With winter weather in full swing, we’re turning to our tried-and-true comfort meals to add a little warmth to the cold January evenings. Our favorite familiar dishes often come in the form of casseroles, the same casseroles our moms and grandmas made, and their moms and grandmas before them—the vintage recipes that just taste like home.
But on busy nights, we want to spend as little time as possible preparing dinner. That’s where these 12 slow cooker recipes come in. Each recipe is a reformulation of our favorite vintage casseroles, developed to have that comforting, delicious, and nostalgic taste with a lot less fuss. So dust off your slow cooker (if you haven’t already) and give these grandma-approved recipes a go!
Easy Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes
Allrecipes / Abbey Littlejohn
This recipe for Cheesy Potatoes, also known as take the classic cheesy casserole and transform it for the slow cooker. While this would make a great side for any main entrée, if you’re anything like me—this is the whole meal.
“Everyone that has tried this loves it,” said one Allrecipes member. “I add bacon for extra kick.”
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
It doesn’t get much more vintage than this! This is one of our most popular slow cooker recipes of all time—over 15,000 home cooks have made it for their friends and family! And with only five ingredients, it’s the simplest dinner you’ll make all week.
“This was so good and so easy,” raved one reviewer. “Tastes like the from-scratch version that my grandmother always made. I added carrots and creamed corn to the mix and it turned out wonderful.”
Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
Allrecipes / Renee Pajestka
Green bean casseroles are a natural choice for the slow cooker, where they can stay warm and gooey—even if you’re grabbing seconds.
“I’ve never made this in the crockpot and it’s so much easier,” shared one Allrecipes Allstar. “I didn’t have two cans of cream of chicken soup, but I did have a can of cream of mushroom. One can of each, mix it up and it is awesome! Thanks for a great recipe!”
Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
A deliciously rich and creamy beef stroganoff that’s easy to prep in a slow cooker with little to no fuss. Serve over hot, buttered flat noodles.
“I have made this several times and always a crowd pleaser,” said Allrecipes member Neru. “Making a double batch today for a [Packers] game.”
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Imagine coming home to the smell of a hearty, cheesy lasagna slowly warming in your slow cooker. It’s all possible with this recipe!
“I made this for my family tonight and they could not say enough awesome things about it,” raved one reviewer. “They kept asking what that yummy smell was coming from the kitchen! They absolutely loved it and asked when I was making it again!! LOVE this recipe!! Thank you!!!”
Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Photographer: Jen Causey / Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This vintage classic still holds up today—especially when it’s made easy in the slow cooker.
“This is the third time I’ve made this recipe for my family,” shared one Allrecipes member. “I have three of the pickiest eaters for children I normally have to cook at least 3 different meals every night to get them to eat. When I make this they all sit down, hush up and finish their bowls. It is delicious and pretty darn quick and easy to throw together.”
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
Yoly
This pecan topping adds a nice crunch and texture to the classic smooth, creamy, and sweet sweet potato casserole. Simply mix ingredients in a slow cooker, top with the nutty streusel mixture, and cook on high for three to four hours.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole is a childhood classic that has helped children eat their vegetables for generations. Plus, it goes with just about anything!
“This recipe goes into the Family Favorites pile immediately,” said one Allrecipes user. “What a hit!”
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
Allrecipes / Christina Bailey
No one can deny baked mac and cheese is delicious—but have you ever made it in the slow cooker? It stays gooey, warm, and cheesy the whole time—and you still get that brown crust on top.
“I made it for a pot luck, everyone loved it,” shared one Allrecipes member. “Tonight I’m cooking some for dinner. It’s cold and snowy, perfect comfort food! A big plus is that it freezes well.”
Slow Cooker Chicken Chile Relleno Casserole
Photographer: Jen Causey / Food styling: Marianne Williams / Prop styling: Abby Armstrong
This slow cooker chicken chile relleno casserole tastes like a super cozy, cheesy chile relleno without the fuss of frying anything. It’s truly delicious and so flavorful for a slow cooker recipe. The eggs are perfectly cooked, set, and creamy.
Bread Pudding in the Slow Cooker
“I was looking for a crockpot bread pudding recipe, but I couldn’t find one,” said Allrecipes member Andie, who shared this recipe. “So I tasted, tweaked, amalgamated, and adapted recipes to get this one! This bread pudding can be eaten for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.”
“This was super easy and delicious,” raved one reviewer. “I might add cinnamon and maple syrup next time.”
Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie
Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling: Sue Mitchell
No need to preheat the oven, you can have a hearty and warm Shepherd’s Pie right in the slow cooker. Talk about a vintage comfort dish!
“We love this recipe with ground beef,” said Allrecipes member Kelly. “Thank you for sharing! Delicious.”