For anyone who's been searching for the easiest fall dinner ideas possible, we've got it covered. As every mom who's tried one out before knows, Crock-Pot or slow cooker recipes are the absolute best when it comes to getting dinner on the table, especially when we have a hundred other things to do. (So basically always). This is because slow cooker recipes typically require little to no prep work. Mostly, we throw some stuff in the pot, set it, and forget it. That's about as low-maintenance a method as possible to get a homemade dinner prepared. And coming home from work to a house that already smells amazing and knowing that dinner is good-to-go? THE BEST!
We think that Crock-Pot recipes are especially perfect for fall, because this is among the busiest times of year for most families. With school, sports, and activities, kids are a whirl, and our lives don't slow down in the fall, either. it's sometimes a miracle to just get the family together for a meal.
We rounded up 35 fast, fall-inspired dinners that can be made with a Crock-Pot. These take advantage of seasonal flavors and produce, which is both cheap and plentiful this time of year.
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Beef Brisket With Fall Vegetables
This beef brisket with fall vegetables makes for a lovely dinner — like nice enough that we would definitely serve it at a dinner party — but it's so incredibly easy and takes so little active time, it's also a wonderful weeknight option.
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
Making butternut squash soup becomes a snap when we use the slow cooker. This recipe for slow cooker butternut squash soup is smooth, flavorful, and requires only a few ingredients. Top with some roasted chickpeas for added crunch and protein.
Slow Cooker Acorn Squash Stuffed With Craisin Pecan Rice
We love this recipe for slow cooker acorn squash stuffed with cranberry pecan rice. Although this recipe can be vegan by using vegan cheese, this is a smart place to use up leftover cooked sausage, ground turkey, or ground beef, too.
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Slow Cooker Apple Rosemary Pork Loin
Sweet and savory, this slow cooker apple rosemary pork loin looks really amazing (and tastes incredible) but it's actually phenomenally easy to put together. It takes very little hands-on time — just 10 minutes of prep!
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Coconut Curry
Is there anything that says "autumn" quite like pumpkin? This slow cooker pumpkin coconut curry is packed full of B-vitamins, rich fall flavors, and is so easy to make; it takes just five minutes of prep time.
Crock-Pot Lentil Stew
This Crock-Pot lentil stew is a vegetarian meal — perfect for Meatless Mondays — that is still hearty, delicious, filling, and packed with protein and fiber. Serve it with a little goat cheese to crumble in for extra flavor.
More from CafeMom: 18 Vegetarian BBQ Recipes Even Meat Eaters Will Love
Crock-Pot Comforting Cheesy Potatoes
Rough day? These comforting cheesy potatoes are a soothing way to end the day. Just dice, dump, and melt troubles away with a dish that serves as a tasty bonus side or an indulgent dinner.
Easy Slow-Cooker Meatloaf
In many homes mom's meatloaf is a sacred specialty, but that doesn't mean it has to be hard! This is a basic Crock-Pot meatloaf recipe totally adaptable to a beloved recipe, such as adding pureed vegetables or bacon for a signature taste.
Crock-Pot Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
After spending a chilly fall day outside. nothing says comfort food like a big pot of Crock-Pot fettuccine Alfredo. Serve with garlic bread on the side and carb load into the night with this super cozy meal.
Crock-Pot Enchiladas
Traditional enchiladas from scratch are kind of a pain to make, but these Crock-Pot enchiladas are a cinch with little hands-on work. Just a fair warning: They are going to quickly become a family favorite.
Crock-Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Yes, of course spinach and artichoke dip counts as dinner — it has two vegetables in it. Hello! All kidding aside, this delicious dip is the perfect indulgence and tastes so amazing warmed up.
Apple Cinnamon Crock-Pot Pork
Could there be a more perfect combination for fall than apple cinnamon Crock-Pot pork? (Besides pumpkin spice, of course!) Popping this recipe in the slow cooker will have the house smelling amazing and will definitely make wrangling the family for dinner easier.
Creamy Succotash
After months of making delicious fall meals, recipes can feel kind of stale. Do an early fridge sweep and warm up the slow cooker for this one. Enjoy the last of fall produce with this creamy succotash recipe.
Lemon Rosemary Chicken
OK, OK, maybe this isn't exclusively a fall dish. But everyone knows the mouthwatering smell of this lemon rosemary chicken is impossible to resist — and is definitely going to drive the family insane (in a good way) while it cooks!
Curried Vegetable & Chickpea Stew
When comfort food is needed, this recipe absolutely delivers. Be it a long day of hard tests for the kids or a wildly busy day at work, coming home to this vegetable curry stew would be so warming on a windy fall evening.
