These are my absolute favorite slow cooker recipes. The ones I come back to again and again when I want something hearty, flavorful, and truly effortless.
I’m a huge fan of my slow cooker. If you’ve been around Life’s A Tomato for any amount of time, you know it gets used at least a few times a week at my house. There’s just something unbeatable about being able to toss a few ingredients in the morning, go about your day, and come back to a house that smells amazing and dinner that’s basically done. No fuss, no standing over the stove, no last-minute scrambling.
Nothing Boring Here!
And let’s be honest – slow cooker food used to get a bad rap for being boring. Bland chicken, mushy vegetables, same old stew. Nothing boring here, just great easy recipes! I made sure every single recipe on this list is one I actually love to eat and serve to my family. These are the keepers.
What you’ll find below is a little bit of everything I crave when I’m in slow cooker mode. We’ve got stick-to-your-ribs comfort food like Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak with perfect texture and rich gravy, Cubed Steaks with Gravy, and Stuffed Cabbage Rolls that are ideal for those cold days when you want something that really warms you up. If soup season is your favorite season, you’re covered. From my Hearty Sausage and Beans Soup and Kielbasa Sauerkraut and Potato Soup to a New England Clam Chowder that turned out way better than I ever expected. There’s even a French Onion Soup packed with deep, caramelized flavor.
Ready To Party!
You’ll also find game-day and party favorites, like my Meat Lovers Chili loaded with three meats, Down-Home Chili Dogs that are gloriously sloppy and drippy, Party Shrimp that is hands-down the easiest way to feed a crowd, and even Ranch Corn Chips for snacking. And yes, classics like Beans ‘n Wieners, just like I loved as a kid, Spaghetti and Meatballs where the pasta cooks right in the sauce, and a Holiday Green Bean Casserole that will make you scrap the traditional version for good.
All of these recipes are tested in my own kitchen, designed to be low-effort with big payoff, and perfect for busy weeknights, cold weekends, or anytime you want real comfort food without the work. So dust off that slow cooker and let’s get cooking.
The List
1
Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil
I’ve eaten my share of shrimp boils. But honestly, there’s no such thing as having had too many shrimp boils.
We’ve all had it. The traditional holiday green bean casserole. Well, scrap that and move on to this slow cooker holiday green bean casserole. Same idea, but oh, so much better.
There’s nothing fancy about this Reuben. It’s your standard fare. Slow-cooked corned beef, tender, and then chopped. Mixed in with well-rinsed and drained kraut. Easy dressing, cheese, and rye. Done.
Smoked sausage is great in this slow cooker Delta sausage dish, but if you find Andouille sausage, use it instead. It’ll add even more flavor to an already delicious meal.
