As the days shorten and the air turns crisp in fall 2025, there's no better way to embrace the season than with hearty, hands-off dinners that fill your home with comforting aromas. Crockpot recipes are a busy person's dream, allowing you to prep in the morning and come home to a ready meal bursting with autumn flavors like pumpkin, apple cider, and warm spices. These slow cooker dinners are perfect for family gatherings, weeknight ease, or pre-Thanksgiving practice runs, using seasonal ingredients that are nutritious, affordable, and versatile for various diets—vegan, gluten-free, and low-carb included. Drawing from culinary trends on platforms like The Pioneer Woman, Delish, and EatingWell, we’ve curated 10 fall crockpot dinner recipes that are simple to make (5-15 minutes prep, 4-8 hours cooking), budget-friendly ($5-$15 for 4-6 servings), and packed with fall’s bounty. Inspired by sources like Damn Delicious and Well Plated by Erin, these recipes rely on pantry staples from Aldi, Walmart, or Amazon Fresh to deliver cozy, flavorful results. Whether you're craving a creamy butternut squash soup or a spiced chicken stew, these crockpot ideas will make your 2025 autumn deliciously effortless. Let’s dive into these 10 fall crockpot dinner recipes to warm your soul on September 25, 2025!
1. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
Inspired by Delish, this velvety vegan soup is a fall staple with warming spices.
Ingredients: 1 butternut squash (peeled, cubed), 1 onion (chopped), 2 carrots (chopped), 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 cup coconut milk, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1 tbsp olive oil.
How to Make: Add squash, onion, carrots, broth, and nutmeg to the crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Blend with an immersion blender, stir in coconut milk.
Why It’s Delicious: The coconut milk adds creaminess without dairy, and nutmeg brings cozy warmth. 180 calories per serving, vegan and gluten-free.
Prep Time: 10 minutes. Cook Time: 6-8 hours. Cost: $6-$9. Serves: 4. Variations: Add ginger for zing or top with roasted pumpkin seeds. CTA: Let this soup simmer while you enjoy the day—start now!
2. Spiced Apple Cider Chicken
From The Pioneer Woman, this tender chicken dish infuses fall’s favorite flavors.
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts, 2 cups apple cider, 1 onion (sliced), 2 apples (sliced), 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp cinnamon, salt and pepper.
How to Make: Place chicken, onion, apples, cider, mustard, and cinnamon in the crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours. Shred chicken and serve over quinoa.
Why It’s Delicious: The cider tenderizes the chicken, with apples adding natural sweetness. 250 calories per serving, high-protein.
Prep Time: 10 minutes. Cook Time: 6 hours. Cost: $8-$12. Serves: 4. Variations: Use pork tenderloin or add rosemary for herbiness. CTA: Cook this sweet-savory chicken for dinner tonight!
3. Vegan Lentil and Kale Stew
EatingWell’s hearty stew is packed with plant-based protein and greens.
Ingredients: 1 cup dried lentils, 2 cups chopped kale, 1 carrot (diced), 1 onion, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tbsp olive oil.
How to Make: Sauté onion and carrot in olive oil (stovetop first, then transfer to crockpot). Add lentils, broth, and cumin. Cook on low for 7 hours. Stir in kale during the last 30 minutes.
Why It’s Delicious: Lentils provide fiber and iron, kale adds vitamins, 200 calories per serving. Vegan and gluten-free.
Prep Time: 15 minutes. Cook Time: 7 hours. Cost: $5-$7. Serves: 6. Variations: Add sweet potatoes or use spinach. CTA: Start this stew for a nutritious family meal now!
4. Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry
Ambitious Kitchen’s curry is creamy and spiced for fall comfort.
Ingredients: 1 butternut squash (cubed), 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, 1 onion (chopped), 2 tbsp curry powder, 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk, 2 cups vegetable broth.
How to Make: Add all ingredients to the crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve over brown rice.
Why It’s Delicious: Coconut milk creates richness, chickpeas add protein, 220 calories per serving. Vegan and gluten-free.
Prep Time: 10 minutes. Cook Time: 6-8 hours. Cost: $7-$10. Serves: 4. Variations: Add spinach or use red curry paste. CTA: Let this curry simmer for a cozy night in today!
5. Apple Cider Pot Roast
The Pioneer Woman’s classic roast is tender and infused with fall flavors.