Crock-Pot Chicken 'n' Dumplings
Get out a roll of biscuit dough for scrumptious Crock-Pot chicken and dumplings. This classic recipe takes a very easy turn with some premade dough and the slow cooker, but totally tastes like it took hours of hard work.
Forgotten Once Jambalaya
It's called "forgotten" because all that has to be done is throw everything in the Crock-Pot and forget about it — until dinnertime. Families with picky eaters can skip the shrimp in this forgotten once jambalaya recipe, and it'll still taste great.
Crock-Pot Honey Mustard Chicken
Come home to a great meal. Start this five-ingredient honey mustard chicken at the beginning of the day and pop the potatoes into the oven an hour before dinner. It's so easy.
Copy-Cat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup
Listen, we all have guilty pleasures, and sometimes a chain restaurant is one of them. Fans of Olive Garden's minestrone will love this copy-cat minestrone recipe, and it can be enjoyed shame-free from the comfort of a living room.
Crock-Pot Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
Who knew this much good could come from a bottle of soda? This tasty classic is a must-have for the fall: Crock-Pot Dr. Pepper pulled pork, which gives the chef a home field advantage for a tasty tailgate.
Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Be a little adventurous and try this Crock-Pot chicken tikka masala recipe! It's savory, slightly spicy, and its deliciousness will win over any skeptics.
Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls
Take taco Tuesday up a notch but trying something totally new. These yummy chicken burrito bowls take just five minutes of prep work and taste absolutely decadent!
Italian Beef Stew
This Italian beef stew recipe from a blog called Grandma's Slow Cooker Recipes is a tasty twist on a classic beef stew. Plus, this hearty and traditional dish is a perfect crowd-pleaser when hosting family.
Bourbon Maple 'Baked' Beans
This decadent bourbon maple slow-cooker "baked" beans recipe checks all the taste bud boxes when it comes to making a robust and hearty fall meal. Add a tasty pork main and a slab of cornbread for a delicious meal.
Vegetable Stew With Cornbread Dumplings
Keep the seasonal squash game going with this wonderful vegetable stew with cornbread dumplings recipe. It's hearty, tastes rich, and is actually pretty healthy — a win on all sides.
Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
With fall comes the onslaught of winter illnesses. That's why everyone needs a good go-to slow-cooker chicken noodle soup recipe. Using a slow cooker to make the soup will help ease the load so you can concentrate on the person who's feeling unwell.
Crock-Pot Vegetarian Chili
This Crock Pot vegetarian chili is naturally vegan, heart-healthy, and incredibly tasty. We recommend making it less vegan by adding a little bit of shredded cheese and sour cream or Greek yogurt to serve, but it'll still be healthy!
Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These sweet potatoes are incredibly tasty — and because they're made in the slow cooker, they're also incredibly easy to whip up. This perfectly seasonal side dish pairs perfectly with seared pork chops.
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash With Brown Sugar
We love this recipe for Slow Cooker Butternut Squash With Brown Sugar because it's basically foolproof. In addition, it's sweet enough that kids will ask for seconds (even though it's packed with vitamins). it goes well with roast chicken or turkey.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs With Apples
When it comes to easy weeknight dinners that taste like more effort than they took, this recipe for slow cooker chicken thighs with apples is a clear winner. The flavors come together so beautifully. Serve it with mashed potatoes.
Ultimate Slow Cooker Pot Roast
This ultimate slow cooker pot roast recipe takes so little effort — and it's even possible to do the prep work the night before, so all that's necessary to do in the morning is flip a switch. We love that this is a complete meal with a protein, vegetable, and starch.
Slow Cooker Chicken Apple Cider Chili
For anyone craving serious fall flavors, this slow cooker chicken apple cider chili is the way to go. It has a lot more depth to it than an average chicken chili, and it's definitely seasonal. Plus, it tastes even better the next day.
Crock-Pot Chicken Wild Rice Soup
This Crock-Pot chicken wild rice soup is incredibly simple to make, and it's a really hearty, heartening, healthy meal. Make extra to send to school and work the next day. Don't forget some crusty bread to go with it.
Slow Cooker Lasagna
In this slow cooker lasagna recipe, the noodles don't even have to be cooked ahead of time. We never thought that making lasagna that actually tastes good could be this easy, but this recipe is amazing.
Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
Because it's French, beef bourguignon is one of those recipes that sounds really fancy but is actually incredibly simple to make. This slow cooker beef bourguignon is rich and delicious, but it takes little effort to make and is hard to mess up.
