10 Slow Cooker Main Dishes Paired with Simple Sides

By Carl Hanson
Updated October 13, 2020

The slow cooker does a ton of work. You come home from work, and dinner's ready. Or almost ready. Sometimes you still need a quick and easy side dish. These menus complete the meal. We've paired delicious slow cooker main dishes with quick and easy side dishes -- so dinner's always ready super quick after you get home from a busy day. 

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Slow Cooker Pot Roast Dinner

This pot roast has potatoes and carrots built right in, but you'll also get your fresh greens with a simple spinach salad, featuring pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, and crunchy walnuts. Brown the roast the night before, then pop all the ingredients into your slow cooker before you head out the door.

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Complete Lasagna Dinner

"Here's a fantastic way to enjoy lasagna without all the fuss," says RandyOSU. "I thought using frozen ravioli already filled with cheese instead of layering layers of noodles and cheese would make a great dish so easy. It all comes together; just scoop it out, serve with a salad, and enjoy." We've paired it with a quick bread salad. 

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Rib Tips and Sides

Credit: Yoly

Cooking your rib tips in the slow cooker will give you tender, falling-off-the-bone ribs. Finish them off under the broiler or throw them on the grill for a few minutes. A true Southern feast, we've paired the rib tips with collard greens and succotash.

 

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Slow Cooker Casssoulet Menu

Your slow cooker delivers an easy "cheater" version of the classic French dish. Enjoy with a simple green salad or a quick green beans recipe. Pick up a baguette for sopping up the savory sauce.

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Complete Indian Curry Menu

"This slow cooker chicken Massaman curry is creamy, slightly spicy, nutty, and rich with flavor," says JenniferCooks. Enjoy over basmati rice with refreshing cucumber raita on the side.

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Pork Carnitas Menu

Pork is slow-cooked until it falls apart, then shredded and served in tortillas with pico de gallo. We've paired the pork with tasty taco slaw and/or quick and easy lime cilantro rice. 

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Complete Chicken Cacciatore Dinner

Enjoy this saucy cacciatore over your favorite cooked pasta with a quick-and-easy arugula and fennel side salad. 

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Vegetarian Chili Menu

A perfect dinner for the busy work week! It takes only a few minutes of morning prep to make this simple crowd-pleasing veggie chili. Enjoy with a fast an fresh tomato and avocado salad. 

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Complete Chicken Alfredo Dinner

Credit: tcasa

This saucy chicken alfredo dinner needs something green on the side. Try it with either an Italian-inspired green salad or pan-sizzled Brussels sprouts.

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Southern Style Shredded Pork Dinner

Let the pork shoulder slowly cook all day until it becomes unbelievably  tender. Enjoy the flavorful shredded pork as a sandwich topped with slaw, with crunchy fried okra on the side. 

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By Carl Hanson