38 Easy Crock Pot Meal Prep Ideas for Stress-Free Dinners Throughout the Week

1. Crock Pot Pulled Pork Tacos

This tasty crock pot pulled pork comes together in no time and serves up to six. You can prepare the pork ahead of time on meal prep day, then simply heat it with the tortillas for about 15 minutes when it's time to eat.

Not planning to eat all the tacos at once? Keep the meat and tortillas stored separately, then assemble the tacos on the night you're ready to enjoy them. Each person can top their tacos with their favorite fixings for a personalized meal.

2. Slow Cooker Deep Dish Pizza

Store-bought pizza dough and sauce make it easy to turn any night into pizza night, reducing prep time to just 20 minutes. The possibilities for pizza toppings are endless! You can prepare any toppings you'd like during meal prep, then add them when you're ready to bake.

For picky eaters, try making half of the pizza with more sophisticated toppings and the other half with just classic tomato and cheese. And don't forget, any leftovers can be wrapped in foil and stored in the fridge.

3. Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes

Packed with bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and a variety of beans, this vegetarian chili is sure to be a hit. Chop all the veggies ahead of time and store them until you're ready to add everything to the crock pot, or opt for frozen pre-cut sweet potatoes if you're short on time.

Chili freezes wonderfully, so you can make a large batch and freeze it for later. Just be sure to take it out a day in advance and place it in the fridge—if not, reheating will take much longer.

4. Chicken Pasta Soup

This comfort food classic serves six and is a must-have in your crock pot meal prep rotation. With only about five minutes of prep time, you can chop the veggies on meal prep day and store them in the fridge for later.

Soup freezes beautifully, so it's a great addition to your freezer meal prep. Just heat it up on the stove whenever you're ready to enjoy it.

5. Crock Pot Mexican Beef Sliders

While traditionally, Barbacoa (the beef) requires hours of slow roasting and basting, the slow cooker does all the work to make the meat tender enough to fall apart with just a fork. You can prepare the beef ahead of time, refrigerate it, and simply reheat when you're ready to serve.

Barbacoa also freezes wonderfully. Just thaw it overnight and reheat in a pan on the stovetop or in the microwave. This recipe yields eight servings, so any leftovers can be used for tacos later in the week!

6. Crock Pot Angel Food Cake

Yes, you can make cake in a crock pot! Just mix the ingredients, place the pan in the crock pot, and a delicious dessert will be ready a few hours later. You can even bake it while prepping vegetables or cooking chicken on meal prep day.

Angel food cake can also be frozen in individual slices for later enjoyment. Simply wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil. Top with your favorite fruit mix, and you’ll have a cake that will become a family favorite.

7. Big Batch Black Beans

If you're looking to step up your meal planning, making large batches of basic ingredients is a great way to have meals ready for the week. The best part? Using the crock pot eliminates the need to soak the beans, saving you time.

Prep this bean recipe in the crock pot and use the beans throughout the week in tacos, burritos, a quick chili, or as a topping for salads or baked potatoes.

8. Sweet and Spicy Pork Tenderloin

Slow cooking transforms this pork tenderloin into a tender, flavorful dish that only requires about 20 minutes of prep time to whisk together the sauce. A sweet soy and brown sugar glaze combined with beef stock keeps the roast juicy and delicious. While it's fantastic on its own, it's also perfect for tacos, chili, sandwiches, and more throughout the week. The recipe serves four, so you might want to make a double batch if you're feeding a crowd.

9. Crock Pot Puttanesca with Roasted Broccolini

This simple crock pot recipe delivers that deep, slow-cooked pasta sauce flavor without the need to stay by the stove. Homemade tomato sauce typically requires frequent stirring, but with the slow cooker, you can skip that step. Roasting the broccolini takes the most time (about 10 to 15 minutes), so you can prepare the pasta on meal prep day, store it in the fridge, and cook the broccolini just before serving.

