Cooking dinner after a long day can feel like one more task on an already full list. Standing at the stove, watching the clock, and figuring out what to make only adds to the stress. These 39 Crockpot and Instant Pot dinner recipes help take that pressure off by doing most of the work on their own. Add the ingredients, let the pot cook, and get back to your evening while a hot, satisfying meal handles itself.
Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Beer Cheese Soup
This soup cooks smoothly in the Instant Pot while the cheese melts into a thick and creamy base. The mix of beer and cheese creates a filling dinner that feels rich without needing extra steps. It’s one of those easy dinner recipes that saves your evening by handling the cooking for you.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup
French Onion Soup
Onions soften and deepen in flavor in the Instant Pot while the broth cooks steadily on its own. Toasted bread and melted cheese turn it into a satisfying dinner without standing at the stove. This is a classic example of a delicious Instant Pot dinner recipe that saves your evening with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli cheddar soup cooks quickly in the Instant Pot while the cheese melts into a smooth and creamy texture. Tender broccoli makes it filling enough for a full dinner without extra sides. This is an easy Instant Pot dinner recipe that practically cooks itself and keeps nights simple.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Crockpot Chili
Chili cooks slowly in the crockpot while meat, beans, and spices blend together all day. Dinner is ready when the day winds down with no extra work needed. This is one of those crockpot dinner recipes that saves your evening by doing all the cooking for you.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken cooks gently in a rich tomato sauce while the Instant Pot manages the heat and timing. The flavors develop fully without needing constant attention at the stove. This is a reliable Instant Pot dinner recipe that cooks itself and delivers a bold and filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala
Tomato Lime Chicken
Chicken cooks quickly in the Instant Pot while tomatoes and lime create a bright and flavorful sauce. The meat stays juicy and works well over rice, in tacos, or on simple plates. This is a fast and easy Instant Pot dinner recipe that saves your evening with very little effort.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Chickpeas and tomatoes cook together into a thick and satisfying soup inside the Instant Pot. The pot handles everything while dinner comes together on its own. This is an easy dinner recipe that cooks itself and still feels hearty and filling.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Chicken cooks quickly in the Instant Pot while lemon and garlic create a simple and savory sauce. The pot takes care of the timing, so there’s no need to watch it closely. This is one of those Instant Pot dinner recipes that saves your evening by keeping prep and cleanup low.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken
Shredded BBQ Chicken
BBQ chicken cooks fast in the Instant Pot while soaking up smoky and sweet flavor. The meat shreds easily for sandwiches, bowls, or simple dinners. This hands-off Instant Pot dinner recipe makes busy nights easier and more filling.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Lentils and vegetables soften perfectly in the Instant Pot with almost no attention needed. The soup becomes hearty and balanced while the pot does the work. This is a simple Instant Pot dinner recipe that practically cooks itself and works well on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Tomato Soup
This soup cooks smoothly in the Instant Pot and develops deep flavor in just minutes. The tomatoes blend into a rich and satisfying base that feels homemade without extra steps. This is a classic Instant Pot dinner recipe that saves your evening by keeping cooking simple and hands-off.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken, beans, and corn cook together in the Instant Pot to form a hearty and filling soup. The flavors come together while the pot runs on its own with very little attention needed. This is an easy Instant Pot dinner recipe that cooks itself and works well for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Garlic roast pork cooks slowly in the crockpot until the meat turns tender and full of flavor. Prep takes only a few minutes before the slow cooker handles the rest of the day. This is a dependable crockpot dinner recipe that saves your evening and delivers a filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Carnitas
Pork cooks in the Instant Pot until it becomes tender, juicy, and easy to shred. The meat works well for tacos, bowls, or simple plates without extra prep. This is a flexible Instant Pot dinner recipe that cooks itself and makes weeknights easier.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup
Potatoes soften quickly in the Instant Pot while the soup thickens into a creamy and filling dinner. The cooking happens without constant stirring or extra steps. This is an easy Instant Pot dinner recipe that saves your evening while still feeling hearty.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup
Chicken Curry
Chicken cooks gently in a creamy coconut sauce while the Instant Pot manages the heat and timing. The flavors develop fully without needing attention at the stove. This is a reliable Instant Pot dinner recipe that cooks itself and delivers a rich and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
Ribs cook until tender in the Instant Pot with far less effort than traditional methods. The pot locks in flavor while freeing up time for the rest of the evening. This is an Instant Pot dinner recipe that practically cooks itself and still feels special.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
Slow Cooker Pork Chili
Pork chili cooks slowly in the crockpot while flavors deepen on their own. Everything simmers together without needing stirring or checking. This is a hearty crockpot dinner recipe that saves your evening and fills everyone up.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chili
Chicken and Rice Soup
Chicken, rice, and vegetables cook together in the Instant Pot with very little prep needed. The pot manages the timing and heat while the flavors blend naturally into a warm, satisfying meal. This is a reliable dinner recipe that practically cooks itself, giving a filling, comforting meal without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup
Pulled Pork
