23 Fall Crockpot Dinners That Practically Cook Themselves

Fall is perfect for crockpot cooking cause you want those warm, hearty meals but don’t wanna spend all day in the kitchen. Just throw everything in before work and come home to amazing smells and dinner ready. These recipes use all those great fall ingredients like squash, apples, and root vegetables. Most of these freeze well too so you can make extra for busy weeks later.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

This is the ultimate comfort food and pretty much impossible to mess up. The meat gets so tender it falls apart and all the vegetables soak up the rich broth. Use whatever root vegetables you got – carrots, potatoes, parsnips, turnips. Brown the meat first if you got time but honestly it still tastes great if you just dump everything in. Perfect for cold Sunday afternoons when you want the house to smell amazing.

Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

The dumplings cook right in the crockpot for the last hour which is so convenient. They soak up all the chicken broth and get fluffy and perfect. Some recipes have you make dumplings from scratch but those frozen biscuits work fine too. This is pure comfort food that reminds you of being sick as a kid but in a good way. Great for when someone in the family needs cheering up.

Get the recipe here.

Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin

The maple syrup makes this taste like fall and keeps the pork super moist. Pork tenderloin can get dry if you overcook it but the crockpot prevents that. Add some apples and onions to make it a complete meal. The glaze gets all caramelized and sticky which is the best part. This feels fancy enough for company but is actually really easy.

Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Turkey chili is lighter than beef but still really hearty and filling. The beans and vegetables bulk it up so you don’t even miss the extra meat. This is great for using up leftover turkey after Thanksgiving. Top with cheese, sour cream, and green onions. Make a big batch cause it freezes perfectly and gets better after a day in the fridge.

Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Pot Roast with Carrots and Potatoes

This is probably what most people think of when they hear crockpot cooking. The cheap cut of meat becomes incredibly tender after cooking all day low and slow. The vegetables cook right alongside so you don’t need to make anything else. The gravy that forms is perfect for mashing into the potatoes. My dad could eat this every week and never get tired of it.

Get the recipe here.

Butternut Squash and Sausage Soup

The butternut squash gets all creamy when it cooks down and the sausage adds great flavor. You can buy pre-cut squash if you don’t want to deal with peeling and chopping the whole thing. Italian sausage works best but any kind is fine. This soup is filling enough to be a meal with some crusty bread. The orange color looks so pretty and fall-like.

Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Nothing beats homemade chicken noodle soup when you’re feeling under the weather. The chicken gets so tender it shreds easily and the noodles cook right in the broth. Don’t add the noodles until the last 30 minutes or they’ll get mushy. This is the kind of soup that makes you feel better just smelling it. Perfect for the first cold day of fall.

Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Sweet Potato and Black Bean Stew

This vegetarian stew is hearty enough that even meat eaters won’t complain. The sweet potatoes get tender and slightly caramelized while the black beans add protein. Add some corn and bell peppers for extra vegetables. This is healthy comfort food that doesn’t taste like diet food. Serve with cornbread or over rice to make it more filling.

Get the recipe here.

Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs

The apple cider makes this taste like fall and keeps the chicken super moist. Dark meat works better in the crockpot than chicken breasts cause it doesn’t dry out. Add some actual apples and onions to make it a complete meal. The sauce reduces down and gets all rich and flavorful. This is sophisticated enough for dinner parties but easy enough for weeknights.

Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

Barley is one of those grains that works perfectly in the crockpot cause it needs long cooking time. It gets chewy and fills up the soup really nicely. The beef gets tender and the vegetables add color and nutrition. This soup is super filling and sticks to your ribs. Great for cold nights when you need something substantial.

Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Pumpkin Curry

This vegetarian curry is creamy from the pumpkin and coconut milk but not too spicy. You can use canned pumpkin or fresh – whatever’s easier. Add chickpeas or lentils for protein. The warming spices like cumin and coriander are perfect for fall weather. Serve over rice or with naan bread. This is different enough to be interesting but familiar enough that kids will try it.

Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Stuffed Bell Peppers

The peppers get tender but hold their shape and the filling cooks perfectly inside them. Use a mixture of ground beef, rice, and vegetables for the stuffing. These look really pretty when you serve them whole. You can prep these the night before and just dump everything in the crockpot in the morning. Great for meal prep cause you can freeze the leftovers.

Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Chicken and Rice Casserole

This is basically a complete meal in one pot – protein, starch, and vegetables all together. The rice cooks right in the chicken broth so it absorbs all the flavor. Add whatever vegetables you got in the fridge. This is the kind of dinner that makes everyone happy and there’s usually enough for leftovers. Perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t want to think too hard about dinner.

Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

This Italian soup is packed with vegetables and beans so it’s really healthy but still tasty. You can use whatever vegetables are on sale or need to be used up. The pasta cooks right in the soup but add it in the last 30 minutes so it doesn’t get mushy. Top with parmesan cheese and serve with crusty bread. This is a good way to get kids to eat vegetables without complaining.

Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Beef Bourguignon

This fancy French dish is actually perfect for the crockpot cause it needs long slow cooking. The wine and herbs make it taste sophisticated but it’s really just beef stew with better ingredients. Use whatever red wine you’d drink – nothing too expensive. The sauce gets rich and deep after cooking all day. This impresses people but is actually pretty easy to make.

Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

This soup tastes like a loaded baked potato in liquid form. It’s creamy and rich with bacon, cheese, and green onions on top. The potatoes break down and thicken the soup naturally. This is definitely not diet food but it’s perfect for cold nights when you want ultimate comfort food. Kids love this cause it tastes like their favorite restaurant soup.

Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

This Italian dish means “hunter style” but it’s really just chicken with tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. The sauce gets thick and flavorful after cooking all day. Serve over pasta or rice to soak up all that good sauce. You can use chicken thighs or breasts but thighs stay more moist. This is a good way to make a simple chicken dinner feel special.

Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Lentil and Vegetable Stew

Lentils are perfect for the crockpot cause they don’t need soaking like other beans. They cook down and thicken the stew naturally. Add whatever vegetables you need to use up – carrots, celery, tomatoes, spinach. This is really healthy and filling vegetarian meal. The leftovers get even better after sitting overnight. Great for when you’re trying to eat more plants.

Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

The sour cream makes this rich and creamy but you gotta add it at the end or it might curdle. The beef gets incredibly tender and the mushrooms add great flavor. Serve over egg noodles or rice. This is classic comfort food that everyone recognizes. The sauce is so good you’ll want to lick the bowl clean but don’t do that if you got company over.

Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Risotto

Making risotto in the crockpot is genius cause you don’t have to stand there stirring for 30 minutes. The squash breaks down and makes it creamy and sweet. Add some sage at the end for that classic fall flavor combination. This feels fancy but is actually pretty simple. Great side dish for Thanksgiving or main dish for vegetarians.

Get the recipe here.

Crockpot White Chicken Chili

This is different from regular chili cause it uses white beans and chicken instead of red beans and beef. The green chiles give it a little kick but it’s not too spicy. Top with cheese, avocado, and cilantro. This is lighter than regular chili but still really satisfying. Perfect for when you want something different but still comforting.

Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

Making shepherd’s pie in the crockpot is smart cause everything cooks together without heating up the oven. The meat and vegetables go on the bottom and mashed potatoes on top. The potatoes get golden on the edges where they touch the sides. This is the ultimate comfort food that reminds you of being a kid. Great for feeding a crowd cause everyone loves it.

Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Harvest Vegetable Soup

This soup uses all those great fall vegetables like butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots. It’s vegetarian but really hearty and filling. The vegetables get sweet and caramelized during the long cooking. Add some fresh herbs at the end to brighten it up. This is healthy comfort food that actually tastes good instead of just being good for you.

Get the recipe here.