Finding meals that picky eaters will actually touch is often a challenge. That is why I gathered this list of 21 kid-friendly slow cooker recipes.
These dishes are flavorful and easy to prepare.
1. Crockpot Kid-Friendly Turkey Chili
Soups are great during colder months, but a hearty bowl of chili is hard to beat. Your little ones will enjoy this turkey chili regardless of the spice level you choose.
The base recipe does not include beans. However, I usually toss in a can of kidney beans because I feel like they are essential for the full experience.
It is packed with protein and features a wide array of vegetables for maximum flavor.
2. Crockpot Stuffed Shells
Giant pasta shells get a delicious upgrade when filled with spinach and a trio of cheeses. You cover everything in pasta sauce and let the appliance do the work.
This dish takes roughly four hours to cook. The preparation is incredibly straightforward and demands minimal effort on your part.
Your home will smell amazing while dinner simmers away.
3. Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole
This enchilada casserole tastes just as amazing a few days after you cook it. I love meals that yield delicious leftovers.
That is one reason I whip this up more frequently than I probably should. It features peppers, onions, and garlic to ensure every bite is bursting with savory goodness.
You really cannot go wrong with such a flavorful dish.
4. Crockpot Pizza Casserole
Children who adore pizza will likely go crazy for this creative casserole version. It is loaded with pizza sauce, garlic, and cheese.
Ground beef, pepperoni, and Italian sausage make the meal satisfying enough for hungry appetites.
You need less than ten ingredients to put it all together. Preparation only requires about five minutes of your time.
5. Slow Cooker Honey Chicken
This juicy chicken dish features wonderful Asian inspired flavors. Ingredients like garlic, onions, soy sauce, and honey create a perfect balance of savory and sweet notes.
I suggest serving it on top of rice for the best experience. You can also enjoy it alongside steamed vegetables or pile it onto a bun.
6. Crockpot Beef Tacos
You use the slow cooker to prepare the meat rather than the entire taco assembly. That is truly the most crucial component anyway.
My favorite aspect is the DIY taco seasoning mix because it tastes much better than store bought packets.
Mixing it up takes roughly 15 minutes. The resulting flavor is absolutely worth that small amount of extra work.
7. Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Using a slow cooker is arguably the best method for preparing Sloppy Joe meat. I find it to be the most convenient option available.
The long simmer time locks in every bit of savory flavor. This process ensures the sandwich filling becomes incredibly tender and decadent.
8. Slow Cooker Macaroni and Beef
You could easily grab a boxed meal kit, but making this dish from scratch is much healthier. It only requires about ten minutes of preparation time.
The pasta becomes tender and soaks up the tomato sauce beautifully. Ground beef mixed with herbs and vegetables gives this meal a wonderful taste profile.
9. Crockpot Chicken and Rice
This creamy and cheesy chicken dish is a fantastic dinner option. The rice cooks up fluffy while the meat stays juicy and tender.
Garlic and herbs provide wonderful seasoning for this hearty meal. You can prep everything in ten minutes before tossing it into the pot.
It is hard to find a simpler recipe.
10. Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Soup is the ultimate comfort food when the weather turns cold outside. Kids especially seem to enjoy this bacon cheeseburger version.
It is loaded with hearty items like ground beef, russet potatoes, and carrots. Green onions, bacon, and pepper jack cheese add even more depth.
The texture is thick and chunky with just a touch of spice.
11. Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole
This cheesy casserole is packed with beef and plenty of tater tots. It is a dream dinner for children who like Mexican cuisine.
You include ingredients such as corn, black beans, and salsa to build flavor.
Green chiles and enchilada sauce enhance the theme. Taco seasoning and cilantro round out the savory profile.
12. Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
No collection of slow cooker meals is complete without chicken and dumplings. This specific recipe stands out as one of the best.
It resembles a mix between pot pie and dumplings because it includes carrots and peas. Cream of celery soup adds richness to the base.
You use refrigerated biscuits to create soft dumplings that practically melt in your mouth.
13. Crockpot Baked Ziti
You can skip the oven and make delicious baked ziti right in your slow cooker. The ingredient list includes familiar items like penne pasta, tomato sauce, and three types of cheese.
Eggs and basil are also part of the mix. Assembly only takes around 20 minutes.
You just let it cook for a few hours until it is ready to eat.
14. Slow Cooker Lasagna
Making lasagna is much simpler when you use a slow cooker. This recipe uses no-boil noodles, pasta sauce, and a blend of cheeses.
You can use ground beef or Italian sausage for the protein. Fresh basil and baby spinach add color and flavor.
Feel free to swap the meat for garden vegetables if you prefer a vegetarian friendly version.
15. Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
These potatoes turn out wonderfully fluffy and packed with cheese. You need just eight ingredients plus some basic seasonings to make them.
Preparation time is incredibly short at just five minutes. Garlic powder and onion powder provide a savory and earthy taste.
Most children will happily devour this cheesy side dish.
16. Crockpot Ham and Swiss Sliders
Using a slow cooker gives the ham a perfect texture while melting the cheese beautifully. The sliders absorb tons of flavor during the cooking process.
A special topping really elevates these sandwiches above the ordinary. You make it with Dijon mustard, butter, and poppy seeds.
A dash of Worcestershire sauce adds the final savory touch.
17. Slow Cooker Ragu for Kids
I have fond memories of smelling homemade sauce simmering when I arrived home from school. This recipe captures that same childhood joy for me.
The beef is seasoned perfectly and stays very juicy. Carrots, celery, and garlic create a rich and full-bodied sauce.
You can serve this over any type of pasta you have on hand.
18. Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
This chicken dish is famous for being incredibly addictive. It earned its name because people cannot stop eating it.
You only need six ingredients to create this flavorful meal. It is hard to believe such a simple recipe can taste this amazing.
The zesty and cheesy flavors make it truly exceptional.
19. Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Sliders
You might not expect sliders and chicken parmesan to work as a pair. However, one bite will convince you that they are a perfect match.
The preparation is simple and requires chicken breasts and marinara sauce. You also need wheat buns and Italian seasoning.
Top everything with parmesan and mozzarella for a delicious finish.
20. Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
This recipe is memorable because it follows a simple five rule. It uses five ingredients and takes five minutes to prep.
You cook it for five hours to get the best results. The main components are cream of chicken soup and gravy mix.
Serve it alongside steamed rice for a meal kids will devour.
21. Crockpot Spaghetti Casserole
Most children absolutely adore spaghetti. This casserole version improves on the classic by adding plenty of melted cheese.
Herbs provide a rich Italian taste that everyone enjoys. Ground chuck makes the dish hearty and satisfying.
You can also leave out the meat to create a vegetarian friendly option.