The 3 Best 9×13 Crockpots of 2024

 

You might already have a slow cooker in your kitchen arsenal, but a 9 x 13 crockpot might be worthy of making room for. Shaped more like a casserole dish, these rectangular slow cookers have ample capacity to simplify meal prep with a set-it-and-forget-it slower cooking style. The best 9×13 crockpots not only make it easy to create dump and cook meals so you have time to run other errands, but they also are the perfect shape for making casseroles, lasagnas, and sheet desserts.

Most also feature oven-safe inner pots that make it possible to cook in the oven and keep things warm when serving a crowd — they’re perfect for a crockpot breakfast casserole, Thanksgiving, and other holidays.

To find the best 9×13 crockpots, Meggan and I discussed her favorite models that she uses to make her own side dishes and casserole crock pot recipes. For the ones she hasn’t used, we researched the best ones on the market, reading through cooking experts’ thoughts and reviews on retailer sites. Below, you’ll find our top picks for the best 9×13 crockpots.

Our Top Picks

1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Crock-Pot 3.5-Quart Casserole Crock – $57.87 at Amazon
2. Also Great: Elite Gourmet 3.5 Casserole Crock Slow Cooker – $41.61 at Amazon
3. Most Portable: West Bend 5-Quart Slow Cooker with Tote – $47.99 at Target

Reviews of The Best 9×13 Crockpots

1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Crock-Pot 3.5-Quart Casserole Crock

Meggan’s go-to is the Crock-Pot 3.5-Quart Casserole Crock, which she bought about a year ago. “It’s a really great iteration on the slow cooker,” Meggan says. “Plus, it’s ideal for side dishes and casseroles that you are serving at parties, both at home or on the go, because it’s great to be able to prepare a hot dish and then tote it with you and not have to ask your host to keep it warm.”

The dish is oven-safe up to 400 degrees F, so you could bake your dish in the oven and then transfer it to the base unit for travel and serving, like with her Sweet Potato Casserole and Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole. Because it has a cook-and-carry locking lid system, it’s easy to transport food in it without the hassle of spills or messes. For serving, you can set it to low, high, or warm, and once the party is over, you can place both the dishwasher-safe lid and stoneware in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

The Specs:

• Capacity: 3.5-qt
• Weight: 13.5 lb
• Dimensions: 20.2″ L x 7.8″ W x 12.7″ H
• Settings: Warm, low, and high
• Control type: Manual

The Pros:

• Locking lid system for easy transport
• Cord wraps for neat storage
• Lid and basin are dishwasher-safe
• Stoneware basin is oven-safe

The Cons:

• Short power cord

What Others are Saying:

The Crock-Pot 3.5-Quart Casserole Crock has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon with more than 3,500 reviews.

Buy the Crock-Pot 3.5-Quart Casserole Crock: 

2. Also Great: Elite Gourmet 3.5 Casserole Crock Slow Cooker

This model by Elite Gourmet is another great choice for making chilis, stews, and even slow-cooking a 3.5-pound chicken. Its low and high-temperature settings cook and keep food warm until serving with just a turn of the dial, so even if it doesn’t look high-end, it’s incredibly easy to use. The clamping lid design and oversized handles make it easy to transport and prevent messy spills when bringing dishes for potlucks and other gatherings. 

We also like that the tempered glass lid and ceramic inner pot are both dishwasher-safe, making cleanup easy, and the cool touch handles and knobs are a nice safety feature. When not in use, you can store the handle built into the back so the cord doesn’t get tangled.

The Specs:

• Capacity: 3.5-qt
• Weight: 13.67 lbs
• Dimensions: 12″L x 19″ W x 7.5″ H
• Settings: Warm, low, high
• Control type: Manual

The Pros:

• Locking lid design 
• Oversized transport handles
• Cool touch handles and knobs

The Cons:

• Exterior gets hot
• Handles and locks can rust

What Others are Saying:

The Elite Gourmet 3.5 Casserole Crock Slow Cooker has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with more than 2,300 reviews.

Buy the Elite Gourmet 3.5 Casserole Crock Slow Cooker: 

3. Most Portable: West Bend 5-Quart Slow Cooker with Tote

If you need to transport a side dish or casserole to a get-together, the West Bend 5-Quart Slow Cooker was made for the job because it has everything you need to cook, store, transport, and reheat meals. It features a handy travel lid and comes with a thermal travel bag to keep your food warm on the go without worry. The cooking vessel has a non-stick interior that is safe for use in the oven, stove, freezer, and refrigerator, so it’s easy to cook and store. The glass lid also allows you to watch the food as it cooks, and when it’s time to clean, both parts are safe to toss in the dishwasher. 

While you can use the base for slow cooking on low and high settings, you can also place the large on the stovetop or oven to brown, braise, and saute food. The base even doubles as a griddle to cook eggs, pancakes, grilled cheese sandwiches, and more, making this one of the most incredibly versatile slow cookers out there. 

The Specs:

• Capacity: 5-qt
• Weight: 7.1 lbs
• Dimensions: 9″ L x 13.8″ W x 8.3″ H
• Settings: Warm, low, medium, high, griddle
• Control type: Manual

The Pros:

• Comes with thermal carrying case
• Heating base doubles as a griddle
• Non-stick interior
• Lid and pot are dishwasher-safe

The Cons:

• No light indicator
• No on/off switch

What Others are Saying:

The West Bend 5-Quart Slow Cooker with Tote has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with more than 2,300 reviews.

