41 Kid Friendly Back to School Slow Cooker Recipes

It’s back to school time! That means back to life, back to reality. It also means back to schedules and back after school activities. Back to soccer, library, cub scouts, football, homework… I could go on and on! Sometimes making dinner happen with all the craziness is hard.

For me the very best way to make dinner happen is to prepare it NOT in the dinner time hour.

That’s why the slow cooker is, by far, my best friend in the kitchen. I can prepare dinner while I’m cleaning up the breakfast dishes. Then, when it comes time to fit in dinner between the comings and goings, it’s not impossible! Dinner stays warm in the Crockpot so if my kids and husband need to eat dinner at different times, it works.

Here are my favorite back to school slow cooker recipes that my whole family loves. Check them out in the slideshow.

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25 Kid Friendly Back to School Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow Cooker Shredded Korean Pork

Asian sweet and spicy pulled pork--it’s perfect for sandwiches, tacos, burritos, salads, with wraps, or right out of the slow cooker!

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Shredded Korean Pork via Slender Kitchen

Photo: Slender Kitchen
Spicy Coconut Chicken Drumsticks

I’m in love with this recipe for spicy coconut chicken drumsticks made in the slow cooker. Seriously, we all loved the slight spiciness of the Thai chili paste and the creamy sauce made from coconut milk. This chicken and sauce goes perfectly with some oven baked brown rice and a salad. Serve it up for dinner this week at your house. And BONUS: This recipe can easily be made into a slow cooker freezer meal.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Spicy Coconut Chicken Drumsticks via 365 Days of Slow Cooking.

Photo: 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Slow Cooker Sweet Tomato Basil Soup

This is a creamy, comforting soup that is perfect for meatless Monday.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Sweet Tomato Basil Soup via 365 Days of Slow Cooking

Photo: 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Baked Spaghetti

Cheesy and gooey, this recipe for slow cooker baked spaghetti is such a treat compared to a boring regular spaghetti dinner.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti via The Magical Slow Cooker.

Photo: The Magical Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Skip the take-out and try this super easy, lightened-up creamy butter chicken right in the crockpot – it’s less calories and tastes a million times better!

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Butter Chicken via Damn Delicious

Photo: Damn Delicious
Chicken Parmigiana

Slow cooker chicken parmesan has all the flavors of the traditional version with much less work. The secret is in a crispy crunchy topping that’s added at the end.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan via Cook the Story.

Photo: Cook the Story
Slow Cooker Corn and Red Pepper Chowder

Hearty, creamy, satisfying, chock-full of sweet corn countered perfectly by smoky red bell pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, and a smidge of cayenne.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Corn and Red Pepper Chowder via Oh My Veggies

Photo: Oh My Veggies
Ground Turkey Meatloaf

Did you know you can make slow cooker meatloaf? It’s true! You can make meatloaf in the Crock-Pot. Why would you do that? Well, sometimes you just don’t want to turn your oven on. Or maybe you just need to make food ahead of time instead of right at dinnertime. Or maybe you need some cushion on when you actually eat dinner and turning the slow cooker on gives you that, because even if you’re a half hour late the food isn’t going to burn in the slow cooker like it would in the oven. There are so many reasons to use your slow cooker.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Homestyle Ground Turkey (or Beef) Meatloaf via 365 Days of Slow Cooking.

Photo: 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Gluten Free Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

With no cream of soups this is a delicious, hearty gluten free beef dish.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff via 365 Days of Slow Cooking

Photo: 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Macaroni and Cheese

Slow cooker macaroni and cheese is a super easy mac and cheese recipe perfect for any occasion.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese via The Cookie Rookie.

Photo: The Cookie Rookie
Slow Cooker Savory Citrus Chicken

This savory, flavorful dish is prepared in the slow cooker for an extra easy weeknight dinner option.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Savory Citrus Chicken via Miss in the Kitchen

Photo: Miss in the Kitchen
Pizza Quinoa

This easy Crock-Pot pizza quinoa tastes like the classic comfort food but is totally guilt and gluten free. It’s a healthy, kid-friendly, weeknight meal that will please the whole family.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Pizza Quinoa via Food Faith Fitness.

Photo: Food Faith Fitness
Slow Cooker Lentil Chili

This healthy chili will warm you up and fill you up!

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Lentil Chili via Two Peas and Their Pod

Photo: Two Peas and Their Pod
Creamy Ranch Chicken

With bacon and cream cheese you can’t go wrong with this creamy ranch chicken.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Secret Ingredient Creamy Ranch Chicken via Hugs and Cookies.

Photo: Hugs and Cookies
Slow Cooker Taco Chili

This Taco Chili is so flavorful. Serve it up with a side of cornbread and all the fixings!

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Taco Chili via Shugary Sweets.

Photo: Shugary Sweets
Chicken Pot Pie

Here's a creamy and comforting chicken pot pie made in the slow cooker and then topped with homemade biscuits.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Homemade Chicken Pot Pie via 365 Days of Slow Cooking.

Photo: 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Slow Cooker Frittata with Kale, Roasted Red Pepper, and Feta

This frittata cooked in the slow cooker was a little softer than eggs cooked in the oven or on the stove, but it also seemed like the flavors of the other ingredients were infused into the egg a bit more.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Frittata with Kale, Roasted Red Pepper and Feta via Kalyn's Kitchen

Photo: Kalyn's Kitchen
Pork Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce

I am such a fan of gyros. I love the soft pita, the well-seasoned meat, and the tzatziki sauce all together in one big bite. And the good news is that gyro meat is so easy to make in the slow cooker.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Pork Gyros via 365 Days of Slow Cooking.

