Winter awakens a hungry desire for rich, comforting food full of warm aromas and wraps you all the way to the core. When you’ve had a long, chilly day, nothing compares to the smell of something simmering for hours straight in the kitchen. This is where the slow cooker enters as a winter favorite turning plain ingredients into deeply rich, fall-apart food without much effort and at the right time.
Having a slow cooker in winter is not merely a convenience. It gives you deep, comforting flavor that feels as though it has spent all day simmering on the stovetop because it has. From casseroles and soups to roasts, the slow cooker gets the job done as you wait or move about your day. With a “keep warm” option, your supper stays hot until you are.
These 14 easy winter crockpot recipes bring comfort, flavor, and convenience to your doorstep. They’re hearty, comforting, and easy everything you’ll want on a cold night. And, we’ve added some bonus tips and ideas so that you’ll be able to get the most out of each recipe.
1. Lazy Day Crock Pot Lasagna Recipe
This crockpot lasagna brings all the flavor of the classic dish without any of the hassle. Add your own favorite ingredients, let them simmer low, and when you’re hungry, have a rich, cheesy dinner. Use no-boil noodles to make it simple and top with a sprinkle of spinach or mushrooms for depth. It’s perfect for wild nights or when you don’t have much oven space. The magic is done by the slow cooker, blending the flavors all together into a healthy, rich meal that’s rich but pretty low-key.
2. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
A steaming bowl of creamy tomato basil soup is perfect for chilly days. This one is packed with fresh, bright flavor and a silky, creamy texture. Top it with a dollop of cream or some red pepper flakes for a kick. It’s easy to prepare and tastes like a hug in a bowl. It’s healthy and satisfying and unpretentious proof that comfort food needn’t be unhealthy, either.
3. Slow Cooker Chili
This comforting chili simmers all day long in the slow cooker, drawing out rich, comforting flavor with little work. Add the ingredients and you’ve got a comforting bowl of hearty chili hours later. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, or diced avocado for extra comfort. It’s a crowd-pleaser for family dinner or game day, and cleanup is easy. This recipe provides depth and warmth with every bite.
4. Crockpot Pizza Chicken Recipe
Pizza and slow cooker combined this is the best of both worlds, ultimate. It’s filled with the classic pizza standbys specialty topping, cheese, and sauce on high-quality chicken. Gourmet ingredients aren’t required to come along and toss in pepperoni, olives, or bell peppers. Rich, comforting flavor is a finicky-eater and kid-friendly. It’s a good thing that getting some kick into dinner doesn’t require extra work.
5. Green Enchilada Chicken Crockpot Soup
The zing of green enchiladas is put together in this soup with the richness of one that’s served during winter. The cheesy broth, which has green enchilada sauce added to it, is full of large chunks of chicken. Corn or white beans can be added to make it even more filling. It’s spicy, easy to prepare, and packs a huge flavor punch that makes you warm in an instant.
6. Crock Pot Sausage Lasagna
All the warm comfort of lasagna with a simplified touch, thanks to your crock pot. The pasta, sausage, melty cheese, and sauce layers blend together low and slow, saturated in deep flavor without the need for the oven. Use Italian sausage for extra flavor. Ideal when you want something hot and filling but can’t be tied to the stove.
7. Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole
The casserole is a combination of meat, potatoes, and vegetables all combined into one tasty, no-fuss dish. These casseroles are a complete meal packed with hearty flavor and rich texture. You simply layer in the ingredients to the crockpot and then let it do the rest. Add the shredded cheese or pieces of bacon on top for the creamy richness. These are perfect for feeding the next hungry crowd on a cold day.
8. Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
Rich and creamy Alfredo sauce topped with chicken and noodles all cooking unattended in your slow cooker. This simple recipe employs just a handful of ingredients and delivers a comforting dish that tastes every bit as good as at your neighborhood Italian restaurant. Top it with a toss of steamed broccoli or peas to finish and balance the richness. It’s especially handy on evenings when you feel like something rich with little effort.
9. Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup just doesn’t get any easier or hygge the way this one does. It’s filled with lean chicken, tender noodles, and satisfying broth. The whole production cooks in the crockpot, so you can just toss in your ingredients and let the slow cooker work its magic. A squirt of fresh herbs or lemon juice at serving time gives it just the jolt of brightness it requires. It’s soothing, reliable, and winter-prime.
10. Crockpot Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
Hash browns, ground beef, and string cheese are combined in this simple, pleaser casserole. Warm and comforting, it’s perfect for those nights when you want a pleaser meal for the whole group. Throw in some frozen veggies and you have a meal. This one’s rich texture and homey taste will make it a return visitor.
11. Crock Pot Pork Roast Recipe
Few dishes say “home” like a tender pork roast. This slow cooker version is juicy, flavorful, and effortless. Add carrots and potatoes to the pot for a ready-made side. Let the roast simmer all day and come home to a meal that tastes like you’ve been in the kitchen for hours. It’s great for both weeknights and weekend gatherings.
12. Crockpot Tator Tot Casserole
A warm, kid-friendly staple that adults will enjoy as well. The easiest bubbly, cheesy casserole to make even using the slow cooker. It’s warming, comforting, and ridiculously simple. The crunchy tator tots on the top are just a fun added bonus to get to dig in, and cleanup is simple. Add ground beef or ground turkey for extra substance.
13. The Best Crock Pot Roast Recipe
This classic pot roast cooks low with vegetables to provide a hearty, comforting dinner. No gourmet steps are required just hearty ingredients and a crock pot. Add a splash of red wine or Worcestershire sauce for extra depth. The beef is richly melted, absorbing all the deep, rich flavor. It’s the essence of uncomplicated, comforting winter comfort food.
14. Crock Pot Shepherd’s Pie
Mashed potatoes and meat filling, both seasoned to taste, are brought together in this crockpot shepherd’s pie. All the ingredients go into the crockpot, and hours later, you have a meal that is warm, comforting, and full of flavor. Throw in frozen peas or corn and stir in for texture. It’s the kind of food that rounds up all the hands at the table and back for seconds.
