15 Lazy Day Meals That Practically Cook Themselves

Some days, we want comfort food without the effort — no endless chopping, stirring, or dishwashing. That’s exactly why dump and go crockpot dinners are a total game-changer.

You simply dump everything in, hit start, and let your slow cooker transform simple ingredients into cozy, flavorful meals while you go about your day.

Here are 15 complete crockpot recipes that are stress-free, family-approved, and absolutely delicious.

1. Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes

Serves: 4 | Cook Time: 4–5 hours (Low) or 2½–3 hours (High)
Perfect For: Cozy weeknights

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  
• 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
  
• 2 tbsp olive oil
  
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
  
• 1 tsp salt
  
• ½ tsp black pepper
  
• ½ cup chicken broth
  

Instructions:

1. Add potatoes and chicken to the crockpot.
   
2. Drizzle with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
   
3. Pour chicken broth on top.
   
4. Cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2½–3 hours.
   
5. Garnish with parsley and serve.
   

Pro Tip: Add a squeeze of lemon before serving for a fresh flavor boost.

2. Hearty Beef Stew

Serves: 6 | Cook Time: 6–7 hours (Low) or 3½–4 hours (High)

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs beef stew meat
  
• 3 carrots, sliced
  
• 3 potatoes, diced
  
• 2 cups beef broth
  
• 1 onion, chopped
  
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
  
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  
• 1 tsp thyme
  
• ½ tsp pepper
  
• 1 tsp salt
  

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to the crockpot and stir.
   
2. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3½–4 hours.
   
3. Adjust seasoning and serve warm.
   

Pro Tip: For a thicker stew, stir in 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with water during the last 15 minutes.

3. Honey Garlic Chicken

Serves: 4 | Cook Time: 4 hours (Low) or 2 hours (High)

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken thighs
  
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
  
• ⅓ cup honey
  
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
  

Instructions:

1. Mix all sauce ingredients in a bowl.
   
2. Add chicken and sauce to crockpot.
   
3. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
   
4. Serve with rice or noodles.
   

Pro Tip: Top with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

4. Classic Crockpot Chili

Serves: 6 | Cook Time: 6 hours (Low) or 3 hours (High)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  
• 1 can diced tomatoes
  
• 1 can kidney beans, drained
  
• 1 can black beans, drained
  
• 1 onion, diced
  
• 2 tbsp chili powder
  
• 1 tsp cumin
  
• Salt to taste
  

Instructions:

1. (Optional) Brown meat first for richer flavor.
   
2. Add all ingredients to crockpot and stir.
   
3. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
   

Pro Tip: Stir in a small piece of dark chocolate for depth.

5. BBQ Pulled Pork

Serves: 8 | Cook Time: 6–7 hours (Low) or 3½–4 hours (High)

Ingredients:

• 3 lb pork shoulder
  
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
  
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
  
• 1 onion, sliced
  

Instructions:

1. Add onions and pork to the crockpot.
   
2. Pour BBQ sauce, vinegar, and brown sugar on top.
   
3. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3½–4 hours.
   
4. Shred and mix with sauce.
   

Pro Tip: Serve on toasted buns with coleslaw.

6. Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Serves: 4 | Cook Time: 4 hours (Low) or 2 hours (High)

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
  
• 1 cup heavy cream
  
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese
  
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
  
• 1 cup spinach
  
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
  

Instructions:

1. Add chicken, garlic, tomatoes, and seasoning.
   
2. Pour in cream and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
   
3. Stir in spinach and cheese during the last 20 minutes.
   

Pro Tip: Serve over pasta or mashed potatoes.

7. Vegetable Curry

Serves: 5 | Cook Time: 4 hours (Low) or 2½ hours (High)

Ingredients:

• 1 can coconut milk
  
• 2 tbsp red curry paste
  
• 2 cups mixed vegetables
  
• 1 can chickpeas, drained
  
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
  
• ½ tsp turmeric
  

Instructions:

1. Combine curry paste and coconut milk in crockpot.
   
2. Add vegetables and chickpeas.
   
3. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2½ hours.
   
4. Serve with rice or naan.
   

Pro Tip: Add lime juice before serving.

8. Crockpot Meatballs

Serves: 6 | Cook Time: 4 hours (Low) or 2 hours (High)

Ingredients:

• 1 bag frozen meatballs
  
• 1 jar marinara sauce
  
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients and stir.
   
2. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
   
3. Serve with pasta or in subs.
   

Pro Tip: Add mozzarella at the end for cheesy perfection.

9. Classic Pot Roast

Serves: 6 | Cook Time: 6–7 hours (Low) or 3½–4 hours (High)

Ingredients:

• 3 lb beef roast
  
• 1 lb baby potatoes
  
• 3 carrots, chopped
  
• 1 onion, sliced
  
• 2 cups beef broth
  
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  
• 1 tsp thyme
  

Instructions:

1. Layer vegetables, then beef.
   
2. Pour broth and Worcestershire over top.
   
3. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3½–4 hours.
   
4. Shred beef and mix before serving.
   

Pro Tip: Add a pat of butter before serving for extra flavor.

10. Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Serves: 5 | Cook Time: 4½–5 hours (Low) or 3 hours (High)

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
  
• 1 cup wild rice
  
• 1 carrot, sliced
  
• 1 celery stalk, diced
  
• 4 cups chicken broth
  
• ½ cup cream (add last)
  

Instructions:

1. Add everything except cream.
   
2. Cook on low for 4½–5 hours or high for 3 hours.
   
3. Stir in cream in the last 20 minutes.
   

Pro Tip: Top with parsley and black pepper.

Final Thoughts

These dump and go crockpot dinners are your shortcut to delicious, cozy meals without the stress.

Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or lazy Sundays — just toss, cook, and enjoy.

Because life’s too busy for complicated recipes, but never too busy for good food.