Back to School Slow Cooker Dinners


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It’s already that time again! Get that crockpot out and ready for these back to school slow cooker dinners!

Do you have a hard time figuring out what to make for dinner every night? It’s time to get back into the routine of school again, why not make dinner something to look forward to. Make my kid approved crockpot dinners. If you need side dishes too, see my slow cooker side dishes.

collage of 6 slow cooker meals. Text overlay that says Back to School Slow Cooker Recipes.

I have been writing this blog for over 11 years and have had the time to create a large collection of tried-and-true recipes. Though there may be a few recipes your kids may not like, I think you will find a few they will love! So many easy kid-friendly crockpot recipes here!

I broke these recipes down into four categories: chicken, beef, pork, and vegetarian. Put a few of these recipes on the menu for the start of the school year and you won’t be disappointed.

Slow Cooker 1/3 full of gravy and shredded chicken

Try one of these easy slow cooker chicken recipes:

Family Favorite Slow Cooker Beef Recipes:

up close image of ravioli lasagna in slow cooker
  • Ravioli Lasagna (pictured) – Our favorite easy dinner! This uses frozen ravioli.
  • Pepper Steak – This meal has peppers and onions in an Asian inspired sauce.
  • Tater Tot Casserole – Tater tots, ground beef and green beans in a creamy sauce.
  • Garlic Beer French Dips – The alcohol cooks out of this, so safe for the kids. Pile this meat on French bread, add swiss cheese and dip in the Au jus from the slow cooker.
  • Classic Pot Roast Dinner – All this meal needs is a bag of dinner rolls for serving, the gravy is made at the same time as the roast and vegetables.
  • Teriyaki Beef – Truely only three ingredients! Great over steamed jasmine rice.
  • Meatloaf and Baked Potatoes – The meatloaf and baked potatoes are cooked at the same time!
  • V8 Chili – this chili is packed with vegetables from the V8 vegetable juice.

Slow Cooker Pork recipes that we love:

close up of beans and ham soup in a slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Meatless Recipes:

feta tomato pasta in slow cooker with wooden spoon in it

We love to do a night or two without meat! It saves money and is better for your health.

  • Zucchini Bolognese – Load of zucchini make up this easy pasta sauce!
  • Marinara Sauce – This recipe is great for pasta or even pizza sauce. Makes enough to freeze some for later.
  • Stuffed Shells – Great for pasta night, and very hearty!
  • Vegetarian Chili – My husband didn’t even realize that there was no meat in this, it’s that good!
  • Cajun Vegetarian 15 Bean Soup – You won’t believe how much flavor this soup has, great with cornbread on the side.
  • Tomato and Feta Pasta (pictured) – This is the Tik Tok famous recipe that I tweaked for the slow cooker and added my own spin on.

You may also want to see my BEST slow cooker chicken recipes, or Best Slow Cooker Chili Recipes.

Other recipes you may like

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26 Comments

  1. Charity Rosales says:

    All these recipes sound easy and delicious… thanks for รŸharing

  2. Robert Haines says:

    Any recipes for pheasant breasts please

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I do not, I apologize.

    2. Jacee says:

      Use them in the recipes above like chicken. Add extra broth if cooking longer than 4 hours!

  3. Teresa says:

    More Vegetarian option Please!

  4. Cheryl Lamb says:

    I never did find the recipe for the slow cooker pork chops. Where is it?

  5. Joyce says:

    I have type 2 diabetes. Do you have any recipes for diabetics.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Hi Joyce, I’m unsure if I have any. I apologize. I’m not familiar with cooking for diabetes.

    2. Liza says:

      Many of the recipes will be perfectly fine for diabetics. (I just personally avoid the pasta or breaded choices.) The key will be portion control. Serve them with steamed vegetables of your choice.

    3. Nicole says:

      Joyce all recipes can be modified with different side dishes for diabetics. Im a type 2 and do it all the time

  6. PAMELA LAUGHLIN says:

    I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD WITH RELISH TO SARAH’S FABULOUS RECIPES!!!!

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK TO PROVIDE US WITH THESE WONDERFUL MEALS!!!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Thank you, Pamela! I love making these recipes.

  7. Rose says:

    Everything looks great.

  8. Debbie says:

    As a senior my crockpot is fabulous. Iโ€™m not able to cook like I used to but still want home cooked food. This is not much work for a good meal. Thanks Sarah!!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      So wonderful to hear Debbie!