Potatoes That Made Me a Believer

    Slow Cooker Ham, Green Beans & Potatoes. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    I wasn’t sure about this combo—but after a full day on low, it became one of the coziest, most satisfying meals I made all week.
    Get the Recipe: Ham, Green Beans & Potatoes That Made Me a Believer

    Set-It-and-Forget-It Chicken Alfredo

    Creamy Chicken Alfredo in a Crockpot. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    I didn’t think Alfredo could survive the slow cooker, but this came out creamy, silky, and totally hands-off.
    Get the Recipe: Set-It-and-Forget-It Chicken Alfredo

    Chicken Wild Rice Soup Worth Waiting For

    Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    This one cooked all day while I worked—by dinner, it was thick, creamy, and tasted like it came from a cozy café.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Wild Rice Soup Worth Waiting For

    Coca-Cola Ribs I Couldn’t Stop Eating

    A white plate is filled with juicy, Coca Cola ribs covered in a rich, sticky sauce. A fork is lifting a piece of rib from the plate. A small metal dish of extra barbecue sauce is in the background. The surface underneath is light-colored.
    Tender & Juicy Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs (4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipe). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These cola-glazed ribs were so tender, they barely survived the transfer to the plate—definitely a top pick of the week.
    Get the Recipe: Coca-Cola Ribs I Couldn’t Stop Eating

    Creamy Chicken Chili That Made My Week

    A person holds a blue bowl of creamy chicken chili, a favorite among slow cooker recipes, topped with shredded cheese, corn, and herbs and garnished with a lime wedge. A spoon rests in the bowl, with fresh cilantro in the background.
    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili With Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Hands down my favorite of the week—rich, creamy, and so good I had to make it again two days later.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Chili That Made My Week

    Taco Soup That Got Better Every Hour

    Taco soup topped with sour cream and corn chips.
    Easy Crock Pot Taco Soup With Ranch Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Every extra hour made this taco soup richer and bolder—it was the one I kept sneaking spoonfuls of all day.
    Get the Recipe: Taco Soup That Got Better Every Hour

    Sweet & Sticky Meatballs Everyone Fought Over

    A hand holds a toothpick with a Grape Jelly Meatball above a bowl filled with more glazed meatballs, garnished with herbs. Plates and extra toothpicks are in the background on a gray surface.
    Slow Cooker Meatballs In Bbq Sauce With Grape Jelly (Crowd Favorite!). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Appetizers that also works as a fast and satisfying dinner. You can pair it with your favorite pasta or other sides.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Meatballs

    Cheesy Enchilada Casserole Worth the Wait

    Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole Crockpot. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    After a full day in the slow cooker, this enchilada casserole turned into layers of cheesy, saucy perfection. Each bite tastes like a Tex-Mex dream you’ll want again and again.
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Enchilada Casserole Worth the Wait

    Slow Cooker Stew That Feeds a Crowd

    Hearty Slow Cooker Hamburger Stew. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    This rich hamburger stew simmered for hours until every bite was thick, hearty, and full of flavor. It’s proof your slow cooker can make dinner magic while you relax.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Stew That Feeds a Crowd

    Sausage & Peppers That Cook Themselves

    Easy Crockpot Sausage, Peppers & Onions. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    When these sausages simmered all day with peppers and onions, the result was an easy, flavorful meal that tasted straight out of an Italian kitchen—no effort required.
    Get the Recipe: Sausage & Peppers That Cook Themselves

    Fall-Off-The-Bone Country Ribs

    Southern Country-Style Ribs in a Crockpot. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    These country-style ribs slow-cooked until the meat practically slid off the bone. The tangy BBQ sauce soaked in perfectly, creating the best surprise of the week.
    Get the Recipe: Fall-Off-The-Bone Country Ribs

    Creamy Ranch Pork Chops That Melted Me

    Creamy Ranch Pork Chops in the Slow Cooker. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    I didn’t expect pork chops to come out this tender. The creamy ranch sauce and apples turned into something so rich and comforting, I went back for seconds—and thirds.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Ranch Pork Chops That Melted Me

    Saucy Chicken Thighs That Vanished Fast

    Simple Saucy Crockpot Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

    By the time I lifted the lid, these chicken thighs were fall-apart soft and coated in a sweet-tangy glaze that disappeared from plates in minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Saucy Chicken Thighs That Vanished Fast

    Slow Cooked Brisket That Broke Me

    Tender Slow Cooker Brisket Recipe. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    This brisket cooked low and slow until it fell apart under the fork. The smoky flavor and tender texture made it the best thing I made all week.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooked Brisket That Broke Me

    Kielbasa & Cabbage That Surprised Me

    Slow Cooker Kielbasa, Cabbage & Potatoes. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    I wasn’t expecting much from sausage and cabbage—but after hours in the slow cooker, this rustic combo became smoky, buttery, and downright addictive.
    Get the Recipe: Kielbasa & Cabbage That Surprised Me

    Stuffed Peppers That Cooked Themselves

    slow cooker stuffed peppers on a plate.
    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers With Italian Sausage. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These peppers simmered all day until tender and juicy, stuffed with sausage and herbs that made my kitchen smell incredible. Total weeknight win.
    Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers That Cooked Themselves

    Bourbon BBQ Chicken That Stole the Show

    A pulled chicken slider being assembled on a plate.
    Slow Cooker Bourbon Bbq Pulled Chicken. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This smoky bourbon BBQ chicken slow-cooked until juicy and tender, soaking up all that sauce. Perfect on sliders—or straight from the pot.
    Get the Recipe: Bourbon BBQ Chicken That Stole the Show

    Coq Au Vin Worth the Wait

    Cooked coq au vin in a slow cooker
    Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This French-style chicken simmered for hours in wine and herbs until it tasted like something from a restaurant. One bite and you’ll understand the hype.
    Get the Recipe: Coq Au Vin Worth the Wait

    Crispy Carnitas I Couldn’t Stop Eating

    Crispy pork carnitas in a skillet with a spatula.
    Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Slow-cooked till tender, then crisped up perfectly—these carnitas were so good I made tacos, burritos, and still went back for more straight from the pan.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Carnitas I Couldn’t Stop Eating

    Creamy Chicken Chili That Won the Week

    A bowl of chicken chili with sour cream

    This creamy chicken chili simmered all day into a rich, comforting bowl that felt like the perfect payoff for letting the slow cooker work overtime.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Chili That Won the Week

    The Easiest Pot Roast Ever

    Three-Ingredient Slow Cooker Pot Roast. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

    This three-ingredient roast slow-cooked into juicy, tender perfection—zero effort, maximum reward. It’s the lazy meal that somehow impressed everyone.
    Get the Recipe: The Easiest Pot Roast Ever

    I’ll Always Make These 20 Hearty Soups Once the Weather Turns Crisp

    A collage of three hearty soups: chicken noodle with shredded chicken and pasta, chili with beans and sliced red onion, and a bowl of chili topped with grated cheese, tortilla chips, and sour cream.
    I’ll Always Make These 20 Hearty Soups Once the Weather Turns Crisp. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    As soon as the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, I can’t help but crave a steaming bowl of comfort. That’s when these hearty soups come in—they warm me from the inside out and make fall feel extra special. Each one is like a cozy hug in a bowl, whether I’m sharing with family or enjoying a quiet moment on my own.
    Get the Recipe: I’ll Always Make These 20 Hearty Soups Once the Weather Turns Crisp

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

    More about me →

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