Slow Cooker Recipes for Large Families (2024)

My crockpot is the most used appliance in my kitchen. As a mom of many the slow cooker is a lifesaver for me and allows me to get dinner cooking with no babysitting at all. As a busy mom easy slow cooker recipes, like slow cooker and crockpot recipes, are essential for my meal plan rotation.

Here is a list of over 30 crockpot recipes I regularly make. This list includes main dishes, side dishes, appetizers and even desserts.

Slow Cooker Recipes for Large Families (1)

Over 30 Crockpot Recipes

  1. 22 Slow Cooker Pork Chop Recipes– your master list for finding ways to use up pork chops!
  2. Smothered Pork Chops in the Slow Cooker– these are a family favorite at our house. We make these year round.
  3. Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chicken– you won’t believe the secret ingredient in this recipe!
  4. Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken– yes, you can 100% make your own rotisserie chicken at home!
  5. Slow Cooker Potato Corn Chowder– super good and so easy to make! We love a good chowder.
  6. Crockpot Green Bean Casserole– never make this in the oven again. Especially around the holidays, you want to free up oven space and this is the perfect way to do it.
  7. Crockpot Beans and Rice– one of my favorite budget friendly meals!
  8. Crockpot Crushed Tomato and Chicken Soup– huge gan of crushed tomatoes and chicken… why not combine them in a soup?
  9. Spaghetti and Meat Sauce (in the crockpot)- yes, you can make this in your slow cooker!
  10. Crockpot Chicken and Zucchini over Bowtie Pasta– oh, we love this one in the summer! The zucchini and pasta and chicken together are so good!
  11. Crockpot Chicken and Noodles– this is one of our favorite go to meals and has been for years!
  12. Crockpot Orange Chicken Stir Fry– never order out again!
  13. Crockpot Garlic Mashed Potatoes– another great way to avoid waiting for something to boil. The next time you make mashed potatoes, do it in the slow cooker! You won’t regret it.
  14. – yes, you can totally make this in the slow cooker.
  15. Crockpot Creamy Chicken Tacos- one of my favorite ways to make tacos. Toss it in and dinner is done when in 6 hours.
  16. Crockpot Veggie Lasagna – you can use an oval slow cooker or one of the casserole style slow cookers. And no need to cook the noodles!
  17. Crockpot Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry– this is a recipe that adjusts easily and is perfect for a busy school night!
  18. Tex Mex Roast Wraps– a whole new way to eat a taco!!!
  19. Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip – one of my favorite appetizers!
  20. Honey Catalina Chicken in the Crockpot (two ingredients)- easy peasy is my favorite!!
  21. Apple Butter Pork Chops (in the crockpot) – oh, these scream Fall!! Your kids will beg for more!
  22. Italian Crockpot Chicken– serve this with egg noodles.
  23. Crockpot Corn and Chicken Enchilada Casserole– such an easy way to make enchiladas!
  24. Crockpot Spicy Apricot Chicken (guest post)- this is so good and the spice can be controlled if you have little kids.
  25. Crockpot Chicken Stock (guest post)- such a great way to have chicken stock on hand!
  26. Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore– I love one pot meals like this where the meat and veggies are all in one dish.
  27. Crockpot Lemon Chicken – you can never go wrong with lemon and chicken.
  28. Crockpot BBQ Chicken – BBQ chicken does not get easier than this!
  29. Crockpot Ravioli – this is one of the most viewed recipes on my site to day. We love it!
  30. Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs (frozen beef meatballs) so easy it’s almost unbelievable. Great for a quick dinner that needs to be thrown together fast!
  31. Crockpot Beef Tips and Noodles – my Grandmother made this all the time when I was a kid.
  32. Crockpot Sloppy Joes– another old fashioned dinner.
  33. Crockpot Blueberry Cobbler – who said you can’t make dessert in the slow cooker? Change out the fruit for a different taste!
  34. Crockpot Lava Cake – we LOVE this dessert!
  35. Crockpot Hashbrown Casserole – breakfast for dinner is always a delicious idea!
  36. Crockpot Navy Beans and Ham– perfect for a holiday or any weeknight!
  37. Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore – an easy recipe requires just a few simple ingredients.
  38. Crockpot Spaghetti – super easy and delicious spaghetti with melty cheese on top.
  39. Crockpot Taco Casserole – easy delicious dinner perfect for busy Taco Tuesday!
  40. Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing – Everyday can be Thanksgiving with this easy meal!
  41. Crockpot Rice and Beans– with a few ingredients, you can enjoy the taste of Mexico.
  42. Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo – Easy alfredo recipe made easy with egg noodles.
  43. Crockpot Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas – easy, comfort food your family will love.
  44. Crockpot Chicken Adobo Taco Recipe – delicious meal suitable for any day of the week.
Slow Cooker Recipes for Large Families (2)

By the way, do you have questions about cooking in your crockpot? Check out my 10 slow cooker tips to ensure flawless results. A link to it is at the end of this post.

Slow Cooker Recipes for Large Families (3)

31 More Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Download

Want to be able to download recipes that are perfect for your lifestyle? That is what this cookbook is! It includes 31 slow cooker recipes that are perfect for busy moms.

  • USE THESE PANTRY STAPLES TO MAKE MANY DIFFERENT MEALS!
  • AFFORDABLE STAPLES THAT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY ON YOUR GROCERY BUDGET!
  • INEXPENSIVE ESSENTIALS- NO WASTE!

In other words you will not heat up the house as you cook dinner.

