When your small slow cooker is doing the heavy lifting, dinnertime feels downright effortless, and our readers can’t get enough of it. From cozy stews that gently bubble away while you work to “set‑it‑and‑forget‑it” chicken dinners that taste like Sunday supper without the fuss, Pull out your 2 to 3‑quart slow cooker, grab a handful of everyday staples, and let’s dig into the dishes you’ve told me are absolute keepers.
Small Slow Cooker Dinner Ideas
Need dinner to practically cook itself? These small slow cooker recipes turn everyday ingredients into comforting, small‑batch meals that bubble away while you get on with life.
Swiss Steak for One
Small Slow Cooker Swiss Steak is one of those easy classic recipes, made with tender slices of sirloin simmered in a savory tomato and onion infused sauce.
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Chipotle Chicken Dinner
Tender chicken and black beans simmer in bold chipotle salsa for an easy, flavorful dinner for one.
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Balsamic Chicken for One
A small slow cooker meal that’s tangy, tender, and perfect when you want something comforting without the leftovers.
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Small Slow Cooker Creole Chicken
Made with tender chicken breasts, aromatic vegetables, and a warm kick of Creole seasoning, this dish simmers into a hearty, comforting meal that tastes like it took all day.
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Single Serving Chicken Enchilada
Rotisserie chicken makes this a fast, slow cooker recipe made for one. HWith minimal prep and hands-off cooking, this casserole brings big flavor with hardly any fuss.
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Tuscan Tortellini Stew
This creamy Slow Cooker Tuscan Tortellini Stew will have your mouth watering from the first bite to the last!
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Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce
This is the same recipe I brought back from Italy, I adapted my classic marinara sauce for the slow cooker.
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Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
With 5 simple ingredients, this sweet and savory chicken recipe is one of my favorites and I hope yours also.
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Spicy Small Batch Chili
A spicy Chili recipe that's easy to throw together and a classic comfort food meal. You can adjust the recipe with a few extra spices or substitutions to create your personal best chili recipe.
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Single Serving Stuffed Bell Pepper Dinner
Skip the rice with this cozy slow cooker recipe that’s satisfying, simple, and perfectly portioned.
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Small Batch Tasty Slow Cooker Short Ribs Beef Stew
Succulent and tender beef paired with the complex flavors of the parsnips and carrots, this stew is nothing short of amazing!
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Small Batch Moroccan Chicken Stew
This stew is filled with flavors that meld together nicely for a delicate fragrant mix of sweet and spicy. Full of deep flavors with spices, tender apricots, and succulent chicken.
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Ham Steak & Sauerkraut
Ham Steak recipe with sauerkraut is full of flavor with a hint of sweetness from the apples and brown sugar glaze.
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Small Slow Cooker Desserts
Rich, silky fudge and a creamy small‑size cheesecake come together with almost zero effort. Flip the switch, walk away, and return to two decadent treats that taste like you spent all day in the kitchen.
Mini Slow Cooker Cheesecake
This mini slow cooker cheesecake features a buttery graham cracker crust topped with a smooth, rich filling of cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla. I
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Small Slow Cooker Fudge Recipe
Creamy Fudge is a decadent and indulgent tasty treat. This Small Slow Cooker Fudge recipe is so simple to make you are going to wonder why you haven’t done this sooner. A traditional homemade fudge takes more effort and this recipe is as close to my as it gets.
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Small Slow Cooker Sides
Mix and match these easy side dishes for a light dinner.
Slow Cooker Cornbread
This slow cooker cornbread recipe bakes up perfectly in a 2 or 3-quart slow cooker and is ready in just over an hour. Moist and delicious with a hint of sweetness.
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Small Slow Cooker Rice Recipe with Cilantro and Lime
Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is the perfect for tacos, burritos, or simply want a refreshing side for grilled chicken, this cilantro lime rice adds vibrant freshness with minimal effort.
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Small Batch Slow Cooker Collard Greens
Slow cooker collard greens, is a classic Southern dish. Cooking the greens low and slow will develop that deep flavor and wonderful pot liquor (broth) of a classic collard greens recipe. Perfect for the 2-quart slow cooker.
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Slow Cooker Cabbage
Transform a humble head of cabbage into a delicious and comforting dish with this easy 2-quart slow cooker cabbage recipe. Slice the cabbage, toss it with some aromatic spices, and cook slowly until it’s tender and infused with flavor.
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