Many people are looking for delicious and easy-to-make Crockpot side dishes to complement their meals. While most Crockpot recipes focus on large cuts of meat or main courses, there’s a wide range of mouth-watering side dish options available. From classic cornbread to creamy mac and cheese, these fix-it-and-forget-it recipes are perfect for busy days when you need something quick and effortless. I often find myself using my smaller Crockpot to whip up simple yet satisfying side dishes.
Whether I’m relying on store-bought convenience or trying out a new recipe, the possibilities are endless. Be warned: once you’ve tried one of these 24 ridiculously easy Crockpot side dishes, you’ll be hooked and may even consider adding another slow cooker to your holiday wish list!
Creamy Spinach Delight in Crock Pot
Versatility is key when it comes to adding cheese to vegetables, and I’m particularly fond of experimenting with different combinations. This creamed spinach dish stands out for its harmonious blend of cream cheese, stock, mushroom soup, and Italian dressing. No longer will sad, wilted spinach have the power to ruin your chicken – this side dish is more than capable of stealing the show! When it comes to choosing between frozen and fresh spinach, using frozen is often a better option.
It’s less hassle, as frozen spinach won’t shrink down to almost nothing during cooking, giving you a more accurate idea of how much you’ll end up with in the pot.
Tender Glazed Carrots for Roasted Meats
Versatile as a side dish, spiced glazed carrots are an excellent accompaniment to various main courses like roast chicken, pork loin, and even meatloaf. When cooked, the carrots develop a lovely texture, becoming tender and infused with flavor. To achieve a thicker glaze, cook the carrots for the last 15 minutes without the lid on the pot, allowing the liquid to evaporate and intensify the flavors.
Serve the spiced glazed carrots in a large dish, garnished with a drizzle of honey for added sweetness.
Crockpot Creamy Mashed Potatoes Delight
Among my top preferences for quick meals is simplicity, even if I’m cooking for just two people. Avoiding complex recipes has been a necessity after long days, as the last thing I want to tackle is an overwhelming amount of dishes to clean up! My fondness for crockpot recipes stems from their convenience – having them ready and waiting early in the day allows me to walk into the house to the inviting aroma of a perfectly cooked meal.
Mashed potatoes make a comforting side dish that pairs well with almost any recipe, and these particular ones are especially delightful. Cooked in stock infused with rosemary, they absorb an incredible depth of flavor and become velvety smooth when mashed through with cheeses and butter.
Sweet White Hot Chocolate Delight
Keeping in mind that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, this adorable and pretty hot chocolate recipe stands out from the rest. While it may be commonly associated with February 14th, I believe it would also bring a smile to faces during the holiday season, when something rich and decadent can feel too heavy. Made with white chocolate cocoa, condensed milk, and extra sugar, it’s surprisingly sweeter than traditional hot chocolate mixes.
In fact, if you’re someone who likes to indulge in sweet treats throughout the year, then this recipe is perfect for any occasion – but let’s be real, Christmas is a great time to splurge!
Easy Creamy Corn for Slow Cookers
Often, I find myself indulging in corn dishes of various types, but this particular creamed corn recipe has won my heart. The combination of fresh corn, butter, and cream cheese is a match made in heaven – who wouldn’t love the sweetness of crisp corn perfectly balanced by the richness of creamy dairy? However, cooking it on the stovetop can be a bit tedious.
Some recipes require you to heat the milk with butter first and then gently melt the cream cheese, while others instruct you to make a roux for added thickness. But not here! This recipe takes a more effortless approach: simply throw all the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it work its magic.
Savory Lipton Onion Potatoes Delight
Fancifully, onions add their unique flavor to every dish I prepare. The various types of onions available can have distinct characteristics – some may be sweet and subtle, while others are pungent and bold. Irrespective of the variety chosen, they bring out a depth of flavor that elevates even the most mundane meals.
For instance, I often find myself drawn to the simplicity of roasted potatoes, but when infused with garlic and onions, they become truly unforgettable – a perfect combination that’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. The visual appeal of the spiral pattern is an added bonus, but feel free to arrange them in any way you like. Just remember to grease the pot well so that the potatoes release easily once cooked.
Sweet & Citrusy Sweet Potato Wedges
Delighting in the simplicity of a great recipe, there’s no better way to prepare a large quantity of sweet potatoes than with this method. By incorporating orange juice and maple syrup, you’ll achieve a sweet and citrusy finish that elevates your wedges from ordinary to extraordinary. If you prefer to omit the citrus notes, simply substitute the orange juice with stock for a more neutral flavor profile. The best part? This recipe yields perfectly cooked potatoes in just a few short hours.
