There’s nothing like a warm, homecooked meal to melt away your stress after an exhausting day. Most of us, however, don’t have the time to peel, chop, and tend the pot upon coming home from work. Hence, we eat out. Or on especially draining days, we have food delivered. If you can relate, it’s time you discover something that will put all your dinner troubles away: easy crockpot recipes!

This simple but ever-trusty kitchen appliance can solve your dilemma of choosing between easy but unhealthy versus wholesome but difficult. But first, let’s discuss the main pointers you need to know about using your crockpot. 

First, a slow cooker is called so because it’s meant to take its time in cooking your dish. Even if you set it on high, the cooking in a crockpot is relatively slower compared to using a microwave or a stovetop. Secondly, one hour on high is equal to two hours on low. So, you can adjust the cooking time of the recipes depending on the amount of time you have.

Here are five go-to easy crockpot recipes even the busiest of us can whip up. As a bonus, these dump-and-go recipes only have an average of five ingredients to make home cooking a walk in the park. 

Crockpot Tomato Alfredo Chicken Recipe (The Frugal Girls)

First on our list of easy crockpot recipes is this Tomato Alfredo Chicken from The Frugal Girls. 

With only four ingredients, you can easily make this recipe even if you don’t have a well-stocked pantry. This is a great dish to put in the crockpot just before you head out to run errands for the day. Six hours later, you’ll have soft, juicy chicken just waiting to be soaked in tomato sauce. If you’re in the mood for a heavy meal, pair this dish with your choice of pasta.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast fresh or thawed
• 23 oz. Classico Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce 1 1/2 jars, 15 oz. jars
• 1 large Tomato sliced
• 4 Fresh Basil Leaves

Place chicken breasts in the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours. Then, drain the juices. Next, Spread tomato alfredo sauce over the chicken and cook on high for 30 minutes. Top chicken with slices of tomato and fresh basil before serving.

5 Ingredient Crockpot Orange Chicken (Heidi’s Home Cooking)

If you’re fond of Chinese takeout, this is a healthier alternative. It only needs five ingredients, or six, if you include the optional. The prep required is also fairly light, mainly cutting, draining, and mixing. The dish takes three hours total waiting time though. But that’s just enough time to work up an appetite by doing your other chores.

Ingredients:

• 4-5 chicken breasts cut in 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 3/4 cup orange marmalade
• 2 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1-2 chopped green onions
• Optional: sesame seeds

Put the chicken in the crockpot and cook on high in the crockpot for 1.5 hours. After that, drain and pour in the mixture of barbecue sauce, marmalade, and soy sauce. Cook for another 1.5 hours on high. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches (Bloglovin’)

Craving for a hearty sandwich that won’t leave you unsatisfied? Make this delicious Italian Beef Sandwiches from Bloglovin’! In the morning, dump all the ingredients in the pot. When you come home in the evening, you’ll be welcomed by a fragrant, mouth-watering aroma of flavorful beef that has been soaking in delicious flavors all day. Complete the ensemble with slices of provolone cheese. Fresh hoagie buns will absorb the sumptuous juices of the meat.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs chuck roast
• 1 envelope Good Seasons Zesty Italian salad dressing mix
• 8oz pepperoncini pepper slices 
• 8oz Giardiniera (Chicago-Style Italian Sandwich Mix,) drained (plus extra for serving)
• 14.5oz can beef broth

Place all the ingredients in a crockpot and cook on low for 9 hours. Next, shred the meat with a fork and continue to cook on low for another hour. You can then scoop meat on split buns and top with cheese. Add more pepperoncini peppers and Giardiniera, if preferred.

Crockpot Cajun Pot Roast (The Spruce Eats)

It’s a surprise how you can make something so easy and yet so delicious right in your own kitchen! This Crockpot Cajun Pot Roast from The Spruce Eats is bursting with flavor, it’s hard to believe it doesn’t take a lot to cook. Requiring 8-10 hours of cooking time, it’s another dish you can assemble in the morning and put in the crockpot before you go to work. Pair this roast with a salad, some garlic bread, and a glass (or more) of wine for a perfect night-in.

Ingredients:

• 1 (2 to 3 pound) boneless beef chuck roast
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (14 ounces) can diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Rub Cajun seasoning over the roast. Put in the slow cooker and top with the onion. Next, pour the mixture of tomatoes with its juice, hot pepper sauce, and pepper. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. Serve meat with tomatoes, onions, and juice from the crockpot.

Potato Chowder (Taste of Home)

Last but not least on our list of easy crockpot recipes is this Potato Chowder from Taste of Home. Don’t underestimate the potential of this soup! It’s filling and packed with flavor, every spoonful will be a dose of comfort for your tired soul. The ingredients list is a bit more than the previous recipes, but most of the things you need are canned or packed. So, you won’t have to do any heavy food prep for this glorious dinner soup. The soup is delicious in itself, so topping it with bacon is optional if you’re watching your weight.

Ingredients:

• 8 cups diced potatoes
• 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
• 1/2 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled, optional
• Minced chives, optional

Place the potatoes, broth, chicken soup, onion, and pepper in the slow cooker. Then, cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. Just before serving, add cream cheese and stir until well-blended. If desired, garnish with bacon and chives.

Try your hands at any of these recipes to save on your nightly dinner expenses. Moreover, you’ll have more control over what you eat and won’t be limited by restaurant menus.