Slow Cooker Kitchen

Bacon Ranch Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

Hey, hey! Here's to the burger lover's out there! 'Cause if you love bacon cheeseburgers, we think you'll absolutely be over the moon for this bacon ranch cheeseburger tater tot casserole!

And like most all the recipes here, it goes together in a flash! Then you let the slow cooker do the work for you. No watching the stove, no babysitting. Just pop it in the crockpot and supper's all done when you're ready for it.

It's warm, creamy, cheesy, comfort food that kids and adults both enjoy! Pssttt...Garnish the top with some dill pickles, that'll toss this dish right over the top!

Topics for Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

In This Article (click headings to jump)

1 Topics for Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
2 Video-Slide Show
3 Ingredients
4 Time Savers for Quick & Easy Meal Prep
5 Directions
6 Alternative Cooking Methods
7 Freezer Meal Options
8 Printable & Pin It for Later Options
9 Recipe
10 Bacon Ranch Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
11 Ingredients 1x2x3x
12 Instructions
13 For all methods: You can prep your meat in two different ways.
14 Crockpot Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole:
15 Skillet Tater Tot Casserole:
16 Baking Dish Tot Casserole:
17 Freezer Meal Prep: You've two options for freezer meal prep.

Video-Slide Show

For those readers that prefer to watch instead of read...here's the slideshow/video :)

Ingredients

The ingredients you'll need for this bacon ranch cheeseburger tater tot casserole (boy that's a mouth full)...they are a lot like this other crock pot tater tot casserole. Both have ground beef and a few, key ingredients that help them cook into the right texture...

Everyone here LOVED this stuff. And when it was gone, it was requested again...and I didn't want to make the same thing twice so I started thinking (warning bells anyone...for those of you that know me well, probably)...

And in the thinking process, I asked myself "why not add a different sort of flavor? So the end result wouldn't just be a potato casserole, which is awesome but still...just to make something different that would taste pretty amazing.

So here we go...we changed up the soups, taking out the cream of chicken and substituting a cheddar cheese. Then added both bacon and ranch to enhance the flavors.

The end result was delicious AND even better the next day! Btw, this meal is freezer friendly before or after cooking it.

Time Savers for Quick & Easy Meal Prep

Make-Ahead Crockpot Hamburger Meat

Layers. Don't groan, please. The layers aren't difficult or time-consuming. For those that are old enough to remember the "layering" fad (also when everything was known as lasagna) I think it burned some of us out on "layers".

But don't worry, this will NOT take up much time, it goes together quickly. The ONLY thing you have to do is precook your meats. And that's easy. You've got your standard skillet method and you can brown it over low heat OR you can put your crockpot to work overnight and make up some crockpot hamburger meat.

If you decide to make up some of that crock pot hamburger meat, you can then freeze it in portion sizes that work for the folks you cook for. AND you can also do the same for BACON...

Bake Up Some Bacon

Did you know you can bake bacon? You sure can! You don't have to...you can fry it like you've always done and it's great. But it needs to be watched closely. When you bake bacon, you don't have to babysit it much.

We use pre-cooked bacon in all sorts of dishes here. Here are just a few of the other crockpot meals we pre-cooked bacon to make...all of them go together super easy once the meats are frozen and ready to pop out for cooking:

- Bacon Maple Pork Loin

- Bacon Ranch Baby Potatoes

Bacon & Potato Casserole

So if you decide to premake up some bacon too, the directions are super easy. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees then bake for 12 to 15 minutes. You can then freeze it for later (if it makes it that long), use it in a recipe or steal it right off the plate!

Directions

Once you've got your meats either cooked or defrosted a bit, this casserole dish goes together in a matter of minutes!

Beef & Onions, Bacon, Cheese, Tater Tots, Soup mixture & Cheese again! Then cook on low for 5 to 7 hours (high 3 to 4).

Alternative Cooking Methods

Just like the crockpot tater tot casserole... I talked it about earlier, this bacon ranch cheeseburger tater tot casserole can be cooked in a variety of ways. You can make it in a casserole dish or in a cast iron skillet or (of course) in the crock pot!

The directions to do that are right here! So if you forget to toss supper in the crockpot you can still make this casserole up in a flash. And it'll go together even faster if you decide to make it into a freezer meal too...

Freezer Meal Options

This (and most...if not all tater tot casseroles) work GREAT for freezer meals. Am I saying eat tater tot casserole all the time? Of course not. Anything all the time isn't healthy. Moderation...And this freezes very well so you could very easily make up a few freezer meals of this, and have one a week (or every other week) for a couple months. It works here, we live on foods from the crock pot, freezer and leftovers :)

Printable & Pin It for Later Options

Recipe

Bacon Ranch Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

Gwen

If you like cheeseburgers, tater tots OR casseroles (or maybe all of 'em) we think you'll LOVE this bacon ranch cheeseburger tater tot casserole :)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 10

Servings to 8 servings

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 package bacon cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic optional
1 10 ounce can cheddar cheese soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce
2 to 3 tablespoons 1 to 1 1/2 packets ranch seasoning
1 32 ounce package tater tots
1 cup shredded cheddar optional
1 1/3 cups milk

Instructions

For all methods: You can prep your meat in two different ways.

Precook the ground beef, bacon, onions, and garlic until no longer pink and drain off the excess fat ~or~ Form above-listed ingredients into a loaf.
In a separate, largish bowl mix the cheddar cheese soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, Ranch Dressing Mix, and milk. Blend until it looks like a thick sauce

Crockpot Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole:

Crumbled Meat Version: Meat mixture, Cheese Layer #1, Tater Tots, Soup Mixture, Cheese Layer #2
Meatloaf Version: Tater Tots, 1/2 the soup mixture, Cheese Layer #1, Meatloaf, 1/2 the soup mixture, Cheese Layer #2
Cover and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours; high for 3 1/2 to 4

Skillet Tater Tot Casserole:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
Layer as listed for the crockpot version
Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. Check the middle for doneness before serving.

Baking Dish Tot Casserole:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
Layer as with the crockpot version in a 9x13 baking dish
Bake for 55 to 70 minutes. Check for doneness in the center before serving.

Freezer Meal Prep: You've two options for freezer meal prep.

#1. See our "Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie" recipe and check out those freezer directions. This freezes everything seperately and keeps the layers nice and neat. OR
#2... Layer everything as per the directions above in a freezer bag. Label and freeze upright. Defrost overnight (or at least a few hours). Flip the bag upside down. Cut the bottom off the bag and VERY carefully flip the bag into a pre-greased crock pot insert. Mash down the layers a bit and cook as directed above.
Make sure to use shredded cheese when freezing. Slices don't always make it.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

4 Easy Ways to Make Cheeseburger Soup [Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, Stovetop, Freezer Meal]

Hey all! Here's a YUMMY new soup...and it's not just any sort of soup. It's crockpot cheeseburger soup! It's creamy, EASY and absolutely amazing tasting...

My nephew had this at a friend's house and was telling me about it. He was all excited and wanted me to try and make it. I honestly had no idea where to start...then I thought "hey, Velveeta"...and we were off to the races.

Freezer friendly, quick and simple cheeseburger crock pot soup! With crockpot, skillet, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

And after making it and it coming out of the crock pot absolutely DELISH the first time...I looked online. Now, I didn't think I was the first one to make it because I honestly don't think there are that many original ideas in the world. But there are several versions of this recipe. This one is ours.

And we made up a couple of variations of this recipe too. Some, just for tastes. Some, for health and dietary needs. Unfortunately, no variety is low fat... I just don't see how that could be possible with creamy, cheesy soup.

But that's okay. Moderation for me. Not the first night we had it because I was starving and we'd been out super late. But the second night and boy, oh boy this stuff is even better on the second night...I ate a smaller bowl and a salad. Yah me :)

Here's the original recipe...the healthier versions and the other modifications are down further below. Enjoy! And Rock That Crock!

Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup Topics

Step by Step for Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup

For our first round of recipe making, we used the following ingredients. It was almost perfect straight out of the gate. If it's too thick for your taste...add a bit more milk.

Ingredients

Ground beef
Onion
Carrots
Celery
Chicken gravy
Chicken broth
Hash browns or diced potatoes
Velveeta or Shredded Cheese
Basil
Parsley
Sour cream
Milk or Evaporated Milk
Salt and pepper

Prep for Cheeseburger Soup

You are obviously going to need cooked ground beef...

You can use the traditional skillet if you want. Which I think it cool because I use my cast iron skillets almost as often as my crockpots :)

This is from our Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole recipe. We had this when my sister came over one night...that nephew LOVED it. You can check that out here if you'd like. You can also read about my secondary obsession with cast iron :)

You can also opt to do our make-ahead crockpot ground beef. It isn't faster or better...it's just an option. You can cook it away and not have to worry about it!

You don't have to monitor the stove
No worries about kids or animals getting popped with grease
Very little chance of burning
Takes up one less burner
So if you are freezer cooking, this can be a lifesaver.

Recipe Variations for Making Cheeseburger Soup Crock Pot Style

Here are just a few options and ideas we came up with for this recipe. If you think of or know anymore...let us know! We'd be happy to learn and share...

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap out the Velveeta for shredded cheese, any sort of cheese.
- Why, health or taste, your choice. Some folks don't eat Velveeta and that's cool. You can swap any sort of shredded cheese you want here. Some will melt and combine better than others. You can always hit it with an immersion blender if you can't get it to work by just stirring.
Swap the meats. Swap the ground beef for leftover chicken, ground sausage, smoked sausage...you get the idea! We tried ground pork in a second recipe...YUM!
Use diced potatoes instead of frozen hash browns.
Make your own base/chicken gravy. For this recipe, the chicken gravy is actually serving as a base for the soup. If you don't have any or you prefer...you can make your own. It takes a few more minutes but it is easy!

Homemade Chicken Gravy

Recipe

Homemade Chicken Gravy

Gwen

This homemade chicken gravy recipe is a perfect base for SlowCookerKitchen.com's Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup!

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Prep Time 2

Cook Time 8

Total Time 10

Servings 1/2 cups

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups chicken stock or broth
1 to 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
2 to 3 tablespoons cornstarch + 1/4 cup cold water

Instructions

Bring the chicken stock to boil over medium-high heat
Dissolve the cornstarch in the COLD water
Slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the chicken broth/stock while stirring
Season to taste using the poultry seasoning

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Printable & Pinnable for Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup

Recipe

Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com

Super easy, kid-friendly crock pot cheeseburger soup! With crockpot, skillet, pressure cooker, & freezer friendly directions!

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 15

Servings servings

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 med onion chopped
2 med carrots diced or shredded
1 stalk celery diced
1 can chicken broth 14.5 oz
1 can chicken gravy 10 oz
3 cups hash brown potatoes
12 ounces Velveeta or shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups regular or evaporated milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1/4 cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

All Cooking Methods

Precook your ground beef and drain most of the grease. If you'd rather get a jump start, check out our make-ahead ground beef recipe.

Slow Cooker

Add the butter, chicken broth, and chicken gravy, stir well. Add the beef, vegetables, and herbs. Stir again.
Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours; high 3 to 4 hours.
About 30 minutes before serving add the cheese and milk using the Instant Pot directions, line #3. Stir and cover. Allow the soup to heat through and the cheese to melt before serving

Instant Pot

If you haven't cooked the ground beef, use the saute function to cook the meat and onion. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is translucent. Drain meat but do not blot.
Turn the pot off and add the carrots, celery, chicken broth, potatoes, basil, and parsley. Close lid and vent, manual high for 7 minutes. Natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release.
Stir soup base and remove about a cup of the broth. Slowly stir the hot broth with the chicken gravy. Add the milk and stir well. Turn to pot and incorporate.
Stir in the cheese and sour cream. Turn to saute. Stir frequently until cheeses are melted. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Stovetop

Use a large, deep skillet to saute the ground beef, onion, carrots, and celery over medium-high heat until the meat and onions are cooked through. Drain most of the grease and return to heat.
Turn heat to medium-low and add the onion, broth, and spices. Cover and cook for 45 to 50 minutes. Or until your vegetables are done to your liking.
Remove a cup of the liquid and incorporate the gravy and milk into the hot soup base. Slowly add back to the pot while stirring.
Add the cheese and sour cream. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Freezer Meal Directions:

Make a note on your label and in your meal journal that you will need: 1 1/2 to 3 cups milk/evap milk and 1/4 cup sour cream.
Precook the ground beef and onions. See Make Ahead Ground Beef for a shortcut.
Drain most of the grease from the meat/onion combo. Add to 1-gallon bag.
Add carrots, celery, broth, potatoes, basil, parsley, and butter. Seal with as much air removed as possible.
Use freezer or painter's tape to attach the main soup bag and the cheese bag. See Chicken Pot Pie to see how I do it.
Freeze for up to 6 weeks for fresh potatoes, 8 weeks for frozen hashbrowns. Defrost in the refrigerator before cooking.