Ingredients: 3 lb beef chuck roast, 2 cups apple cider, 1 onion (sliced), 3 carrots (chopped), 2 apples (sliced), 1 tsp thyme, salt and pepper.
How to Make: Sear roast (optional stovetop step), add to crockpot with cider, onion, carrots, apples, and thyme. Cook on low for 8 hours.
Why It’s Delicious: Cider tenderizes the meat, apples add sweetness, 300 calories per serving. High-protein.
Prep Time: 15 minutes. Cook Time: 8 hours. Cost: $10-$15. Serves: 6. Variations: Use pork or add potatoes. CTA: Slow-cook this roast for a hearty fall dinner now!
6. Vegan Mushroom and Barley Soup
From Well Plated by Erin, this earthy soup is comforting and low-carb.
Ingredients: 8 oz mushrooms (sliced), ½ cup pearl barley, 1 onion, 2 celery stalks (chopped), 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp rosemary.
How to Make: Add all ingredients to the crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours. Blend slightly for thickness.
Why It’s Delicious: Mushrooms provide umami, barley adds fiber, 180 calories per serving. Vegan and gluten-free (use GF barley).
Prep Time: 10 minutes. Cook Time: 6 hours. Cost: $6-$9. Serves: 4. Variations: Add carrots or use farro. CTA: Simmer this soup for a cozy evening tonight!
7. Spiced Pear and Ginger Chicken
Damn Delicious’s ginger-infused chicken is a lighter fall option.
Ingredients: 4 chicken thighs, 2 pears (sliced), 1 tbsp fresh ginger (grated), 1 onion (sliced), 1 cup vegetable broth, 1 tsp cinnamon.
How to Make: Add chicken, pears, ginger, onion, broth, and cinnamon to the crockpot. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
Why It’s Delicious: Pears add natural sweetness, ginger aids digestion, 280 calories per serving.
Prep Time: 10 minutes. Cook Time: 5-6 hours. Cost: $8-$12. Serves: 4. Variations: Use turkey or add honey. CTA: Cook this spiced chicken for dinner now!
8. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
EatingWell’s soup is a vegan, low-sodium favorite.
Ingredients: 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 onion (chopped), 2 cloves garlic, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 cup coconut milk, fresh basil.
How to Make: Sauté onion and garlic (stovetop), transfer to crockpot with tomatoes and broth. Cook on low for 4 hours, blend, stir in coconut milk.
Why It’s Delicious: Tomatoes provide lycopene, basil adds freshness, 160 calories per serving.
Prep Time: 15 minutes. Cook Time: 4 hours. Cost: $5-$7. Serves: 4. Variations: Add roasted red peppers or use almond milk. CTA: Blend this soup for a quick fall lunch today!
9. Autumn Root Vegetable Stew
From The Pioneer Woman, this vegan stew is hearty and colorful.
Ingredients: 2 carrots (chopped), 2 parsnips (chopped), 1 sweet potato (cubed), 1 onion, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tbsp olive oil.
How to Make: Sauté onion in olive oil, add to crockpot with veggies, broth, and thyme. Cook on low for 7 hours.
Why It’s Delicious: Root veggies offer vitamins A and C, 200 calories per serving.
Prep Time: 15 minutes. Cook Time: 7 hours. Cost: $6-$9. Serves: 4. Variations: Add lentils or rosemary. CTA: Stew up this autumn classic now!
10. Garlic Herb White Bean Soup
Well Plated by Erin’s soup is protein-rich and comforting.
Ingredients: 2 cans (15 oz) white beans, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp rosemary, 1 tbsp olive oil.
How to Make: Sauté onion and garlic, transfer to crockpot with beans and broth. Cook on low for 5 hours, blend half for creaminess.
Why It’s Delicious: Beans provide plant protein, garlic boosts immunity, 190 calories per serving.
Prep Time: 10 minutes. Cook Time: 5 hours. Cost: $5-$7. Serves: 4. Variations: Add spinach or use cannellini beans. CTA: Warm up with this soup today!
Conclusion: Simmer Up Fall Comfort
These 10 healthy fall soup recipes for 2025, from butternut squash to white bean, deliver cozy, nutritious warmth with seasonal flavors. Easy and affordable, they’re perfect for autumn. Ready to cook? Shop at Trader Joe’s or Aldi, browse Pinterest for inspiration, or grab ingredients now. Don’t wait—simmer these soups today and make your 2025 fall deliciously healthy!