26 Slow-Cooker Dump Dinners That Are Perfect for Weeknights (2024)

Put your slow-cooker to delicious use with one of these simple recipes. In just a couple of steps, you can have a meal ready and waiting to be served—no stove or oven required. Whether you're in the mood for a comforting soup or a plate of tacos, there's a dinner for you. Recipes like our Slow-Cooker Citrus Salmon with Melted Leeks and Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew are healthy, tasty and easy enough for even your busiest days.

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Slow-Cooker Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta Bake

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Who says the oven is the only tool you can use for a pasta bake? Here we make a flavor-packed sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, pesto and plenty of veggies in the slow cooker, then stir in spinach and fresh pasta during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Topped with melted mozzarella, this dish is sure to become a favorite.

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Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili

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Sweet and spicy find a delightful balance in this hearty chili. Plus, the dish is easily adaptable; swap out regular chili powder for chipotle and ancho chile powder, or try using reduced-sodium taco or fajita seasoning for a unique twist.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken & Pinto Bean Enchilada Casserole

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Layers of tortillas, cheese and sauce make this casserole a cozy dinner option. The top tortilla layer gets beautifully crispy in the slow cooker, and beans give the meal a soft and earthy finish.

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Slow-Cooker Cauliflower & Chickpea Tikka Masala

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Garam masala, curry powder and cumin add warm, cozy flavors to the dish, while chickpeas, cauliflower and butternut squash make it hearty and satisfying. We love how convenient precooked brown rice soaks up the spice-laced sauce but you could warm up some whole-wheat naan instead.

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Slow-Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Barley

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Fall in love with this easy version of Marry Me Chicken—a dish with chicken and julienned sun-dried tomatoes swimming in a creamy sauce. Our version adds cherry tomatoes and zucchini for an added boost of veggies, plus barley which soaks up the sauce and makes this dish a complete meal all in one pot. Make sure the barley is completely submerged in the liquid so it cooks evenly.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken & Vegetable Noodle Soup

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Thanks to plenty of vegetables, lean chicken breast and whole-wheat pasta, this chicken noodle soup fits nicely into the Mediterranean diet. Pair it with a salad and toasted whole-grain bread for an easy, healthy dinner.

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Slow-Cooker Three-Bean Chili Mac

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Chili meets mac and cheese in this fix-it-and-forget-it slow-cooker dinner. Hot tomato sauce, a Mexican canned tomato sauce that also includes spices and chiles for heat, kicks up the flavor. You can cook the pasta separately and add it in at the end of cooking, or use our alternative method and cook the pasta in the slow cooker with a few adjustments listed below.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew

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All you need here is crusty bread, a glass of Chianti and a salad to make this the busy weeknight chicken dinner of your dreams.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken & Orzo with Tomatoes & Olives

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Perk up basic chicken breast and whole-wheat orzo with the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, like lemon and olives. Add a salad or veggie side, and you’ll have a complete and satisfying meal.

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Slow-Cooker Mahi-Mahi Tacos

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Requiring only 15 minutes of hands-on prep, these tacos are a home cook’s hero. The balance of cooked mahi-mahi, tomatoes and onions with the raw cabbage and cilantro gives the dish a light, fresh feel. Lightly toast the tortillas before filling and garnish with crushed red pepper and hot sauce, and you’re sure to enjoy.

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Slow-Cooker Citrus Salmon with Melted Leeks

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Rich, slow-roasted leeks are the perfect pairing for this moist, lemony, salmon dinner. When cooked in the slow cooker the leeks "melt," becoming jam-like but still retaining pleasant chewiness. If desired, garnish the finished dish with fresh sage leaves and thyme sprigs, too.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Chili

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This simple chili features plenty of veggies and shredded chicken breast simmered in a smoky broth of chipotle chiles and tomato. The chili is finished with shredded cheese, avocados and cilantro, but feel free to jazz it up with your own favorite toppings!

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Easy Slow-Cooker Shrimp Boil

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Tender red potatoes, corn, shrimp, smoky sausage and flavorful Old Bay seasoning give this shrimp boil the classic flavors you love. This meal is perfect for a party—just serve with lemon wedges, co*cktail sauce, bay leaves and ice-cold beer. If you can't find turkey andouille, use chicken andouille instead.