Notes

Whichever method and type of milk you use. Here's a tip about milk and hot foods. Add the milk SLOWLY. And stir while you're doing it. If you're using regular milk and it's been in the refrigerator OR if the evaporated milk is cold, the hot soup can (and probably will) curdle it. Using the method described above in steps #3 of the Stovetop and Instant Pot directions almost always keeps this from happening.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Crockpot Deliciousness!

If this crockpot cheeseburger soup sounds amazing OR if cheeseburger is just sorta your thing...here are MORE cheeseburger ideas. Some are crockpot, some aren't... but it's ALL cheeseburger!

Cheeseburger Burritos by Meals, Heels, and Cocktails. YUM! For the folks needing it...these would be SO easy to convert to low carb.
Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole! This is our recipe. It doesn't say "cheeseburger" in the title but it sure is! There are crockpot, oven AND skillet directions for this baby too!

Cheeseburger Quesadillas by Yammie's Noshery. All I can say is OMG on this one...I'm making these! Pst...for the taste you get in the Mex restaurants...don't substitute anything for butter when prepping your tortillas. THAT is one of their "secrets".
Oven Baked Cheeseburgers by Joyful Momma's Kitchen. Don't these look delish! And so easy too :)
Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza by The Girl Who Ate Everything. OH! I've had this! Not Christy's recipe but at an itty bitty pizza joint called Goodfella's in Texas. If you're ever through Sour Lake Texas...oh my goodness..stop! If not, Christy's recipe looks awesome!
Crock Pot Hamburger Potato Casserole! This is another of our recipes. Nope, it doesn't say "cheeseburger" either. Trust me...add a thin layer of dill pickles right before the cheese layer. Deliciousness!

Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole by Plain Chicken. Okay...this one steps it up with bacon too! Yummies...
Crockpot Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf by Everyday Good Thinking. This one adds bacon too. And its a meatloaf! I betcha it'd make an awesome freezer meal AND even better...leftover meatloaf sandwiches...with dill pickles of course.
Crockpot Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole! This is another of our recipes. It will please anyone and everyone that likes pasta OR cheeseburgers. Yeck, go wild...add bacon to this one too. Then you'll have bacon cheeseburger macaroni casserole :)

Cheeseburger Tots by Homemade Interest. Oh my, these are soooo cute. Okay, it's food so taste is the rule of the day...not cute. But they are just the same. They'd ROCK for an appetizer too. Or a movie night snack!
Cheeseburger Crescent Ring by Delish. I haven't made this one but I've eaten it. Worth it! Another one that's awesome as an appetizer or snack BUT it works for a meal too!

If you like this crockpot cheeseburger soup recipe you might want to checkout some our other yummy slow cookin' stuff too :)

110 Crockpot Freezer Meals! One afternoon, 2 people, 8 recipes
Crockpot Menu Planning! 60+ meals, most are freezer friendly...prep a little, stress less!
Ground Beef Freezer Meals Step by step directions and less than and hour for this one

Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings [Crock Pot, Stovetop, Instant Pot, Freezer Directions]

So, you’re a chicken and dumplings fan. AND you wanna know how to make it in the crockpot with Grands biscuits…this is the slow cooker chicken & dumplings recipe for you!

This is an updated recipe. The older one (much older honestly) is toward the bottom of the page. It’s good BUT it takes longer.

Not lots longer, but a little. And when you’re looking for quick and easy…the quicker and easier, the better!

And when you’re going for quick and easy this updated recipe takes fewer ingredients.

Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings Topics

New Version of Quick & Easy Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

Now, when you’re making it…when you get to the spot you’re adding the biscuits (aka dumplings) it isn’t going to LOOK like it’s going to work…the sauce isn’t thick. And it just looks like chicken cooked in a liquidy sauce.

Don't worry! Just wait until you add the biscuits and give them time to cook…IT WORKS.

Video for Chicken & Dumplings

Here’s the slideshow/video version for those folks that prefer to watch vids...

Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings Step by Step

First, mix the soup and the broth and set the mixture aside…

Add the ingredients like the image below:

Chicken Tenders or chunks
Diced Onions
Butter (either cut into "pats" or melted and drizzled)
Soup mixture

Cover and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours...or high for 3 ½ to 4 hours.

Then 45 to 60 minutes before serving…

Open the biscuits, cut into quarts and place over chicken. Spoon the sauce over the top of each biscuit. Cover and cook an additional 45 to 60 minutes.

Cook until the dumplings near the center are cooked to the consistency you prefer. And ENJOY!

Printable & Pinnables for New QUICK and EASY Chicken and Dumplings

Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

Gwen

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 8

Total Time 8 5

Servings to 8 servings

Ingredients

2 to 2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
2 tablespoons butter melted
1 10.75-ounce can cream of chicken soup
1 onion diced (optional)
1 10-ounce canister refrigerated biscuit dough torn or cut into quarters
1 cup chicken broth

Instructions

Slow Cooker

Use half the melted butter to grease the slow cooker insert. Add chicken strips.
Mix the remaining butter, soup, broth, and onion. Pour over chicken.
Cover, and cook for 5 to 7 hours on low; 3 1/2 to 4 on high.
45 to 60 minutes before serving:
Turn crockpot to high. Open the biscuits and cut them into quarters. Place on top of the chicken mixture.
Spoon a bit of the sauce/juice over each biscuit. Cover and cook for an additional 45 to 60 minutes.
Check a center dumpling or two for doneness before serving.

Instant Pot

Set to saute and melt butter. Cook onions and chicken strips for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
Cancel saute function and add chicken broth and cream soup. Stir.
Add cut up biscuits and gently stir to coat.
Cover, close vent, and set to manual high for 7 minutes. Natural release 5 minutes, then quick release gradually. Be careful not to burn yourself.
Season with salt and pepper as desired. Stir and allow to rest a few minutes before serving.

Stove Top

Melt the butter in a large, deep skillet, over medium heat. Add the onion and chicken strips. Stir and cook until onion is translucent (about 5 minutes).
Turn burner to low, flip chicken, and add chicken broth.
Cover and allow to cook until chicken is cooked through.
Remove chicken strips. Pour canned soup into the broth and stir until well combined.
Return chicken to skillet and stir to coat.
But the biscuits into quarters and place over mixture. Spoon a bit of the sauce onto each biscuit.
Cover and cook for 18 to 25 minutes. Or until the biscuits are cooked through and no longer doughy.

Freezer Meal Directions

Melt the butter. Combine it with the chicken broth and cream of chicken soup in a freezer-safe bag or canister. Zip and knead to mix.
Cut the chicken breasts into strips and dice the onion. Toss them in the sauce bag. Zip and shake to marinate.
Make a note on your label you'll need either homemade biscuit dough or a can of refrigerated biscuit dough when you make this recipe.
Lay the package flat, label, and freeze for up to 8 weeks.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

: Super Easy Chicken And Dumplings Recipe Slow Cooker SlowCookerKitchen com

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: Quick Yummy Crockpot Chicken And Dumplings Slow Cooker Kitchen

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: Deliciously Simple Crockpot Chicken And Dumplings Slow Cooker Kitchen

Older Version Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings with Grands Biscuits

It's winter. It's cold. Hearty, rib-sticking meals are on the menu until further notice...This slow cooker chicken & dumplings totally fits the bill too!

It takes about five minutes to cut everything up and toss it in AND most everything is usually in my pantry and freezer. That makes this a perfect slow cooker meal for us. So I wanted to share.

And with no further ado...here's the slow cooker chicken & dumplings... Enjoy!

Chicken & Dumplings Step-by-Step...

Gather Your Ingredients

You'll need:

1 large can of mushrooms. Drain the mushroom liquid into the slow cooker insert and add the following ingredients:
1 teaspoon of minced garlic
1 tablespoon chicken flavored "better than bouillon"
15 ounce can of cream of mushroom and 2 tablespoons of flour

Mix it up and add the mushrooms and the chicken. About that chicken. You need about a pound. Maybe a pound and a half. It totally depends on how "meaty" you like it. Any sort of chicken works too. Raw, pre-cooked, frozen or canned. It doesn't matter. Dice it up and toss it in. Stir well...

Cover and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours

Your time will vary a lot on your crockpot. If you're new to crockpot cooking or this is a new slow cooker for you...just watch it a bit after 5 hours. If you can't or you'll be gone you can always add another 1/2 cup of milk or water to the mixture. It may be a bit soupy but it'll still be awesome.

An hour before dinner...

Pop the biscuit can and cut up the biscuits into quarters. Toss them in with the chicken mixture and stir well.

Turn the crockpot to high, cover and cook for 45 to 60 more minutes...

Dinner's ready when the biscuits aren't gooey anymore. OR you can just make the biscuits and serve the chicken goo over the top. Both are delicious and work very well.

Awesome served with a side salad :)

Printable & Pin It for Later (Older Recipe Version):

Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

SlowCookerKitchen.com

You can use any sort of chicken for this recipe. Pre-cooked, raw, even frozen or canned. If you need to use canned...just add a bit more bouillon for flavor :) PS: If you're in a rush or just don't have that hour at the end of the end...serve the mixture over biscuits, toast or even pasta. It's yummy!

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Prep Time 8

Cook Time 7

Total Time 7 8

Ingredients

1 pound chicken any kind
1 can Grands biscuits
1 tablespoon chicken flavored Better Than Bouillon
1 can Cream of Mushroom
1 large can sliced mushrooms
1 teaspoon garlic optional

Instructions

Spray, oil or butter the crockpot insert
Drain the mushroom liquid into the insert and add the garlic, bouillon, soup and flour. Stir well.
Add the chicken and mushrooms, stir again
Cover and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours
Turn the crockpot to high, quarter the biscuits and stir them in
Cover and cook an additional 45 to 60 minutes.
When the biscuits are no longer doughy supper's ready!

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup

If you're the sorta person that likes creamy soups...we think you'll LOVE this slow cooker broccoli cheese soup! It's warm, creamy and absolutely delicious...excellent comfort food :)

We love creamy soups around here. And I'm sorta obsessed with freezer meals too. But my normal broccoli cheese soup just didn't survive in the freezer. It was a sad state (for me anyway).

I'm very happy to say this one works for a freezer meal. And I also have to add mostly. If you want to freeze it after it's cooked...you're golden. It freezes just fine...you just have to give is a really good stir after it's cooked to recombine all the ingredients.

If you want to freeze it BEFORE...well using hash browns instead of regular potatoes helps a lot, and (you'll see in the directions below) that you can substitute shredded cheddar or purchase the shredded Velveeta and substitute that for the diced Velveeta...and that will freeze just fine. BUT cream cheese, as a frozen block. once defrosted...well, it's is rather "yuck".

I mean, you CAN freeze cream cheese...just not to use as a creamy sort of consistency when it's defrosted. I've got several blocks in the freezer now and they'll be used for spreads on crackers or sandwiches...but not for cooking.

So the cream cheese will need to just live in the refrigerator and be added after the rest is cooked. You're welcome to try it the other way of course...but I personally wouldn't recommend it.

Okay, enough of the personal experiences and "warnings"...it works! It's delish! It's filling, creamy and was a great hit here...

In This Article (click headings to jump)

1 Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
2 Printable & Pinnables for Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
3 Recipe
4 Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
5 Ingredients 1x2x3x
6 Instructions
7 Freezer Meal Prep:
8 More Crockpot Soups!

Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup

There isn't a lot of "step by step" to this recipe.

You toss in the veggies and broth to the slow cooker and cook it.
A while (like 30 to 60 minutes) before serving you add the remaining ingredients and stir it up. Then allow it to heat through and serve.
If you prefer a chunky soup, do nothing as serve. If you prefer a cream soup. Use an immersion blender until you get the soup to your desired consistency.

Time Savers for Freezer Meal Prep

If you're in a rush for time (and honestly, who isn't most times) here are a few shortcuts & time-savers for making this slow cooker broccoli cheese soup...and some of them will flow over to other recipes too :)

Buy frozen vegetables: Shredded hash browns, frozen broccoli, and diced, frozen onions are all available in the freezer department of most grocery and big box stores.
Buy shredded carrots: Most all produce sections I've seen/shopped around the country have shredded carrots available in the produce section. They're ready to toss in the freezer bag or straight in the crock pot.
Buy shredded cheeses instead of blocks. Yes, its a little more expensive but if you can afford it, it's a real time saver.

Printable & Pinnables for Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup

Recipe

Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup

Gwen

If you're the sorta person that likes creamy soups...we think you'll LOVE this slow cooker broccoli cheese soup! Freezer friendly, make ahead friendly and a huge crowd pleaser!

