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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    Don’t Sweat Dinner—When It’s Hot, Use Your Crockpot! 20 Recipes You’ll Love

    Published: Jul 19, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    I’ve learned the hard way that turning on the oven in the middle of a heatwave is a straight-up no. When it’s hot, use your crockpot instead—it seriously saves the day without making your kitchen feel like a sauna. These recipes are easy, low-effort, and still taste like you put in way more work than you actually did. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

    Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese

    Butter on top of a bowl of mashed potatoes.
    Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    One bite and you’ll agree these are the BEST make ahead mashed potatoes. This creamy side dish can be reheated in the slow cooker.
    Get the Recipe: Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone

    Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta With Fresh Herbs

    Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta With Fresh Herbs. Photo credit: Talking Meals.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    This Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta using fresh herbs is creamy, tangy, and delicious! It’s also easy to make for a weeknight dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta With Fresh Herbs

    Tender And Juicy Beef Carnitas In A Slow Cooker

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

    With only 15 minutes of prep time, beef carnitas are full of flavor all by themselves but even better with pineapple mango salsa.
    Get the Recipe: Tender And Juicy Beef Carnitas In A Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops With Gravy

    Pork chops on a plate covered with ranch gravy.
    Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops With Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This ranch pork chops recipe is made in the slow cooker with just a few ingredients. Perfect golden brown pork chops in a thick and flavorful gravy.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops With Gravy

    Crock Pot Salisbury Steak Recipe

    Crock Pot Salisbury Steak Recipe. Photo credit: Pip and Ebby.

    If you have memories of the Salisbury Steak recipe from school lunches as a kid, I am begging you to make this recipe so the beefy, mushroom-y, comforting meal can redeem itself.
    Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Salisbury Steak Recipe

    Slow Cooker Bbq Pulled Beef

    Slow cooker pulled pork.
    Slow Cooker Bbq Pulled Beef. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

    The BEST slow cooker BBQ beef recipe, perfect for weeknights, potlucks or game day. Tender beef with tangy BBQ sauce. Total crowd-pleaser.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Bbq Pulled Beef

    Crockpot Ribs Recipe

    Close-up of juicy, grilled pork ribs with a caramelized barbecue glaze, showing tender meat and a crispy, browned exterior—perfect inspiration for your next crockpot recipes.
    Crockpot Ribs Recipe. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    This Crockpot Ribs recipe makes the tastiest ribs ever! Cook until tender and then finish them off with BBQ sauce on the grill or broiler.
    Get the Recipe: Crockpot Ribs Recipe

    Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe With Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    A serving fork removing slices of slow cooked pork tenderloin.
    Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe With Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Juicy and tender pork tenderloin is paired with sweet potatoes and cooked for hours in a slow cooker for an easy and decadent meal.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe With Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe

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

    Slow Cooker Carnitas start in the slow cooker and finish in a skillet. Learn the secret to juicy carnitas that finish crispy.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Carrots And Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Carrots And Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This fall apart, melt-in-your-mouth slow cooker pot roast recipe is complete with veggies and gravy. Classic recipe for weeknights or Sunday supper.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Carrots And Potatoes

    Crock Pot Pork Chops In Mushroom Soup

    Mushroom soup and rice with a slow cooker pork chop on a plate.

    This recipe produces the most tender and moist bone-in pork chops! Cooked slowly in a crockpot, the marinade is a scrumptious homemade mushroom soup.
    Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pork Chops In Mushroom Soup

    Easy Crock Pot Mac And Cheese Recipe

    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.

    With just 6 ingredients, this Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe will be your new favorite side. You don’t even have to cook the pasta, just dump and go!
    Get the Recipe: Easy Crock Pot Mac And Cheese Recipe

    Fall-Off-The Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs

    Barbecue ribs with a bowl of sacue.
    Fall-Off-The Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Baby back pork ribs cooked in the crock pot are fall-off-the-bone delicious. The dry rub, slow cooker and homemade sauce make this a keeper.
    Get the Recipe: Fall-Off-The Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs

    Southwest Crock Pot Pork Chops

    A bowl of white rice topped with a flavorful mix of tuna, black beans, corn, and cilantro—an easy twist inspired by crockpot recipes. A fork rests in the bowl and fresh cilantro is placed beside it on a light surface. Another bowl is partially visible.
    Southwest Crock Pot Pork Chops. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    This Southwest Crock Pot Pork Chops recipe is an easy “dump and go” dinner idea. Hearty, filling and perfect for busy weeknights!
    Get the Recipe: Southwest Crock Pot Pork Chops

    Easy Crock Pot Taco Soup With Ranch Dressing

    Three bowls of crockpot taco soup.
    Easy Crock Pot Taco Soup With Ranch Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    The EASIEST EVER Crock Pot Taco Soup! Ground beef, beans, tomatoes, spices and Ranch dressing for a soup bursting with flavor.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Crock Pot Taco Soup With Ranch Dressing

    Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Corn Soup

    A creamy chicken and corn chowder garnished with green onions and pieces of bacon is served in a light-colored bowl. The soup is filled with chicken chunks, corn kernels, diced carrots, and potatoes. Additional bowls of bacon bits and chopped green onions are nearby.
    Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Crock pot chicken corn soup makes an easy meal for weeknights! It cooks up mostly unattended until you’re ready to serve it up for dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Corn Soup

    Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup With Chicken Thighs

    A bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup.
    Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup With Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Homemade chicken noodle soup with tender chicken, fresh veggies, and herbs simmered to perfection—an easy, slow-cooked bowl of comfort.
    Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup With Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Bourbon Bbq Pulled Chicken

    A platter of rolls next to pulled chicken.
    Slow Cooker Bourbon Bbq Pulled Chicken. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Slow Cooker Bourbon Pulled Chicken isn’t just for Game Night, it’s great for any time you’re feeding a crowd. It makes the best sliders.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Bourbon Bbq Pulled Chicken

    Tender And Juicy Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs

    A plate of grilled barbecue ribs with a tantalizing glaze is displayed on a white dish. A black fork is positioned near the ribs, and a partial view of a bowl containing watermelon slices is visible in the background. The surface is light-colored.
    Tender And Juicy Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These Coca-Cola Ribs are marinated overnight in your favorite soda for a super tender and juicy crockpot recipe.
    Get the Recipe: Tender And Juicy Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs

    Old Fashioned Crock Pot Chicken And Dumplings

    A close-up of a plate filled with a creamy chicken and dumplings dish. Visible ingredients include tender pieces of shredded chicken, fluffy dumplings, carrots, peas, and a thick, seasoned gravy. The meal appears warm and hearty, served in a white bowl.
    Old Fashioned Crock Pot Chicken And Dumplings. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Old fashioned crock pot chicken and dumplings recipe creates soft chewy dumplings, tender chicken and veggies smothered in a creamy sauce.
    Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Crock Pot Chicken And Dumplings

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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.

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