17 Slow Cooker Surprises That’ll Upend Your Dinner Routine

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17 Slow Cooker Surprises That’ll Upend Your Dinner Routine

Tired of pot roast and stew from your slow cooker? Get ready to have your slow cooker expectations shattered with 17 incredible recipes that are anything but boring!

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Crock Pot Ramen. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Slow cooker country style ribs on a tray on top of mashed potatoes with corn.
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These slow cooker country style ribs are unexpectedly impressive, with peach preserves, honey, and BBQ sauce creating a delectably tender meal. It’s a simple recipe that transforms an everyday cut of meat into a standout dish.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Mexican Street Corn Soup

Street corn soup with potatoes, corn and red pepper in the crock pot with a spoon on the side.
Mexican Street Corn Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Discover the convenience of slow cooker magic with Mexican Street Corn Soup, a dish that combines the beloved flavors of elote with ease. This recipe promises a comforting and hearty meal with little preparation.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Soup

Slow Cooker French Dip

A sandwich with meat and gravy on a plate next to a bowl of sauce.
Slow Cooker French Dip. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The slow cooker takes the French Dip sandwich to new heights of simplicity, yielding tender beef and a savory au jus that rivals any restaurant offering. This dish is a surprising way to achieve gourmet flavors at home.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Dip

Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

Chicken and pasta in a slow cooker with a wooden spoon.
Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta is a surprisingly simple way to enjoy the vibrant taste of Louisiana. The slow cooker melds spicy, creamy sauce with chicken, served over pasta for a full-flavored dish.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes

A close-up of a crispy Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joe sandwich with creamy sauce on a soft bun, served on a plate.
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Transform your dinner routine with Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes. It’s a creative take on a classic, combining the zest of buffalo sauce with the ease of a slow-cooked meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes

Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar

A shredded beef sandwich with melted cheese on a bun, served with curly fries on a tray.
Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Recreate the classic Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar at home using your slow cooker for an unexpectedly simple yet indulgent meal. The slow cooker ensures the roast beef is tender and the cheese sauce is perfectly melted.
Get the Recipe: Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar

Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Bowl of copycat Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup in a bowl with breadsticks in the background.
Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup replica is a slow cooker surprise, offering a creamy, comforting soup with chicken and veggies that’s easy to make at home. Add some breadsticks and enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Crock Pot Ramen

Top view of slow cooker chicken ramen in the Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Ramen. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Ramen redefines convenience with this one-pot meal that cooks while you’re away. It’s an unexpected twist on a noodle dish, bringing slow-cooked depth to a beloved favorite.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ramen

Crock Pot Pizza

Pepperoni pizza in a white crock pot after cooking.
Crock Pot Pizza. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Pizza is a novel approach to a beloved classic, proving that a slow cooker can do more than stews and roasts. Enjoy a no-oven-needed pizza that’s both convenient and scrumptious.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pizza

Slow Cooker Banana Bread

Stack of banana bread on a plate topped with a pat of butter.
Slow Cooker Banana Bread. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Banana Bread is a surprising twist on baking, allowing you to prepare a moist and flavorful loaf without ever turning on the oven. It’s a hands-off approach to a homemade favorite.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Banana Bread

Crock Pot Pineapple Meatballs

A spoonful of meatballs and vegetables in a pot.
Crock Pot Pineapple Meatballs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Pineapple Meatballs offer an unexpected combination of sweet and savory in a dish that’s as simple to prepare as it is delightful to serve. This recipe is a crowd-pleasing meal that cooks itself.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pineapple Meatballs

Asian Spare Ribs

Two ribs on a tray with sesame seeds and green onions.
Asian Spare Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Asian Spare Ribs become an effortless gourmet meal in the slow cooker, absorbing a medley of spices and sauces for a tantalizing result. This dish is a stress-free way to enjoy complex flavors.
Get the Recipe: Asian Spare Ribs

Taco Meatloaf

A slice of taco meatloaf topped with melted cheese and sliced jalapeños, served on a white plate with diced tomatoes and avocado slices nearby.
Taco Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Taco Meatloaf in the slow cooker is an unexpected fusion of Mexican flavors with a comfort food classic. This easy recipe creates a juicy meatloaf that’s customizable with your favorite taco toppings.
Get the Recipe: Taco Meatloaf

Beijing Beef

Beijing beef in a slow cooker.
Beijing Beef. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow cooker Beijing Beef is a surprising solution for a takeout craving, offering a healthier, wallet-friendly version that cooks while you relax. It’s an effortless route to bold, Asian-inspired flavors.
Get the Recipe: Beijing Beef

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Cheese covered slow cooker chili mac in the crock pot with a wooden spoon.
Slow Cooker Chili Mac. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Chili Mac is a remarkable one-pot meal that marries the heartiness of chili with the creamy texture of mac & cheese. It’s a comforting dish that’s simple to prepare and always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches

A tray of BBQ beef sandwiches topped with fried onions and bacon.
Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches turn an ordinary dinner into a special occasion. With slow-cooked beef, crispy onions, and bacon, this dish is a surprisingly easy way to feed a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili

Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.
Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chili brings a surprising tropical twist to your dinner table. This easy and flavorful dish is perfect for a laid-back family meal, made simpler by the slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili

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