And, as an added bonus, this method also lends itself beautifully to making puree for sweet potato pie.
Slow Cooker Rice Made Easy
Budgeting for kitchen space can be a challenge, especially when you’re short on square footage. Given these constraints, it’s essential to prioritize the essentials and cut back on non-essential appliances. A rice cooker may seem like a convenient addition, but I’ve found that its benefits don’t outweigh the loss of storage space – especially with my existing collection of kitchen gadgets, including not one, but two crockpots.
Cooking rice in large batches is actually quite practical; it’s easy to prepare a big batch and store it in the fridge for future meals. And when you do cook it using a slow cooker, you don’t have to worry about the risk of burning or overcooking, even if you get sidetracked by something as engaging as a new book.
Easy Slow Cooker Fried Apples Recipe
Splendidly easy and delicious, this alternative recipe for fried apples is a far cry from its more complex counterpart. While we’ve covered that method before, it requires a bit more effort. In contrast, this version employs the convenience of a slow cooker to combine sliced apples with an assortment of spices, brown sugar, apple juice, and cornstarch. Simply add all the ingredients together and let the slow cooker do its magic for three to four hours.
The result is tender, juicy apples smothered in a rich, thick sauce that’s sure to delight.
Warm German-Style Potato Casserole Delight
Elevating the humble potato salad to new heights, this recipe promises to deliver tender and flavorful potatoes every single time. The sauce is crafted using a combination of crispy bacon, sautéed onion, tangy cider vinegar, and a blend of aromatic seasonings. A touch of flour is added to thicken the mixture, ensuring that each component comes together in perfect harmony.
Once combined, everything melds together seamlessly to form a warm, comforting side dish that’s sure to become an instant favorite.
Crispy Green Bean Casserole Delight
For many, green bean casserole is a quintessential comfort food that evokes memories of warm, cozy gatherings with loved ones. This classic dish is incredibly simple to prepare and requires minimal effort, making it perfect for busy families or special occasions. To add some variety to the traditional recipe, you can experiment with substituting the cream of mushroom soup with chicken or cheddar broth instead.
Once prepared, simply combine all the ingredients in a large pot and let them simmer for two to three hours, allowing the flavors to meld together. The crowning glory of this dish lies in its crispy onion topping, which adds a satisfying crunch and flavor contrast that elevates the entire culinary experience.
Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes to Perfection
Not uncommonly, home cooks struggle with scalloped potatoes that have undercooked centers. This can lead to a frustrating cooking experience, especially when the top layer is perfectly cooked but the bottom remains raw. Fortunately, making scalloped potatoes in a slow cooker eliminates this issue entirely. By heating the dish slowly and evenly, you can rest assured that every potato will be tender from edge to edge.
If your slow cooker-safe pot is also oven-proof, consider giving it a few minutes under the broiler at the end to add a crispy, golden-brown finish.
Vibrant Slow Cooker Red Cabbage Delight
Zesty tables are made even better with a diverse range of flavors and colors, making this red cabbage dish a standout option. The vibrant color will undoubtedly grab everyone’s attention, leaving them eager to try a spoonful of its spiced and tender goodness. Feel free to tweak the seasonings to suit your taste preferences, whether you prefer a sweeter or more savory cabbage.
Creamy Ranch Potato Delight
Elevate your snack game with these incredibly delicious and easy-to-make Ranch Potatoes. Envision a warm potato salad bursting with tender red potatoes, melted cheese, pungent garlic, and creamy ranch dressing.While they take a few hours to cook, the end result is well worth the wait – simply mix all the ingredients together when the potatoes are done cooking and serve.
Sweet Potato Casserole in a Crockpot Delight
Making sweet potato casserole is surprisingly effortless, much like preparing a simple side dish like mashed potatoes. Most importantly, don’t forget to peel the skin off the sweet potatoes as they can be quite tough and may ruin the desired creamy texture if left on. Many people appreciate the addition of pumpkin spice in this recipe, but feel free to adjust the proportions of cinnamon, ginger, or allspice to suit your personal taste preferences.
Once cooked and mashed, finish the dish by topping it with a generous amount of butter, brown sugar, and toasted pecans, allowing them to melt and infuse their flavors into the potatoes.