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Slow-Cooker Lemon-Pepper Chicken Thighs with Broccolini

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What if you could have tender chicken thighs and crisp Broccolini to feed four with 10 minutes of hands-on time and eight common ingredients? Now, you can, and here's the recipe to prove it. Garnish with fresh oregano leaves and additional kosher salt and black pepper, if desired.

Slow-Cooker Lemon-Pepper Chicken Thighs with Broccolini

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Easy Slow-Cooker Potato-Leek Soup with Boursin

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As a true dump-it-and-leave-it dish, this slow-cooker salmon is a weeknight-dinner go-to. The lime and scallion flavors will soak into the salmon, leaving it with a light Asian flavor. Be sure to spray the foil with cooking spray before adding food to the slow cooker to ensure that nothing sticks to it.

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Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Diet Stew

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With a focus on vegetables, fiber-rich legumes and healthy fats, this vegan stew fits the bill for those following the Mediterranean diet. Swap out the chickpeas for white beans for a more earthy twist, or try collards or spinach in place of the kale. Then, pull all the flavors together with a final drizzle of olive oil.

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Layered Brisket Dinner with Tangy Mustard Sauce

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Served with a creamy and tangy mustard sauce, this filling brisket dish is accompanied by perfectly seasoned red potatoes and baby carrots. If desired, sprinkle the finished product with an extra snipping of fresh thyme.

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Slow-Cooker Curried Sweet Potato & Cauliflower with Coconut & Cashews

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Topped with toothsome coconut chips and roasted cashews, this vegetarian curry is rich and satisfying. A sprinkle of dried fruit serves as a counterpoint to the warm curry spices. Enjoy this meal with a scoop of brown rice or a warm, buttery naan, if desired.

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Slow-Cooker Edamame-Rice Bowl with Cherries & Pecans

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With wild and brown rice, edamame, dried cherries and pecans, this flavorful dinner boasts varied textures as well as an abundance of nutrients. Wild rice is rich in fiber and protein while brown rice is high in manganese, which helps the body digest fats. Cherries are packed with antioxidants, while pecans are loaded with healthy unsaturated fat. According to one reader, “This recipe is a keeper.”

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Slow-Cooker Quinoa Salad with Arugula & Feta

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This hearty salad is chock-full of quinoa, chickpeas and vegetables, making it a satisfying, high-fiber meal.. Plus, the addition of roasted red peppers, lemon, olives and feta gives this vegetarian dish a familiar Mediterranean flavor. Serve with grilled chicken, if you want to provide a meat option.

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Southwestern Sweet Potato Stew

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The sweet and spicy flavors in this Southwestern-inspired stew meld together in the crockpot for 10 to 12 hours for delicious results. Full of sweet potatoes, black beans, and hominy, it will satisfy your tastebuds and help you feel full for hours.

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Slow-Cooker Spinach & Artichoke Chicken Soup

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If you love spinach and artichokes, this is the perfect soup for you. The creamy base is packed with veggies and shredded chicken, which soaks up the broth while adding a boost of protein. Frozen artichoke hearts have less sodium than canned, but canned can be used in their place. Just be sure to give them a good rinse before adding them to the slow cooker.

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Slow-Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup Freezer Pack

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Your favorite restaurant soup just got easier and healthier with this freezer-to-crock-pot recipe. If you keep a special bottle of heady, fruity olive oil on hand for stand-out dishes, this is the recipe to pull it out for—It truly elevates this soup’s flavors. We then top it all off with some parmesan cheese to enhance the umami element of the meal.

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Texas Beef and Beans

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Large, hearty chunks of beef with beans has Texas-sized flavor in this brothy dish. A quick, last-minute helping of chipotle barbecue sauce gives the meal a spiciness and smokiness that you’ll definitely enjoy at dinnertime.

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Lentil Sloppy Joes

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Replace the traditional beef sloppy joe with this vegetarian, lentil version for dinner. Soft, protein-rich lentils are mixed with the flavors of bell pepper, carrot, garlic, onion and tomato for a nice texture and tangy, sloppy-joe flavor. Serve on whole-wheat hamburger buns for a comfy night in.

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Pork Carnitas

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This easy meal is a downright crowd-pleaser. Savory pulled pork is served atop crisp corn tortillas and dolloped with sour cream and salsa in this simple recipe. Freshly squeezed lime and chopped scallions gives the dish an acidic and oniony finish.

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