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.
  44. Crockpot Chicken Adobo Taco Recipe – delicious meal suitable for any day of the week.
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? ›

These slow cooker sizes feed up to eight people and have enough room to hold roasts up to 6 lbs and whole chickens with cut-up vegetables. Large slow cookers can cook large enough casseroles and other meals to feed the whole family, plus provide leftovers since they hold between 6 and 7 quarts of food.

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 size is a family 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 over crowd a slow cooker? ›

Don't Overcrowd

Fill your slow cooker one-half to two-thirds full for best results; too much or not enough food may not cook properly.

What is the max capacity slow cooker? ›

Slow cookers range in capacity, from a compact 1.5 litres up to 7 litres. 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.

What size slow cooker do most recipes call for? ›

  • If You're Cooking for One or Two People: Buy a 3-Quart Slow Cooker.
  • If You Have a Larger Family or Love Leftovers: Buy a 5-Quart Slow Cooker.
  • If You Frequently Cook for a Crowd: Buy a 6-Quart Slow Cooker (or Something Even Larger)
Nov 24, 2020

What's the difference between slow cooker and crockpot? ›

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.

Why can't you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

Raw meat

A crockpot's gentle heat means meat will never get a chance to brown, but it's the golden colour from frying that gives it depth of flavour. If you don't want your stew to taste bland, brown the meat first, then put it in the slow cooker.

Can I just put beef in the slow cooker raw? ›

Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned.

Should the outside of a slow cooker get hot? ›

This is normal, especially after prolonged use. Therefore, do not touch the outside of the slow cooker, as this can cause burns.

How big of a Crockpot do I need for a family of 6? ›

Larger families are well-suited for 4- or 5-quart slow cookers, which can feed up to six people. It's a great choice for bigger dishes—like casseroles, stews and full dinners—and it can fit a roast! Not a huge one—stick to a 3–4 lb. roast for this size, and if you need a larger cut, you'll need a bigger slow cooker.

What happens if you don't brown meat before a slow cooker? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

Should meat or vegetables go in the crockpot first? ›

Fill the crock pot at least half full and no more than two-thirds full. Thaw frozen meats and vegetables before placing in the crock pot. Place dense vegetables in crock pot first, such as carrots and potatoes, since they take longer than meats to cook.

Can I leave food in a slow cooker overnight off after? ›

Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

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

Large 6.5L capacity will serve 6+ people.

What size slow cooker for 10 people? ›

But sizes range from the smallest slow cooker, a 20-ounce mini crock pot, to the largest slow cooker on the market, a 10-quart extra large pot. A general guideline is to allow one quart per person then round up a bit—keep in mind slow cookers should be one-half to two-thirds full for optimal cooking.

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.

What size crockpot for family of 6? ›

Larger families are well-suited for 4- or 5-quart slow cookers, which can feed up to six people. It's a great choice for bigger dishes—like casseroles, stews and full dinners—and it can fit a roast! Not a huge one—stick to a 3–4 lb. roast for this size, and if you need a larger cut, you'll need a bigger slow cooker.

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