There is nothing mailed to you, it’s only available in a download. You want this in your life!

Slow Cooker Recipes for Large Families (5)

My Favorite Slow Cooker

Here is my MOST FAVORITE slow cooker that gets the most use at my house. It is a 6 qt oval and is programmable.

Slow Cooker Recipes for Large Families (6)

How To Meal Plan

In 2006 I went from one child to four children what felt like overnight. I came to the marriage with a six year old son and my husband had a four year old son and then we had twins together.

This is what changed my life when it came to dinnertime. I remember sitting on the sofa nursing twin babies for hours and hours and hours with a six year old needing me still for everything.

And dinner… it was drive thru.

Dinner became sink or swim for me. And I finally nailed it.

I created a five step method and it worked for me.

Almost nine years ago I put it all into a downloadable guide to help moms everywhere. It has been downloaded over 20,000 times! It’s worth the read.

Slow Cooker Recipes for Large Families (7)
Slow Cooker Recipes for Large Families (2024)

FAQs

What size slow cooker for 10 people? ›

Crockpot 7.5L Digital Slow Cooker CSC063Crockpot Sizzle & Stew 3.5L Slow Cooker CSC085
See DetailsAdd To Basket
Bowl capacity7.5L (10+ people)3.5L (3-4 people)
Bowl materialStoneware ceramicAluminium
ControlsDigitalManual Dial
8 more rows

What is the best size slow cooker for a family of 3? ›

For a family of three to five or a leftover-obsessed couple, a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker is the perfect size. It will fit almost all recipes, including typical roasts. If you've got a big family and plenty of storage room, go for the big 7 or 8-quart models.

How many people does a large slow cooker feed? ›

The Family Chef: 4- or 5-quart slow cooker

Larger families are well-suited for 4- or 5-quart slow cookers, which can feed up to six people. It's a great choice for bigger dishes—like casseroles, stews and full dinners—and it can fit a roast! Not a huge one—stick to a 3–4 lb.

What is the best meat to cook in a slow cooker? ›

The best cuts of beef for slow cooking
  • Chuck. Chuck steak was practically designed for slow cooking. ...
  • Skirt. A thin, long and versatile cut that tends to be reserved for slow cooking, skirt steak comes from the cow's diaphragm muscles. ...
  • Shin. ...
  • Silverside. ...
  • Brisket. ...
  • Oxtail.

What is the max capacity slow cooker? ›

What size slow cooker do I need? Slow cookers range in capacity, from a compact 1.5 litres up to 7 litres. As a general guide, a 1.5 to 2.3-litre capacity model is great for two people, a larger 4 to 4.5 litres will feed four, and 5.5 to 7 litres is ideal for four to six people.

Is 10 hours too long for a slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

What is the difference between a crockpot and a slow cooker? ›

A slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing, essentially. A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of brands. Crockpot is one brand of slow cooker. Crockpot popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970s.

Can you leave a slow cooker unattended? ›

One of the most frequently asked questions we get is, “are slow cookers safe to use overnight or unattended?”, and the answer is- yes!

Should the outside of a slow cooker get hot? ›

This is normal, especially after prolonged use. Therefore, do not touch the outside of the slow cooker, as this can cause burns.

What is too full for a slow cooker? ›

Reduce liquid when using a slow cooker

Don't overfill your slow cooker, or it may start leaking out the top, and the food won't cook so well. Half to two-thirds full is ideal – certainly no more than three-quarters.

What happens if slow cooker is too big? ›

When the bowl isn't full enough, food will cook faster and may burn, but if it's too full, the cook time may need to be extended beyond what's suggested in the recipe to account for the additional volume. It's also important to maintain the ratio of liquid to solid ingredients as directed in a recipe.

Is there a max fill in a slow cooker? ›

You'll get the best results by filling your slow cooker between one-half and two-thirds full. It's fine to cook whole chickens or large cuts of meat in your Crockpot slow cooker, as long as it is roomy enough to allow food to fit comfortably inside, with the lid fitting snugly on top.

Does meat get more tender the longer it cooks in a slow cooker? ›

Aside from being juicier, slow-cooking makes meat a lot more tender and flavorful. The extra juices help to accomplish this but it's mainly the long-cooking time that brings out the richness of the meat. You're giving the meat a chance to mature in a sense bringing all the flavors to life.

Can you put raw meat straight into a slow cooker? ›

Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned. However, browning meat and caramelising the beef is a great way to add depth of flavour and improve the visual appearance of the final dish.

What cuts of beef are best for slow cooker? ›

Here are the very best beef cuts to keep on hand to slow cook:
  • Chuck steak.
  • Round steak.
  • Blade steak.
  • Topside.
  • Silverside.
  • Skirt steak.
  • Shin (gravy) beef.
  • Sausages.

Is a 6-quart slow cooker big enough? ›

Use a 5-7 quart slow cooker. 6 quarts is the optimal size.

How many people does a 6.5 L slow cooker serve? ›

Large 6.5L capacity will serve 6+ people.

How many people will a 3.5 slow cooker feed? ›

Whether you're cooking for two, or making a meal for the whole family, the slow cooker's generous 3.5 litre capacity can easily cook up to 4 portions at a time. It even comes with a selection of recipe ideas to give you a little inspiration.

How many people does a 5.5 L slow cooker feed? ›

Sunbeam HP5520 Slow Cooker | 5.5L (6-8 People) | Removable Easy-Clean Ceramic Pan | Stainless Steel: Slow Cookers: Amazon.com.au.

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