Pulled pork cooks in the Instant Pot until the meat turns tender and easy to shred. It works well for sandwiches, tacos, or simple dinners without extra effort. This is a hands-off Instant Pot dinner recipe that saves your evening and feeds a crowd easily.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Perfect Pot Roast
This pot roast cooks slowly until the beef becomes tender and full of rich flavor alongside potatoes, carrots, and herbs. Everything simmers together in the slow cooker or pressure cooker while dinner takes care of itself from start to finish. The result is a filling and comforting meal that feels homemade without needing much hands-on time.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Pot Roast
Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast
This Italian-style pot roast cooks low and slow until the meat turns soft and easy to pull apart. Tomatoes, herbs, and vegetables simmer together while the cooker handles the timing on its own. It’s a hearty dinner that works just as well for busy weeknights as it does for relaxed evenings.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast
Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
This Mexican beef cooks slowly until it becomes tender and packed with deep flavor. The beef is tucked into masa cups, which makes serving simple and keeps everything neat on the plate. It’s a filling dinner that stays easy from prep through cleanup on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
Chicken Paprikash
Chicken paprikash cooks in the pressure cooker with a creamy paprika sauce that coats the tender chicken. The cooker manages the heat and timing while the sauce thickens without extra work. This creates a comforting dinner that feels rich while staying simple to make on a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash
Meatballs and Sauce
These meatballs cook gently in sauce while the pressure cooker does all the work. There’s no need to stand at the stove or stir constantly while dinner comes together on its own. This hands-off meal works well with pasta, bread, or simple sides for an easy night.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
This risotto cooks smoothly in the pressure cooker without constant stirring or watching the pot. The rice absorbs flavor while peas and lemon keep the dish fresh and balanced. It’s a comforting dinner that feels special while still fitting into a busy schedule.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Potato Corn Chowder
This potato corn chowder cooks quickly in the pressure cooker and turns into a creamy, satisfying meal. Potatoes, corn, and bacon blend into a rich broth that tastes like a full dinner. The hands-off cooking makes it easy to handle other tasks while it finishes.
Get the Recipe: Potato Corn Chowder
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Tender chicken and soft noodles cook together in the pressure cooker with very little effort. Everything goes into the pot, and dinner takes care of itself while you step away. It’s one of those easy meals that feels homemade without needing constant attention.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops
These pork chops cook slowly until they turn tender and easy to cut with a fork. The slow cooker handles the long cooking time while the flavors build without extra steps. This makes a dependable dinner that fills plates and keeps effort low.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops
Instant Pot Chicken Stew
This chicken stew cooks in the pressure cooker with tender meat, soft vegetables, and simple herbs. Most of the cooking happens without attention while the flavors come together naturally. It’s a hearty and comforting meal that works well for weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stew
Beef Stew Goulash
This beef stew goulash cooks quickly in the pressure cooker while the meat turns soft and juicy. The broth and spices create a filling dinner without hours at the stove. It’s a simple meal that delivers deep flavor with very little hands-on time.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stew Goulash
Char Siu
Char siu cooks in the pressure cooker, so the meat stays juicy without heating up the kitchen. The pork finishes with a quick crisp step that adds flavor without much extra effort. It’s an easy dinner that also works well for leftovers later in the week.
Get the Recipe: Char Siu
Slow Cooker Butternut Soup
This butternut soup cooks slowly until it becomes smooth, creamy, and full of flavor. The slow cooker allows the soup to develop richness on its own with very little prep. It makes a warm and satisfying dinner that fits easily into busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Butternut Soup
German Pork Loin
This pork loin cooks slowly until the meat becomes tender, juicy, and easy to slice, soaking up all the flavors from the seasonings and herbs. The slow cooker handles the timing and temperature while the flavors develop on their own without any extra work. The result is a dependable, satisfying dinner that fills plates and feels hearty without being complicated.
Get the Recipe: German Pork Loin
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas
These chicken enchiladas cook slowly until the meat turns tender and easy to shred. The sauce, tortillas, and cheese come together while the cooker does the heavy lifting. It’s a bold and filling dinner that stays simple from start to finish.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
This minestrone soup cooks quickly in the pressure cooker with vegetables and beans simmering together. The flavors develop while the pot handles the cooking without extra steps. It’s a balanced and filling dinner that works well on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
This pepper steak cooks all day until the beef turns tender and soaks up all the rich flavors from the sauce. The peppers and onions soften perfectly while the sauce thickens naturally, all without needing any hands-on attention. It’s an easy, satisfying dinner that feels complete and hearty when served over rice, noodles, or even on its own.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
This honey garlic chicken cooks quickly in the pressure cooker until the meat stays juicy and coated in sauce. The sweet and savory glaze comes together while the pot handles the timing. It’s a fast dinner that tastes bold without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
This chicken adobo cooks quickly in the pressure cooker while the sauce turns rich and glossy. The chicken becomes tender as the flavors blend without constant watching. It’s a comforting dinner that feels classic while staying easy for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo