Smaller Crock Pot Recipe Roundup

Give that smaller crock pot some love with one of these 35 easy everyday recipes. All with easy to follow step by step photo instructions.

Table of Contents

Crock Pots
Italian Recipes
Tex Mex Recipes
Chinese Recipes
Chili Recipes
Soup Recipes
Main Dishes/BBQ/Mac and Cheese
Candy and Dessert Recipes

Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

Introduction

Welcome to my collection of recipes for smaller crock pots. While I'm aiming for the 3-4 quart crockpots, all my recipes can be adjusted in the recipe card for a different number of servings for other size crock pots.

Please enjoy this collection and pin the graphic at the bottom of the page for rapid access, I have provided a Jump Index to get you where you want to go on this long page.

Crock Pots

A crock pot will make your life easier, but in a smaller household, large six to seven-quart crock pots are just too big for common use. You only have so much freezer space.

The tiny 1-2 quart crock pots are not very useful. Even when cooking for one, the maximum amount you can make seems out of proportion to the work involved. A slightly bigger crock pot in the 3-4 quart range will be a more useful tool and offer a few leftovers so needed on smaller households.

A 3-4 quart crock pots are "just right" most of the time in a smaller household. Many are super cheap, but remember, you will have this for years so spend a few dollars more and get one you can keep and use. I have the one I use in The Cooking for Two Shop if you are interested.

Italian Recipes

I love Italian, and you can check out all the Italian recipes in the Italian Catagory, but there are the ones I specifically make in smaller crock pots. The first is one of my favorite recipes on the entire blog.

Crock Pot Baked Ziti

Fire up the crock pot for some of the best baked ziti you will ever eat. You may confuse it with great lasagna. With no precooking of the pasta, you will love this recipe.

Crock Pot Pizza Casserole

Crock pot pizza casserole is a delicious and easy dinner recipe the whole family will love. Use your favorite pizza toppings with uncooked pasta and pantry ingredients to make crock pot pizza perfect for you.

Crock Pot Chicken Pasta with Marinara

Super easy and extra tasty, this cheesy crock pot chicken pasta recipe uses raw chicken, dry pasta, and homemade marinara sauce. Dump it all in your crock pot, and it will all cook at the same time for a great family dinner.

Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Classic Italian Chicken Cacciatore is a family-friendly, easy dinner recipe. Made in a crock pot, the chicken comes out moist, fall-apart tender, and packed with taste. Your home will have a wonderful aroma of tomatoes and peppers all day long.

Tex Mex Recipes

The Tex-Mex section may be out of proportion to the others, mainly due to my love for Tex-Mex foods and tastes. Just because we are cooking for smaller households, we can still have great taste.

Here are the Tex Mex recipes I cook in a smaller crock pot, but you can see all the recipes in the Tex Mex Catagory.

Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This is the easiest Chicken Enchilada Casserole you will ever make. Using fresh chicken and your own homemade sauce, you get some of the best Mexican you will ever enjoy. Plus it is healthy with 7 gr of fat and less than 300 calories per serving.

chicken enchilada casserole on blue plate

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

With only three ingredients, a crock pot, and 5 minutes of prep, you can make delicious shredded chicken tacos or nachos. So simple, cheap, and healthy, you will repeat this recipe over and over.

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

Delicious crockpot chicken fajitas have all those great fajita flavors but none of the work. A simple dump and cook recipe for an excellent easy Mexican dinner. Let the crockpot do the work and skip any marinading or sauteing.

made up Chicken Fajitas with cheese on gray plate

Crock Pot Mexican Shredded Beef

Homemade great shredded beef tacos, nachos or burritos with almost no work. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.

Cheesy Crock Pot Chicken Casserole - Tex Mex Style

This Cheesy Crock Pot Chicken Casserole is bursting with great Tex-Mex spices. It is too easy to be this good. Plus, it is lower in fat and calories, so it will fit many diet types.

Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken

Feast chicken is a great combination of Mexican flavors with chicken, black beans, and corn. Make burritos, a taste Mexican bowl, or use it on nachos, salads, or rice. Only a few minutes of active work will get you a dinner to remember.

Chinese Recipes

Yes, Chinese food is great in a crock pot. Here are my specific smaller crock pot recipes but you will find all my Chinese recipes in the Chinese Catagory. Remember, all recipes card are easy to adjust the ingredients for the number of servings you want.

Crock Pot Cashew Chicken

An amazing slow cooker Chinese meal that is better than takeout! Tender breaded chicken in a sauce loaded with great flavor. And the cashews to top off this Chinese classic.

Image of Cashew Chicken on rice and a gray plate

Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Breast

Cooked in a thick Asian glaze, this honey garlic chicken breast recipe uses skinless boneless chicken breasts to make a healthy fall-apart tender, easy dinner to combine with rice and vegetables.

Crock Pot Chinese Boneless Pork Ribs

These crock pot Chinese boneless pork ribs are tender and tasty for that simple casual dining meal. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.

Chili Recipes

Chili is great in a crock pot. The first two are specifically for smaller crock pots and two of the best chilis you will ever make. The next two are very simple to cut in half. Check out all the great chili recipes in the Chili Catagory.

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

The ultimate dump-and-go crock pot white chicken chili recipe only needs five ingredients. Only 10 minutes prep and shredded chicken, white beans, pepper jack cheese, and some salsa will get your new favorite chili. Scaled-down for a smaller crock pot or adjust the amount to your needs.

