Easy 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipes That Practically Make Themselves

Love these recipes? Join MyRecipes to save them all with just one click—it's fast, free, and easy.

Sausage and Bean Jambalaya

Here's a 5-ingredient slow cooker recipe that's as good straight from the pot as it is reheated the next day. The spice is right, thanks to fire-roasted tomatoes, sweet peppers, and smoky kielbasa. This jambalaya needs just four hours on low before the quintessential flavors of New Orleans will be yours to devour.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Make this Irish classic for St. Patrick's Day or anytime you're in the mood for the irresistible combo of corned beef and cabbage. Carrots, onions, and potatoes round out the stick-to-your-ribs line-up. This easy 5-ingredient slow cooker recipe simmers to tender perfection in five hours on high or 10 hours on low (so you can start it before you head to work).

Cajun Vegetarian Gumbo

Vegetarian recipes aren't boring! Case in point: With just a few ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time, you can stir up a batch of this bold, Southern-inspired gumbo. The Cajun vegetarian dish is especially delicious (and filling) when served over hot rice.

In-Your-Sleep Chili

This ground beef chili is a breeze to prepare—just brown beef, mix it with veggies, then add it to your slow cooker for a filling meal ready when you get home. If you have a little ingredient wiggle room in your menu, pair the dish with a side of buttery cornbread.

Slow Cooker Cilantro-Lime Pork

Stretch a pork tenderloin to feed 8 by cooking it low and slow before shredding the meat. Flavored with taco seasoning, lime juice, and cilantro, this Mexican-inspired main dish is best served stuffed in tortillas.

Mississippi Pot Roast

If you're looking for an easy dinner idea that's big on flavor without a long ingredient list, meet your new favorite roast. We're amping up the flavor of traditional pot roast with pepperoncini peppers, ranch dressing powder, and gravy mix. As one BHG home cook raves, "5 ingredients, not a lot of clean-up, and tons of flavor! Great served over mashed potatoes or on crusty rolls topped with some melty cheese!"

Slow Cooker Apple Dump Cake

This slow cooker recipe is the definition of low effort, high reward. To make this apple dump cake, simply add pie filling and cake mix to a slow cooker along with butter, pecans, and apple pie spice. The result is a cozy, spiced dessert that's ready with just 10 minutes of prep.

Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes

If you have time to cook sweet potatoes low and slow, you'll be rewarded with the creamiest mashed sweet potatoes you've ever tried. Add them to the slow cooker along with broth, buttermilk, butter, and sugar. If you want a bit of crunch, top with toasted pecans.

Slow Cooker Corn on the Cob

Yes, you can cook corn on the cob in your slow cooker. Simply wrap the ears with foil and cook on low for four hours. Remove from the slow cooker and top with one of our flavored compound butters.