25 Kid-Friendly Slow Cooker Meals
When your kids devour everything on their plates, celebrate the win! The slow cooker makes it easy to serve kid-friendly meals that bring everyone together, fill them up, and leave them asking for seconds. These are the recipes you need in your slow cooker rotation for delicious family dinners around the table.
Why I Love The Slow Cooker For Kid-Friendly Meals
- You know those days when everyone is getting hungrier (or “hangrier”) by the minute, and you have no plan for dinner? I knew it wasn’t just me! Add a slow cooker meal to your menu and thank yourself later for low stress and less mess in your schedule!
- Slow cooker meals are a relief for anyone who loves a warm, cozy meal at the end of the day. Let’s face it, though… finding a recipe that even the kids will enjoy can be tricky! With the slow cooker, I can take the flavors my kids love into easy, homemade meals that they’ll ask for again and again.
- We all go through seasons that are busier than others. Back-to-school transitions, late nights after sports practices, or the hustle and bustle of holiday activities leave little time for meals at home! With tried and true slow cooker recipes with kid-friendly flavors, we can all take one more thing off our to-do lists!
- When the grocery budget gets tighter, the slow cooker helps make inexpensive meals without no shortage of flavor or nutrients. Because these recipes are so simple to prep, they’re perfect for making extra to store in the fridge or freezer. Nothing will go to waste!
- Around 5:00 pm, it’s not always easy to be tied to the stove or oven. Whether it’s kids needing homework help, the dog needing a walk, or any number of demands on your attention, getting a healthy dinner on the table can feel like a huge challenge. I love to use the slow cooker to prep nutritious meals a few hours ahead, freeing up my hands and attention later for where they’re needed most!
25 Kid-Friendly Slow Cooker Meals
Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
1
Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs
These Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs are bursting with flavor! From game nights to summer cookouts to weeknights, they are the tastiest addition to any occasion. Mix them up from scratch and savor the sweet and smoky deliciousness.
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2
Easy Slow Cooker Taco Meat Recipe
Taco meat – it’s not just for tacos! Try this easy slow cooker taco meat recipe for a flavorful base that can be served with just about anything! From family taco night to nachos to a salad topping, everyone is sure to enjoy this delicious ground beef seasoned with my made-from-scratch homemade blend.
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3
Easy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
For a family-favorite meal, skip the canned sauce and make easy homemade Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes! With a simple ingredient list, this recipe makes plenty of sandwich servings and yummy leftovers.
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4
Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans
If you need an economical and tasty meal to share, serve slow cooker cowboy beans for a generous meal that is perfect year-round!
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5
Slow Cooker Mexican Lasagna
Mexican Lasagna combines two of your favorite food groups into one satisfying and easy meal! The flavor combos are unreal and using your slow cooker is a genius way to make this updated comfort food a new family favorite!
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Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
6
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan
Chicken parmesan doesn’t have to be complicated! With simple breading, marinara sauce, and a combination of delicious cheeses, you can prep this meal right in your slow cooker. Make a pot of fresh pasta and savor the results!
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7
Slow Cooker Crispy Orange Chicken
You don’t have to give up takeout-style orange chicken when staying home with your slow cooker! Make this easy version that is just as delicious as the dish at your favorite restaurant (and healthier too!). With a simple list of ingredients, this recipe can be assembled faster than placing an order.
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8
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Forget boring casseroles and spice up your dinnertime with this Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole instead! Can be made in the slow cooker OR the oven for the tastiest dinner you'll have all week!
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9
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie
Surely chicken pot pie is too complicated to make for a weeknight meal, right? Wrong! Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie uses only a handful of simple ingredients, a premade crust topping, and no condensed soups for an effortlessly delicious home-cooked meal!
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10
Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks
Chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker are lick-your-fingers-good! This recipe combines BBQ sauce and berry preserves to create a delicious, sticky sauce that easily transforms basic drumsticks into a uniquely flavored dish. Keep the cleanup to a minimum and try something new!
