Top 15 Crockpot Dinner Ideas Kid Friendly and Easy to Make

It’s 5:30 PM, and you’re standing in your kitchen, staring at the fridge, wondering what to make for dinner. You’ve got picky eaters to please, a mountain of chores to tackle, and just enough energy to make it through the evening. Sound familiar? We’ve all been there.

The clock’s ticking, and the kids are starting to ask, “What’s for dinner?” You feel the pressure mounting as you try to figure out something that’s not only healthy but also something they’ll eat. Crockpot dinner ideas kid friendly to the rescue!

Imagine this: a meal that practically cooks itself while you go about your day. No more running around trying to juggle cooking, cleaning, and keeping the kids entertained. Just toss your ingredients into the crockpot in the morning, set it, and forget it. By dinnertime, you have a warm, delicious meal ready to go—one that your kids will love.

In this article, we’re sharing 15 simple and tasty crockpot recipes that are perfect for busy families. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, looking for a healthy dinner, or just want something easy and stress-free, these crockpot meals will make your life a whole lot easier. So, let’s dive into these recipes and say goodbye to mealtime stress for good!

1. Healthy Crockpot Dinners Kids Will Love

Looking for nutritious meals that are both easy to prepare and loved by little ones? These healthy crockpot dinners are packed with vitamins, protein, and kid-friendly flavors—perfect for growing bodies and busy weeknights. Each recipe is designed to please even the pickiest eaters, with simple ingredients and comforting tastes.

• Crockpot Chicken and Veggie Stew
  This hearty stew combines lean chicken, carrots, potatoes, and peas in a mild, savory broth. It’s a great way to sneak in extra veggies while giving kids a warm and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless and skinless
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup of peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Add carrots, potatoes, peas, and onion.
3. Pour in chicken broth and season with garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Shred the chicken with a fork and stir before serving.

• Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
  A lighter take on classic chili, this version uses ground turkey, beans, tomatoes, and finely chopped veggies. It’s high in protein and fiber, and the mild flavor makes it a kid’s favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground turkey in a skillet over medium heat, then transfer it to the crockpot.
2. Add all other ingredients to the crockpot, stirring to combine.
3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. Stir well before serving and top with shredded cheese or sour cream if desired.

• Vegetable Loaded Pasta Bake
  Whole-grain pasta, marinara sauce, and hidden veggies come together in this meatless slow-cooker dish. It’s cheesy, comforting, and full of goodness—without any complaints from picky eaters.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat pasta, uncooked
• 2 cups of marinara sauce
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Place the uncooked pasta in the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Layer with marinara sauce, zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach.
3. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, until pasta is tender and cheese is melted.

2. Quick and Easy Crockpot Meals for Busy Weeknights

Weeknights can get hectic, but dinner doesn’t have to be stressful. These quick and easy crockpot meals are perfect for busy families who need something warm and ready with minimal effort. Just toss in the ingredients before your day gets going, and by dinnertime, you’ll have a kid-friendly meal ready to serve—no fuss, no mess.

• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sliders
  Juicy shredded chicken slow-cooked in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce served on soft mini buns. These sliders are finger-food fun and always a hit with kids.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 12 mini sandwich buns

Instructions:

1. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot and season with garlic powder and onion powder.
2. Pour BBQ sauce over the chicken.
3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, then shred the chicken with a fork.
4. Serve on mini sandwich buns with additional BBQ sauce if desired.

• Crockpot Mac and Cheese
  Creamy, cheesy, and made with simple pantry staples—this version skips the box and delivers rich flavor with minimal work. It’s comfort food your kids will ask for again and again.

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place uncooked macaroni in the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Add milk, heavy cream, butter, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
3. Top with shredded cheese and season with salt and pepper.
4. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally until creamy.

• One-Pot Crockpot Taco Casserole
  This all-in-one Tex-Mex dish features ground beef, black beans, rice, corn, and melted cheese. It’s hearty, flavorful, and easy to scoop into bowls or serve with tortilla chips.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup rice, uncooked
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 tsp taco seasoning

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground meat in a skillet and add to the crockpot.
2. Stir in rice, black beans, corn, salsa, and taco seasoning.
3. Add 2 cups of water or broth and mix well.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
5. Top with shredded cheese in the last 30 minutes of cooking and serve.

3. Kid-Approved Crockpot Comfort Foods

Comfort food is always a crowd-pleaser, and these kid-approved crockpot comfort foods add a tasty twist to familiar favorites. They’re the perfect way to satisfy hungry bellies with minimal effort—plus, they’re made with ingredients that both kids and adults will enjoy.

• Slow Cooker Meatball Subs
  Tender meatballs simmered in marinara sauce, served on soft sub rolls. These subs are great for sandwich night and offer a mess-free way for kids to enjoy their favorite comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb frozen meatballs
• 2 cups of marinara sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 6 sub rolls
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Place frozen meatballs in the crockpot.
2. Pour marinara sauce over the meatballs and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
4. Serve on sub rolls topped with shredded mozzarella cheese.

• Crockpot Chicken and Rice
  A cozy, simple meal of shredded chicken and buttery rice, slow-cooked to perfection. The mild flavors are ideal for younger kids, and it’s easy to customize with your favorite seasonings.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
• 1 cup white rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Add rice, chicken broth, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until the chicken is tender and the rice is cooked.
4. Shred the chicken and stir it into the rice before serving.

• Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Baby Carrots
  A tender, melt-in-your-mouth pot roast cooked with baby carrots. The soft, flavorful beef and veggies are easy for little ones to chew, and this meal fills the house with irresistible aromas.

Ingredients:

• 3 lb beef roast
• 4 cups beef broth
• 4 cups baby carrots
• 1 onion, quartered
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place the beef roast in the crockpot and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Add beef broth, carrots, and onion.
3. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the beef is tender.
4. Shred the beef and serve with the carrots and broth.

4. Crockpot Recipes for Picky Eaters

Getting picky eaters to try new foods can be a challenge, but these crockpot recipes for picky eaters are a surefire way to please even the most selective little ones. Featuring mild, familiar flavors and comforting textures, these dishes are gentle on the taste buds and full of kid-friendly goodness.

• Crockpot Pizza Casserole
  All the flavors of pizza, but in a casserole form! Layers of pasta, marinara sauce, pepperoni, and melty cheese come together for a dish that feels like a pizza night without the mess. It’s sure to be a hit with kids who love pizza.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pasta, uncooked
• 1 cup pepperoni, sliced
• 2 cups of marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Layer uncooked pasta at the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Add marinara sauce, pepperoni, and Italian seasoning.
3. Top with mozzarella cheese.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until the pasta is tender and the cheese is melted.

• Cheesy Slow Cooker Potatoes and Ham
  Soft, cheesy potatoes combined with chunks of ham make this dish both hearty and easy to eat. The mild flavors and creamy texture make it an ideal choice for younger kids.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups diced potatoes
• 2 cups diced ham
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Layer potatoes and ham in the crockpot.
2. Mix sour cream, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then pour over the potatoes and ham.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
4. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and cook for an additional 30 minutes before serving.

• Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo
  Creamy pasta with a light Alfredo sauce, seasoned just right for little palates. This dish avoids strong spices, making it a great choice for picky eaters who prefer simple and comforting meals.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 12 oz fettuccine pasta, uncooked

Instructions:

1. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot and pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth.
2. Add garlic powder and cook on low for 6 hours.
3. Shred the chicken and stir in the uncooked pasta and Parmesan cheese.
4. Cover and cook on low for an additional 30-45 minutes until the pasta is cooked.

5. Time-Saving Family-Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes

When you need to feed the whole family with minimal effort, these time-saving, family-friendly slow cooker recipes are the way to go. Big-batch meals that can be prepped ahead of time and enjoyed by everyone—whether you’re feeding a crowd or stocking the freezer for later.

• Crockpot Sloppy Joe Mix
  This savory, sweet, sloppy joe mix is perfect for making a big batch to use in sandwiches, over nachos, or even as a topping for baked potatoes. It’s versatile, easy to prepare, and great for feeding a hungry crew.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 1 onion, chopped

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground meat in a skillet and transfer to the crockpot.
2. Add tomato sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and onion to the crockpot.
3. Stir to combine and cook on low for 4 hours.
4. Serve on buns or over rice.

• Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
  Colorful bell peppers are filled with a mixture of rice, ground turkey, and cheese, slow-cooked to perfection. These stuffed peppers are easy to serve and packed with flavor, making them a hit at the dinner table.

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removed
• 1 lb ground turkey or beef
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Cut off the tops of the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
2. Mix ground meat, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning in a bowl.
3. Stuff the peppers with the mixture and place them in the crockpot.
4. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, then top with shredded cheese in the last 30 minutes.

• Crockpot Breakfast-for-Dinner Casserole
  A fun twist on breakfast, this casserole combines eggs, hash browns, and cheese into a comforting meal that’s perfect for any time of day. It’s great for cozy family dinners and is easy to customize with your favorite breakfast ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs, beaten
• 3 cups hash browns
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup diced ham
• 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper

Instructions:

1. Layer hash browns at the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Pour beaten eggs over the hash browns and top with ham, bell pepper, and shredded cheese.
3. Pour milk over the mixture and stir gently.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until the eggs are fully set.

FAQs

1. Can I freeze these crockpot meals for later?

Yes! Many of these crockpot dinner ideas kid friendly can be easily frozen for later use. Dishes like Crockpot Sloppy Joe Mix, Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers, and Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo freeze well. Just make sure to cool the meals completely before transferring them to airtight containers or freezer bags. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply reheat them in the microwave or slow cooker.

2. Are these crockpot recipes healthy for kids?

Absolutely! The recipes included are made with wholesome, nutritious ingredients like lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of vegetables. Dishes like Crockpot Chicken and Veggie Stew and Slow Cooker Turkey Chili are packed with vitamins and fiber, making them great options for growing kids.

3. Can I make these recipes without a slow cooker?

While these recipes are designed for slow cooking, many of them can be adapted for stovetop or oven cooking. For example, you can prepare Crockpot Mac and Cheese on the stovetop by melting the cheese with milk, and Slow Cooker Pot Roast can be cooked in the oven at a low temperature for several hours. However, using a slow cooker is the most convenient and time-saving method.

4. How do I make these recipes more flavorful for adults?

For more grown-up flavors, feel free to add extra spices or seasonings. You can enhance the taste of Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sliders with a dash of cayenne pepper or add a bit of garlic and onion to Crockpot Taco Casserole. Simply adjust the seasonings to your family’s taste preferences.

5. How long can I keep crockpot leftovers?

Leftovers from these crockpot meals can typically be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. If you’re keeping them longer, it’s best to freeze the leftovers to maintain freshness. Be sure to label and date your containers so you know when they were made.

Conclusion

These crockpot dinner ideas kid friendly and are the perfect solution for busy families looking to serve delicious, nutritious, and hassle-free meals. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, these recipes are designed to save you time while ensuring your kids enjoy every bite. From hearty stews to cheesy pasta dishes and comforting casseroles, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for healthy options, picky eater-friendly meals, or big-batch recipes that can feed the whole family, these slow-cooker dishes will make mealtime easier and more enjoyable. So grab your crockpot, get cooking, and enjoy stress-free dinners with your loved ones!