Kid-Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

We're giving three cheers for these easy slow cooker recipes that the whole family will love. From savory mac and cheese to sweet-as-can-be apple crisp—these recipes will help you pull together your meal plan in a snap.

01 of 20

White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: White Chicken Chili

The best part about this White Chicken Chili (aside from the flavor, of course) is it requires no pre-cooking. Just throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker and wait for it to cook into a big pot of something delicious.

02 of 20

Lemon Chicken Soup

Lemon Chicken Soup
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Lemon Chicken Soup

Classic chicken soup is dressed up with a splash of lemon juice, peas, and carrots.

03 of 20

Apple Butter

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Recipe: Apple Butter

Kids will love using this sweet spread on just about anything. From toast, to bagels, to muffins—we dare them to find a pastry that hasn't met its match.

04 of 20

Easy Enchilada Bake

Easy Enchilada Bake
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Easy Enchilada Bake

The cornbread crust on this enchilada bake is the icing on the cake. Serve with your family's favorite toppings like guacamole or sour cream.

05 of 20

Apple and Pear Crisp

Apple and Pear Crisp
Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

Recipe: Apple and Pear Crisp

Warm and sweet crisp is the ultimate comfort food dessert. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and light dusting of cinnamon.

06 of 20

Peach Cobbler

Peach Cobbler
Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

Recipe: Peach Cobbler

Top this sweet cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you have a summertime dessert that everyone will go bananas for.

07 of 20

Lemon Bar Cake

Lemon Bar Cake
Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

Recipe: Lemon Bar Cake

This easy slow-cooker Lemon Bar Cake is made even sweeter with a light dusting of powdered sugar.

08 of 20

Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos

Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos
Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos

Your kids might think this one is too good to be true, but when nachos are stacked with our flavorful roast, tomatoes, black beans, and avocado we think they're good enough for the main meal.

09 of 20

Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese

Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese

Mac and cheese with minimal effort is the name of the game. This recipe results in a crispy crust and a gooey center that they won't be able to resist.

10 of 20

Spaghetti Casserole

Spaghetti Casserole
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Spaghetti Casserole

This spaghetti casserole is even quicker and easier than you remember thanks to store-bought tomato sauce. Brown the ground beef and onion prior to adding to the slow cooker.

11 of 20

Slow-Cooker Parmesan-Herb Pork Loin with Chunky Tomato Sauce

Slow-Cooker Parmesan-Herb Pork Loin with Chunky Tomato Sauce
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Parmesan-Herb Pork Loin with Chunky Tomato Sauce

The recipe calls for a cup of red wine, but the alcohol will burn off over its 8-hour cook time. You'll be left with a delicious, flavorful pork loin that both kids and adults will love.

12 of 20

Slow-Cooker Tomato Sauce

Slow-Cooker Tomato Sauce
Alison Miksch

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Tomato Sauce

Make up a big batch of this Slow-Cooker Tomato Sauce to have on hand throughout the week.

13 of 20

Chicken-and-Squash Casserole

Chicken-and-Squash Casserole
IAIN BAGWELL

Recipe: Chicken-and-Squash Casserole

Camouflage veggies in a cheesy, slow-cooker casserole that will soon be your family's new favorite one-dish wonder.

14 of 20

Black Bean Chimichangas

Black Bean Chimichangas
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Black Bean Chimichangas

Slow-cooker Black Beans are the star of these chimichangas. They're full of savory flavor that will take your Tex-Mex to the next level.

15 of 20

Slow-cooked Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

Pickled Peppers & Onions
Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Slow-cooked Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

Nestle this tender slow-cooker chicken between two slices of sweet potato cornbread and top with our simple slaw for a dinnertime no-brainer.

16 of 20

Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos Al Pastor with All the Fixings

Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos Al Pastor with All the Fixings
Greg Dupree

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos Al Pastor with All the Fixings

Lay out all the toppings and let your little ones build their own for a fun twist on taco night.

17 of 20

Meatloaf

Meatloaf

Recipe: Meatloaf

For an easy side, prepare country-style shredded hash browns according to the directions on the package. Stir in a half cup each chopped parsley, sour cream, and Ranch dressing. Finish with a teaspoon of freshly ground pepper and a half teaspoon salt.

18 of 20

Soulful Chicken Soup

Soulful Chicken Soup
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Soulful Chicken Soup

This tastes just like the chicken soup you remember from your childhood. Don't let the egg noodles cook in the slow cooker for more than 10 minutes or they'll become mushy.

19 of 20

Chicken-and-Spinach Lasagna

Chicken-and-Spinach Lasagna
Oxmoor House

Recipe: Chicken-and-Spinach Lasagna

For an easy side, toss together a package of mixed salad greens and two cups each refrigerated unsweetened grapefruit sections and diced avocado, half cup sweetened dried cranberries, and a third cup bottled poppy seed dressing.

20 of 20

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Family-favorite meatballs are sandwiched between pillowy-soft rolls for the ultimate finger food.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles