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99: Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
What could be more comforting (or easy!) than a slow cooker mac and cheese? Nothing! This classic casserole is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish, and I’ve never met anyone who didn’t ask for second helpings of the cheesy dish. —Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina
Here’s a look at our most popular slow-cooker recipes from 2023.
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98: Potato Chowder
One of the ladies in our church quilting group brought this savory potato soup to a meeting, and everyone loved how the cream cheese and bacon made it so rich. It’s easy to assemble in the morning so it can simmer on its own all day. —Anna Mayer, Fort Branch, Indiana
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97: Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Everyone will enjoy these fork-tender, slow-cooker pork chops with a creamy, light gravy. Serve with a green vegetable, mashed potatoes and coleslaw or a salad. These are the best slow cooker pork chops. —Sue Bingham, Madisonville, Tennessee
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96: Country Ribs Dinner
Ribs slow-cooked with carrots, celery, onions and red potatoes are pure comfort food for us. To add a little zip, we sometimes sprinkle in cayenne. —Rose Ingall, Manistee, Michigan
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95: Minister's Delight
A friend gave me this recipe several years ago. She said a local minister’s wife fixed it every Sunday, so she named it accordingly —Mary Ann Potter, Blue Springs, Missouri
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94: Slow Cooker Spaghetti & Meatballs
I’ve been cooking for 50 years, and this dish is still one that guests request frequently. It is my No. 1 standby recipe and also makes amazing meatball sandwiches. The sauce works for any type of pasta. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, FloridaMake more ground beef Crockpot recipes.
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93: Slow-Cooked Sweet 'n' Sour Pork
Even though a co-worker gave me this recipe more than 20 years ago, my family still enjoys it today. -Martha Nickerson of Hancock, Maine
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92: Tuscan Pork Stew
Tender chunks of pork slowly cook in a nicely seasoned, wine-infused sauce. Add some crushed red pepper flakes to this pork stew for a little extra kick.—Penny Hawkins, Mebane, North Carolina
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91: Seafood Cioppino
If you’re looking for a great seafood recipe for your slow cooker, this classic cioppino recipe is just the ticket. It’s brimming with clams, crab, fish and shrimp, and is fancy enough to be an elegant meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire
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Pork Chop Potato Dinner
Tender chops cook on a bed of creamy potatoes in this all-in-one meal. It's a snap to assemble, thanks to frozen hash browns, canned soup, shredded cheese and french-fried onions. —Dawn Huizinga, Owatonna, Minnesota
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Flavorful Lemon Chicken
This easy and delectable meal is bound to become a staple with your family. It's made with everyday ingredients, there's nothing complicated or fancy about this delicious recipe. —Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba
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Slow-Cooked Reuben Brats
Sauerkraut gives these beer-simmered brats a big flavor boost, but it’s the special chili sauce and melted cheese that put them over the top. Top your favorite burger with some of the chili sauce; you won't be sorry. —Alana Simmons, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
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Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
Slow-cooker Buffalo chicken dip will be the hit of the party. The combo of shredded chicken, cheese and wing sauce is melty, gooey and delicious.
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Pork Chile Verde
Pork slowly stews with jalapenos, onion, green enchilada sauce and spices in this flavor-packed Mexican dish. It's wonderful on its own or stuffed in a warm tortilla with sour cream, grated cheese or olives on the side. —Kimberly Burke, Chico, California
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Easy Chow Mein
Some years ago, our daughter welcomed me home from a hospital stay with this Asian dish and a copy of the recipe. Now I freeze leftovers for fast future meals. —Kay Bade, Mitchell, South Dakota
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Fudgy Peanut Butter Cake
I clipped this easy peanut butter cake recipe from a newspaper years ago. The house smells fantastic while it's slow cooking. My husband and son enjoy the cake with ice cream and nuts on top. —Bonnie Evans, Norcross, Georgia
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Green Chile Chicken Chili
The prep work for this chili is easy thanks to several pantry staples. It’s loaded with shredded chicken and beans. The spicy heat can be tamed a bit with cool sour cream. —Fred Lockwood, Plano, Texas
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Slow-Cooked Chicken a la King
When I know I'll be having a busy day with little time for cooking, I prepare this tasty main dish. Brimming with tender chicken and colorful vegetables, it smells so good while cooking. —Eleanor Mielke, Snohomish, Washington
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Raisin Nut Oatmeal
There’s no better feeling than waking up to a hot, ready-to-eat breakfast. The oats, fruit and spices in this homey meal cook together while you sleep! —Valerie Sauber, Adelanto, California
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Shrimp Chowder
Move over, clam chowder! This shrimp chowder recipe is family-approved and ready to hit the table.
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Crockpot Apple Cider
With crockpot apple cider, there's no such thing as last-minute prep. When you're expecting guests, just load the slow cooker hours in advance and spend your time visiting instead.
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Autumn Pumpkin Chili
We have this turkey pumpkin chili often because everyone loves it, even the most finicky grandchildren. It’s a definite keeper in my book! —Kimberly Nagy, Port Hadlock, Washington
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Slow-Cooker Sirloin Steak
Making sirloin steak in a Crockpot is a simple, fool-proof method that gives you tender, fall-apart meat with plenty of gravy and none of the messy grease splatter.
