5 Easy Slow Cooker Meals for Busy Families with Preschoolers

If your fall schedule is filling up quickly, a little dinner planning with slow cooker meals can make busy evenings easier. Slow cooker meals shift the prep work to earlier in the day, so you can spend more of your evening keeping up with your preschooler and enjoying time together as a family. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite easy, kid-approved slow cooker meal recipes that are perfect for a crisp fall evening.

Our Top 5 Slow Cooker Meals

With so many savory dishes to choose from, we narrowed it down to these top five slower cooker meals for preschool families. 

Creamy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

A classic that’s loved by kids and parents alike, this creamy mac and cheese recipe from Girl Versus Dough is easy to put together with simple ingredients you may already have on hand. Get your little one involved by letting them help measure kid-friendly ingredients like salt, butter and shredded cheese.

Easy Crockpot Italian Meatballs

A family favorite for a reason, spaghetti and meatballs is a comforting go-to for busy weeknights. This slow cooker Italian meatball recipe from Plated Cravings makes it easy to get a hearty meal on the table with less time spent in the kitchen. For an extra time-saving tip, double the homemade marinara sauce and freeze half to have on hand for your next spaghetti night.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole

A recipe sure to get tummies rumbling, this slow cooker chicken enchilada casserole from Real Food Whole Life delivers all the delicious flavor of enchiladas with less time and effort in the kitchen. Ready in just 4 hours, it’s a flavorful, family-friendly meal that’s just as delicious reheated the next day. Even better, many of the ingredients can go straight from the can into the slow cooker, making prep quick and easy.

Savory Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup

Cheeseburgers are a favorite with many preschoolers, so this cheeseburger soup from Slow Cooker Gourmet is sure to be a hit. It has all the savory flavors of the beloved sandwich, plus vegetables like carrots and celery for an extra boost of nutrition. And because the leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months, you can tuck some away for an easy winter meal when you need it most.

Crock Pot Pizza Casserole

Pizza night just got a little easier! For busy weeknights, this crock pot pizza casserole from Eating on a Dime is a tasty, budget-friendly alternative to ordering delivery. Let your little one pick out their favorite pizza toppings, turning dinner into a fun activity they can help make their own. With minimal prep required, it’s an easy way to bring a little extra fun to the dinner table.

Other Ideas To Keep Slow Cooker Meals Easy

Keep the fall cooking fun with more family-friendly recipes that give your preschooler a chance to help in the kitchen. If you’re craving more slow cooker meal ideas, check out these additional suggestions: 

• The 99 Slow-Cooker Recipes I Pull From When I’ve Got No Time For Hands-On Cooking
• 35 Slow Cooker Recipes to Make Right Now
• 101 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes To Make in Your Crock Pot®
• 25 Dump-and-Go Slow Cooker Dinners for Busy Families

And if you’re looking for more ways to make busy family life a little easier, subscribe to Family Dispatch, DPP’s bilingual monthly newsletter, for practical family tips, upcoming events, ways to save on preschool and helpful resources for Denver families.