15 Simple Recipes That Practically Cook Themselves in a Crockpot

ByDIYer

There’s something magical about the shift into fall. The air turns crisp, the daylight fades earlier, and suddenly I find myself craving cozy sweaters, warm drinks, and big bowls of hearty soup. September always feels like a fresh start, and in my house we jokingly call it “Soup-tember”—a month where the crockpot rarely gets a day off. There’s just nothing better than coming home to the smell of a meal that’s been simmering all day, filling the kitchen with warmth.

As the season changes, our calendar fills up just as quickly as the trees shed their leaves. Between work, school, and the never-ending shuffle of after-school sports and practices, I don’t always have time to fuss over dinner. That’s where my crockpot comes to the rescue. It’s my silent kitchen helper—working away in the background while I’m running errands, cheering from the sidelines, or trying to keep up with the busy rhythm of fall.

This is the time of year when I especially lean into soups and stews. There’s something about ladling out a steaming bowl of potato soup after a chilly soccer game or serving a big pot of chili to family after practice that feels grounding. Soup isn’t just food—it’s comfort, tradition, and a little bit of self-care in a bowl. And when it practically cooks itself while I’m away? Even better.

That’s why I’ve pulled together this list of 15 simple crockpot recipes, with a strong focus on soups perfect for Soup-tember, but also including favorite hearty dishes like pulled pork, chicken tacos, lasagna, and more. They’re designed for busy families, sports-season chaos, and anyone who just wants delicious, effortless dinners.

So grab your slow cooker, embrace Soup-tember, and let’s dive into recipes that make weeknights easier and weekends even cozier.

1. Classic Beef Chili

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 1 can kidney beans, drained

  • 1 can black beans, drained

  • 1 can diced tomatoes

  • 1 small onion, diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tbsp chili powder

  • 1 tsp cumin

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Brown ground beef in a skillet.

  2. Add all ingredients to the crockpot and stir.

  3. Cook on low 6–8 hours.

  4. Serve with shredded cheese and cornbread.

2. Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 1 cup wild rice, uncooked

  • 3 carrots, diced

  • 3 celery stalks, diced

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 4 cups chicken broth

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • ½ tsp thyme

  • ½ cup heavy cream (added at the end)

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken, rice, carrots, celery, onion, broth, and seasonings into crockpot.

  2. Cook on low 6–7 hours.

  3. Remove chicken, shred, then return to soup.

  4. Stir in cream before serving.

3. Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:

  • 6 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 4 cups chicken broth

  • 1 can cream of chicken soup

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

  • ½ cup milk

  • Optional toppings: bacon, green onions, extra cheese

Instructions:

  1. Combine potatoes, onion, broth, soup, and garlic powder in crockpot.

  2. Cook on low 7 hours.

  3. Stir in milk and cheese before serving.

  4. Top each bowl with desired toppings.

4. Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans diced tomatoes

  • 1 can tomato paste

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 3 cups vegetable broth

  • 1 tsp dried basil

  • ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper

  • ½ cup heavy cream (optional, added at end)

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients except cream in crockpot.

  2. Cook on low 6 hours.

  3. Blend with an immersion blender for smooth texture.

  4. Stir in cream if desired.

5. Vegetarian Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups dry lentils, rinsed

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 3 carrots, diced

  • 2 celery stalks, diced

  • 1 can diced tomatoes

  • 4 cups vegetable broth

  • 1 tsp cumin

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in crockpot.

  2. Cook on low 7 hours or high 4 hours.

  3. Stir before serving; add fresh parsley for garnish.

6. Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken breasts

  • 4 carrots, sliced

  • 3 celery stalks, sliced

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 8 cups chicken broth

  • 2 tsp dried thyme

  • 2 tsp garlic powder

  • 6 oz egg noodles (added last 30 min)

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Add chicken, vegetables, broth, and seasonings to crockpot.

  2. Cook on low 6 hours.

  3. Remove chicken, shred, return to soup, add noodles, cook 30 more minutes.

7. Crockpot Pulled Pork

Ingredients:

  • 3–4 lb pork shoulder

  • 1 onion, sliced

  • 2 cups BBQ sauce

  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions:

  1. Place onion on bottom, pork on top.

  2. Pour sauce, vinegar, and sugar over pork.

  3. Cook on low 8 hours, shred pork, mix with sauce.

  4. Serve on buns, tacos, or baked potatoes.

8. Honey Garlic Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs

  • ½ cup honey

  • ⅓ cup soy sauce

  • ¼ cup ketchup

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

  1. Mix honey, soy sauce, ketchup, and garlic. Pour over chicken in crockpot.

  2. Cook on low 6 hours.

  3. Thicken sauce if desired. Serve with rice and steamed vegetables.

9. Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs beef stew meat

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup

  • 1 cup beef broth

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 cup sour cream (added at end)

Instructions:

  1. Place beef, onion, soup, broth, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce in crockpot.

  2. Cook on low 7–8 hours.

  3. Stir in sour cream before serving over egg noodles.

10. Teriyaki Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken breasts

  • ½ cup soy sauce

  • ½ cup honey

  • ¼ cup rice vinegar

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp ginger

Instructions:

  1. Mix sauce ingredients and pour over chicken in crockpot.

  2. Cook on low 6 hours.

  3. Shred chicken and serve over rice with steamed vegetables.

11. Crockpot Lasagna

Ingredients:

  • 9 no-boil lasagna noodles

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 1 jar marinara sauce

  • 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella

Instructions:

  1. Brown beef, layer noodles, ricotta, sauce, and mozzarella in crockpot.

  2. Cook on low 4–5 hours until noodles are soft.

12. Stuffed Pepper Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 2 bell peppers, diced

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 1 can diced tomatoes

  • 1 can tomato sauce

  • 3 cups beef broth

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp oregano

  • 1 cup cooked rice

Instructions:

  1. Brown beef, add all ingredients except rice to crockpot.

  2. Cook on low 6 hours.

  3. Stir in cooked rice before serving.

13. BBQ Meatballs

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs frozen meatballs

  • 2 cups BBQ sauce

  • ½ cup water

Instructions:

  1. Place meatballs in crockpot, pour sauce and water over top.

  2. Cook on low 4–5 hours.

  3. Serve as an appetizer or main dish with mashed potatoes.

14. Chicken Tacos

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken breasts

  • 1 packet taco seasoning

  • 1 cup salsa

  • ½ cup water

Instructions:

  1. Add chicken, seasoning, salsa, and water to crockpot.

  2. Cook on low 6 hours.

  3. Shred chicken and serve in tortillas with toppings.

15. Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups peeled, sliced apples

  • ½ cup sugar

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • ½ cup oats

  • ½ cup brown sugar

  • 4 tbsp butter, diced

Instructions:

  1. Combine apples, sugar, and cinnamon in crockpot.

  2. Top with oats, brown sugar, and butter.

  3. Cook on low 3–4 hours until apples are tender.

  4. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Whether you’re embracing Soup-tember, dealing with sports-season chaos, or just craving cozy meals, your crockpot has your back. From hearty soups to pulled pork, lasagna, and even dessert, these 15 recipes practically cook themselves while you go about your busy fall days.

Embrace the magic of the slow cooker this season—it’s the ultimate tool for stress-free, comforting, and family-friendly meals.

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