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Slow-Cooked Curry Chicken
Our three children love the spicy flavors found in this Crock-Pot chicken curry. Add more or less curry depending on your taste preferences. —Helen Toulantis, Wantagh, New York
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Slow-Cooker Swiss Steak
Hearty, filling and totally hands-off, this easy slow-cooker Swiss steak recipe will satisfy the whole family.
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“Everything” Stuffing
My family goes crazy for this stuffing that I make in the slow cooker. It freezes well so we can enjoy it long after Thanksgiving has passed. —Bette Votral, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
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Party Time Beans
A friend brought this colorful bean dish to my house for a church circle potluck dinner. As soon as I tasted the slightly sweet slow-cooked beans, I had to have the recipe. I’ve served the beans and shared the recipe many times since. —Jean Cantner, Boston, Virginia
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Beef in Onion Gravy
I double this super recipe to feed our family of four so I'm sure to have leftovers to send with my husband to work for lunch. His co-workers tell him he's lucky to have someone who fixes him such special meals. It's our secret that it's an easy slow cooker dinner! —Denise Albers, Freeburg, Illinois
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Makeover Slow-Cooked Mac ‘n’ Cheese
This recipe is a clear example of comfort food at its finest; it's rich, hearty and extra cheesy. And because it's made in the slow cooker, it's also extremely easy. —Shelby Molina, Whitewater, Wisconsin
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Slow-Cooked Turkey Sloppy Joes
This tangy sandwich filling is easy to prepare in the slow cooker, and it goes over so well at gatherings large and small. I frequently take it to potlucks, and I'm always asked what my secret ingredient is! —Marylou LaRue, Freeland, Michigan
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French Dip Sandwich
The most essential elements of a French dip sandwich are tender, thinly sliced beef and a savory jus for dipping. When you use a slow cooker, you can prep in the morning for delicious sandwiches that are ready come dinnertime.
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Italian Mushrooms
Only four ingredients create a rich and flavorful side dish that goes well with beef and mashed potatoes. —Kim Reichert, Fargo, North Dakota
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Slow-Roasted Chicken with Vegetables
Even a beginner cook could make this slow cooked chicken and have it turn out perfectly. This recipe could not be easier. A few minutes of prep and you'll come home to a delicious dinner. —Anita Bell, Hermitage, Tennessee
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Reuben Dip
This simple and delicious Reuben dip is prepared in the slow cooker and makes the perfect party appetizer. All the classic sandwich flavors are there, just creamier and more dippable.
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Sweet ‘n’ Tangy Pot Roast
I fixed this roast the first time I cooked for my husband-to-be more than 20 years ago. For dessert, I made chocolate pudding spooned over marshmallow. He thought he'd died and gone to heaven! —Carol Mulligan, Honeoye Falls, New York
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Slow-Cooker Berry Cobbler
I adapted my mom's yummy cobbler recipe for slow cooking. With the hot summers here in Arizona, we can still enjoy this comforting dessert, and I don't have to turn on the oven. —Karen Jarocki, Yuma, Arizona
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Tangy Barbecue Wings
I took these slow-cooked wings to work, and they vanished before I even got a bite! The tangy sauce is lip-smacking good. —Sherry Pitzer, Troy, Missouri
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Chipotle Shredded Beef
This beef is delicious whether you serve it all rolled up in a tortilla, with corn salsa in a burrito, in a bun or over rice or mashed potatoes. So many options! —Darcy Williams, Omaha, Nebraska
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Slow-Cooker Vegetable Soup
This slow-cooker vegetable soup is an entire meal in a bowl, as it has beef, potatoes and of course, lots of veggies. It's also an almost entirely hands-off meal, as the slow cooker does most of the work for you.
