Let’s be real—dinnertime can feel like chaos when you’re juggling work, kids, and everything in between. That’s why 5 ingredient crock pot recipes are a total lifesaver!
You can toss everything in the slow cooker in the morning and come home to a warm, homemade meal that your family will love.
I’ve found the best budget-friendly meals that your kids, so get a delicious dinner on the table without the stress!
Tips to Make Slow Cooker Recipes Even Easier
Before diving into these 5-ingredient crock pot recipes, here are a few simple tips to make slow cooking even more effortless, mess-free, and stress-free:
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Use Slow Cooker Liners – Save time on cleanup by using disposable liners. Just toss them when you’re done—no scrubbing needed!
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Prep Ingredients the Night Before Or Over the Weekend – Chop veggies, measure out seasonings, and store everything in the fridge so you can just dump and go in the morning.
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Layer Ingredients Correctly – Place denser items like meat and root veggies at the bottom fr even cooking, and keep dairy or delicate ingredients for the last 30 minutes.
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Avoid Lifting the Lid – Every time you open the slow cooker, heat escapes, adding extra cooking time. Trust the process and keep the lid on!
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Make A Double Batch & Freeze for Later – If your family loves a recipe, make extra and freeze leftovers for a quick meal on another busy night.
Now that you’re set up for success, let’s dive into these easy 5-ingredient crock pot recipes that will make dinnertime a breeze!
25 Easy 5-Ingredient Crock Pot Recipes That Cook Themselves
1. Slow Cooker Meat Sauce
Nothing says easy dinner like pasta with a meat sauce- my girls and I can’t resist! Let the slow cooker make a rich, flavorful meat sauce and serve over pasta or zoodles for a hearty, budget-friendly meal.
2. Crock Pot Apple Pork Tenderloin
I love a good fall crock pot dinner, and using apples from the orchard to make a delicious pork dinner is what I look forward to. Perfect for busy nights when you want something cozy but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
3. Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos
Tacos are a simple dinner that any kid or adult can appreciate, and this recipe means the slow cooker does the work for you. Just shred and serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings!
4. Mother’s Pot Roast
Mother’s pot roast is a classic comfort meal that takes just a few ingredients but delivers big on flavor. Let the crock pot do all the work while you tackle your day!
5. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
If your family loves wings, this easy buffalo chicken is an easy dinner twist for sandwiches, wraps, or even salads. It’s packed with flavor but takes no effort to throw together.
6. Crockpot Alfredo Ravioli
Ravioli can get turned into a full meal in now time when you throw it in the crock pot with some sauce. It’s an easy pasta dish that I can serve with some salad on a hectic Tuesday.
7. Slow Cooker Beef Roast and Carrots
Toss beef roast in the crock pot in the morning, and by dinnertime, you have a homemade meal with zero stress. Juicy, fall-apart beef with tender carrots makes for the best dinner on a cold night!
8. Crockpot Orange Chicken
Skip getting your favorite takeout and make this easy, sticky-sweet orange chicken at home instead. Just five ingredients and a slow cooker are all you need for a meal that tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant.
9. Slow Cooker Soy Garlic Chicken
Soy garlic chicken is similar to teriyaki chicken, so this hits the spot when I’m craving takeout. Our kids will devour it, and you’ll love how simple it is.
10. Crockpot Crack Chicken
This recipe is called crack for a reason! It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, so everyone in the family asks for it again and again.
11. Slow Cooker Italian Chicken
I found this super easy slow cooker Italian chicken recipe, and it’s a total win for busy nights! I let it cook all day, and dinner is done once I make some pasta—or serve it on some rolls for an Italian sandwich.
12. Crock Pot Chili Mac
We’ve got to put a little kick into mac and cheese, and this chili is the way to do it. It’s budget-friendly, kid-approved, and requires minimal prep!
13. Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
Tender, juicy beef slow-cooked in Italian seasonings makes the best sandwiches. Just pile it on a bun with melted cheese for an easy dinner.
14. Crockpot Beer Brats
These brats cook up juicy and flavorful with almost no effort. Just add buns and your favorite toppings, and dinner is done!
15. Mississippi Roast
This famous five-ingredient roast is packed with rich, buttery flavor and practically melts in your mouth. It’s an easy win for a family dinner!
16. Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken
A fresh and tangy twist on shredded chicken that’s perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or nachos. You’ll love how easy it is to make!
17. Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
This juicy, slow-cooked beef is packed with flavor and makes the most delicious sandwiches. Just dip in au jus and enjoy!
18. Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops and Potatoes
Ranch seasoning makes these tender pork chops extra flavorful, and the potatoes soak up all the goodness. It’s a simple, hearty dinner that everyone will love.
19. Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs
The ultimate party appetizer or easy dinner, these sweet and savory meatballs are always a hit. Perfect over rice or as sliders!
20. Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
Smoky, saucy, and ridiculously easy—these chicken thighs are great for toppings on potatoes or pastas or shredded for sandwiches. A budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing meal.
21. Crock Pot Hawaiian Chicken with Pineapple
A little sweet, a little tangy, and full of flavor, this dish makes dinner feel like a tropical getaway. I can serve this up on rice, and it feels like a fresh summer dish year-round.
22. Crock Pot Cubed Steak
This tender cubed steak with rich gravy is pure comfort food. It’s perfect with mashed potatoes for an easy, filling meal.
23. Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
A no-fuss way to enjoy stuffed peppers—just toss everything in and let the crock pot do the work. A wholesome, budget-friendly meal with minimal prep.
24. Crockpot Ham with Maple Dijon Sauce
Ham with a sweet mustard sauce was a surprise hit in our house. Throw it all in, and let the crock pot do the work so you can spend less time in the kitchen!
25. Crockpot Enchilada Quinoa
A protein-packed, one-pot meal that’s full of Tex-Mex flavors and incredibly easy to make. Just dump, stir, and let it cook!
Final Thoughts
With simple ingredients and hands-off cooking, you can serve up flavorful, comforting meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
Making dinner doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming, and 5 ingredient crock pot recipes prove just that.
Whether it’s a busy school night or you just need a break from meal prep, these recipes will keep your family fed and happy—without the dinnertime overwhelm.
So go ahead, let your crock pot do the work, Mama, and enjoy a delicious meal at the end of the day!
