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.
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

How many people does a large slow cooker feed? ›

Large 6.5L capacity will serve 6+ people. Low and high heat settings, plus keep warm function so that dinner is ready when you are. Dishwasher safe removable ceramic bowl and glass lid for easy cleaning.

What size slow cooker do you need for a family of 4? ›

As a general guide, a 1.5 to 2.3-litre capacity 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.

How do you cook a small amount in a large slow cooker? ›

Slow cooker cookbook author Stephanie O'Dea shares this quick tip on The Huffington Post: just put the ingredients into a smaller (one- or two-quart) oven-safe dish and put the dish in the slow cooker. It should cook the same and, even better, will likely be easier to clean than your larger crockpot.

How do I get the best results from a slow cooker? ›

Avoid overcrowding: For the best results, fill a slow cooker between one-half and two-thirds full. Go ahead and cook big roasts and whole chickens; just make sure you use a large crock and that the lid fits snugly on top. Trim fat: For silky sauces and gravies, take a minute or two and cut the excess fat from the meat.

What is the most popular size slow cooker? ›

The 6- or 7-quart models are among the most popular, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're the best choice for everyone. (By the way, here's our favorite slow cooker brand.) Find yourself among the descriptions below to learn which slow cooker we'd recommend for you.

How many people will a 4.5 qt crockpot feed? ›

The 4.5-quart capacity feeds 5+ people, making it perfect for family meals, soups, chilis, stews, and more. When you're finished cooking and serving, the removable stoneware pot and lid are both dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. For moments, memories, and meals worth sharing, make it with The Crock-Pot® Brand!

What is the difference between crockpot and 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.

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

What is considered a large slow cooker? ›

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.

Can you put a Pyrex bowl in a slow cooker? ›

Cooking times in Pyrex are about the same, even a little shorter in some cases but you need to lower baking temperature by 25F to avoid overcooking. Can you put a Pyrex dish in a slow cooker? Yes, of course. Pyrex was developed to withstand heat and to be shatter-resistant.

Can I put a glass bowl in a crockpot? ›

One option you can use are heat-safe glass bowls inside your 6-8 quart slow cooker. You simply place about a cup of water in your crock and then place your bowl inside your crock. Then you can put your ingredients in the bowl and cook as you normally would.

How many people does a 2 quart crockpot feed? ›

This small slow cooker has a 2-quart capacity that feeds 2+ people and is perfect for making small meals or dips. Use the manual warm setting to keep food warm while you are serving, or for heating up leftovers.

Why do you put a tea towel under slow cooker lid? ›

Soak up the condensation

Taste user Jenny says she puts a tea towel under her crockpot lid to catch water and stop it thinning too much. This technique is also a favourite with taste's food editor Miranda.

Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in crockpot? ›

Slow cooker recipes have (obviously) long cook times, and it's the meat—not the carrots—that benefit from it. By placing the protein at the bottom (closest to the heating element), and vegetables at the top, you can keep your plant parts a little more toothsome, while ensuring your meat is fall-apart tender.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

How many people will a 6.5 L slow cooker feed? ›

3 YEAR WARRANTY
Specifications
300W Stainless Steel Slow Cooker6.5L capacity for up to 5 portions
Stylish stainless steel designRemovable pot for serving and easy cleaning
Easy to use dial and power indicator lightEasy clean dishwasher safe pot
2 more rows

What size slow cooker for 6 people? ›

Main bowl - 5.6 Litre capacity - ideal for up to 6 people. Smaller split bowl - 2.4L for ultimate cooking flexibility. 2 heat settings and keep warm function.

How many people will a 10 quart slow cooker feed? ›

Product 1: PERFECT FOR A LARGE GATHERING: The 10 quart slow cooker lets you cook enough food for a gathering of 12 or more people and fits a 10 lb. turkey or a 12 lb. roast.

How many people can a 3.5 L 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.

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