Easy Weekend Crockpot Meals for Busy Moms

As a busy mom, it can be hard to find the time and energy to make yummy meals for your family every week. But with the help of a crockpot, you can easily whip up some delicious meals for your family without taking too much precious time or energy.

This post will share four easy and delicious weekend crockpot meals that will make your family’s mouths water. From hearty soups to slow-cooked stews, these recipes will surely be family favorites. Plus, they’re all easy to prep, leaving you with more time to spend with your family and rest. So, let’s get cooking!

Crockpot Meal #1: Lentil & Vegetable Soup

This hearty soup is full of vegetables and lentils, making it a healthy option for the whole family. It’s easy to assemble in the morning and will be ready to eat by dinner time. Serve it with crusty bread or crackers for an even more filling meal. 

Ingredients 

• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1 onion, diced 
• 1 bell pepper, diced 
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin 
• 8 cups vegetable stock 
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes 
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced 
• 2 stalks celery, diced 
• 2 cups dried green lentils 
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt 
• Freshly ground black pepper 
• Juice of 1 lime (optional)
• Electric can opener

Directions 

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook until softened and beginning to brown, while occasionally stirring for about 5 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and cumin; stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker insert. 
2. Pour in vegetable stock and diced tomatoes (after opening with an electric can opener); stir with a wooden spoon until combined. Add carrots, celery, and lentils; season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together until combined. Place the lid on top of the slow cooker insert; cook on low for 6-8 hours or until lentils are tender and vegetables are cooked. 
3. Stir in the lime juice (if used), taste, and adjust the seasoning before serving. Ladle soup into bowls or mugs and serve warm. Enjoy!  

Crockpot Meal #2: Beef & Mushroom Stew 

This beef stew is full of nutritious vegetables like carrots and potatoes, as well as mushrooms, for an added punch of flavor! This comforting stew can simmer away in the crockpot while you’re out running errands or at work, then it’s ready when you walk through the door hungry! 

Ingredients 

• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 2 pounds stew beef, cubed 
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)  
• 4 cloves garlic, minced  
• 1 onion, diced  
• 8 ounces baby portobello mushrooms, sliced  
• ¼ cup tomato paste  
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce  
• ½ cup red wine (optional)  
• 3-4 carrots, peeled and sliced into coins  
• 3 stalks celery, diced  
• 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed 
• 3 cups beef stock  
• ½ teaspoon thyme leaves, dried  
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons cold water

Directions   

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; season beef cubes with salt and pepper to taste before adding them to the pan. Cook beef cubes until browned all over, occasionally stirring, about 8 minutes; transfer them to the slow cooker insert once they’re browned on all sides.    
2. Reduce heat on skillet to medium; add garlic and onion, then cook until softened and beginning to brown, occasionally stirring, about 5 minutes total. Transfer mixture to crockpot insert, then add mushrooms; cook until softened, about 3 more minutes before transferring them.    
3. To the slow cooker insert, add tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and red wine (if desired) and season once again with salt and pepper as needed. Stir everything together; nestle carrots, celery, and potatoes beneath liquid in the crockpot. Pour beef stock over the top as well as thyme leaves. Place the lid on top then cook the stew on low for 6-8 hours or until vegetables are tender and meat is cooked through completely.    
4. Once the stew is finished cooking, turn the slow cooker off, then remove the lid carefully before stirring in a slurry made with the cornstarch and cold water, using a spoon or whisk. Stir the mixture until thickened, then taste the stew before adjusting the seasoning once again as needed per personal preference. Serve it warm with crusty bread on the side and enjoy your own homemade weekend meal!   

Crockpot Meal #3: BBQ Pulled Chicken   

This BBQ pulled chicken will have your family coming back for seconds! The crockpot does all the work, so all you need to do is shred and serve with coleslaw or your favorite sides — no mess necessary!   

Ingredients   

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts   
• 1 tablespoon olive oil   
• 2 cloves garlic, minced   
• ¼ cup sugar-free BBQ sauce   
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar   
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste   
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika   
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)   

Directions    

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil before adding garlic. Cook the garlic until fragrant, stirring occasionally. Transfer the garlic mixture to a crockpot insert containing chicken breasts. 
2. Add BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and freshly ground black pepper to the crockpot. Stir everything together before placing the lid on the insert. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Shred the chicken with two forks and stir. Serve with a cooked grain or on a sandwich and enjoy!

Crockpot Meal #4: Sweet & Sour Pork    

This sweet & sour pork is marinated overnight before going into the crockpot so that it comes out super flavorful! Serve it over steamed rice or noodles with fresh green onions — it’s the perfect weekend dinner without much work.     

Ingredients     

• ½ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup chicken broth     
• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• ¼ cup honey     
• 4 cloves garlic, minced     
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger     
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil     
• 2 pounds pork chops or tenderloin cut into cubes     
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)     
• 2 tablespoons olive oil     
• ½ cup pineapple chunks     
• ¼ cup green onions, sliced thin       

Directions      

1. Mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil in the crockpot insert. 
2. Season pork cubes or chops with salt and pepper. Add the pineapple chunks and seasoned pork cubes or chops to the crockpot; cook, covered, on low for 6-8 hours or until the meat is tender.

Conclusion

There you have it — four easy and delicious weekend crockpot meals! With just a few hours of prep and some basic ingredients, you can have a hot, flavorful meal waiting for you when you get home. Plus, with these recipes, your family will ask for seconds every time! So don’t wait any longer — grab your crockpot and start cooking some tasty weekend meals for the family now!