20 Back-to-School Dinners From Your Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork for Tacos

Tacos are one of the fastest weeknight dinners, but you can make it even faster by letting the pork cook while you're at work and the kids are at school. When you get home, shred the pork, and put out toppings and tortillas for everyone to make their own. That leaves plenty of time for homework.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Rave Review: "Even the PICKIEST kids will eat this! My kids love this dish! It's super easy and very tasty!" — Holly Shattuck

Slow Cooker French Onion Pork Chops

This easy slow cooker dinner requires just four ingredients (plus salt and pepper), which means you may well soon be a back-pocket dinner, one you always have in the ready, for every week's meal plan. Swap up the sides to keep things interesting.

• 15 Best Side Dishes for Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Rave Review: "This recipe was great. It was easy and fast to prepare. My son asked if I could make this every night so I call it a winner." — KITTIE

Slow Cooker Pineapple-Teriyaki Pork Chops

Start these tart, tangy pork chops at lunch, and they'll be juicy, tender, and perfect for the whole family at dinner. A tropical-inspired side like Pineapple-Lime Rice is the perfect option for a side.

• 15 Quick and Easy Side Dish Salad Recipes

Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff

Rave Review: "My nieces (ages 10 and 14) can be VERY picky so I was careful to choose something to make that I thought might please their palates. Well — winner, winner, chicken dinner! This was a huge hit with everybody!" — Jersey Tomato

Slow Cooker Vegan Leek and Potato Soup

Rich, creamy, and filling on a cool night, this slow cooker potato soup is made without animal products if someone at your table has given up meat or dairy, but it's so decadent even meat eaters will want to lick the bowl.

• More Slow Cooker Soups

Slow Cooker Sausage with Sauce

Rave Review: "This recipe went over well with the entire family. This recipe is definitely going to be on the rotation with our family. It's very rare that I am actually able to find a recipe that everyone enjoys." — Girlyone123

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili

Shake up your basic meat-rich chili with this plant-based one. Consider this slow cooker chili a starting point; add any ingredients you think will work and please your family. Allrecipes cook Steph, who took this photo, added corn, which is a fine idea.

• 16 Side Dishes That Go Great With Chili

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Rave Review: "My family loves this dish — even my very picky 15-year-old considers it one of his favorites. We make it about twice a month." — goneabroad71

Slow Cooker Mojo Pork

If you prep dinners and lunch on Sundays before the week turns hectic, put this pork butt roast into the marinade, and then Monday morning, crank up the slow cooker to let it cook while you're away. Broiling the pork just before serving creates crispy bits reminiscent of classic mojo pork.

Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Rave Review: "Delicious! whole family loved it. I will be making it again & again!" — CBrow

Slow Cooker Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

This meatball recipe is quick and great to make on a weekend and store for dinner later in the week. Use the meatballs with pasta, or stuff them into Italian bread for a quick sub.

Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

Rave Review: "My kids love this and ask for it weekly." — BTang

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Rave Review: "This was surprisingly good. I added an extra tbs of brown sugar because I didn't think it was sweet enough. I checked the chicken in 2.5 hours and it was done. It was so easy to make this. Thanks you for sharing your recipe." — Yoly

Laura's Quick Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Rave Review: "This is wonderful! Just the right amount of "heat" to it and very filling. Even my four-year-old daughter loved it." — lala3237

Charley's Slow Cooker Mexican Style Meat

Burritos, tacos, quesadillas — there's no wrong way to use this tender, flavorful meat. If you're sensitive to heat, scale back on the hot sauce and let each person add a few drops of their own.

Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken II

Rave Review: "I have used this recipe for a long time and I love it. Delicious over angel hair mixed with olive oil and fresh ground salt and pepper. My kids who are 3 and 5 love this chicken too!" — smorehead

Slow Cooker Lasagna

Rave Review: "This is such a hit! I have made it several times before and people always ask for the recipe." — ANGELAGRANT

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Meat Loaf

Rave Review: "This turned out great! I had my reservations that it would hold together, but it did! Next time, I'll use foil in the bottom as others suggested." — KelliontheCoast

• More Slow Cooker Dinners