Buy the West Bend 5-Quart Slow Cooker with Tote: 

Other 9×13 Crockpots to Consider

Magnifique 4-Quart Slow Cooker

This product is the perfect size for family dinners. The rectangular shape provides ample space to cook large cuts of meat or even whole chickens. Because the ceramic pot is removable, it’s easy to clean. While it’s practical and efficient, this model feels a bit cheap, so all things considered, Meggan would direct you to the Elite Gourmet model instead. The Magnifique 4-Quart Slow Cooker is available at Amazon for $54.99.

GreenPan Elite Cloud Cream Slow Cooker

This model is beautiful on the countertop and can do it all: roast, steam, saute, and slow cook. The diamond-infused, non-stick ceramic coating is dishwasher-safe, so cleaning is easy, and the digital controls make it feel quite fancy. Still, we aren’t sure going digital is worth the price hike. The GreenPan Elite Cloud Cream Slow Cooker is available at Williams Sonoma for $249.95.

Cuisinart 7-Quart Multi-Cooker

This model is another does-it-all model that can sear, saute, roast, slow cook, and steam in one pot. The slow cook function can be set to high, low, simmer, or warm for up to 24 hours, and the temperature can be set as high as 500 degrees F. We also love that the removable 7-quart pot and lid are dishwasher safe, but we think it would be bulky to store compared to the more compact models. The Cuisinart 7-Quart Multi-Cooker is available at Amazon for $197.95.

Why You Can Trust Us

Hi! I’m Belle, an award-winning content creator and adjunct professor who works in restaurant PR in the Midwest. Over the course of 20 years, I’ve held almost every position imaginable in various restaurants, including ownership of a Korean-concept hot dog cart. My writing and on-camera work can be seen on Better Homes & Gardens. I worked on this roundup of the best 9×13 crockpots with Meggan, the Executive Chef behind Culinary Hill. 

Because 9×13 crockpots are a relatively new trend, we relied on Meggan’s experience with her model to understand the benefits of owning a rectangle slow cooker. With its ability to whip up recipes like Meggan’s Make Ahead Lasagna, Scalloped Potatoes, and Tuna Noodle Casserole, we agree they’re a worthy add. We also researched other models recommended by top publications and met our capacity, durability, and portability standards, as these are great for serving at potlucks!

Everything to Know Before Buying a 9×13 Crockpot

What to Consider Before Buying a 9×13 Crockpot 

When considering buying a 9×13 crockpot, also known as a slow cooker or casserole crockpot, there are several factors to keep in mind to ensure you make the best choice for your cooking needs. Here are some things to consider:

Size and Capacity: These slow cookers are relatively large and are designed to accommodate casseroles and larger dishes. Meggan suggests ensuring you have a spot to store the unit before buying it. 

Material and Durability: Look for a slow cooker made from durable materials. Ceramic or stoneware inserts are standard because they can also be used on the stovetop and in the oven, making them more versatile. Stainless steel exteriors are great for easy clean-up.

Easy Cleaning: Check if the insert and lid are dishwasher safe or if they can be easily cleaned by hand. Removable inserts are typically easier to hand wash. Even if it is dishwasher-safe, Meggan recommends lining them with nonstick cooking spray or a slow cooker liner to make it easy to get the gunk off. 

Portability: Some 9×13 crockpots come with locking secure-fit lids and carrying handles, making them easy to transport for potlucks and whole family gatherings. This can be helpful if you plan to take your dishes on the go.

What Are the Benefits of a 9×13 Crockpot?

Meggan loves using her casserole slow cooker because you can cook and serve shallow foods in the same dish. “Obviously, any crockpot has the same ‘cook and serve from one dish’ option,” Meggan says. “But traditional slow cookers are not optimized for shallow foods like casseroles and many side dishes. This is especially helpful when a dish has a topping, and you want to ensure even distribution.”

Can You Broil Food in a 9×13 Crockpot?

No, you cannot broil food directly in a 9×13 crockpot or any other traditional slow cooker. Broiling is a method of cooking that exposes food to high, direct heat from above. Slow cookers are designed for low and slow cooking with indirect heat and do not have a broiling function. However, if your 9×13 crockpot has an insert that is oven-safe, you can transfer your crock pot casserole to the oven for broiling.

Does a 9×13 Crockpot Take Less Time Than a Regular One? 

A 9×13 crockpot is a slow cooker, so it doesn’t inherently take less time than a traditional one. Both typically operate on low and slow cook settings, where dishes are cooked over an extended period at low temperatures. The cooking time largely depends on the recipe and the desired results rather than the type or size of the slow cooker itself.

The primary advantage of using a 9×13 crockpot is that it is more compact and much easier to store and transport than a larger, bulky, round slow cooker. In fact, most of these rectangle-shaped models are built with carrying handles, and many come with specialty carrying totes. 

How Many Quarts Are in a 9×13 Crockpot?

The number of quarts in a rectangle slow cooker will vary depending on the model. The slow cookers that made our list are 3.5- and 5-quart, though there are some models that go up to 7 quarts.

The Best Casserole Crockpot Recipes

Here are some popular and highly-rated casserole recipes that you and your family will love and are perfect to make in a 9×13 crockpot:

Casserole Recipes

Vegetable Casserole

Breakfast Recipes

Cheesy Potato Casserole

Casserole Recipes

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Side Dish Recipes

Scalloped Potatoes

Casserole Recipes

Tater Tot Casserole

Italian Recipes

Baked Ziti

Casserole Recipes

Cowboy Casserole

Italian Recipes

The Best Make Ahead Lasagna

Prices were accurate at time of publication.