10. Slow Cooker Curried Chicken with Ginger and Yogurt

Get curry cooking quickly! Mix everything together, then let the slow cooker work its magic on low heat so the spices can combine. This recipe serves six, and you can freeze any leftovers. Curries freeze exceptionally well, whether in large batches or single portions. When you're ready to eat, just reheat on the stovetop, adding a splash of water to thin the sauce if needed.

11. Crock Pot Chocolate Pudding Cake

This simple-to-make crock pot cake is another dessert you can bake while preparing meals. Just mix the ingredients, pop them into the slow cooker, and in a few hours, you'll have a decadent chocolate cake to enjoy all week. The recipe yields eight servings, but it's so irresistible you might not have any leftovers. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, and savor it while it's still warm!

12. Chicken Mushroom Pot Pie

While the puff pastry (or biscuits, if you prefer) topper needs to be baked separately, the slow cooker simplifies the creamy pot pie filling. If you'd like to freeze the filling, divide it into portions or use one large freezer bag. To reheat, simply thaw it in a saucepan or the oven while you bake the pastry. This recipe makes four servings, ideal for a family dinner or leftovers later in the week.

13. Crock Pot Chicken Congee

This comforting Chinese dish combines a creamy base of chicken, coconut milk, and rice. You can enhance it with any ingredients you have on hand—scallions, peanuts, coconut, cilantro—and add a dash of chili crunch or your favorite spicy sauce. The recipe yields six servings, and any leftovers can be frozen in individual portions for up to three months.

14. Slow Cooker Black Bean Posole

This classic Mexican soup is a simple, "dump and serve" recipe for the slow cooker. The only prep work involves chopping the onion, garlic, and chiles, but the beauty of this dish is that you can assemble everything on meal prep day and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to cook.

When you're ready to enjoy it, simply add the soup to the crock pot and let it cook. Leftovers can be frozen in individual portions or in one large batch for up to three months.

15. Slow Cooker Shepherd's Pie

This classic British comfort dish gets a rich twist with a splash of stout, enhancing the hearty flavor. Traditionally time-consuming and complicated, this simplified recipe cuts down on effort, allowing you to prep the vegetables, beef, and mashed potatoes in just 10 minutes on meal prep day.

When it's time to enjoy, just add everything to the crock pot and let it cook while you go about your day. Warm the mashed potatoes on the stove, adding small amounts of cream to adjust the consistency before spreading them over the stew.

16. Crock Pot Chicken Taco Soup

This flexible soup allows for easy substitutions, such as swapping black beans for pinto beans, and adding toppings as you like. The chicken breasts slow-cook all day, making shredding effortless when they're done. With eight servings, you can prepare this delicious meal in advance, store it in the fridge, and heat it up on the stove. Plus, it freezes beautifully, so you can save half for later and keep half in the fridge for the week.

17. Slow Cooker Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

This lasagna is a breeze to assemble! Just layer jarred sauce, uncooked noodles, cheese, and spinach in your slow cooker, then let it cook. In just three hours, this vegetarian meal will be ready, making it perfect for meal prep. After it cools, store it in the fridge, and when you're ready to eat, cover it with foil and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 30 minutes.

18. Coffee-Braised Brisket With Potatoes and Carrots

Coffee and beef make a perfect pair! Brisket becomes wonderfully tender when cooked low and slow in the crock pot. If you’d like to get a jumpstart, you can chop the potatoes, carrots, and onions, and mix the sauce ahead of time so everything is ready to go in the slow cooker later.

19. Pork Ditalini Stew

Tomatoes, spinach, and small pasta add a light touch to this pork-based soup. (If you can't find Ditalini, feel free to swap in any small pasta!) The slow cooking process makes the pork incredibly tender, giving it a rich, home-cooked flavor. You don't even need to cook the pasta separately—just toss it in about 10 minutes before you're ready to serve.

Want to save some for later? Freezing is easy! Store it in individual portions or a single batch, then defrost overnight and reheat on the stovetop.

