10 Crockpot Dinners Using Jarred Sauces
Ten dump-and-go crockpot dinners that start with a jar of sauce and a few extras. Perfect for busy weeknights.
A jar of sauce is the fastest shortcut in your pantry. It already has the flavor built in. You just add protein and maybe a few veggies, then walk away.
These ten crockpot dinners all follow that formula. Each one starts with a jar of something you already buy—salsa, marinara, BBQ sauce, Alfredo, enchilada sauce. Then you add two or three other things and let the slow cooker do the work.
Some are chicken, some are beef, one is sausage. They all take about five minutes to throw together. You'll have dinner ready when you get home.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients
1 jar (24 oz) salsa (mild or medium)
Use your favorite brand. For a thicker sauce, choose a chunky salsa.
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
About 4 medium breasts. You can use thighs too, they stay juicier.
1 packet taco seasoning
Or 2 tablespoons homemade taco spice mix.
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
Rinsing cuts the sodium by about 40%. You can skip if you don't have them.
1 cup frozen corn
No need to thaw. Add straight from the freezer.
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
Choose a good-quality jar, since it's the main flavor.
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
Brown it first for better texture. Ground turkey works too.
8 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
Cook separately and add at the end, or use gluten-free pasta.
1 jar (16 oz) Alfredo sauce
Use a creamy Alfredo. You can sub with a jar of creamy garlic sauce.
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Thighs stay moist in the slow cooker better than breasts.
1 cup chicken broth
Low-sodium is best. You can use water if you're out.
1 jar (18 oz) BBQ sauce
Use your favorite smoky or sweet BBQ sauce.
2 lbs pork shoulder or pork tenderloin
Pork shoulder shreds beautifully. Tenderloin works but can dry out, so cook on low.
1 jar (16 oz) enchilada sauce
Red or green both work. Green is milder.
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
Adds a little heat. Use mild if you prefer.
1 jar (15 oz) marinara or arrabbiata sauce
Arrabbiata has a spicy kick. Marinara is safer for kids.
1 lb Italian sausage links
Sweet or hot, your call. Cut into 2-inch pieces.
1 green bell pepper, sliced
Adds crunch and color. You can use any color.
1 large onion, sliced
Yellow or sweet onion works best.
1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce with meat
If you can't find it, use marinara and add cooked ground beef.
1 lb ground turkey
Leaner than beef. You can also use ground chicken.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make Salsa Chicken
Place 2 lbs chicken breasts in the crockpot. Pour the jar of salsa over the top. Sprinkle with taco seasoning. Add black beans and corn. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3-4. Shred the chicken and stir.
2. Make Marinara Meat Sauce
Brown 1 lb ground beef in a skillet, then drain. Add to the slow cooker with the marinara sauce. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve over cooked pasta.
3. Make Creamy Italian Chicken
Place 1.5 lbs chicken thighs in the crockpot. Pour the Alfredo sauce over the top. Add 1 cup chicken broth. Cook on low for 6-7 hours. Shred and serve over pasta or rice.
4. Make BBQ Pulled Pork
Place 2 lbs pork shoulder in the crockpot. Pour the BBQ sauce over the top. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Shred and serve on buns.
5. Make Enchilada Chicken
Place 2 lbs chicken breasts in the crockpot. Pour the enchilada sauce and diced tomatoes with green chilies over the top. Cook on low for 6-7 hours. Shred and serve in tortillas.
6. Make Sausage and Peppers
Cut 1 lb sausage links into 2-inch pieces. Place in the crockpot with sliced bell pepper and onion. Pour the marinara sauce over everything. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with crusty bread.
7. Make Turkey Bolognese
Brown 1 lb ground turkey in a skillet. Add to the slow cooker with the pasta sauce with meat. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve over cooked pasta.
How to Store 10 Crockpot Dinners Using Jarred Sauces
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until hot.
Tips & Tricks
- Brown ground meat before adding to the slow cooker. It adds flavor and prevents a greasy texture.
- Don't overcook chicken breasts. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, then check. They should shred easily.
- If your sauce seems thin at the end, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir in. Cook 15 more minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen chicken in the crockpot?
Yes, you can, but it will take longer to cook. Add 1-2 extra hours on low. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Q: Do I need to brown the meat first?
For ground meat, yes, it's worth it. It adds flavor and prevents a greasy texture. For chicken or pork, no, you can add it raw.
Q: Can I use a different jarred sauce?
Absolutely. Swap marinara for arrabbiata, or BBQ for teriyaki. Just adjust the cooking time if the sauce has a lot of sugar, which can burn.
Q: How do I know when the chicken is done?
It should shred easily with a fork. If it's still pink in the middle, cook another 30 minutes and check again.
Pick one of these for tonight. You probably have the sauce in your pantry already. Just add the protein and let the crockpot do the rest.
10 Crockpot Dinners Using Jarred Sauces
Ten dump-and-go crockpot dinners that start with a jar of sauce and a few extras. Perfect for busy weeknights.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 jar (24 oz) salsa (mild or medium)
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 8 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 1 jar (16 oz) Alfredo sauce
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 jar (18 oz) BBQ sauce
- 2 lbs pork shoulder or pork tenderloin
- 1 jar (16 oz) enchilada sauce
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 jar (15 oz) marinara or arrabbiata sauce
- 1 lb Italian sausage links
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce with meat
- 1 lb ground turkey
📋 Instructions
- 1Make Salsa Chicken — Place 2 lbs chicken breasts in the crockpot. Pour the jar of salsa over the top. Sprinkle with taco seasoning. Add black beans and corn. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3-4. Shred the chicken and stir.
- 2Make Marinara Meat Sauce — Brown 1 lb ground beef in a skillet, then drain. Add to the slow cooker with the marinara sauce. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve over cooked pasta.
- 3Make Creamy Italian Chicken — Place 1.5 lbs chicken thighs in the crockpot. Pour the Alfredo sauce over the top. Add 1 cup chicken broth. Cook on low for 6-7 hours. Shred and serve over pasta or rice.
- 4Make BBQ Pulled Pork — Place 2 lbs pork shoulder in the crockpot. Pour the BBQ sauce over the top. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Shred and serve on buns.
- 5Make Enchilada Chicken — Place 2 lbs chicken breasts in the crockpot. Pour the enchilada sauce and diced tomatoes with green chilies over the top. Cook on low for 6-7 hours. Shred and serve in tortillas.
- 6Make Sausage and Peppers — Cut 1 lb sausage links into 2-inch pieces. Place in the crockpot with sliced bell pepper and onion. Pour the marinara sauce over everything. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with crusty bread.
- 7Make Turkey Bolognese — Brown 1 lb ground turkey in a skillet. Add to the slow cooker with the pasta sauce with meat. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve over cooked pasta.