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 8

Total Time 8 10

Servings to 8 servings

Ingredients

2 - 2 1/2 cups frozen hash browns
5 - 6 cups of frozen broccoli or about 1 large head if using fresh
2 1/2 to 3 cups carrots diced small or shredded
1 onion minced fine
2 to 4 cloves of garlic minced
2 cups chicken stock or broth
1 1/2 to 3 cups milk or evaporated milk whichever one you have on hand works
1 8 ounces block cream cheese, diced (don't freeze for this recipe)
2 cups shredded Velveeta shredded cheddar or cubed Velveeta (don't freeze cubed Velveeta, opt for one of the other options)

Instructions

Add the broccoli, hash browns, carrots, garlic and onion to the crockpot
Pour the chicken stock (broth) over the top
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, high for 3 1/2 to 4 (check the vegetables for doneness before proceeding)
Add the milk and cheese to the slow cooker and stir well.
Turn the crock pot to high and cook an additional 30 to 45 minutes.
Stir well and serve.

Freezer Meal Prep:

Toss the first 6 ingredients in a large freezer bag.
If you want to freeze the milk, put it in a bag on its own, don't mix it in.
Stack the veggie bag, milk bag, and shredded cheese and tape them together
Add a note to your label that the cream cheese will need purchased and/or added when you cook your freezer meal.
Defrost in the refrigerator overnight for a 6 to 8 hour cook time.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Crockpot Soups!

If you like this recipe we think you might also be interested in these too!

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole

If you're a tater tot fan, we think you'll LOVE this crock pot tater tot casserole. Not only is is super simple, it's VERY versatile and it's absolutely delicious too!

Not only is it a great crowd pleaser...and by that I mean if someone likes potatoes...you've got a hit with this recipe. Beef, potatoes, and sauces and of course, some cheese to top it off...and that's pretty much it. Anyways, what I was saying...not only is it a crowd pleaser...even the itty-bitty's will eat this recipe. The picky eaters that don't eat much of anything, the one's around here scarf it down!

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Topics

In This Article (click headings to jump)

1 Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Topics
2 Different Ways to Cook Hamburger Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole
3 Crockpot Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole
4 Cast Iron Skillet Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole
5 Hamburger Tater Tot Oven Casserole
6 Variations of Flavors for Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipes
7 Printable Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
8 Recipe
9 Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole
10 Ingredients 1x2x3x
11 Instructions
12 Crock Pot AND Cast Iron Skillet Versions
13 Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Version
14 Cast Iron Skillet Tater Tot Casserole Version
15 Hamburger Tater Tot Oven Casserole
16 Freezer Meal Prep
17 Other Delicious Crockpot Freezer Meals:
18 Pin it for Later for Tater Tot Casserole

Different Ways to Cook Hamburger Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole

When I say this recipe is versatile, I am really not kidding. There are SO many things you can do here...and I'm not just talking about changing out your sauces either. So the first thing I'm gonna tell you about is the ability to cook it 3 different ways.

You read that right. This recipe...just as it's written in the printable version below...goes from the slow cooker to the skillet to the oven. There is no need to vary your ingredients, just slight variations in the cooking methods and times...

How'd I find that out you ask? Well, that equates to a confession of sorts. And here it is. I forgot to get the food out of the freezer AND I forgot I needed to cook 'cause I was thinking about other stuff AND we had company coming over.

Now the company...that's my sisters and their crew. They could care less if I feed them, they're completely chill most times. But I wanted to feed them. I have this weird thing about feeding anyone that walks in the door. I guess it's a Mom/Grandma (which is not my name btw...my name is Ama for the grands) thing. I'm not sure...

But I did forget all about food because it's migraine season as I write this and that is one of my Achilles' heels. I get those dang things pretty often...so I forgot all about cooking and food. BUT after several hours and it was under control, I finally looked at the clock. It was after 2 pm. Not late at all. Unless you (me) were planning on cooking in the crock pot. Oops!

So I re-read the recipe I'd written out, thought it through and decided I'd give making a skillet version a shot. IT WORKED! And since I've made the total oven and slow cooker versions previously...I can tell you guys it works all three ways :)

Crockpot Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole

For the crock pot tater tot casserole AND the skillet versions...you need to precook the meat. NOW...if you are anything like me. I seldom remembered this step...OR I can now officially say remembered. How come I get to use the past tense now? Because, because, because (sorry, you can't hear me singing that) I had a friend teach me how to make ~~crock pot hamburger meat~~. AND how to to it properly so it isn't gross!

I tried it years ago. Not long after I refused to buy another stove (that's in the about me section if you want to read it). It wasn't just gross, it was plain nasty. There was no salvaging it. So I didn't really want to try again...but here's another time...it worked!

So you can precook the meat in a skillet, in the crockpot, or a 3-in-1 crockpot (and let me tell ya, they rock too... more on that one coming later). Then, after the meat mixture is cooked, you'll just need to drain off any excess grease and proceed with the recipe.

The layers for the crock pot version of this tater tot casserole go together just like the skillet version in the picture collage below. Then you turn the slow cooker on low and cook it 6 to 8 hours (I've never made it on high, I don't know if that setting works, I'll give it a shot when making a few of the "variations of flavors" and keep you guys posted.

Cast Iron Skillet Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole

The ONLY difference between the skillet and crock pot tater tot casserole recipes is the cook time. That, and you'll need a cast iron skillet. The texture of the casserole itself really isn't any different...the sauce that goes over the top gives them both a creamy, casserole texture.

Slow cookers are my favorite cooking device (yeah, I know...that's pretty obvious) BUT cast iron rocks all on it's own. I might own 7 crockpots (I think that's right) but I own 12 different pieces of cast iron cookware too. I have 7 cast iron skillets alone! Cast iron is super versatile and I'll be writing on those shortly too...

But 'til then, know...if you need a skillet set, cast iron will never let you down OR wear out. With a tiny bit of TLC you'll never need another skillet...

The texture of the casserole itself really isn't any different...the sauce that goes over the top gives them both a creamy, casserole texture.

For the skillet version, you actually bake it for a bit too. So while you're frying the meat and onions, preheat the oven to 425°. Mix your soups, sour cream and milk and set them aside.

After the meat is no longer pink and the onions are a bit soft, just drain off any excess grease. Then assemble like this...

Quick & Easy Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole & lots more Slow Cooker Recipes too @ SlowCookerKitchen.com

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Layers: Meat & Onions, Tater Tots, Soup Mixture, Shredded Cheese

Bake for about 35 to 45 minutes in that pre-heated oven and allow to cool for a couple minutes before serving. That's it! Time to enjoy and impress the folks gathered around the table :)

Hamburger Tater Tot Oven Casserole

The oven version can go two different ways. And which way you decide to cook it is completely up to you.

You can cook it just like the skillet & crock pot versions OR you can not precook the meat at all. You'll get more of a meatloaf consistency using this method. Both versions are really good, your choice.

If you precook the meat a 9x13 baking dish works best. I personally prefer glass dishes, my Pyrex one I used for this chicken & rice dish works very well when making this recipe. It also comes with a plastic lid for easy storage and/or transport. Just let the dish cool completely and cover for later.
If you decide to not precook the meat, here are the directions for that one too...
1. Mix the ground meats and onion and spread evenly over the bottom of the greased baking dish.
2. Layer in the same method as the image above (tots, soup mixture, and the shredded cheese)
3. Bake at 425° for 50-70 minutes (time varies a bit depending on what size baking dish you use).

Variations of Flavors for Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipes

This recipe is half hamburger and half pork sausage. You can use either one or both. BUT chicken and/or bacon are also excellent options too!

See where I'm going with this? You can use ANY meat you want! Got leftover meatloaf? No worries, you can use it here. Leftover chicken? Pull it off the bone and toss it in this recipe, it's awesome!

This is the first tater tot casserole for SlowCookerKitchen BUT it won't be the last. All the one's listed below are going on the menu over the next couple months.

We'll do the "test kitchen" thing here...then we'll let you know if it works for all the different cooking methods too.

Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
Pizza Tater Tot Casserole
Chili Tater Tot Casserole
Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Ham and Tater Tot Casserole
Cowboy Tater Tots Casserole
Chicken Bacon Tater Tot Casserole
Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Cracked Out Tater Tot Casserole

These are just a few of the ones I've heard of...if you have more ideas or want use to figure one out for you, just let me know! We'll give it a shot.

Printable Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Recipe

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole

Gwen

If you're a tater tot fan, we think you'll LOVE this crock pot tater tot casserole. Not only is is super simple, it's VERY versatile and it's absolutely delicious too!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 7

Total Time 7 10

Servings servings

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground sausage
1 onion diced
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can golden mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 32 ounces package tater tots
1 cup shredded cheddar

Instructions

Crock Pot AND Cast Iron Skillet Versions

Fry your meats and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and onion is translucent, drain off excess grease
Mix the soups, sour cream and milk in a separate container and set it aside

Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Version

Layer the meat mixture, tater tots, soup mixture and shredded cheese
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours

Cast Iron Skillet Tater Tot Casserole Version

Preheat your oven to 425° while frying your meats and onions and listed above
Drain the excess fat and layer the tots, soup mixture and lastly, the cheese over the top of the meat mixture
Place in the oven uncovered and cook for 35-45 minutes

Hamburger Tater Tot Oven Casserole

Preheat the oven to 425°
Mix the ground meats & onion and spread in the bottom of a 9x13 greased baking dish
Layer tater tots, soup mixture, and the shredded cheese
Bake at 425° for 50-70 minutes. Time can vary slightly depending on what size and type of baking dish you use.

Freezer Meal Prep

Substitute canned, evaporated milk for the "milk" in the recipe
Precook the ground meats and onions ~or~ form them into a meatloaf, place in large zip baggie
Mix the soups, evaporated milk and sour cream until very smooth. Pour into a smaller baggie and place inside the larger bag
Stack the tater tot bag and meat bag and tape them together using the same method as Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie
Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before cooking

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Other Delicious Crockpot Freezer Meals:

If you like this recipe, you might want to check some of these out too! Holler if you need any help...and ROCK THAT CROCK!

Pin it for Later for Tater Tot Casserole

Crockpot Meals for the Week #1

Boy oh boy, life's busy. Sometimes its obligations and responsibilities... Other times it's what we want for ourselves. Me personally, I've found planning AND follow-through are the keys to finding that last part. Time for me. And on that note, Slow Cooker Kitchen is starting a new series of crockpot meals for the week.

Some of the recipes will be older loved recipes...stuff that's always welcome on the menu. Some, of course, well be new yummy creations. All of them will be tested in our kitchen. And honestly, since it's just ME (no helpers in this kitchen or on this website frankly...just Gwen) I might miss a menu here or there. Because there's the farm, the kids and grands, remodeling, a list of other obligations I won't bore you with, and about 52 things on my to-do list... life stuff (yeah, that busy part I mentioned earlier).

So this is an attempt to find more time. I've had a couple requests for weekly menus over the last couple months...and our crockpot freezer meals has helped a lot of folks...so I figured I'd give it a shot.

If you have any requests or ideas...let me know. I'll do my best to incorporate them along the way. Soooo...here's the first shot at our crockpot meals for the week! Hope you enjoy and it'll help you to Rock that Crock too :)

In This Article (click headings to jump)

1 Menu for Crockpot Meals for the Week of 01/28/17 thru 02/03/17
2 Menu for Crockpot Dinners
3 Crockpot Lunches
4 Crockpot Breakfasts
5 Crockpot Meals for the Week Cooking Order
6 Saturday Cooking
7 Sunday Cooking
8 Monday thru Friday Crockpot Meals for the Week
9 Crockpot Menu Planning Quantities
10 Are These All Crock Pot Freezer Meals?
11 More Crockpot Freezer & Make-Ahead Options
12 Printables & Pin It For Later Options
13 Recipe
14 Crockpot Meals for the Week #1
15 Instructions

Menu for Crockpot Meals for the Week of 01/28/17 thru 02/03/17

I'm starting the menu on a Saturday...I know, weird right? Nope, not for me. It's practical...at least for me. Do you need to start the same day I do? No! You start it up on a day you can pre-cook a few things. My goal (and I might not always accomplish it) it to make this crockpot menu planning work for one crockpot.

I own a LOT of slow cookers. Now that's in part because of the story of why SlowCookerKitchen got started...it's in the "about" area if you want to read it. It's also partially because I have a slow cooker recipe website to run. So it's part being practical and part a weird obsession that's grown over the last 20 years.

But whatever the cause...I'm ATTEMPTING to do the menus for one slow cooker only. I am sure I won't always accomplish this, but it's a goal. And that goal it to be practical and useful for YOU. So here we go...