20. Crock Pot Cinnamon Pecan Monkey Bread

Slow cookers are an underrated tool for baking. They make preparing monkey bread a simple, hands-off brunch option that bakes as you handle the rest of your meal. The pecans are optional, but the combination of butter, brown sugar, and canned biscuits makes this pastry effortlessly delicious. This recipe yields about six to eight servings, depending on your crowd’s appetite.

21. Crock Pot Coca Cola Carnitas

Coca-Cola imparts a sweet and smoky flavor to the carnitas. Prepare it in advance and enjoy tacos, nachos, or mouth-watering pulled pork sandwiches throughout the week. The only part that requires time is shredding the pork with a spoon toward the end of the cooking process, but the effort is well worth it. Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop when ready to serve.

22. Slow Cooker Asian Short Ribs

This sweet and savory blend of brown sugar, rice vinegar, and soy sauce creates the perfect marinade for a delicious crockpot dish that's perfect for a dinner party. With just seven and a half hours of cooking time, you can easily prepare it in the morning, set it, and forget it until dinner time.

Planning to meal prep? Chop the carrots, cabbage, scallions, and garlic ahead of time to save yourself some work. Serve the tender ribs with just the veggies or pair the meal with rice for a complete dinner.

23. Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

This popular Indian dish becomes even easier with the crockpot, waiting for you when you return home after a hectic day. The slow, low cooking process infuses the chicken with rich flavor. The only time-consuming part is chopping the veggies and herbs at the end, which takes just 10 minutes. Adding cream before serving creates a velvety texture, and the fresh relish of cucumber, cilantro, and lemon juice adds brightness and crunch.

24. Slow-Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast Rice Bowls

This hearty Sunday dinner-worthy meal takes only 25 minutes of prep time and serves a crowd (or provides leftovers for the week). After 8 hours of simmering, the pork roast becomes fall-apart tender. Since the rice is cooked separately, you can make the roast on meal prep day and store it in the fridge for easy reheating.

When you're ready to eat, simply reheat the pork on the stovetop or in the microwave. To keep the pork juicy, add a splash of water when reheating.

25. Crock Pot Cuban Sandwiches

The addition of orange zest brings a fresh brightness to the slow-cooked pork, which the slow cooker tenderizes perfectly. Prepare and shred the pork on meal prep day. When you're ready for your sandwiches, just assemble them and broil for a minute or two to melt the cheese beautifully. Top with pickles and mustard for that irresistible tangy finish.

26. Slow Cooker Black Bean and Spinach Enchiladas

Turn taco night into a hearty vegetarian spread with these enchiladas. Prepare the filling ahead of time, then simply layer it over salsa in the slow cooker when you're ready to serve. These cheesy delights might seem intricate, but they’re quick and simple to assemble.

27. Slow-Cooker Pineapple Upside Down Cake

This nostalgic dessert is due for a comeback! The slow cooker ensures the cake stays moist while the caramelized pineapple topping adds a delightful sweetness. The only tricky part is sprinkling brown sugar and arranging the pineapples in the pan, but it’s totally worth it for eight slices of delicious cake.

This make-ahead dessert can be stored in the fridge for up to four days, or frozen for up to three months. When freezing, wrap it in a layer of plastic wrap and foil, and thaw it at room temperature or in the fridge.

28. Chicken Adobo With Bok Choy

This traditional Filipino recipe gets a modern twist with soy-vinegar braising in the slow cooker, creating an incredibly flavorful dish. Not in the mood for chicken? Swap it with pork or fish for a delicious meal that’s quick to prepare in just 10 minutes. Leftovers? Store them in individual portions or as a whole and reheat in the microwave.

29. Crock Pot Creamy Chicken With Biscuits

Take your chicken dishes to the next level with this satisfying family-friendly meal. This simple slow cooker recipe can be even more convenient by using store-bought biscuit dough instead of homemade. Frozen carrots and peas make it even quicker to prepare.