Photo: 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Slow Cooker Hoisin Pork Sliders

Hoisin sauce infuses this pork with lots of flavor and it's a different twist on pulled pork than regular BBQ sauce.

Get the recipe for CrockPot Hoisin Pork Sliders via 365 Days of Slow Cooking

Photo: 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Carnitas

On a busy day, slow cooker carnitas make a spectacular dinner that is about ten times less hands-on than the traditional recipe, and my whole family loves them.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Carnitas via Barefeet in the Kitchen.

Photo: Barefeet in the Kitchen
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

Slow cooked, spicy and delicious Buffalo Chicken drumsticks.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken via Diethood

Photo: Diethood
Chicken Fajitas

Chicken fajitas in the Crock-Pot is a delicious meal for any time of year. Add some guacamole and sour cream if you need to cool it down.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas via Kalyn’s Kitchen.

Photo: Kalyn's Kitchen
4 -Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken

This 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken is super easy to make, full of flavor, and can be used in all sorts of recipes.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken via Gimme Some Oven

Photo: Gimme Some Oven
Lasagna

This slow cooker lasagna recipe is quick and easy to prep, and made with the classic ingredients we all love.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Lasagna via Gimme Some Oven.

Photo: Gimme Some Oven
Slow Cooker Buffalo Cheddar Cauliflower Soup

A meatless soup that has lots of cauliflower and lots of flavor from Buffalo sauce.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Buffalo Cheddar Cauliflower Soup via 365 Days of Slow Cooking

Photo: 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Sloppy Joes

What’s more kid friendly than sloppy joes? And this recipe will make mom happy too since it's made in the slow cooker.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes via Mom on Timeout.

Photo: Mom on Timeout
Simple Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe

Tender and totally easy country style ribs prepared in the slow cooker.

Get the recipe for Simple Slow Cooker Ribs via Add A Pinch

Photo: Add a Pinch
Tater Tot Casserole

What’s your favorite comfort food? Well, my favorite comfort food is tater tot casserole. Yeah, this casserole may not be the most glamorous meal you can make, but it’s sure delicious.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole via The Magical Slow Cooker.

Photo: The Magical Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lasagna Soup

An easy and delicious way to prepare your favorite Italian dinner.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lasagna Soup via Foodie Crush

Photo: Foodie Crush
Tacos

Yes…you can make your taco meat in the slow cooker. It’s so nice to have it going and have everything ready before the supper hour.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Taco Meat via Around My Family Table.

Photo: My Family Table
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

A lightened up version of your favorite Indian dish made in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Misala via Dinners, Dishes and Desserts

Photo: Dinners Dishes and Desserts
Zucchini Roll-ups

Want to eat a healthier (and delicious) version of lasagna? Try this zucchini noodle lasagna roll-ups recipe in your slow cooker (or your oven). You’ll be surprised at how you won’t even miss the noodles.

Find the recipe for Slow Cooker Zucchini Lasagna Roll-ups via 365 Days of Slow Cooking.

Photo: 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Slow Cooker Meat and Veggie Spaghetti Sauce

Let your slow cooker simmer a delicious spaghetti sauce for you while your away and come home to a delicious smelling and tasting dinner.

Get the recipe for CrockPot Meat and Veggie Spaghetti Sauce via 365 Days of Slow Cooking

Photo: 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

A Chinese take-out favorite that can be made right in the slow cooker – no sauteing, no stirring, no frying. It doesn’t get easier than that!

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli via Damn Delicious

Photo: Damn Delicious
Slow Cooker Parmesan Chicken

An easy way to make an old classic.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Parmesan Chicken via Emily Bites

Photo: Emily Bites
Slow Cooker Thai Chicken

Slow Cooker Thai Chicken is wholesome--it’s filled with bright, good-for-you veggies like butternut squash, green peas and bell peppers.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Thai Chicken via The Law Student's Wife

Photo: The Law Student's Wife
Slow Cooker Cajun Ham and Bean Soup

Totally easy and totally budget friendly. This recipe tastes great and serves a crowd!

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Cajun Ham and Bean Soup via 365 Days of Slow Cooking

Photo: 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Crockpot Honey Sesame Chicken

An easy and delicious slow cooker meal that will quickly become a family favorite!

Get the recipe for Crockpot Honey Sesame Chicken via Chef in Training

Photo: Chef in Training
Slow Cooker Pork Ranch Chili

This hearty, flavorful, high-protein chili is so easy to make. It uses simple shortcuts without compromising flavor.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Pork Ranch Chili via The Yummy Life

Photo: The Yummy Life
Slow Cooker Taco Meat

You can make your taco meat in the slow cooker. It’s so nice to have it going and have everything ready before the supper hour.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Taco Meat via Around My Family Table

Photo: Around My Family Table
Slow Cooker Thai Coconut Soup with Lemongrass

Get all the flavors as your favorite Thai restaurant with this super easy Thai soup!

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Thai Coconut Soup with Lemongrass via 365 Days of Slow Cooking.

Photo: 365 Days of Slow Cooking