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Mom's Cravings

Easy Family Recipes and Meal Ideas for Busy Moms

33 Easy Instant Pot and Crockpot Recipes That Practically Make Themselves

4.83 (635 votes)
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By Kate Sorensen · Updated: Aug 4, 2025
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8 min read
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9,595 saves
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Busy weeknights call for one thing: a meal that practically makes itself. Whether you’re pulling out the Instant Pot for a quick pressure-cooked dinner or letting the slow cooker do its thing all day, these 33 recipes are the ones I come back to again and again. From hearty roasts and creamy pastas to soups, tacos, and even dessert — there’s something on this list for every night of the month.

⚡ Instant Pot Recipes

1. Instant Pot Beef Stew

Instant Pot Beef Stew

All the deep, slow-simmered flavor of classic beef stew — in a fraction of the time thanks to the Instant Pot. Tender chunks of beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich broth make this the ultimate cold-weather comfort meal. Click here for the full recipe →

2. Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Juicy, perfectly cooked chicken thighs in under 30 minutes — the Instant Pot makes it almost impossible to dry them out. Season them any way you like and serve with rice, veggies, or whatever you have on hand. Click here for the full recipe →

3. Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

Once you make hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot, you’ll never go back to the stovetop method. They peel like a dream every single time — perfect for meal prep, deviled eggs, or a quick protein-packed snack. Click here for the full recipe →

4. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes with no draining, no boiling over, and no babysitting the stove. The Instant Pot gets them perfectly tender in minutes — a total game changer for holiday dinners and busy weeknights alike. Click here for the full recipe →

5. Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos

Taco Tuesday just got a whole lot easier — seasoned shredded chicken ready in the Instant Pot in about 20 minutes flat. Load it into tortillas with all your favorite toppings for a family dinner everyone will request again. Click here for the full recipe →

6. How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Instant Pot

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

The ultimate meal prep hack — a big batch of perfectly shredded chicken you can throw into anything all week long. Use it for tacos, salads, soups, casseroles, or sandwiches; it stores beautifully in the fridge or freezer. Click here for the full recipe →

7. Instant Pot Pot Roast

Instant Pot Pot Roast

Fork-tender pot roast that used to take all day now comes together in about an hour in the Instant Pot. Rich, savory, and fall-apart delicious — this is Sunday dinner made weeknight-easy. Click here for the full recipe →

8. Instant Pot Chicken Wings

Instant Pot Chicken Wings

Crispy on the outside, fall-off-the-bone tender on the inside — the Instant Pot is the secret to the best chicken wings you’ve ever made at home. Finish them under the broiler for that perfect golden crunch. Click here for the full recipe →

9. Instant Pot Pierogi Soup

Instant Pot Pierogi Soup

All the cozy, cheesy, potato-filled goodness of pierogies in a warm, hearty soup — and the Instant Pot makes it incredibly easy. This is the kind of bowl that warms you from the inside out on a cold night. Click here for the full recipe →

10. Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas

Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas

Sizzling chicken fajitas loaded with peppers and onions — made fast and easy in the Instant Pot with minimal cleanup. Serve in warm tortillas with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa for a fiesta-worthy weeknight dinner. Click here for the full recipe →

11. Instant Pot Chicken Marsala

Instant Pot Chicken Marsala

Restaurant-quality chicken marsala with that rich, silky mushroom wine sauce — right from your Instant Pot in about 30 minutes. It looks and tastes impressive enough for company but is easy enough for any weeknight. Click here for the full recipe →

12. Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup

Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup

Everything you love about stuffed peppers — the beef, the rice, the tomato-y goodness — turned into a cozy, one-pot soup. It’s faster, easier, and honestly just as satisfying as the original. Click here for the full recipe →

13. Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Soup

Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Soup

All the bold, zesty flavors of chicken fajitas in a warm and filling soup — this one is a serious weeknight winner. It comes together fast in the Instant Pot and tastes even better the next day as leftovers. Click here for the full recipe →

14. Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs that used to take hours on the grill now come together in under an hour with the Instant Pot. Slather them in your favorite BBQ sauce and finish under the broiler for that caramelized, sticky glaze. Click here for the full recipe →

15. Pressure Cooker Chuck Roast

Pressure Cooker Chuck Roast

A melt-in-your-mouth chuck roast with tender vegetables and rich gravy — the Instant Pot turns this weekend staple into an any-night dinner. It’s hearty, satisfying, and the whole family will clean their plates. Click here for the full recipe →

16. Instant Pot Pad Thai

Instant Pot Pad Thai

Skip the takeout — this Instant Pot pad thai is loaded with chewy noodles, tender chicken, and that sweet, tangy, nutty sauce you crave. It’s faster than delivery and tastes just as good, maybe better. Click here for the full recipe →

17. Instant Pot Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese

Instant Pot Panera Mac and Cheese

That creamy, velvety Panera mac and cheese you love — made at home in the Instant Pot for a fraction of the price. Kids go absolutely wild for this one, and honestly, so do the adults. Click here for the full recipe →

18. Easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes Roundup

Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

Can’t get enough Instant Pot chicken? This roundup collects all the best chicken recipes in one place — perfect for when you have chicken on hand and need inspiration fast. Click here to see all the recipes →

🥘 Crockpot & Slow Cooker Recipes

19. Crockpot Crack Chicken Pasta

Crockpot Crack Chicken Pasta

This creamy, cheesy pasta practically makes itself in the slow cooker — tender chicken, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning come together in the most irresistible sauce. It’s the kind of meal the whole family asks for on repeat. Click here for the full recipe →

20. Pulled Beef Slow Cooker

Pulled Beef Slow Cooker

Fork-tender pulled beef that slow cooks all day while you go about your life — the smell alone will have everyone gathering in the kitchen. Pile it onto buns, stuff it into tacos, or serve over mashed potatoes. Click here for the full recipe →

21. Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Cooking a whole chicken in the crockpot is the easiest way to get juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat with almost no effort. Season it however you like and let the slow cooker do all the work while you handle the rest of your day. Click here for the full recipe →

22. Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Bold, smoky, and loaded with chicken, beans, and corn — this slow cooker tortilla soup is a weeknight hero. Top it with crispy tortilla strips, sour cream, and shredded cheese for a bowl everyone will love. Click here for the full recipe →

23. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Burritos

Pulled Pork Burritos

Slow-cooked pulled pork wrapped up in a giant burrito with all the fixings — this is the kind of dinner that has everyone excited to come to the table. Make a big batch and you’ve got easy lunches covered all week too. Click here for the full recipe →

24. Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Juicy, saucy BBQ pulled chicken with almost zero prep — just toss it in the crockpot and let the magic happen. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or piled high on baked potatoes for a dinner that feels like a cookout. Click here for the full recipe →

25. Easy Crockpot Lasagna

Easy Crockpot Lasagna

All the cheesy, layered goodness of classic lasagna — without ever turning on the oven. This slow cooker version is a total game changer for busy nights when you want something hearty and homemade without the fuss. Click here for the full recipe →

26. Crockpot Goulash

Crockpot Goulash

This hearty, old-fashioned goulash is pure comfort food — ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich tomato sauce all made in the slow cooker. Budget-friendly, filling, and the kind of meal that takes you right back to grandma’s kitchen. Click here for the full recipe →

27. Mississippi Pot Roast

Mississippi Pot Roast

This legendary 5-ingredient pot roast is tender, buttery, and packed with tangy, savory flavor. It melts right off the fork and makes the most incredible gravy — you’ll want to put it on everything. Click here for the full recipe →

28. Crockpot Pork Butt Roast

Crockpot Pork Butt Roast

A slow-cooked pork butt roast is one of those set-it-and-forget-it meals that always delivers big results. The meat becomes impossibly tender — ideal for pulled pork sandwiches, burrito bowls, or a simple Sunday supper. Click here for the full recipe →

29. Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Pork Carnitas

Slow cooker carnitas give you that crispy-edged, citrus-spiced pork you love from your favorite Mexican restaurant — right at home. Load them into tacos, nachos, or rice bowls for a meal that disappears fast. Click here for the full recipe →

30. Crockpot Baked Potato Bar

Crockpot Baked Potato Bar

Let the crockpot do the work and set up a baked potato bar the whole family will go crazy for — fluffy potatoes loaded with butter, cheese, sour cream, and all the toppings. It’s the easiest crowd-pleasing dinner or party setup around. Click here for the full recipe →

31. Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip

Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip

Hot, creamy spinach artichoke dip that stays perfectly warm right in the crockpot — ideal for parties, game days, or whenever you need an appetizer that wows a crowd. Serve with bread, chips, or veggies for dipping. Click here for the full recipe →

🍂 Slow Cooker Desserts

32. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Dump Cake

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Dump Cake

Warm, spiced pumpkin filling topped with buttery golden cake — all made effortlessly in the slow cooker. This fall dessert is the easiest thing you’ll ever bring to a potluck, and it tastes like you spent all day on it. Click here for the full recipe →

33. Crockpot Apple Dump Cake

Crockpot Apple Dump Cake

End any meal on the sweetest note with this ridiculously easy apple dump cake made right in the crockpot. Warm cinnamon apples topped with buttery golden cake — serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and watch it vanish. Click here for the full recipe →

Filed Under: Slow Cooker Recipes Kate

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Hi There! I'm so glad you're here! I'm Kate, a midwest mom and wife, that loves easy recipes. Here you'll find all of my cravings from mom to mom advice, product reviews, and my family's best tried and true recipes. We have a lot of fun over on on Facebook here and all of the best of the best pins are here on Pinterest. Be sure to also join my mailing list here where you'll get all of the newest posts in your inbox weekly. I look forward to "meeting" you! xo Kate

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