Menu for Crockpot Dinners

Saturday: Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken & Crockpot Rice
Sunday: Crock Pot Beef and Noodles & a side salad
Monday: Crockpot Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
Tuesday: Crockpot Chili & Crockpot Cornbread
Wednesday: Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli & Crockpot Rice
Thursday: Slow Cooker Angel Chicken Pasta & a side salad
Friday: Crockpot Chicken Mushroom & Crockpot Green Beans

Crockpot Lunches

#1: Leftovers (from all of the dinner recipes listed above)
#2: Fakeout “Reuben’s” made with Crockpot Kielbasa and Sauerkraut leftovers

Crockpot Breakfasts

Ham & Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Crockpot Meals for the Week Cooking Order

So how does this get pulled off with only one crockpot? It's not too difficult. It just takes a little bit of planning and making a few notes in your planner (or on your planner if you keep yourself organized electronically)...

And Saturday is the big day to cook here. And it really is NOT that "big" either. I just have to be around. Saturday worked for me here because we had trees cut down earlier this week. Not by choice, but by necessity. They were dead. Some because of their natural life cycle, and some because of that stupid ash borer beetle infestation.

Now they are all over the yard and waiting for us to cut them up, split them and stack for firewood for a year or two.

SOOO, my Saturday is obviously going to be very busy once I publish this and send out the newsletter :)

Okay, here goes...

Saturday Cooking

Last night, while watching a movie...I popped green beans. I don't know about you guys or where you live but during winter, I miss fresh veggies. So when I can find them either on sale, I get them. Sometimes I get them anyways as a splurge. So I popped green beans and cooked Crock Pot Green Beans on low overnight. If you can't find OR don't want to buy fresh green beans both frozen and canned green beans work just fine. The green beans went on right before bed last night and came off at 8:30 this morning.

Then went on the crockpot rice. I scooped out the green beans and transferred them to a large glass bowl and put it in the microwave. Not to cook it, but to allow it to cool without covering it.

Rice is easy to cook on the stove but if you're busy, cooking it in the crockpot will allow you not to have to babysit it. It went on at 9:15 am and is due to come off between 11:30 and noon.

Then goes on the crockpot cornbread. It will need to cook for about 3 hours on high. And it will need to cool for a few minutes before it gets popped out. So my estimate on time will be going ON about 12:15 or 12:30 and coming off around 3:30.

THEN the last crockpot cooking for the day will be Ham & Cheese Breakfast Casserole. This and oatmeal (which is not crockpot for now, but I'm trying to do without burning it) will be breakfast for the week.

It's going in the slow cooker around 4 pm then coming off about 9:30. That'll give it time to cool completely before putting in in the refrigerator (If you refrigerate it before it's mostly cooled it will retain a LOT of water...it can be gross, not recommended)

So what about Saturday's dinner? I didn't toss that in the crockpot right? Nope, I didn't. We'll be having the skillet version of Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken...'cause I said one crockpot.

BUT, if you want to cook with two slow cookers, you can do that of course...just toss it on in the morning and then serve it with some of that crockpot rice.

To accomplish both this AND cutting, stacking and splitting firewood all day, it took planning it out. Printing the recipes...which you can do too and I recommend. Then planning out an estimated cook time.

Then I just put reminders on my phone, alarms to tell me to go inside, wash up and change something over. It's not the ideal situation but hey, it's farm life...

Sunday Cooking

Sunday's cooking session will have to start just a little bit earlier. For me, this is because it's my in-laws 61 st anniversary and an accomplishment like that should be celebrated. Plus...there will still be wood to clean up. So for Sunday, I'll only be making "cheater" crockpot bread...not cause the biscuit couldn't be made in the oven. But because putting them in the crockpot changes the texture and they are almost like yeast rolls.

The rolls only take a couple hours to cook then I'll put on the main meal for the day. And for their anniversary celebration, we're going to have Crock Pot Beef and Noodles, those cheater rolls and a side salad. I'm buying a pie to go with it. They both prefer pie to cake and it's their day so they get what they want... I'm buying it because I will NOT have time to deal with dessert and I can admit that to myself.

Monday thru Friday Crockpot Meals for the Week

The rest of the week is pretty simple. And most all of these can easily be prepped ahead as freezer meals too. That's discussed down below a bit...

Monday: Crockpot Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
Tuesday: Crockpot Chili & Crockpot Cornbread
Wednesday: Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli & Crockpot Rice
Thursday: Slow Cooker Angel Chicken Pasta & a side salad
Friday: Crockpot Chicken Mushroom & Crockpot Green Beans

Crockpot Menu Planning Quantities

Not counting the side veggies and the two bread recipes, this menu makes up 60 healthy portions. I always try to estimate conservatively because I'd rather have a little too much than not enough...especially when we have guest, or are taking it as a potluck meal.

So, the quantities I need, you might not need. Some of us cook for two, some for ten. Some of us like leftovers and some don't. Differences (as long as they are respected and respectful) in my opinion, make life interesting. And that includes our family structures.

So, on that note, here's why this menu plan is structured like it is...

Our Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken recipe serves 8 to 12 people. We like Chinese. We don't mind leftovers. We do crockpot freezer meals and we freeze leftovers and make our own TV dinner type meals too. Therefore, even with only two of us here at the moment...and only two of us eating this for Saturday night...we'll be cool with having this for lunch and making up warm and eat freezer meals out of it too.
The Crockpot Beef and Noodles is part of my in-laws anniversary celebration...their 61st as I talked about earlier. That and the "rolls". We'll be feeding four people, the recipe usually feeds at least eight. But that won't matter for us, as the leftovers will stay with my in-laws for them to have later in the week.
Our Kielbasa and Sauerkraut recipe feeds 6 to 8 folks. BUT it also makes delicious sandwiches...the sandwiches will serve as lunch for at least one day...so we're making a full recipe and using it as a dinner for Monday and sandwiches sometime during the week too.
The Slow Cooker Chili recipe is made to feed a crowd...OR you can check out that post and see a pretty big list of "what the heck do to with a lot of chili" stuff. Anyways, our recipe usually feeds about 10 people. This is on the menu for Tuesday for us. I'm hoping to have my sister and her family over for dinner either Tuesday or Wednesday of this next week. So they'll either be getting this or the beef and broccoli that's coming up next. We'll be serving the chili with the crockpot cornbreadwe made the previous Saturday (which will have been wrapped in freezer paper, then foil, labeled and frozen).
Our Crockpot Beef and Broccoli recipe gets served over rice (made and frozen Saturday) and serves about six people. It also freezes VERY well. So if there are any leftovers after the sister and fam visit...it will become a pre-made, pre-cooked homemade TV dinner of sorts.
The Crockpot Angel Chicken feeds 6 to 8 people (depending on the appetite and the size of the people). Again, this one freezes well. So what's leftover will go in the freezer OR we might have supper with the in-laws again. I haven't planned that far ahead.
Our Crock Pot Chicken & Mushroom recipe is just like the angel chicken. It feeds 6 to 8 as well and freezes pretty well too. If you use fresh mushrooms like the recipe calls for, they change a little but they aren't gross. It'll be served over crockpot rice that's frozen and made Saturday as well...and a side salad.
The Crockpot Green Beans will serve as a side dish whenever we don't eat salad in the coming week. They also freeze very well and can be stored for up to a month after they're cooked too. They can then serve as a side dish for anytime OR they can be tossed in a soup or stew. Nothing gets wasted either way.
Crockpot Rice is a staple here. And after it's cooked, it will freeze very well for up to 6 weeks. The recipe makes about 2 cooked cups. But we're using it in 3 dinners and several lunches. So I'm making the recipe x 4. Those amounts are reflected in the grocery list.
The Crockpot Breakfast Casserole feeds at least 8 to 10 people. We eat it as is on a plate or wrap in up in tortillas for breakfast burritos. If we run low, I'll make overnight oatmeallater in the week. If you aren't a fan of having the same dish for breakfast for a whole week, you can half the recipe. The full amounts are reflected in the grocery list, just adjust according to your own needs.
The Crockpot Cornbread will serve as a side for the chili and as a snack with butter and honey. Hubby likes that a lot. So it won't go to waste...and yep, it'll freeze well for a couple weeks too. So if you have leftovers, no worries.
And lastly, the Cheater Crockpot Bread. Which isn't necessary but was requested. So it was made. I'm not always accommodating like that, but I try to be when it's possible :) The recipe makes 8 biscuits. They'll get eaten at the meal itself or serve as a snack.

Are These All Crock Pot Freezer Meals?

Most of these recipes can be freezer meals. Some before cooking, some after and others work for either. Only the Angel Chicken didn't work for me. The breakfast casserole can get a bit soggy when you warm it up. But you can easily remedy that by allowing it to cool completely after cooking it (and before freezing it). You can also freeze the breakfast casserole raw but you have to beat the eggs first, you can't freeze them as they come out of the shell.

Here's the detail on the freezer meal options:

Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken & Crockpot Rice: 8 servings (freeze after cooking with rice)
Crock Pot Beef and Noodles & a side salad: 8 servings (freezer before or after; see the chicken pot pie method, it works best if freezing before)
Crockpot Kielbasa and Sauerkraut: 6 servings (freeze only the sausage and onions if using fresh ‘kraut. If using canned, freeze before if you like)
Crockpot Chili & Crockpot Cornbread: 10 servings (Chili: freeze before or after cooking; Cornbread: freezer after cooking)
Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli & Crockpot Rice 6 servings (freeze before or after cooking, see recipe for detail)
Slow Cooker Angel Chicken Pasta & a side salad: 6 servings (freezing not recommended, the cream cheese separates)
Crockpot Chicken Mushroom over Crock Pot Rice & Crockpot Green Beans: 6 servings (Chicken dish: freeze after cooking or use canned mushrooms; Green beans: freeze after)
Ham & Cheese Breast Casserole: 10 servings (freeze before cooking with beaten eggs only or after cooked then cooled completely)

More Crockpot Freezer & Make-Ahead Options

If you like this recipe cooking session, you might want to check these out too.

110 Crockpot Freezer Meals: 8 Recipes, 2 People, 1 Afternoon prep session.
Ground Beef Freezer Meals: A weeks worth of ground beef meals prepped in 57 minutes.

Printables & Pin It For Later Options

Recipe

Crockpot Meals for the Week #1

Gwen

If your life's busy and you want to do something to help with the hectic pace...check out our crockpot meals for the week. There's a color coded printable grocery list, color coded key and lots more!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2

Total Time 2

Servings servings

Instructions

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken

If you love Chinese, the way we do, we bet you'll LOVE this Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken recipe! You can make it in the crockpot OR you can make it in the skillet.

Chinese is one of our favorite treats. Always. And we have a wonderful Chinese restaurant here in our little town. Jean and her family have been feeding us their delicious meals for a long time :)

BUT one of my new friends I met while traveling wanted to go out for Chinese. And I happily agreed. Sadly, I can only say it was okay. But nothing to rave about. And then I started thinking…I could make my own.

And well, this IS a slow cooker site…so I figured I’d give slow cooker general Tso chicken a shot. I thought it out, experimented a bit and yep…it worked!

Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken Topics

In This Article (click headings to jump)

1 Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken Topics
2 Homemade vs Store-Bought Sauce
3 Slow Cooker Kitchen's General TSO Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe Step-by-Step
4 What Sort of Slow Cooker Works Best?
5 Crockpot Cook & Carry
6 Cuisinart 3-in-1
7 Crockpot General Tso Chicken Printable & Pinnable
8 Recipe
9 Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken
10 Ingredients 1x2x3x
11 Instructions
12

Homemade vs Store-Bought Sauce

For this recipe, the sauce is homemade too. I’ve seen LOTS of variations of this sauce...even tried several. THIS is the one we liked the best. BUT...if you don't WANT to make your own...you can also purchase it premade.

We've tried several versions of the bottled stuff too. Most are pretty darn good. Some are HOT...so read about which one you purchase if you go for that instead of homemade. Here are a few pre-made options we've tried that worked out well...

You, personally, might like another better. Everyone’s tastes is a bit different. So, if the pre-made options don't do it for you OR our version (right below) don't sound quite the thing either...there are several more options at the ~~bottom of this post~~. Coming soon :)

Some are reader submissions. Some are one’s given to us over the years...like the one from Genny. She's friend from North Dakota. She gave it to me when I was traveling up there about 8 years ago. Another is from Randall. He's a reader that successfully modified a skillet recipe to a slow cooker idea. He said he didn't mind if we shared it with everyone...THANKS, RANDALL :)

So here we go, one by one. Enjoy…and no matter which one you decide to try...Rock That Crock!