If you'd like to prep the sauce and chicken ahead of time, simply refrigerate them until ready to cook (but avoid freezing). When you're ready to serve, reheat on the stove or in the microwave. The biggest chunk of prep time is baking the biscuits, which takes about 20 minutes.

30. Slow Cooker Chicken Mole Chili

While the ingredients in mole might seem unusual at first, they come together to create a perfectly balanced sauce. The beauty of mole lies in its versatility—you can adjust the flavors to suit your cravings.

This recipe serves six, so you might have some leftovers for lunch later in the week. Store any remaining chili in the fridge or freeze it for later. To enjoy, just thaw the frozen chili overnight and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave for an easy, tasty meal!

31. Slow-Cooker Beef and Noodle Curry

If you're a fan of curry, this hearty yet simple dish is the perfect addition to your dinner menu. The combination of jarred red curry paste, coconut milk, basil, and lime creates a wonderfully balanced and flavorful sauce.

Pressed for time? Simply chop the vegetables and cube the beef on meal prep day, then store them in the fridge until you're ready to cook. Curries also freeze well for up to three months, making it easy to enjoy this dish at a later time.

32. Slow-Cooker Sweet and Spicy Asian Pork Shoulder

This dish shines with the bold flavors of Chinese five-spice powder, featuring a mix of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns. It's the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, and with just eight hours in the slow cooker, it’s an ideal set-it-and-forget-it meal for the workday.

For a quicker prep, chop the bok choy and scallions in advance, then store them in the fridge until you're ready to cook. Serve over white or brown rice for a wholesome, satisfying meal.

33. Crock Pot Ragù With Spaghetti Squash

Capture the authentic taste of Italy with this Bolognese-inspired sauce. In just 15 minutes of prep, the slow cooking process will imbue the dish with rich, layered flavors.

To make things even easier, brown the beef on meal prep day and refrigerate it until it's time to prepare the sauce. Plus, using spaghetti squash makes it a gluten-free alternative!

34. Slow-Cooker Classic Beef Stew

No list of slow cooker recipes would be complete without a timeless beef stew. This hearty dish uses staple ingredients like flour, tomato paste, and olive oil to create a comforting meal perfect for chilly evenings. While browning the beef and prepping the vegetables will take around 35 minutes, this can be done ahead of time during meal prep.

Here’s the best part: the recipe yields 8 to 10 servings, meaning you might be able to stretch it into two or more meals. Store any leftovers in airtight containers, freeze them, and they’ll be good for up to three months.

35. Slow Cooker Brisket With Melty Onions and Chimichurri

This brisket makes for a festive yet simple meal, perfect for a holiday or weeknight. As it slow cooks, it naturally creates a rich jus that enhances the flavor of any side dish you serve with it.

This dish yields eight servings, and the leftovers can be used creatively, whether in a sandwich (keeping some of the jus on the side) or shredded for tacos later in the week.

36. Slow-Cooker Squash Lasagna

This vegetarian recipe, which takes just 15 minutes of prep, puts tomato sauce aside and features layers of winter squash, vibrant spinach, and rich cheeses. A crockpot favorite, it can be frozen like a traditional lasagna and baked when you're ready to enjoy it, making it a perfect autumn dish.

37. Slow Cooker Pork with Peppers and Olives

Ropa vieja is a traditional Cuban dish that has roots in Spain. In this variation, pork replaces beef and is combined with bell peppers, black beans, and rice. This crockpot recipe serves eight, ensuring there will be plenty of leftovers.

Ropa vieja stores well in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight, then warm it in the oven with a splash of broth or its original sauce to keep it from drying out.

38. Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

A classic Irish dish typically enjoyed on St. Patrick's Day, this easy slow cooker version brings comfort food to your table anytime. It simmers on low heat for seven to eight hours, or can be made in four to five hours on high heat if you're short on time. Serve it with Irish soda bread and you'll feel like you've stepped into an authentic Irish pub. And if you have leftovers, a cold corned beef sandwich is always a great choice!