9 Simple One-Step Slow Cooker Meal Ideas

On those days when you really don’t have time to mess with meal prep, these one-step slow cooker meal ideas are a life-saver.

 

Just put the ingredients into the slow-cooker and let it do the rest. 

One-Step Slow Cooker Meal Ideas for Busy Nights

The best thing about the slow cooker is that it takes all the pressure off of you. Now, sometimes you’ll find some slow cooker recipes that tell you to sear the meat on the stove first. When you have a really busy week, you need something even more simple than that. 

 

These 9 slow cooker meals all have one step – just put the ingredients into the slow cooker and turn it on. 

Another title could have been “dump and go” slow cooker meals…but that didn’t sound nearly as appetizing. 

1. Easy Slow Cooker Meatloaf Dinner

If you thought the only way to make meatloaf is in the oven, think again. The entire meal – from the meatloaf to the veggies and potatoes – can be made in the slow cooker. All you do is mix the ingredients, shape the meatloaf, add the veggies, and set it to cook. 

Find the recipe on 5 Dinners 1 Hour. 

 

2. Slow Cooker Ravioli

Kids love pasta dishes, and this is a really popular family meal. And it’s a fantastic last-minute meal idea too. It doesn’t take very long for the entire dish to be cooked, from start to finish. 

Find the recipe on 5 Dinners 1 Hour. 

3. Mustard Crusted Beef Roast

When you sink your teeth into this pot roast, you will experience unbelievable flavor! You can skip the marinating step. But if you choose to marinate it overnight it will taste even better. 

Find the recipe on 5 Dinners 1 Hour. 

 

4. Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Skip takeout. The classic beef and broccoli recipe is just as delicious when you make it in the slow cooker. Then all you have to do is warm up some pre-cooked rice and dinner is served. 

Find the recipe on 5 Dinners 1 Hour. 

 

5. Slow Cooker Chili

The one extra step in this recipe is browning the ground beef. If you do this ahead of time, it just involves putting everything in the slow cooker and letting it cook. Chili is one of the most popular one-step slow cooker meals. 

Find the recipe on Dinner at the Zoo.

6. Triple Cheesy Macaroni

Cheese-lovers, this one is for you! It’s not only cheesy, but it also has 3 different types of cheese. So it’s full of layers of flavor. And all you have to do is put it all in the slow cooker and let it cook all day. 

Find the recipe on The Slow Roasted Italian.

 

7. Slow Cooker Sweedish Meatballs

This recipe uses frozen meatballs, which saves you a lot of time. Sweedish meatballs taste the best on top of egg noodles, but you can eat them by themselves too. 

Find the recipe on Kids Activities Blog.

8. Slow Cooker Ham

Make your ham in the slow cooker when you are preparing your family meal. It will save you lots of time and leave room in your oven for the side dishes. This recipe makes a savory ham. 

Find the recipe on Mama Loves Food. 

 

9. Zesty BBQ Chicken

Finally, if you want to try a new chicken recipe then this is the one to try next. You don’t even have to use chicken. You can use any kind of meat, the sauce tastes just as amazing on pork, beef, or chicken thighs. 

Find the recipe on Belly Full.

 

Save Time on Slow Cooker Meals

Sometimes chopping up vegetables and mixing up the sauces will take up time you don’t have. So make a meal plan for the week and then do all your food prep on one day. Then, all you have to do is put the ingredients into the slow cooker, turn it on, and dinner will be ready. 

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