White Chicken Chili on a spoon over bowl

Healthy Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

Originally named "Low-Fat High-Taste" chicken chili by my wife, this healthy dinner has everything you want in great white bean chicken chili. It is dump-and-go easy with a wonderful mellow taste with just the right touch of heat.

Low Fat Crock Pot Chicken Chili on a spoon

All chili recipes are easy to cut in half, but these two are the most popular popular on the blog and are very simple to adjust down.

Crock Pot Chili

Super easy to make and one of the best homemade chilies you will ever have. This versatile chili is perfect in a smaller crock pot and can easily be adjusted to your taste and needs.

Stew Meat Chili

Super easy dump and go chunky stew meat chili. Also known as Chili Con Carne—think of it as almost Texas chili but with beans. Make is smaller chili con carne recipe in your crock pot or on the stovetop for an excellent chili bursting with flavor.

Soup Recipes

Like Chili recipes, soup is just great in a crock pot. These three are designed for the smaller crock pot. Check out all the great soups in the Soup Catagory. Remember, all recipes cards are easy to adjust the ingredients for the number of servings you want.

Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup

Five minutes prep then do something else for two hours. You will have some great soup shortly after getting back with these easy to follow step by step photo instructions.

Chicken Noodle Soup

This simple classic chicken noodle soup can be made in a crock pot or on the stovetop—get great homemade taste with this Betty Crocker inspired recipe. Bring on the cold weather; I'm ready now.

Crock Pot French Onion Soup

Classic French onion soup features beefy broth loaded with caramelized onions topped with crusty bread and melted cheese. Elegant comfort food made ridiculously easy with your slow cooker. Perfect for a small crock pot or double to make the family size.

French Onion in a bowl covered with browned cheese

Crock Pot Beef Barley Soup

This hearty beef barley soup recipe has chunks of tender beef and vegetable with plump and tender barley. This easy comfort food only needs a few minutes of preparation, and your slow cooker will do the rest.

ladel of beef barley soup over a full crock pot

Main Dishes/BBQ/Mac and Cheese

Here is a variety of there smaller crock pot recipes from a variety of categories. There is BBQ, Casseroles, Pork Chops, and Mac and Cheese

Smaller Crock Pot Honey Glazed Ham

Crock pot honey glazed ham recipe is one of the easiest recipes you will ever make—a great holiday main dish for a smaller household or as a second meat at the large feast.

slices of ham with pineapple on white plater

Crock Pot French Dip

An easy recipe for crock pot French dip sandwiches that are melt in your mouth tender and bursting with a wonderful flavor. Topped with cheese and dipped in au jus, it is a casual dining delight.

image of a French dip sandwich with dip on a gray plate.

Crock Pot Apple Pork Chops

Apple pork chops are the perfect fall meal and so easy in a crock pot. Just follow these simple step by step photo instructions.

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken

This is one of the easiest recipes ever—tasty BBQ chicken in under 4 hours. Great for family gatherings and parties or just when you want to be lazy for an easy family dinner.

a shredded BBQ chicken sandwich on a white plate

Easy Crock Pot Shredded Pork Tenderloin

Think of it as a smaller size crock pot version of pulled pork. Moist and tender, this shredded BBQ pork tenderloin is seasoned with a few spices and only takes a few hours in a crock pot. Super easy for even a beginner with these step-by-step photo instructions.

Easy Crock Pot Pork Chops with Gravy

Fall apart tender pork chops smothered in green pepper and gravy. It makes your mouth water. Nothing is more comforting than pork chops with gravy—all without cans of soup or envelopes of chemicals.

pork chop on white plate with pepper and gravy

Creamy Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

A creamy, tasty mac and cheese recipe that is ultra-simple and this will become your favorite comfort food recipe. As easy as boiling water, it is a delicious alternative to the blue box. And good enough to make my "in-house mac and cheese expert" go back for seconds.

Uncooked Macaroni Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Great taste, wonderful creamy texture in the easiest slow cooker mac and cheese you will ever see using uncooked pasta. No boiling for you. You can make this tonight.

Candy and Dessert Recipes

A great way to end the day, something sweet. We all love a great dessert and check out more dessert recipes in the Dessert Category.

The candy recipes are all gift giving worth for the holiday season. Check out more candy recipes in the Candy Category.

Crock Pot Fudge

Let's make some great fudge with this super-easy recipe. Have fun making fudge with your child or just by yourself. This crock pot fudge recipe is just what you need for the holidays.

image of a pile of pieces of fudge with nuts on a red plate

Crock Pot White Chocolate Almond Clusters

Super easy and delicious white chocolate almond clusters are the perfect gift for the holidays or for any special occasion. Simple with these step by step photo instruction for the perfect white chocolate candy.

white chocolate almond clusters on a white plate

Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Chocolate peanut clusters make the perfect holiday sweet treat. With just 5 minutes of preparation time, three ingredients, and your crock pot, your delicious chocolate peanut clusters make the perfect holiday gift, a cookie exchange, or a treat for the office Christmas party.

Chocolate Peanut Clusters on a red plate

Crock Pot Apple Cobbler

This super easy crock pot apple cobbler is the perfect dessert for a family dinner and only needs a few ingredients. This is a dump-and-go recipe that is done in your slow cooker in about two hours. Mouthwatering has never been so simple.