Why dump-and-go soups save your weeknights
A dump-and-go slow cooker soup is the closest thing to a personal chef most of us will ever have. You spend ten or fifteen minutes loading the crockpot in the morning, and by dinnertime the house smells like you cooked all day.
Every recipe in this roundup comes from Fork To Spoon, and every one can be made in a slow cooker. You’ll find cozy chicken soups, crowd-pleasing chilis, creamy potato and tomato soups, and a handful of restaurant copycats from places like Jason’s Deli, Red Lobster, and Culver’s.
A few recipes ask for a quick head start, like browning ground beef or softening onions in a skillet. Where that’s the case, it’s called out so there are no surprises at 7 a.m.
Cozy slow cooker chicken soups
1. Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Chicken, wild rice, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, and seasonings all go into the crock at once. It cooks 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 on high, then you shred the chicken right back into a creamy, nutty soup. It freezes well, too.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
2. Easy Slow Cooker Matzo Ball Soup
The chicken poaches all day in the broth, so it shreds tender and flavors every spoonful. Mix and chill the matzo ball dough while it cooks, then drop the balls in for the final 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Matzo Ball Soup
3. Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken breasts, chopped vegetables, garlic, broth, and thyme go straight into the slow cooker. Shred the chicken near the end, add the dumplings, and let them steam until fluffy.
Get the recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
4. Denny’s Chicken Noodle Soup (Copycat)
This diner-style soup has bite-size chicken, wide egg noodles, and a rich golden broth. For the crockpot, add everything except the noodles, parsley, and lemon and cook on low 6 to 7 hours. Stir in the noodles on high for the last 15 to 20 minutes.
Get the recipe: Denny’s Chicken Noodle Soup
5. Copycat Panera Bread Chicken Noodle Soup
It’s written for the Instant Pot, but the post includes full slow cooker directions. A quick sauté of the vegetables, then the crock does the rest, with egg noodles added at the end.
Get the recipe: Copycat Panera Bread Chicken Noodle Soup
6. Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken Noodle Soup
Tender chicken, egg noodles, and vegetables in a savory broth taste just like a Sunday lunch at Cracker Barrel. Let the broth and chicken simmer all day and add the noodles near the end so they stay tender.
Get the recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken Noodle Soup
7. Bob Evans Chicken Noodle Soup (Copycat)
This homestyle bowl is packed with tender chicken, soft noodles, and a well-seasoned broth. It’s the one to make when someone in the house is feeling under the weather.
Get the recipe: Bob Evans Chicken Noodle Soup
8. Demos Chicken and Rice Soup (Copycat)
A copycat of the famous soup at Demos’ Restaurant, with tender chicken, rice, and vegetables in a savory broth. The recipe notes confirm it works in a slow cooker. Cook the rice separately if you prefer a clearer broth.
Get the recipe: Demos Chicken and Rice Soup
9. Carrabba’s Spicy Sicilian Chicken Soup
Inspired by Mama Mandola’s Chicken Soup, this one has shredded chicken, vegetables, and a kick of Italian spice. Cook the ditalini separately and add it to each bowl, and it’ll freeze well without the pasta.
Get the recipe: Carrabba’s Spicy Sicilian Chicken Soup
10. Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup (Ina Garten-Inspired)
Chicken meatballs, tiny orzo, and spinach simmer in a rich broth finished with fresh dill and lemon. Brown the meatballs first, load the crock, and dinner is ready in about six hours.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup
Set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker chilis
11. Copycat Crockpot Jason’s Deli Chicken Chili
Put the chicken in the bottom of the crock, pile the beans, spices, and everything else on top, and walk away. When it’s done, shred the chicken and stir it back in. Set out sour cream, cheese, and tortilla strips for a chili bar.