Slow Cooker Kitchen's General TSO Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe Step-by-Step

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Cornstarch
1 cup Water
1 ½ - 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoon ginger, minced
3/4 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Soy Sauce
1/4 cup White Wine Vinegar
1/4 cup Sherry
1 tablespoon Chicken flavored Better Than Bouillon (don't worry about high sodium on this one...per teaspoon, it has less than regular chicken stock AND there are low-sodium options on it too :)
2 ½ to 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into large chunks
1/4 cup Soy Sauce
1 egg, beaten
1 cup Cornstarch
2 cups diced onions, any combination of green, yellow and white
¼ cup dried hot peppers (remove seeds for milder flavor) ~or~ ¼ cup Louisiana Hot Sauce
½ to 1 full bunch of broccoli cut into medium size florets

Directions:

Sauce:

In a medium bowl combine cold water and cornstarch, mix well
Add garlic, ginger, sugar, ½ cup soy sauce, white wine vinegar, sherry, and bouillon; mix well
Pour into glass container and shake well about 2 minutes
Refrigerate until ready to use (store up to 1 week)

Meat:

In a large bowl mix soy sauce, egg and hot sauce (if you are using) beat til well combined
Slowly beat in 1 cup cornstarch
Add peppers (if using), about ½ the diced onions and the chicken; coat well
Heat as least 1 inch of canola or peanut oil (the taste will vary a bit depending on the type of oil you use) in an iron skillet
Stir chicken mixture well, spoon lumps of chicken/onion/sauce into skillet and fry for 2-3 minutes (until crispy); turn and repeat
Drain on paper towels

Crockpot:

Place drained chicken pieces in crockpot insert
Shake sauce and pour over chicken; stir well and push chicken pieces under sauce as much as possible
Cover and cook on high for about 2 hrs (stir midway through if possible)
Uncover, turn heat off and stir chicken mixture (at this point the sauce should be totally thickened)
Stir in the broccoli and remaining onions, recover and allow to sit for an additional hour

Skillet:

While the chicken is draining SLOWLY pour the sauce into the cast iron skillet or wok
Stir constantly over medium-low heat until it starts to thicken and turn a darker color
Carefully add back the chicken and gently stir to coat
Turn heat to as low as possible, cover and allow to heat through (2 to 4 minutes)

Serve over rice or Chinese noodles & Enjoy!

Pst...if you have a second slow cooker you can also make crockpot rice! Perfect for Asian/Chinese. If you don't have one and are interested in getting one...read on, there are a few recommendations :)

What Sort of Slow Cooker Works Best?

We've been asked what sort of crockpot works best...lots. The short answer is, that's up to you. For your needs, for your family size, etc. We're in the process of working on writing up comparisons BUT for the time being...here's the short list:

Crockpot Cook & Carry

The original guys that made the slow cooker were Crock-Pot. That's where the name comes from. They make an AMAZING assortment of slow cookers. One of the most multi-functional ones that works like a regular slow cooker BUT can be used for potluck, tailgating, etc is the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry. The clips hold the lid on while you're transporting your goodies. It is GREAT. It's also a very price.

Cuisinart 3-in-1

Another option that's completely the BOMB is the Cuisinart 3-in-1. You can do all the frying right in the crockpot with this puppy! You can also steam and saute in it too...it comes with a little rack that helps with that, making bread, and all sorts of other stuff...don't worry, there's a full run down coming on all this stuff. But again, in the short-term, if you're wanting to do your frying and crockin' all in one spot...this one's a great option. It comes is several different sizes that'll work for about any family size. The only word of caution...use plastic, silicone or wooden utensils. The surface can be scratched just like any non-stick coating.

Crockpot General Tso Chicken Printable & Pinnable

Recipe

Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken

Gwen

This awesome Slow Cooker General Tso's Chicken can be made in the crockpot OR on the stovetop...whatever works best for you! It goes great with our crockpot rice too!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 2

Total Time 2 20

Servings to 12 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup Cornstarch
1 cup Water
2 teaspoons garlic minced
1 1/2 teaspoon ginger minced
3/4 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Soy Sauce
1/4 cup White Wine Vinegar
1/4 cup Sherry
1 tble Chicken flavored Better Than Bouillon
3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into large chunks
1/4 cup Soy Sauce
1 beaten egg
1 cup Cornstarch
2 cups diced onions any combination of green, yellow and white
¼ cup dried hot peppers remove seeds for milder flavor ~or~ ¼ cup Hot Sauce
½ to 1 full bunch of broccoli cut into medium size florets

Instructions

To Make the Sauce:
Mix the water (make sure it's COLD) and the 1/2 cup cornstarch
Add the garlic, ginger, sugar, 1/2 cup of soy, vinegar, sherry and bouillon and mix again
If you aren't using it immediately just pour it into a glass container and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
To Prep the Meat:
Use a large bowl to mix 1/4 cup soy sauce, the egg and the hot sauce (if you want it hot, it's optional)
Slowly beat in the 1 cup of cornstarch.
Add the peppers, 1/2 the onions and lastly, the chicken. Mix to coat.
Heat as least an inch of oil of your choice in a fryer or iron skillet or wok, heat to 350 degrees.
Spoon lumps on the chicken mixture into the skillet and fry 2 to 3 minutes.
Drain on paper towels.
Crockpot Directions:
Place the drained chicken in the crock pot insert.
Shake or stir the sauce well and pour over the chicken.
Stir to coat and squish the chicken under the sauce as much as possible.
Cover and cook on high for about 2 hours (stir midway through if possible)
Uncover, stir well. At this point, the sauce should be completely thickened. If not recover and cook in 20 to 25-minute increments until it is (it's never taken me over 2 1/2 hours and that was with 5 pounds of chicken).
When the sauce is thickened, stir in the broccoli and remaining onions, recover cook another 20 to 30 minutes.
Skillet Method:
While the chicken is draining slowly and carefully pour the sauce into either a wok or cast iron skillet.
Stir constantly over medium-low heat until it starts to thicken and turn dark and glossy.
Add back the chicken while stirring gently to coat.
Allow to heat through and serve over rice.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

If you like this recipe, we think you'll also like 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Dinner...

Easy 3-Ingredient Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops Recipe

Hey there, foodie friends! Are you ready to embark on a flavor-packed journey into the world of slow-cooked goodness? Well, you're in for a treat because today, we're diving headfirst into the delectable universe of Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops.

Picture this: juicy, tender pork chops, generously seasoned with zesty ranch seasoning, and smothered in a creamy, dreamy gravy. It's like a flavor explosion in your mouth

But that's not all, folks. We've got a few kitchen tricks up our sleeves, including turning this recipe into a freezer meal for those "I-don't-feel-like-cooking" days and exploring alternative cooking methods like the Instant Pot, stovetop, and more.

So, whether you're a busy bee looking for a no-fuss dinner, a seasoned cook searching for the next family favorite, or a beginner eager to impress your taste buds, you're in the right place. We've got all the juicy details, step-by-step instructions, and side dish suggestions you need to make your taste buds sing.

Let's get ready to rumble in the kitchen and whip up some unforgettable Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops.

In This Article (click headings to jump)

1 Why Use the Crockpot to Make Ranch Pork Chops?
2 Ingredients for Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops:
3 Perks For Using Your Slow Cooker
4 Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops Step-by-Step
5 Turning Your Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops into a Freezer Meal
6 Can You Freeze It?
7 Prep Work for Freezing:
8 Defrosting Before Cooking:
9 Alternative Cooking Methods for Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops
10 Cooking Methods Compatibility
11 Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Method:
12 Stovetop Method:
13 Oven-Baked Method:
14 Grill Method
15 Ranch Pork Chops Video
16 Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix & Chicken Gravy Recipe Options
17 Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
18 Homemade Chicken Gravy Recipe
19 Printable Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops
20 Recipe
21 3-Ingredient Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops
22 Ingredients 1x2x3x
23 Instructions
24 Slow Cooker
25 Instant Pot
26 Oven Baked
27 Stovetop
28 Freezer Meal
29 Notes
30 Delicious Side Dish Ideas for Your Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops
31 Alternate Ranch Pork Chop Recipe
32
33 Other Crockpot Pork Chop Recipes
34 Cream of Mushroom & Soy Pork Chops
35 Drunk Monkey Garlic & Mushroom Pork Chops
36 Super Easy BBQ Pork Chops
37 Golden Peach Pork Chops
38 Asian Pork Chops
39 Slow-Cooked Cherry Pork Chops
40 Super Tender Italian Pork Chops
41 FAQ for 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Pork Chops
42 Pin It for Later Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops

Why Use the Crockpot to Make Ranch Pork Chops?

If you're wondering why the crockpot is your new best friend for making our Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops, we've got some delicious reasons for you:

Ingredients for Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops:

Thick-cut pork chops (bone-in for extra flavor)
Ranch dressing mix for that zesty kick
Creamy chicken gravy to elevate the dish
A touch of butter for that rich goodness

Perks For Using Your Slow Cooker

Effortless Cooking: With your crockpot, it's basically a "set it and forget it" situation. Just toss in the ingredients, and your slow cooker does the rest. No constant monitoring or stirring required.
Tender Perfection: Slow cooking in your crockpot ensures that those pork chops become melt-in-your-mouth tender. You'll be amazed at the succulent results.
Flavor Infusion: The long, slow cooking time allows the flavors of ranch seasoning and creamy gravy to meld beautifully with the pork chops, creating a taste explosion you won't forget.
Hands-Free Convenience: It's a real time-saver. While your meal simmers away in the crockpot, you can focus on other tasks or simply relax.
Versatility: The crockpot makes it easy to adapt this recipe to your schedule. You can prep it in the morning and come home to a ready-to-enjoy dinner.

So, go ahead and let your crockpot work its magic with these Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops – you won't be disappointed!

Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops Step-by-Step

For these crockpot ranch pork chops, you just do a couple layers. Well, sorta layers anyways. Most crockpot cooking seems to do better with layers. It cooks more evenly. It’s best to spray or butter the slow cooker insert before you add the chops. But other than that…it’s just pork chops, ranch then the gravy mix.

But I digress a bit. For THIS recipe...It’s best to spray or butter the slow cooker insert before you add the chops. But other than that, it’s just pork chops, ranch then the gravy mix.

Then just cover and cook for 6 to 8 hours on low. I’ve NOT made them on high. I’ve heard other people do it with really good results…NOT so for me personally. I’ve never had decent results for any pork chop recipe on the high setting. So I personally stick with low. Almost always.

It might just be my personal taste when it comes to pork chop texture. I prefer it sorta falls apart. Like “cut it with a fork” texture.

Any time I’ve tried crock pot pork chops on high, a knife is required. And a lot of chewing. SOOOO, for me, low is the answer. If you decide to try for high, go for 3 ½ or 4 hours. They’ll be cooked, but I can’t guarantee they’ll be tender.

Turning Your Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops into a Freezer Meal

You bet you can turn these scrumptious Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops into a freezer meal, and we're here to guide you through it with a big smile! 🌟

Can You Freeze It?

Absolutely! You've got two cool options: freeze it before cooking or after, and both will work like a charm.

Prep Work for Freezing:

Start by grabbing those thick-cut pork chops (bone-in for the win!) and sprinkling them generously with ranch dressing mix. Give them some love!
Next, place those ranch-seasoned chops into a trusty 1-gallon freezer bag. Make sure it's a snug fit.
Lay your freezer bag flat, and here's the trick: remove as much air as humanly possible. This keeps your meal in tip-top condition.
Now, don't forget to label the baggie with a big, bold "Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops" and the date you're prepping it. We don't want any culinary mysteries in your freezer.
Pop that bag into the freezer, and it'll stay good for up to 8 weeks!

Defrosting Before Cooking:

For the best results, plan ahead. Let your frozen pork chops defrost in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain that incredible tenderness.

The beauty of these freezer meal directions? They work like a charm for all cooking methods, whether you choose the slow cooker, Instant Pot, oven, or stovetop. So, no matter how you decide to cook these flavorful chops, your prep work is all set. Enjoy the convenience and incredible taste of a freezer-to-table masterpiece!

Alternative Cooking Methods for Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops

Cooking Methods Compatibility

Instant Pot: ✅
Stovetop: ✅
Oven-Baked: ✅
Grill: 🚫 (not recommended)

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Method:

This is like fast-forwarding your crockpot. Start by seasoning your pork chops with ranch seasoning, just like in the slow cooker method.
Set your Instant Pot to the sauté mode and melt some butter. Once it's sizzling, sear those chops for about 2-3 minutes on each side. They'll get all nicely browned and flavorful.
Now, let's make some magic happen. Scrape the pot to deglaze it, and add 2/3 to 1 cup of chicken broth and the gravy. Mix everything up.
Return your chops to the pot and flip them to get that ranchy goodness all over.
Lock the Instant Pot lid, select the manual high-pressure setting, and let it cook for 8 minutes. Afterward, allow for a 10-minute natural release.
And there you have it! Delicious Instant Pot Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops ready to go.

