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20+ Easy Crockpot Dump Meals for Busy Days

Life can get hectic, and finding time to cook a wholesome meal often feels like an impossible task. Enter the crockpot—your ultimate kitchen ally! Crockpot dump meals are the perfect solution for busy days when you need a delicious, home-cooked meal without the fuss. Simply toss your ingredients into the slow cooker, set it, and forget it. By the time you’re ready to eat, you’ll have a flavorful, hearty dish waiting for you.

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In this blog post, we’ve rounded up 20+ easy crockpot dump meals that are perfect for busy days. Whether you’re a working professional, a busy parent, or just someone who loves convenience, these recipes will save you time, money, and stress. Let’s dive in!

What Are Crockpot Dump Meals?

Crockpot dump meals are exactly what they sound like—recipes where you “dump” all the ingredients into your slow cooker, turn it on, and let it work its magic. These meals require minimal prep, no fancy techniques, and often use pantry staples or affordable ingredients. They’re perfect for:

  • Busy weeknights
  • Meal prepping for the week
  • Feeding a crowd without breaking a sweat
  • Stretching your grocery budget

Tips for Making the Perfect Crockpot Dump Meal

Before we get to the recipes, here are a few tips to ensure your crockpot meals turn out perfectly every time:

  1. Layer Ingredients Wisely: Place harder vegetables (like carrots or potatoes) at the bottom and meat on top for even cooking.
  2. Don’t Overfill: Fill your crockpot no more than two-thirds full to avoid spills and ensure proper cooking.
  3. Use the Right Settings: Most recipes cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Adjust based on your schedule.
  4. Add Dairy Last: If a recipe calls for dairy (like cream or cheese), add it in the last 30 minutes to prevent curdling.
  5. Experiment with Flavors: Don’t be afraid to tweak seasonings or add your favorite spices to make the dish your own.

Now, let’s get to the good stuff—20+ easy crockpot dump meals you’ll want to try ASAP!

1. Classic Beef Stew

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs beef stew meat
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 3 potatoes, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Dump all ingredients into the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
  3. Serve with crusty bread for a comforting meal.

2. Creamy Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup uncooked rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot.
  2. Add rice, broth, and seasonings.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. Stir in heavy cream during the last 30 minutes.

3. Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans black beans, drained
  • 1 can kidney beans, drained
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  3. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, or avocado before serving.

4. Honey Garlic Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ginger, grated
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken thighs in the crockpot.
  2. Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, then pour over chicken.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. If desired, mix cornstarch with a little water and stir into the sauce to thicken during the last 30 minutes.

5. BBQ Pulled Pork

Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs pork shoulder
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions:

  1. Place pork shoulder and onion in the crockpot.
  2. Mix BBQ sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, and paprika, then pour over pork.
  3. Cook on low for 8 hours.
  4. Shred the pork and serve on buns with coleslaw.

6. Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups dried lentils
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  3. Serve with a squeeze of lemon for extra flavor.

7. Teriyaki Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
  2. Mix teriyaki sauce and pineapple juice, then pour over chicken.
  3. Add bell pepper and broccoli.
  4. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  5. Thicken sauce with cornstarch if desired.

8. Creamy Tortellini Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 package cheese tortellini
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients except cream in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low for 4 hours.
  3. Stir in heavy cream during the last 30 minutes.

9. Sausage and Peppers

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • 2 bell peppers, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Place sausage, peppers, and onion in the crockpot.
  2. Add tomatoes and seasonings.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. Serve over rice or with crusty bread.

10. Sweet Potato Chili

Ingredients:

  • 2 sweet potatoes, diced
  • 1 can black beans, drained
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  3. Top with shredded cheese or avocado before serving.

11. Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 lb pasta
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
  2. Add pasta, broth, and seasonings.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. Stir in Parmesan cheese before serving.

12. Beef and Broccoli

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs beef strips
  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ginger, grated
  • 2 cups broccoli florets

Instructions:

  1. Place beef strips in the crockpot.
  2. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger, then pour over beef.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. Add broccoli during the last 30 minutes.

13. Creamy Potato Soup

Ingredients:

  • 6 potatoes, diced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients except cream in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  3. Stir in heavy cream during the last 30 minutes.

14. Chicken Tacos

Ingredients:

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
  2. Mix salsa, taco seasoning, and broth, then pour over chicken.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. Shred the chicken and serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

15. Vegetable Curry

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, potatoes)
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  3. Serve over rice or with naan bread.

16. Italian Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 jar marinara sauce
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
  2. Pour marinara sauce over chicken and sprinkle with seasonings.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese during the last 30 minutes.

17. Corn Chowder

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups corn kernels
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 potatoes, diced
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients except cream in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  3. Stir in heavy cream during the last 30 minutes.

18. Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients:

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 lb fettuccine pasta
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup Alfredo sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
  2. Add pasta, broth, and seasonings.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. Stir in Alfredo sauce before serving.

19. Beef and Barley Soup

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs beef stew meat
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup barley
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low for 8 hours.
  3. Serve with crusty bread.

20. Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups shredded chicken
  • 1 cup buffalo sauce
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 1 cup cream cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot.
  2. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  3. Serve with tortilla chips or celery sticks.

Final Thoughts

Crockpot dump meals are a game-changer for busy days. With minimal effort, you can enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals that save you time and money. Whether you’re craving comfort food, international flavors, or something light and healthy, there’s a crockpot dump meal for everyone.

So, dust off your slow cooker and give these recipes a try. Your future self will thank you for the time and energy you save!

What’s your favorite crockpot dump meal? Share your go-to recipes in the comments below!

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