Get the recipe: Copycat Crockpot Jason’s Deli Chicken Chili
12. Ruby Tuesday White Chicken Chili (Copycat)
Creamy, cozy, and just spicy enough, with shredded chicken, green chiles, cumin, and chili powder. It cooks on low 6 to 7 hours or high 3 to 4, and it’s even better the next day.
Get the recipe: Ruby Tuesday White Chicken Chili
13. The Best Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili
Ground chicken, white beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, buffalo wing sauce, ranch seasoning, and cream cheese make this a game-day favorite. Plan on about 10 minutes of prep, then 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 to 8 on low.
Get the recipe: Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili
14. Slow Cooker Turkey White Bean Chili
A lighter take on chili, with lean ground turkey and creamy white beans in a spiced broth. It’s a smart pick for meal prep because it freezes very well.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey White Bean Chili
15. Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili
Pork shoulder slow-cooks with beans, tomatoes, and bold spices until it pulls apart into a rich, smoky chili. Trim the excess fat first so the chili doesn’t turn greasy.
Get the recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili
16. Culver’s George’s Chili (Copycat)
This thick, meaty Midwest chili pairs ground beef with dark red kidney beans in a tomato paste and beef broth base. Ladle it into bowls or spoon it over burgers and fries.
Get the recipe: Culver’s George’s Chili
17. McCormick Chili, Crockpot Version
The classic back-of-the-packet chili, plus a crockpot method for game day and an all-day slow cooker method for workdays. For the slow cooker versions, drain and rinse the beans and add a can of tomato sauce.
Get the recipe: McCormick Chili Recipe
Creamy potato, tomato, and squash soups
18. Red Lobster Bacon Potato Soup (Copycat)
Tender potatoes, bacon, and a velvety cheesy broth, all made in the crockpot. It cooks 6 to 7 hours on low or 3 to 4 on high. Cook the bacon separately so it stays crisp, and mash a few potatoes in the pot to thicken it naturally.
Get the recipe: Red Lobster Bacon Potato Soup
19. McAlister’s Potato Soup (Copycat)
Loaded with potatoes, melty cheese, and smoky bacon, this copycat comes with a dedicated crockpot method. Crisp the bacon in a skillet first and set it aside for topping.
Get the recipe: McAlister’s Potato Soup
20. Eat N Park Potato Soup (Copycat)
A creamy, comforting potato soup inspired by the Pittsburgh-area favorite. Mash some of the potatoes for a thicker bowl, and serve it with crusty bread for dipping.
Get the recipe: Eat N Park Potato Soup
21. Copycat Jason’s Deli Tomato Soup
Carrots, onions, garlic, tomato paste, and whole tomatoes make a rich, velvety base. Sauté the vegetables first, then cook on low 4 to 5 hours or high 2 to 3. Blend and stir in the cream at the end.
Get the recipe: Copycat Jason’s Deli Tomato Soup
22. Copycat Nordstrom Tomato Basil Soup
The famous department store café soup, silky and slightly sweet. The post gives Instant Pot, slow cooker, and stovetop directions with the same ingredient amounts, so pick whatever fits your day.
Get the recipe: Copycat Nordstrom Tomato Basil Soup
23. Easy Ina Garten Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash, carrots, apple, and herbs slow-cook into a silky fall soup. Sauté the onions and garlic first for that classic Ina depth, then let the crock do the rest.
Get the recipe: Easy Ina Garten Butternut Squash Soup
Hearty beef and meatball soups
24. Easy Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup (Culver’s Copycat)
All the flavor of stuffed peppers with none of the stuffing. Browned ground beef, bell peppers, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth cook 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 on high. Stir in cooked rice about 20 minutes before serving so it doesn’t get mushy.
Get the recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup
25. Easy Slow Cooker Meatball Vegetable Soup
This is the truest dump-and-go recipe on the list. Frozen meatballs, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, green beans, and corn go straight into a savory tomato broth, no thawing or browning needed. Mash a few potatoes before serving if you like it thicker.
Get the recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Meatball Vegetable Soup