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Slow Cooker Pasta Recipes
11
Simple Chicken Spaghetti Recipe in the Slow Cooker
This Simple Chicken Spaghetti Recipe in the Slow Cooker is the ultimate solution for a family-friendly meal. With creamy sauce, tomatoes and chilies, and flavorful shredded chicken, dinnertime can’t come soon enough!
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12
Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Make this Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Pasta recipe for a restaurant-worthy meal with little to no prep. No longer do you have to splurge on this classic dish for takeout! Make this incredibly simple version at home for a new family favorite.
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13
Slow Cooker Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
This one won’t be for the calorie-conscious, but it WILL be one of the most decadent and delicious meals you ever make in your slow cooker! Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta gets rave reviews time after time. A bowl (or two) of this cheesy, creamy pasta will satisfy all your carb cravings.
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14
Slow Cooker Chili Mac
While Slow Cooker Chili is an amazing and easy dinner by itself, sometimes you have to up your game just a bit! This Slow Cooker Chili Mac is a hearty, filling dinner that your family will request again and again!
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15
Slow Cooker White Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese
You may be wondering if there’s anything more delicious than mac and cheese and there is! This Slow Cooker White Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese is not only creamy and delicious but also has bacon!
Slow Cooker Soups and Stews
16
Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatball Soup
Your family can't get enough spaghetti and meatballs? For a little variety, try this Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs Soup!! A fun twist to the classic but a little less filling for those nights when you crave the flavor but want a lighter meal.
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17
Slow Cooker Cheesy 3 Bean Chili
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18
Slow Cooker Corn and Potato Chowder
This Slow Cooker Corn & Potato Chowder will become a family favorite right away! You'll love this corn and potato chowder… the best part is it's made in the slow cooker!
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19
Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup
Dare I say this easy cheeseburger soup recipe might taste just as good as the real thing? I’ll admit, it is tough to compare much to a juicy delicious cheeseburger but this soup is a close contender for that satisfying, fill-you-up taste! Plus, with the added nutrition of extra veggies and no processed cheeses, this will be a family favorite you can serve guilt-free!
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20
Slow Cooker Beefy Nacho Soup
Slow Cooker Beefy Nacho Soup is a simple and quick meal that comes together easily for a weeknight dinner! Less than 5 ingredients and totally homemade! No canned soup here!
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Slow Cooker Vegetarian Recipes
21
Slow Cooker Black Bean Tostadas
Slow Cooker Black Bean Tostadas are a filling, delicious option for an easy meal that uses a simple combination of flavorful ingredients. With crispy tostada shells, canned or homemade refried beans, and fresh toppings, dinner can be ready and assembled in just under a few hours!
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22
Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagna (Freezer Meal)
A two-in-one recipe for a veggie-packed freezer lasagna meal… Yes, please! This mix of colorful vegetables, flavorful cheeses, and pasta sauce makes the most delicious, low-prep slow cooker veggie lasagna. Make the filling ahead of time and save one portion for a delicious meal later when you need it!
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23
Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes In The Slow Cooker
Savory mashed sweet potatoes in the slow cooker are such an underrated variation of sweet potato sides! Just a few added ingredients can turn this vegetable into a tasty option to pair with your favorite main dishes. Start with this easy base recipe and customize the seasoning to your liking.
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24
Slow Cooker Carrots with Herbed Honey Butter Sauce
Are carrots one of those veggies that present a struggle for your reluctant eaters at mealtime? I’ve discovered the secret sauce, literally, to take a basic vegetable side and make it scrumptious! Try Slow Cooker Carrots with Herbed Honey Butter Sauce for a sweet and savory side dish that can’t get any easier.
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25
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Lasagna
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Lasagna is a super simple way to get your lasagna fix without spending hours of your day in the kitchen! Layers of pasta, sauce, and cheese topped off with yet more cheese, this recipe is absolutely delicious!
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More Slow Cooker Recipes
- 35 Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Recipes
- 25 Best Slow Cooker Pasta Recipes
- 21 Best Ground Beef Slow Cooker Recipes
- 21 Quick and Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
- 15 Slow Cooker Dip Recipes for Parties