12 Fall Crockpot Meals for Effortless Weeknights

As the crisp fall air settles in, it’s the perfect time to explore warm and comforting crockpot recipes. These autumn-inspired slow cooker meals offer a hassle-free way to enjoy hearty dishes like spiced stews, savory soups, and succulent roasts.

With minimal prep and a slow cook setting, you can savor rich flavors and cozy aromas as the seasons change. Embrace the ease of these fall crockpot ideas that not only simplify your cooking but also fill your home with inviting scents, making every meal a comforting experience. Discover recipes that will warm you from the inside out this fall!

1. Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Warm up your evenings with this hearty, classic beef stroganoff. Tender strips of beef simmer in a creamy, savory mushroom sauce that’s just begging to be paired with buttered noodles or rice. The slow cooker does all the work, melding rich flavors together while you go about your day.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs beef stew meat
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 2 tbsp flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place beef, onion, and garlic in the slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, mix beef broth, mushroom soup, Worcestershire sauce, and flour until smooth. Pour over the beef.
3. Add mushrooms, salt, and pepper.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until beef is tender.
5. Stir in sour cream just before serving.

Serve with: Buttered egg noodles or rice.
Drink with: A glass of light red wine or a crisp, cold beer.

2. Pumpkin Chili

This pumpkin chili offers a cozy twist on a classic favorite. With its rich pumpkin flavor blended with savory spices and hearty chunks of beef or turkey, it’s a dish that will warm you up from the inside out. Perfect for a fall evening or anytime you need a comforting bowl of goodness.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can pumpkin puree
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup beef or chicken broth
• 1 cup kidney beans, drained
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the meat in a skillet and then transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Add onion, garlic, pumpkin puree, tomatoes, broth, beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir to combine and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
4. Adjust seasoning as needed before serving.

Serve with: Crusty bread or cornbread.
Drink with: A robust red wine or a chilled cider.

3. Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Nothing says comfort quite like this chicken and dumplings recipe. Juicy chicken, tender vegetables, and fluffy dumplings cooked together in a creamy broth make this dish a true crowd-pleaser. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers on flavor and satisfaction.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 cup biscuit mix
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions:

1. Place chicken, onion, carrots, celery, soup, and broth in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours.
3. Shred the chicken and stir in peas.
4. Mix biscuit mix with milk and spoon over the chicken mixture.
5. Cover and cook on high for another 1-1.5 hours, until dumplings are cooked through.

Serve with: A simple green salad.
Drink with: A light white wine or sparkling water.

4. Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pork Roast

This apple cider pork roast is a delightful blend of sweet and savory. The apple cider infuses the pork with a subtle sweetness, while herbs and spices round out the flavors. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or a holiday meal, with minimal effort required.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lbs pork roast
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

1. Place pork roast in the slow cooker.
2. Mix apple cider, mustard, brown sugar, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper, then pour over the pork.
3. Add onion and garlic.
4. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, until pork is tender.
5. If desired, mix cornstarch with a bit of water and stir into the cooking liquid to thicken before serving.

Serve with: Roasted potatoes and green beans.
Drink with: A crisp white wine or a spiced apple cider.

5. Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup

This butternut squash soup is a velvety blend of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for a comforting meal. With its creamy texture and hint of spice, it’s a great way to enjoy the flavors of fall all year round. Simply set it and let the slow cooker work its magic.

Ingredients:

• 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 apple, peeled and chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine squash, onion, garlic, apple, and broth in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, until squash is tender.
3. Puree the soup using an immersion blender or in batches in a blender.
4. Stir in cream, cinnamon, salt, and pepper before serving.

Serve with: A warm, crusty baguette.
Drink with: A light white wine or herbal tea.

6. Beef and Barley Soup

This beef and barley soup is a nourishing, hearty meal that’s perfect for chilly days. The barley adds a lovely chew, while the beef and vegetables create a rich, comforting broth. It’s a satisfying way to warm up and fill up.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef stew meat
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 cup barley
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine beef, onion, carrots, celery, barley, broth, tomatoes, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, until beef and barley are tender.
3. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Serve with: A side of green salad or some crusty bread.
Drink with: A full-bodied red wine or a hearty ale.

7. Slow Cooker Sweet Potato and Black Bean Stew

This sweet potato and black bean stew is a hearty, comforting meal that combines tender sweet potatoes with protein-packed black beans. Seasoned with spices and simmered to perfection, it’s a cozy dish that’s both filling and nutritious.

Ingredients:

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Add sweet potatoes, black beans, onion, garlic, tomatoes, broth, bell pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
2. Stir to combine and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until sweet potatoes are tender.
3. Adjust seasoning as needed before serving.

Serve with: A side of rice or warm tortilla chips.
Drink with: A refreshing lemonade or a crisp white wine.

8. Crockpot Italian Sausage and Peppers

This Italian sausage and peppers dish is a savory blend of juicy sausages, bell peppers, and onions, all simmered together in a rich tomato sauce. It’s perfect served over pasta, rice, or even in a sub roll for a delicious sandwich.

Ingredients:

• 4 Italian sausages
• 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place sausages in the slow cooker.
2. Add bell peppers, onion, marinara sauce, chicken broth, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir to combine and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
4. Slice sausages before serving.

Serve with: Pasta, rice, or as a sandwich in a sub roll.
Drink with: A medium-bodied red wine or a cold beer.

9. Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

This chicken pot pie is a comforting classic with tender chicken, vegetables, and a creamy sauce, all cooked to perfection in the slow cooker. It’s topped with flaky biscuit dough for a delicious twist on the traditional pot pie.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup frozen carrots
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup biscuit mix
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions:

1. Place chicken, peas, carrots, corn, soup, broth, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, until chicken is cooked through.
3. Shred the chicken and stir the mixture.
4. Mix biscuit mix with milk and spoon over the chicken mixture.
5. Cook on high for 1-1.5 hours, until biscuits are cooked.

Serve with: A side salad or steamed green beans.
Drink with: A light white wine or a sparkling water.

10. Pumpkin Curry

This pumpkin curry offers a delightful mix of sweet pumpkin and bold spices. It’s a warming dish that pairs beautifully with rice or naan, making it a perfect choice for a comforting meal with a touch of exotic flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pumpkin puree
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. In the slow cooker, combine pumpkin puree, onion, garlic, ginger, coconut milk, curry powder, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, broth, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir well and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Serve with: Steamed rice or warm naan bread.
Drink with: A light white wine or a chilled coconut water.

11. Crockpot BBQ Ribs

These BBQ ribs are slow-cooked to perfection, with tender meat falling off the bone and smothered in a rich barbecue sauce. It’s a no-fuss way to enjoy a classic dish that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lbs pork ribs
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Season ribs with salt and pepper.
2. Place ribs in the slow cooker.
3. Mix BBQ sauce, vinegar, broth, brown sugar, and smoked paprika, then pour over the ribs.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, until ribs are tender.

Serve with: Coleslaw and cornbread.
Drink with: A robust red wine or a cold lager.

12. Slow Cooker Stuffed Bell Peppers

These stuffed bell peppers are a colorful and tasty meal, filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, rice, and spices. The slow cooker makes it easy to get the peppers perfectly tender and flavorful.

Ingredients:

• 4 large bell peppers (any color)
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds.
2. Brown the meat in a skillet and mix with rice, tomatoes, onion, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
3. Stuff the peppers with the meat mixture.
4. Place stuffed peppers in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
5. Top with cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking, if desired.

Serve with: A side of mixed greens or a simple salad.
Drink with: A light red wine or a refreshing iced tea.

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