Think beyond soups and stews.
Charlotte Gomez/BuzzFeed
You probably associate your slow cooker with soups and stews and casseroles, but as it turns out, you can make so much more than dump-and-bake meals in your handy dandy Crock Pot. Here are just a few recipes you've probably never thought of before.
1. Slow Cooker Frittata With Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Red Pepper, and Feta
Kalyn's Kitchen / Via kalynskitchen.com
The best part about a frittata is that you can customize it with your favorite ingredients. Or clean out the fridge and use any leftover vegetables, meat, or cheese you've got. Get the recipe.
2. Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken
The Kitchen Magpie / Via thekitchenmagpie.com
Turns out, you can make a tender "rotisserie" chicken that literally falls off the bone right in your slow cooker. It's the perfect meal to feed the whole family or to make at the beginning of the week for meal prepping. Get the recipe.
3. Crock Pot Mushroom Risotto
Moms With Crock Pots / Via momswithcrockpots.com
Forget about all the stirring on the stove top. This slow-cooked risotto couldn't be easier. Get the recipe.
4. Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells with Spinach
Everyday Good Thinking / Via everydaygoodthinking.com
You don't even have to cook the pasta ahead of time. Just fill each shells with the spinach and cheese mixture, layer them with marinara sauce, and wait. Get the recipe.
5. Slow Cooker Egg Casserole
House of Yumm / Via houseofyumm.com
Let breakfast cook itself while you sleep. In the morning, be greeted by the smell of eggs and sausage. Get the recipe.
6. Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole
Mother Thyme / Via motherthyme.com
This recipe calls for apples, pecans, and cinnamon, but you can get creative and make this French toast with any of your favorite ingredients from peanut butter and bananas to blueberries and honey. Get the recipe.
7. Crock Pot Shrimp and Grits
Tammi Lee Tips / Via tammileetips.com
Let the grit cook for about eight hours until it's creamy and cheesy. Then, when you're just about ready to eat, toss in the shrimp for about five minutes to let them cook through. Get the recipe.
8. Slow Cooker Ricotta-Stuffed Meatballs
Cookies and Cups / Via cookiesandcups.com
Roll the meat, breadcrumbs, and Italian seasoning into balls and fill each with a dollop of the ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella mixture. Drop them into the Crock Pot with marinara sauce and let them cook. Get the recipe.
9. Crock Pot Lo Mein
Lil Luna / Via lilluna.com
The key to delicious lo mein is all about the sauce. This version calls for vegetable broth, hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, and sesame oil, which slow-cooks for a few hours. About half an hour before dinner, just add the veggies, chicken, and pasta. Get the recipe.
10. Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
Joe Lingeman/The Kitchn / Via thekitchn.com
For a cozy, feel-good dinner the whole family will love, bookmark this dish. Don't forget to top the slow cooked onion mixture with shredded Gruyère and sliced bread. Get the recipe.
11. Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
Wicked Spatula / Via wickedspatula.com
For a lightened-up take on mashed potatoes, give this cauliflower version a try. It still tastes totally indulgent. Get the recipe.
12. Slow Cooker Beef Pho
Sidewalk Shoes / Via sidewalkshoes.com
Craving something out of the ordinary for dinner? Prepare this Vietnamese soup in the morning. The broth is the most important part, and you can let it simmer basically all day. When it's dinner time, add the rice noodles and chow down. Get the recipe.
13. Slow Cooker Overnight Oatmeal
A Spicy Perspective / Via aspicyperspective.com
Take the stress out of making breakfast by preparing your oatmeal the night before. In the morning, just slice some fruit and mix it all together. Get the recipe.
14. Slow Cooker Ratatouille
Blondelish / Via blondelish.com
This French-inspired vegetarian meal is so easy and super comforting on chilly nights. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand, or go the traditional route and opt for zucchini, eggplant, onions, and peppers. Get the recipe.
15. Slow Cooker Breakfast Burritos
Pretty Providence / Via prettyprovidence.com
Cooking breakfast for a crowd can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be, thanks to this recipe. Just add hash browns, pre-cooked breakfast sausage, vegetables, and beaten eggs to the slow cooker. When the egg mixture is ready toss it into tortillas and serve. Get the recipe.
16. Rosemary Olive Oil Crock Pot Bread
Host The Toast / Via hostthetoast.com
There's nothing — and we mean nothing — like warm and crispy homemade bread. And thanks to your trusty Crock Pot, you don't have to be an experienced baker to make it at home. Get the recipe.
17. Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Queso Dip
Isabel Eats / Via isabeleats.com
Grab the tortilla chips or crudité — this cheesy, spicy party dip will be an instant crowd pleaser. Get the recipe.
18. Slow Cooker Asian Lettuce Wraps
Comfort of Cooking / Via thecomfortofcooking.com
You could go out to dinner...or you could make these Asian-inspired lettuce wraps in the comfort of your own kitchen. The recipe calls for chicken, but you can use any ground meat you like best. Get the recipe.
19. Slow Cooker Matzo Ball Soup
Hitomi Aihara/Tasty / Via tasty.co
Commonly referred to as Jewish penicillin, there's nothing a bowl of matzo ball soup can't fix. Get the recipe.
20. Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese
Cafe Delites / Via cafedelites.com
Make a big batch of this Bolognese sauce. Use as much as you'd like, then freeze the leftovers for future pasta nights. Get the recipe.
21. Slow Cooker Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
Every Day Good Thinking / Via everydaygoodthinking.com
Nothing says Sunday brunch like a batch of homemade cinnamon rolls coated in vanilla icing. Get the recipe.
If you're looking for more meals that basically cook themselves, check out these posts:
* 21 Instant Pot Dinner Ideas You Need To Try