Stovetop Method:

Melt some butter in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. It's like giving your pork chops a little buttery hug.
Sprinkle the pork chops with ranch seasoning and brown them for 2-3 minutes on each side. We're talking golden deliciousness.
Now, turn that burner down low, cover those chops with gravy, and let them simmer for 25-30 minutes. Be sure to turn them a couple of times and give the gravy an occasional stir to keep things smooth.
The result? A stovetop masterpiece of ranchy, gravy-laden perfection. Enjoy!

Oven-Baked Method:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Get ready for some savory goodness!
Sprinkle your chops with ranch seasoning and place them in a buttered 9x13 casserole dish. It's like making a cozy pork chop nest.
Pour that creamy chicken gravy all over the top, like a warm, gravy hug.
Cover the dish and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. When the timer goes off, uncover, flip those chops, and bake for an extra 10-15 minutes.
The result? Oven-baked ranch magic. Dive in!

Grill Method

Not Recommended
We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but grilling these pork chops isn't the best idea. The long, slow cooking time is what makes them tender and flavorful, and grilling tends to dry them out. Stick to the other fantastic methods mentioned above for the best results.

So, go ahead and pick your favorite method or try them all to keep things exciting in the kitchen. Whichever way you choose, those Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops are destined for deliciousness!

Ranch Pork Chops Video

Here’s the video/slideshow. For those folks who prefer to watch as opposed to read. Enjoy and let me know if you’ve got any questions…

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix & Chicken Gravy Recipe Options

If you really like the idea of making these crockpot ranch pork chops BUT you don’t want to…or can’t…use the prepackaged stuff…no worries! You can make your own without much trouble.

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix

You can find my own homemade ranch dressing mix here. There are lots of ranch dressing mix recipes on the net, in cookbooks, etc. This is the one WE like.

If you have a food processor or blender, you can “pulse” the ingredients together pretty quickly. Then just store it in an airtight canister of some sort.

It lasts about 3 months without clumping or losing its flavor. And 2 tablespoons equals a packet of the store-bought variety.

Homemade Chicken Gravy Recipe

You can also make your own gravy. It isn’t difficult either. I have NOT tried “from scratch” gravy in the slow cooker. There’s every possibility I’ll get around to it one of these days…but not today J

But this is very easy to make on the stovetop…and it doesn’t take a lot of time either. It’s a great alternative if you need to cut back on salt, want to decrease your food additives, or just plain RUN OUT of packets…

Ingredients:

2 cups chicken stock or broth
3 tablespoons corn starch
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning

Bring the chicken stock/broth to a boil over medium heat. Dissolve the cornstarch in about 1/4 cup of cold water. Add the poultry seasoning and mix well.

Slowly add the cornstarch mixture to the boiling chicken broth. Stir as you go, pour with one hand and stir with the other. Turn to medium-low heat and cook until thick.

AND last but not least…well it isn’t really last because there are MORE CROCKPOT PORK CHOP RECIPES on down posts :) I will say next...how about next.

Printable Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops

Okay, NEXT up are the Printable and “Pin it for Later” ranch crockpot pork chops. So again, enjoy and let me know if you have any questions or suggestions too, please.

Recipe

3-Ingredient Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com

If you're looking for a quick and easy...but still super YUMMY slow cooker pork chop recipe...try these 3-ingredient crockpot ranch pork chops! There are homemade options for both the gravy and the ranch dressing mix PLUS a big list of other crockpot pork chops.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 5

Servings servings

Ingredients

4 thick-cut pork chops bone-in seem to work better
3 tablespoons ranch dressing mix
15 ounces chicken gravy
butter
1 cup chicken broth pressure cooker recipe only
1 tablespoon cornstarch pressure cooker recipe only

Instructions

Slow Cooker

Place the pork chops in a lightly buttered crockpot insert
Sprinkle with the ranch dressing mix and pour the gravy over the top
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours

Instant Pot

Sprinkle the pork chops with ranch seasoning on both sides.
Set pot to sauté and cook pork chops in melted butter for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove chops.
Scrape the pot to deglaze. Add 2/3 to 1 cup chicken broth and the gravy to the pot and mix well. Add the chops and flip to coat.
Cook on manual high for 8 minutes. Allow to naturally release for 10 more minutes.
Remove chops and if your gravy is too thin use a cornstarch slurry (see notes) to thicken.

Oven Baked

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Sprinkle the chops with ranch seasoning and place in a buttered 9x13 casserole dish. Pour the gravy over the top.
Cover and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Remove lid, flip chops and bake an additional 10-15 minutes.

Stovetop

Melt the butter in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the pork chops with ranch and brown 2-3 minutes on each side. Turn the burner to low and cover with gravy.
Cover and allow to simmer for 25-30 minutes. Turn chops a couple times and stir the gravy occasionally to make sure it doesn’t stick.

Freezer Meal

Make a note on your freezer bag (along with recipe name) that you will need that 15-ounce gravy when preparing this meal.
Sprinkle the chops with the ranch dressing. Place in a 1-gallon freezer bag.
Lay flat and remove as much air as possible. Label and freeze for up to 8 weeks.

Notes

For the instant pot option, you have to add broth or water for it to function correctly. If you want gravy, this may make it too thin. If it is not thick enough for your liking, then follow this procedure after removing the chops from the pot. Turn the pot back to sauté and stir the liquid well. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with ¼ cup of cold water. Slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the liquid. This will form a gravy. Serve over pork chops and slow cooker mashed potatoes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Delicious Side Dish Ideas for Your Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops

Oh, the joys of pairing up the perfect sides with our Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops! We're all about creating a symphony of flavors that'll make your taste buds dance. 🕺🍽️

Here are a few simple, yet sensational side dish ideas to go hand-in-hand with your ranch-tastic pork chops:

1. Green Beans Almondine: Steam up some fresh green beans and toss them with a sprinkle of toasted almonds. It's a light and nutty companion that pairs beautifully with the rich flavors of the pork chops.

2. Creamy Mashed Potatoes: You can't go wrong with creamy mashed potatoes. Fluffy, buttery, and oh-so-comforting, they'll soak up that ranch-infused gravy like a dream.

3. Garlic Roasted Red Potatoes: If you're in the mood for some roasted goodness, try garlic-roasted red potatoes. They're crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside, and the garlic adds a delightful kick.

4. Green Salad with Ranch Dressing: Keep things fresh and crisp with a simple green salad. Drizzle it with ranch dressing for a tangy twist that complements the pork chops perfectly.

These side dishes not only add variety to your plate but also elevate the entire meal. Plus, they're easy to whip up, leaving you more time to savor the succulent pork chops and enjoy the company of your loved ones. Happy eating!

Alternate Ranch Pork Chop Recipe

Another, maybe more well-known, ranch pork chop recipe for the slow cooker is to use cream of mushroom, or cream of chicken soup. You can so do this with this exact recipe!

You don’t need to do anything much except swap the gravy for the cream of “whatever” soup of your choice. I’ve made them that way too and they are good. It still didn’t work for me on high, just FYI on that one again :)

Other Crockpot Pork Chop Recipes

Cream of Mushroom & Soy Pork Chops

Another yummy option…instead of the ranch is to use soy sauce. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE me some ranch. You can find all lots of ranch recipes on this website…

So, you can see from that list Slow Cooker Kitchen (hehe, Gwen and crew) likes/like ranch. But I’m a fan of soy sauce too.

This recipe is slightly sweet and a bit tangy. And it’s delish!

1/4 cup brown sugar
6 pork chops
1 (5 ounce) bottle soy sauce
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

Use the same method as the crockpot ranch pork chops in the main part of this post…

First, oil or spray or lightly butter the crock pot insert. Lay the pork chops in the bottom and sprinkle with the brown sugar.

Next, mix the soy sauce and cream of mushroom soup in a separate bowl, the pour it over the top.

Lastly, cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Drunk Monkey Garlic & Mushroom Pork Chops

When I first saw this recipe, I laughed. Loudly. Drunken monkey. Awesome. But I figured, what the heck…I’d give it a whirl. They were good J

4 thick cut bone-in pork chops
1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 small (3 ounce) can mushrooms, drained (optional)
1/3 cup red wine
2 cloves garlic, minced

Place the pork chops in the bottom of the crockpot.

Next, mix the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl, then pour over the chops.

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Super Easy BBQ Pork Chops

And here's a great barbecue pork chop recipe...when you don't have any barbecue sauce handy :)

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
10.75 ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup ketchup
6 pork chops
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Combine the soup, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup in a separate bowl, set aside.

Sprinkle the pork chops with both the onion and garlic powders and place in an oiled slow cooker.

Second, pour the soup mixture over the top.

Cover and cook for 6 to 8 hours.

Golden Peach Pork Chops

When we’re in the mood for fruity chops…we usually grill. But grilling isn’t always an option. Like as I write the post…it’s January and sleeting outside.

I personally don’t have a roof over my patio. For those of you that go. GO YOU. I’m slightly envious.

So alas…when I can’t grill my chops and peaches, this recipe works great. And if you want a more grilled/charred taste to go with it…you can always brown the chops for a couple minutes before tossing everything in the slow cooker.

Cast iron skillets rock for this option. OR you can also look into a 3-in-1 crockpot. You can brown your chops then add the other ingredients. And it’s all in one pot for easy cleanup J

1 (28 ounce) can peaches
4 to 6 bone-in pork chops, thick cut
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Place the pork chops in the bottom of a buttered crockpot insert.

Drain the peaches and save 1/3 cup of the juice in a separate bowl.

Pour the peaches over the pork chops and mix the remaining ingredients with the peach juice.

Next, pour the mixture over the chops.

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Asian Pork Chops

How about Chinese-style pork chops? That’s a mood I can almost always get behind…Yeah, I have a thing for Chinese. It’s also very easy and great with rice!

6 thick-cut pork chops
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
2 to 4 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt and pepper to taste

Here’s another one that works exactly like the crockpot ranch pork chops in the main part of this recipe…

In goes the chops sprinkled with the salt and pepper.

Mix the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl then pour the sauce over the pork chops

Cover and cook…you guessed it…6 to 8 hours

Slow-Cooked Cherry Pork Chops

These cherry chops are pretty sweet so they’re a great option for when you’re in that mood…just like the peachy ones listed above. You don’t have to do any sort of mixing on this one. It’s one of those “dump recipes” and it’s only 3 ingredients too!

It’s also one of those chop recipes that works a little better if you brown the meat a bit first. So if you have the time, just brown them on both sides for 2 or 3 minutes before placing them in the slow cooker.

I personally sprinkle them with a touch of salt and pepper first, but some folks prefer the complete sweetness of the cherries to come through.

6 thick bone-in pork loin chops
1 cup canned cherry pie filling
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste (optional)

Sprinkle the pork chops with salt and pepper

Slightly brown the pork chops in either a skillet or 3-in-1 crockpot, place them in the slow cooker

Drizzle them with the lemon juice and top with the cherry pie filling

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours

Super Tender Italian Pork Chops

4 boneless pork chops
2 cups Italian-style salad dressing
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Sprinkle the pork chops with the pepper.

Brown over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes on each side (optional).

In a separate bowl, mix the salad dressing and soy sauce.

Pour over the chops.

Cover and cook for 6 to 8 hours.

Zippy Skippy Pork Chops

These pork chops are a great option when you want a little more heat. They aren’t Texas chili hot or anything. Just a nice flavor. And again…super easy too!

6 thick-cut boneless pork loin chops
1 1/2 to 2 cups chili sauce
4 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced

Place the pork chops in a lightly butter slow cooker insert.

Sprinkle the chops with the chili powder, oregano, cumin, and garlic.

Pour the chili sauce over the top.

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

We hope you liked this recipe and ALL the alternatives. If you have any suggestions or questions...give us a shout-out via Contact Gwen. I'm up for answering questions and trying out recipes upon request...

FAQ for 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Q1: Can I make this Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops recipe in advance for busy nights?

A1: Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for meal prepping. You can cook up a batch and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Simply reheat and enjoy on those hectic evenings.

Q2: Can I use boneless pork chops instead of bone-in?

A2: Of course! Boneless pork chops work beautifully in this recipe. They cook a little faster but are just as delicious. You can easily swap them out without compromising on flavor or tenderness.

Q3: Is this Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops recipe kid-friendly?

A3: You bet it is! The creamy ranch flavors in this dish are a hit with kids of all ages. It's a crowd-pleaser that the whole family will love.

Q4: What can I substitute for premade gravy if I don't have it on hand?

A4: If you're out of canned gravy, don't worry. You can make your own using the simple recipe up above for a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor.

Q5: Are the ingredients for this recipe easy to find at the grocery store?