Bacon-Infused Slow Cooker Green Bean Delight
Very often, green beans can be a bit underwhelming, but they take on a completely different character when slow-cooked with stock, crispy bacon, sautéed onion, and tender potatoes. What’s more, the prep work is minimal – simply cook the bacon and onion in advance, as everything else will meld together seamlessly in the pot until it reaches that perfect tenderness.
Interestingly, you might find that you don’t even need to add salt, as the smoky flavor of the bacon provides ample seasoning; however, I’d personally suggest throwing in some minced garlic for an added burst of flavor.
Slow Cooker Balsamic Bliss for Brussels Sprouts
Taking a different approach to cooking Brussels sprouts can be a game-changer, especially when they tend to burn during roasting. This slow cooker method is not only a great alternative but also allows for the addition of other ingredients that enhance the flavor of the dish. Thinly slicing an onion and adding some crispy bacon to the pot can make all the difference, as the smoky flavor of the bacon pairs well with the sweetness of the onions.
While the balsamic reduction is not necessary, it does add a depth of flavor that takes the dish to the next level, making it truly pop with every bite.
Easy Slow Cooker Holiday Bread Filling
Naturally, no traditional holiday meal is complete without the quintessential side dish: stuffing. For many of us, it’s the real star of the holidays, and regardless of the amount we make, there always seems to be a demand for more. One way to easily meet this demand is by making your stuffing in a slow cooker, allowing you to produce large batches without worrying about dryness.
To get started, it’s essential to use stale bread as the base, as it can effectively absorb and retain all the liquid ingredients. Once combined with the other ingredients, simply set the slow cooker to low for four hours and let the magic happen.
Easy Buttery Crockpot Corn Recipe
First and foremost, this scrumptious corn recipe is simplicity itself to prepare, with a rich, buttery flavor that’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Similar to our potato recipe, you’ll need to cook the corn in some water before adding in butter and allowing it to melt into the sweet corn, infusing it with an irresistible aroma and taste.
This recipe would be the perfect accompaniment at a summer BBQ or paired with a mid-week rotisserie chicken dinner for a hassle-free yet satisfying meal.
Slow Cooker Spiced Rum Delight
Let’s face it, mulled wine isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. For those who prefer a warmer and sweeter holiday drink, warm spiced rum with whipped cream is a game-changer. This indulgent treat comes together effortlessly in the slow cooker and can be served directly from the pot. To make it even more convenient, simply keep the cooker on the ‘warm’ setting and have an iced bowl of whipped cream nearby to dollop onto each serving.
Smoked Bacon Baked Beans Recipe Simplified
When it comes to baked beans, I have a strong preference for them to be thick and savory with just a hint of sweetness. To achieve this, I believe that adding crispy, smoked bacon is essential. The smokiness of the bacon not only adds an incredible depth of flavor but also provides a satisfying texture. It’s crucial to cook the bacon and onions together until they’re nicely caramelized before adding them to the pot.
For those who can’t find molasses or prefer an alternative sweetener, dark corn syrup is a suitable substitute that will still provide that desired smoky sweetness.
Slow Cooker Cornbread Perfection Guaranteed
Achieving the perfect balance of moisture and flavor is crucial for any good cornbread, but a common issue many encounter is its tendency to dry out. Fortunately, making cornbread in a slow cooker can be a game-changer, as it results in a soft and tender crumb that’s bursting with flavor. However, to ensure a smooth cooking process, it’s essential to line the pot with foil, which will make it easy to remove the cornbread once it’s done.
Easy Cheesy Crock Pot Pasta Perfection
Often, being a mac and cheese aficionado means I’m quite particular about my ingredients. While some may use powdered cheese as a shortcut, you won’t find it in my pantry. Occasionally, life gets busy, and I don’t have hours to spare steeping dairy with herbs or crafting a roux from scratch. That’s where this recipe comes in – the easy option that still yields delicious results. The most effort required is cooking the pasta, which barely counts as work.
Once it’s ready, simply combine it with evaporated milk, whole milk, half & half, Velveeta, cheddar cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper. You might want to make a little extra, as this mac and cheese becomes your go-to side dish for the next few days!
Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
Needless to say, I’m still happy to cover veggies in cheese if that’s what it takes to get them devoured! This casserole is a true cheesy masterpiece, and not just because of its name. The broccoli will undergo a gentle cooking process in a rich gravy and water combination until it reaches the perfect tenderness, all while being generously topped with an abundance of melted cheese. It’s a dish that even the pickiest eaters – yes, including the little ones! – can’t help but ask for more of.