A5: Absolutely! You won't need to embark on a treasure hunt at the store. Most of the ingredients are simple and readily available, making this recipe super convenient.

Q6: Can I use this recipe for pork tenderloin instead of pork chops?

A6: While this recipe is designed for pork chops, you can certainly experiment with pork tenderloin. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary, so use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches the appropriate internal temperature for safe consumption.

Q7: How long does it take to prep this Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops recipe?

A7: Prepping this dish is a breeze! You'll spend just a few minutes sprinkling the ranch packet and arranging the pork chops in the slow cooker. It's a quick and easy recipe that delivers mouthwatering results.

Q8: Can I use an alternative to canned soup in this recipe?

A8: If you prefer to skip canned soup, you can make your own creamy sauce using a roux (butter and flour) combined with chicken broth and your choice of seasonings. It adds a homemade touch to the dish.

Q9: Can I freeze leftover pork chops from this recipe?

A9: Absolutely! If you find yourself with leftover pork chops, pop them into an airtight container and store them in the freezer. They'll keep well for up to three months. Just thaw and reheat for a convenient meal on another day.

Q10: How can I make this recipe even easier for busy nights?

A10: For ultra-convenience, consider prepping the ingredients in advance and freezing them together in a labeled airtight bag. Then, on a busy night, simply toss everything into your slow cooker for an effortless dinner.

With these answers in your culinary arsenal, you're all set to become a Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops pro! Enjoy creating this comforting dinner recipe for your family, even on your busiest nights.

Pin It for Later Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops

Find these tasty crockpot ranch pork chops and lots more like it @ https://www.slowcookerkitchen.com

Butter and Herb Crockpot Mushrooms

If you're a mushroom lover then these butter and herb crockpot mushrooms might be just what you're looking for. There super easy, very tasty and take all of 5 minutes to toss in the slow cooker :)

Around here we love mushrooms. It's just one of our things. Everything from adding them to a recipe to eating them fresh...it's all good here. We've even been known to eat them straight out of the jar at times!

But the best and tastiest option for us is fresh. Don't get me wrong...the canned/jarred variety are perfect with some dishes. And around here that's usually pizza...but fresh is better when making something like this recipe.

It's the perfect side dish or appetizer for all sorts of main dishes. They go great with a grilled steak or with a roast...and there great for a party appetizer too.

In This Article (click headings to jump)

1 Using Fresh Herbs for Crockpot Mushrooms
2 The Herbal Combo
3 Crockpot Mushrooms Printable & Pin It for Later Options
4 Recipe
5 Butter and Herb Crockpot Mushrooms
6 Ingredients 1x2x3x
7 Instructions
8 Big List of 50+ Crockpot Appetizers
9
10 More Slow Cooker Mushroom Recipes
11 Bacon-Ranch Stuffed Crock Pot Mushrooms
12 Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken and Mushrooms
13
14 Pin It for Later Buttered Crockpot Mushrooms

Using Fresh Herbs for Crockpot Mushrooms

Sorta like when choosing mushrooms, most times fresh herbs are best. Or at least that's our preference. It doesn't always work out that way, though. Sometimes they just aren't available.

Learn more about using fresh herbs in cooking @ www.slowcookerkitchen.com

From left to right: Basil, Chives, Parsley & Oregano

I try to grow my own. And that usually works out pretty well for me.

But me and my potted plants had to make a big trip across the country recently. That might sound weird but I didn't have anyone to take care of them while I was gone and it was simply easier to take them with me. Easier for me. But obviously not better for my herbs. I am not nursing several of the poor things to see if they survive moving from zone 9 to zone 5 during the winter.

Cross your fingers for me please...I'd really like to plant them in my garden this spring. We shall see if it works out or if I'm starting over again.

The Herbal Combo

The key with this recipe is both fresh mushrooms and fresh herbs (as previously stated) BUT also...real butter and LOTS of garlic. I don't grow garlic (not yet...it's on the list of stuff to try) but real, whole garlic cloves work best in this recipe if it's available.

I did add some garlic powder too. Simply because we love garlic even more than mushrooms. That part is optional. Go according to your own taste and preferences.

Here are the ingredients/herbal combo we used. You can always use something slightly different or use dried herbs too. I used almost a half cup of minced fresh herbs...not including the garlic. So if you use dried herbs, use about 2 tablespoons and it should come out really good :)

Crockpot Mushrooms Printable & Pin It for Later Options

Recipe

Butter and Herb Crockpot Mushrooms

Gwen

These butter and herbed crockpot mushrooms make an awesome appetizer or delicious side dish too! If you like this recipe you might like our Bacon Ranch Crockpot Stuffed Mushrooms too!

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 5

Servings servings

Ingredients

2 cups beef broth
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons butter diced
5 to 10 cloves of garlic
2 large packages fresh mushrooms
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 to 4 tablespoons fresh parsley

Instructions

Wash the mushrooms and place in the crockpot
Peel the garlic cloves and toss them in too
Pour the beef broth and vinegar over the top
Dot with diced butter and sprinkle with remaining herbs
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours (depending on how soft you want the mushrooms in the end)
Stir and garnish with more parsley if desired

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Big List of 50+ Crockpot Appetizers

If you're looking for crockpot appetizers...here's a BIG LIST of 50+ of them too!

More Slow Cooker Mushroom Recipes

If you like this recipe you might want to check these out too!

Bacon-Ranch Stuffed Crock Pot Mushrooms

Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken and Mushrooms

Pin It for Later Buttered Crockpot Mushrooms

5-Ingredient Buttered Crock Pot Bacon Ranch Potatoes

If you like potatoes and ranch dressing flavor...you'll LOVE these crock pot bacon ranch potatoes! They only take 5 ingredients. They go together in a flash. AND they make an awesome side for all sorts of main meals.

And one of those "perfect meals" these crock pot bacon ranch potatoes goes with...TADA :) You got it! Exactly what it's pictured with. Pineapple Glazed Crockpot Pork Loin. The marinade is a lot like Jezebel sauce...or at least that's what inspired it.

The recipe only has 6 ingredients AND that includes the rosemary sprigs. So only 5 if you could care less about pretty. Don't get me wrong, the rosemary adds flavor BUT it's really good without it too!

In This Article (click headings to jump)

1 Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
2 Printable & Pinnable for Crock Pot Bacon Ranch Potatoes
3 Recipe
4 5-Ingredient Buttered Crock Pot Bacon Ranch Potatoes
5 Ingredients 1x2x3x
6 Instructions
7 Other Ranch Dressing Recipes
8 Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
9 Crockpot Ranch Beef Stew
10 Crockpot Bacon Ranch Stuffed Mushrooms
11
12 Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix AND 9 Other Easy Recipes Crockpot Ranch Recipes

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix

If you're in for quick and easy recipes...then nothing beats tossing this dish together as per the pic.

BUT you also have the option of making your own homemade ranch dressing mix too. There are LOTS of homemade ranch dressing mix recipes out there. You can find them all over. We've actually tried about a dozen different ones.

This one is the one WE like. You might prefer a different one. You never know. Not until you give them a shot that is. We generally keep a shaker of the store bought stuff (like in the top image) around...and make the homemade stuff when we have the opportunity. OR when we really, really want ranch and don't have any on hand.

Making your own homemade ranch is also a great option if you are worried about additives or need to decrease your sodium intake 'cause you can use a "better for you" option.

There really isn't a lot to this recipe. Washed potatoes, a few pats of butter, beef broth, pre-cooked bacon (which is optional) and a bit of ranch dressing...nothing else to it but cover and cook!

Printable & Pinnable for Crock Pot Bacon Ranch Potatoes

Recipe

5-Ingredient Buttered Crock Pot Bacon Ranch Potatoes

Gwen

If you like potatoes or ranch...these crock pot bacon ranch potatoes are for you! AND you might also want to check out our Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix too!

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 8

Total Time 8 5

Servings to 8 servings

Ingredients

2 to 3 tablespoons Butter sliced into thin pats
1/2 cup beef broth or stock
1/2 pound bacon fried or baked then drained and crumbled
3 pounds baby Yukon potatoes
2 to 3 tablespoons Ranch Dressing Mix

Instructions

Lightly butter the crockpot insert
Washed the potatoes and toss them in the slow cooker
Pour the beef broth/stock over the top
Sprinkle on the bacon pieces and then the Ranch dressing mix
Cover and cook on high for 3 1/2 to 4 hours; Low for 6 to 8

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Other Ranch Dressing Recipes

If Ranch is your "thing" you'll probably enjoy some of these:

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Crockpot Ranch Beef Stew

Crockpot Bacon Ranch Stuffed Mushrooms

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix AND 9 Other Easy Recipes Crockpot Ranch Recipes

Easy Pineapple Glazed Pork Loin Crock Pot Recipe [Slow Cooker, Pressure Cooker, Baked, Freezer Directions]

Slow Cooker Pineapple Glazed Pork Loin

In This Article (click headings to jump)

1 Slow Cooker Pineapple Glazed Pork Loin
2 Bacon Ranch Crockpot Potatoes Side Dish
3 Freezer Meal Option for Crock Pot Pork Loin
4 Pineapple Pork Loin Crock Pot Marinade
5 Printable for Pineapple Glazed Crockpot Pork Loin
6 Recipe
7 Pineapple Glazed Pork Loin Crock Pot Recipe
8 Ingredients 1x2x3x
9 Instructions
10 Slow Cooker
11 Instant Pot
12 Oven Baked
13 Freezer Meal Directions
14 Notes
15 Pin It for Later Options for Slow Cooker Pineapple Glazed Pork Loin

Bacon Ranch Crockpot Potatoes Side Dish

The side shown in the pic above...those are made in the crockpot too! You can make them separate (as is done in the recipe...you can see that on this page) OR you can make them all in one pot with the pork loin too.

Obviously, if you go this route your potatoes are going to taste like the marinade...so if you decide to do that, just leave out the ranch dressing. I know taste vary drastically but I promise you...pineapple, horseradish and ranch dressing mixed are a bit of an odd combo.

To make the pork loin and potatoes together...the potatoes go in the bottom, then the pork loin and then the sauce. Cook as per the directions below

Freezer Meal Option for Crock Pot Pork Loin

Pork loin in the crock pot is super easy to make into a freezer meal. You can either prep everything ahead and freeze it or you can tape it all together like this Chicken Pot Pie freezer meal...then just do it when you get it out.

It'll work either way. Whatever is easier for you :)

Pineapple Pork Loin Crock Pot Marinade

The sauce is actually a lot like Jezebel sauce. Just without the cream cheese. It was actually the inspiration for mixing up this marinade.

I had Jezebel sauce at a party several years ago. The kind that was served was equal parts horseradish and apricot preserves. Mixed and poured over the top of a block of cream cheese. I never wrote the recipe down so there may have been another ingredient or two...but that's pretty close.

But...as it happens oh so often when you want to make something on the spur of the moment... we didn't have any apricot preserves. We had pineapple. I am not actually sure why I bought it, as pineapple preserves isn't something we eat usually.

But there is was and I figured "why the heck not?" I mean, I'd used pineapple juice (which we do regularly use) in this Spiral Ham recipe.

I'm glad I tried it! It turned out great SO I'm sharing it with you guys!

BTW...I did NOT go half and half on the horseradish and preserves. AND (after tasting it) we did decide it needed a little more kick. So both steak seasoning and balsamic vinegar got added. The result was slightly sweet and tangy with a little heat. It was very interesting and yummy.

The beauty of the recipe is it's quick, easy and pretty enough to serve at a party too!

Printable for Pineapple Glazed Crockpot Pork Loin

Recipe

Pineapple Glazed Pork Loin Crock Pot Recipe

Gwen

This quick & easy glazed pork loin crock pot recipe is sweet and tangy with just a little heat too! It's perfect for party or any dinner and there isn't a lot of fuss either. And if you like this recipe you might want to check out this Bacon Maple Garlic Pork Loin or this Crockpot Spiral Ham. Enjoy! And Rock That Crock!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 9

Total Time 9 5

Servings to 10 servings

Ingredients

2 1/2 to 3 lb(s) pork tenderloin
1/2 cup(s) pineapple preserves
1 to 2 tbl(s) horseradish
2 tbl(s) steak seasoning
2 tbl(s) balsamic vinegar
1 tsp(s) rosemary
1 cup(s) chicken broth

Instructions

Slow Cooker

Cut slits in the pork loin about 2/3's to 3/4's through about every 1 inch.
Mix the preserves, horseradish, steak seasoning, vinegar, and rosemary and spoon into the slits and over the tenderloin.
Place the pork loin in the bottom of the buttered insert.
Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours

Instant Pot

Place trivet into insert.
Follow slow cooker directions steps #1 and #2.
Place a trivet in the bottom of the instant pot, place pork loin on trivet, and pour chicken broth around pork loin.
Close and lock lid. Set to manual high for 20 minutes. Allow to naturally release 15 minutes, then quick release.

Oven Baked

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Follow slow cooker directions steps one and two.
Place a trivet into the roasting pan and place the pork loin on top. Pour chicken broth around pork tenderloin.
Cover if you want it tender. Bake uncovered if you want it crispy. And bake for 20 to 25 minutes per pound.
Remove from oven. Cover with foil or lid and allow to rest 30 minutes before serving.

Freezer Meal Directions

Mix all the ingredients except the broth and tenderloin in a baggie, zip and knead to mix.
Attach to a pork loin with freezer tape, label, and freeze for up to 3 months

Notes

If you don't have a trivet for the oven or your instant pot, don't worry! Use 3 or 4 stalks of celery or the same amount of carrots. Thinly slice a large potato and lay it accordion style under the potatoes. Refer to crockpot meatloaf for what I mean by accordion style.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Pin It for Later Options for Slow Cooker Pineapple Glazed Pork Loin

: Amazing Pork Tenderloin Slow Cooker Recipe

: How To Cook Pork Tenderloin In Slow Cooker

: Best Crock Pot Pork Roast

: Best Pork Roast Crock Pot Recipe

Big List of 50+ Crockpot Appetizers

If you're looking for crockpot appetizers...here you go! Everything from your classic dips, wings, and meatballs to mushrooms and party mix! Excellent for parties. A life-saver for holiday events. An excellent movie or date night treat too!

Check out the listing...let us know if we missed something you'd like to see too! We can always add more :)

Big List of 50+ Crockpot Appetizers & Snacks

In This Article (click headings to jump)

1 Big List of 50+ Crockpot Appetizers & Snacks
2 Crockpot Dips
3 Slow Cooker Meatball Recipes
4 Crock Pot Mushrooms
5 Crockpot Sausage & Little Smokie Ideas
6 Crock Pot Snack Mixes
7 Slow Cooker Chicken Wings
8 Pin It for Later Crockpot Appetizers

Crockpot Dips

We'll start with the #1 of crockpot appetizers...crock pot dips! Here's a big list of crock pot dip ideas! We're starting with a total of 21 (to be expanded per request). If you like this list we also have an older post...but dip recipes don't age...most are simply classics. You can see that older post here.

These are in NO specific order or anything...just in the order I found them. I tried to look at the ingredients of each and every one to make sure they were either super easy, interesting or had something different to offer. So if I missed something...sorry for the repeats.

3-Ingredient Queso Cheese Dip by Slow Cooker Kitchen. Authentic queso with just 3 easy ingredients…

Crockpot Cheesy Bacon Dip by High Heels and Grills. 5-minute creamy deliciousness! It's work for snack time, parties or movie night :)
Crockpot Philly Cheesesteak Dip by Who Needs a Cape. If you like Philly Cheesesteaks you'll LOVE this 4-ingredient crock pot dip!
Chili-Cheese Dip by One Good Thing by Jillee. You don't have to make this 3 ingredient yumminess in the crockpot…but it's an awesome option. Toss all the ingredients in the crock, stir, cover and cook on low about 2 hours. Turn to warm to serve all during party time!
Parmesan Garlic Spinach Dip by Slow Cooker Kitchen. Creamy and delicious! Awesome as a dip or as a spread for sandwiches too…

Crockpot Cheesy Jalapeno Corn Dip by Le Crème de la Crumb. This recipe combines 5 easy ingredients for a warm, creamy dip. It's delicious with tortilla chips!
Cheesy Bacon-Onion Dip by Real Housemoms. Game Day snacks. Yummers!
Hot Artichoke Dip by Slow Cooker Kitchen. Excellent as is or add spinach. Or just use spinach. It's deliciously easy :)

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip by Passion for Savings. This yummy crockpot dip only takes 5 (or 6) ingredients and you can use leftover turkey or chicken too!
Crock Pot Reuben Dip by Spicy Southern Kitchen. Ohhh…this served with rye or sourdough…YUM!
Crab Rangoon Dip & Homemade Wonton Chips by Spend with Pennies. This crab rangoon dip takes a few minutes to prep but OMG at the results!
Meat Lovers Queso by Tammilee Tips. Deliciousness that'll please any meat lover…
Slow Cooker Spicy Sausage Dip by Who Needs a Cape. Here's another delicious sausage dip recipe. This one only takes 5 ingredients and has lots of spicy flavors too.
Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Dip by The Crumby Cupcake. This recipe also has 5 easy ingredients AND you can use leftover chicken OR turkey :)
Crockpot Bacon Barbecue Chicken Dip by The Magical Slow Cooker. This sounds like an amazing mix of flavors!
Slow Cooker Bacon Jalapeno Popper Dip by Who Needs a Cape. Just 5 easy ingredients get tossed in the slow cooker for this yummy slow cooker appetizer.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Bean Dip by Pretty Providence. This sort of recipe is always a hit. Toss the ingredients in the slow cooker and it'll be warm, creamy and ready to serve throughout the whole party…
3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fiesta Dip by Slow Cooker Kitchen. 3 ingredients is all it takes to make this deliciousness :)

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Dip by Aris Menu. Here's a great recipe if you're starting with raw chicken. It's rich, creamy and gluten-free too!
Slow Cooker White Pizza Dip by Stockpiling Moms. Deliciously easy snack idea!
Slow Cooker Crab Dip by Lemon Tree Dwelling. Here's a DELICIOUS looking crab dip recipe :)

Slow Cooker Meatball Recipes

If dips aren't quite your thing...or if you need more than one appetizer idea. Here are several crockpot meatball ideas too. There are a few that start the meatballs from scratch but most utilize the store-bought type for quick and easy prep.

Honey-Buffalo Meatballs by Carls Bad Cravings. These sounds amazing!!! I'm making them this weekend :)
Mozzarella Meatballs by Crème de la Crumb. Awesome snack-meal-appetizer anytime!
Crockpot Sesame-Asian Meatballs by Flavor Mosaic. These sound so cool!
Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs by Carls Bad Cravings. Yummy appetizer here. Both sweet & spicy :)
Crockpot Teriyaki Meatballs by Recipe Runner. From scratch meatballs AND teriyaki sauce. Cool :)
Crockpot Bacon Bourbon Meatballs by House of Yum. A delicious combination and a homemade meatball recipe too!
Crockpot Firecracker Meatballs by Chef Savvy. These are a lot like buffalo chicken dip wrapped up in a meatball…AND they look awesome!
3-Ingredient Crockpot Meatballs by Slow Cooker Kitchen. Super quick, super easy…just dump these together and let the crockpot do the work.

Crockpot Honey Teriyaki Meatballs by Bless This Mess Please. These look amazing!
Honey-Buffalo Meatballs by Carls Bad Cravings. These sounds amazing!!! More awesome movie night yummies :)

If you like these, here' another list for crockpot meatballs :)

Crock Pot Mushrooms

And IF you're wanting something a little different than the regular fare...you could try any of these mushroom ideas too! Most take ranch but hey! Ranch ROCKS. Most are simmered in a sauce of some sort, but there's a crockpot stuffed mushroom as well. I can attest that several of these are absolutely delish! Not only are they great for parties they are awesome topping a grilled steak.

Garlic-Ranch Crockpot Mushrooms by Cookies and Cups. These mushrooms add garlic to the yumminess of ranch. I've had these…they are amazing!
Bacon Ranch Crock Pot Stuffed Mushrooms by Slow Cooker Kitchen. Mushroom lovers, these are an awesome option for snacky stuff...Only 6 ingredients too ;)

Crockpot Ranch Mushrooms by The Chunky Chef. 3 ingredients…5 minutes…that's all you need to prep this deliciousness!
Slow Cooker Italian-Ranch Mushrooms by Plain Chicken. How about adding Italian to Ranch? It works for pot roast…I betcha these will be awesome too.

Crockpot Sausage & Little Smokie Ideas

Little smokies. Lil' smokies. Party sausages. Party wienies. Whatever you call them. They are delicious when simmered in a sauce in the crockpot. The slow simmering allows the sauce to marinate, stick and even absorb just a bit.

Some of these recipes are for little smokies. Some are for smoked sausage. And others are for kielbasa. They are all interchangeable for these recipes. So don't stress if the shelf is empty for one...just go get the other, toss the stuff in the crock and enjoy the party!

Cranberry Kielbasa Bites by The Frugal Girls. Here's another delicious sausage appetizer recipe…
Sweet & Spicy Little Smokies by Spicy Southern Kitchen. Jalapenos and pineapple combine to make these little sausages both sweet and spicy at the same time…
Crockpot Raspberry Chipotle Lil' Smokies by I Wash You Dry. Here's another yummy idea for little smokies!
Honey-Garlic Lil' Smokies by Family Fresh Meals. Toss it in & walk away…Everyone loves 'em!
Sweet and Spicy Kielbasa Bites by A Night Owl Blog. Here's another twist on deliciousness for crockpot appetizers…this one uses diced up kielbasas :)
3-Ingredient Crockpot Lil' Smokies by Slow Cooker Kitchen. Just 3 ingredients and 2 minutes to toss this deliciousness together…

Cocktail Kielbasa by From Valerie's Kitchen. This yummy option combines apricot jam and barbecue sauce for a sweet spiciness that'll not leave any leftovers.
5-Ingredient Honey Beer Smokies by Foodie Crush. Honey and beer combine for this little smokie sauce. A touch of vinegar takes away too much sweet and yum!
Barbecue Ranch Kielbasa Bites by The Frugal Girls. Super easy and ranch too!

Crock Pot Snack Mixes

Another VERY easy option (and something most folks won't be expecting) from the crockpot appetizers arena...is slow cooker snack mix. There are both sweet and savory options. These are really excellent for just about anything!

Crockpot Chex Mix by Gimme Some Oven. Is it a snack, a gift, or a dessert? Yes, it works for all of those and lots more.
Slow Cooker Ranch Chex Mix by Oh Sweet Basil. This snack mix has just a touch of sweet to complement the ranch flavors. Excellent for munching :)
Salted Caramel-Dark Chocolate Crunch Mix by The Fit Fork. Here's a delicious sweet version. This is awesomeness that'll work for a party, movie night or a very cool homemade gift too.
Chunky Monkey Trail Mix by Cotter Crunch. Here's a yummy crockpot appetizers twist…sweet, salty and Paleo too!
Parmesan Ranch Snack Mix by Delightful e Made. Parmesan and ranch are the main ingredients that make this snack mix delightfully familiar but deliciously unique too…

Slow Cooker Chicken Wings

And to round out the list. Chicken wings. Crockpot chicken wings are a delicious option for a light meal, snacking, date night, blah-blah. You get it. They rock! And they'll rock your crock...yeah, yeah...I had to sneak that in :)

You can make any and all of these babies for snacks or a meal. Served over rice with a side salad they'd rock any plate. And by making them in the crockpot they'll stay warm all through your party time.

Ppssttt...if you want them to brown, just pop them in the oven on broil for about 10-15 minutes and then dump them back in the crockpot to stay warm. It might seem like extra work but it is worth it. Why? 'Cause making them in the slow cooker makes the chicken super-duper tender :)

Crock Pot Parmesan-Garlic Wings by The Cookie Rookie. These take 5 minutes prep time and look amazing. They'd work for a non-tomato base option too…
Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken Wings by Magic Skillet. Asian style chicken wing deliciousness :)
Crockpot Barbecue Apricot Chicken Wings by Mom Endeavors. These chicken wings would be awesome for any party, movie night or party time!
Slow Cooker Chipotle Peach Wings by The Frugal Girls. 3 ingredients, maybe 2 minutes and this will be cookin' away…
Crockpot Sticky Chicken Wings by Homemade Hooplah. Sticky chicken wings with a delicious Asian style barbecue sauce :)
Honey-Soy Chicken Wings by Sweet C's Designs. Here's another one that'd qualify for an excellent appetizer or a yummy meal too…
Slow Cooker Orange Glazed Chicken Wings by Simply Made with Love. These chicken wings would work with crockpot appetizers OR you could even go with boneless, skinless…add some rice and make it a meal too!

That's our list for now. If you're looking for anything or have more ideas let us know!

You can follow us on Facebook and Pinterest. Contact us via this link or post below. And again...Rock That Crock! :)

Slow Cooker Kitchen

Topics for Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

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Bacon Ranch Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

Ingredients 1x2x3x

Instructions

For all methods: You can prep your meat in two different ways.

Crockpot Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole:

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Baking Dish Tot Casserole:

Freezer Meal Prep: You've two options for freezer meal prep.

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Homemade Chicken Gravy

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Printable & Pinnable for Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup

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Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup

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Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

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Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup

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Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup

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Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole

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Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Version

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