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Steak Stroganoff
This slow-cooker recipe makes a traditional dinner completely fuss free. Serve this tender sirloin steak with a flavorful gravy over noodles for a home-style meal that your whole family is sure to request time and again. —Lisa VanEgmond, Annapolis, Illinois
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Fabulous Fajitas
I've enjoyed cooking since I was a girl growing up in the Southwest. When friends call to ask me for new recipes to try, I suggest these flavorful fajitas. It's wonderful to put the beef in the slow cooker before church and come home to a hot delicious main dish. —Janie Reitz, Rochester, Minnesota
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Spicy Touchdown Chili
For me, football, cool weather and chili just seem to go together. Whether I’m cheering on the local team on a Friday night or enjoying a Saturday afternoon of Oklahoma Sooner football with some friends, I enjoy serving this chili on game day. —Chris Neal, Quapaw, Oklahoma
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Sweet 'n' Tangy Chicken Wings
I love the convenience of slow-cooker recipes for get-togethers. Start these sweet and sour chicken wings a few hours ahead of time and you'll have fantastic appetizers ready when your guests arrive. —Ida Tuey, South Lyon, Michigan
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Contest-Winning Chicken Cacciatore
My husband and I own and operate a busy farm. There are days when there's just no time left for cooking! It's really nice to be able to come into the house at night and smell this wonderful slow cooker chicken cacciatore. —Aggie Arnold-Norman, Liberty, Pennsylvania
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Slow-Cooked Caribbean Pot Roast
This dish is definitely a year-round recipe. Sweet potatoes, orange zest and baking cocoa are my surprise ingredients. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
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Pumpkin Pie Pudding
My husband loves anything pumpkin, and this creamy, comforting pumpkin pudding recipe is one of his favorites. We make our easy pudding all year long, but it's especially nice in the fall. —Andrea Schaak, Bloomington, Minnesota
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Easy Chicken Tamale Pie
All you need are some simple ingredients from the pantry to put this slow-cooker meal together. I love the fact that I can go fishing while it cooks. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
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Chili Coney Dogs
From the youngest kids to the oldest adults, everyone in our family loves these hot dogs. Inspired by the classic Coney dog, they’re so easy to throw together in the morning or even the night before. —Michele Harris, Vicksburg, Michigan
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Slow-Cooker Beef Stew
When there's a chill in the air, nothing beats this beef stew. Seasoned with thyme and dry mustard, the hearty slow-cooker beef stew is chock-full of tender carrots, potatoes and meat. —Earnestine Wilson, Waco, Texas
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Sirloin Roast with Gravy
This recipe is perfect for my husband, who is a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy. The peppery, fork-tender roast combined with the rich gravy creates a tasty centerpiece for any meal. —Rita Clark, Monument, Colorado
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Slow Cooker Beef Vegetable Stew
Come home to warm comfort food! This vegetable beef stew is based on my mom’s wonderful recipe, but I adjusted it for the slow cooker. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan to each bowl for a nice finishing touch. —Marcella West, Washburn, Illinois
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Tomato Hamburger Soup
As a full-time teacher, I only have time to cook from scratch a few nights each week. This slow-cooker soup recipe makes a big enough batch to feed my family for two nights. —Julie Kruger, St. Cloud, Minnesota
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Barbecued Pork Chop Supper
I start these slow cooker BBQ pork chops in the morning and enjoy a tasty supper later with no last-minute work. We just get to eat! —Jacqueline Jones, Round Lake Beach, Illinois
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Beef Barley Lentil Soup
I serve this soup often to family and friends on cold nights, along with homemade rolls and a green salad. For variety, you can substitute jicama for the potatoes. —Judy Metzentine, The Dalles, Oregon
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Sunday Pot Roast
With the help of a slow cooker, you can prepare a down-home dinner any day of the week, not just on Sundays. The roast turns out tender and savory every time. —Brandy Schaefer, Glen Carbon, Illinois
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Cheesy Slow-Cooked Corn
My family really likes this creamy, cheesy side dish—and it's so easy to make. Even those who usually don't eat much corn often ask for a second helping. —Mary Ann Truitt, Wichita, Kansas
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Slow-Cooker Pizza
Always a hit at our church dinners, this hearty casserole keeps folks coming back for more. —Julie Sterchi from Jackson, Missouri
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Shredded French Dip
A chuck roast slow-simmered in a beefy broth is delicious when shredded and spooned onto rolls. I serve the cooking juices in individual cups for dipping. —Carla Kimball, Callaway, Nebraska
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40: Stephanie’s Slow-Cooker Stew
Start this warming one-pot meal before you head out for the day. By the time you get home, the well-seasoned meat will be tender and mouthwatering. —Stephanie Rabbitt-Schapp, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Saucy Chicken Thighs
Everyone raves about how sweet the sauce is for these slow-cooked chicken thighs. They’re such a breeze because they simmer away while you do other things. They’re ideal appetizers, but you can also add your favorite side for a nice meal. —Kim Puckett, Reagan, Tennessee
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Slow-Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Every year my Mom made cream cheese mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving. I tailored the recipe to my family's taste and carried on the tradition. I make them a day ahead and use my slow cooker to free up oven space for other dishes. —Ann Nolte, Tampa, Florida
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36: Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake
Everyone who tries this dessert falls in love with it. Using a slow cooker liner makes cleanup a breeze. —Latona Dwyer, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
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Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll Pudding
Perfect for dessert or breakfast, this sinfully sweet cinnamon roll bread pudding recipe is made with day-old cinnamon rolls, eggs, milk and raisins for a satisfying treat that practically makes itself in the slow cooker.
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Slow-Cooked Pork Tacos
Sometimes I'll substitute Bibb lettuce leaves for the tortillas to make crunchy lettuce wraps instead of tacos. —Kathleen Wolf Naperville, Illinois
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Creamy Celery Beef Stroganoff
Cream of celery soup adds richness to a recipe that has become a family favorite. It’s so simple to prepare and, oh, that flavor! —Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
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Crockpot Stuffing
This vegetarian Crockpot stuffing is a keeper. It has all the classic flavor, but it's cooked in a slow cooker for a moist, fluffy stuffing that leaves your oven free for other dishes.
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Shredded Beef au Jus
My mom found this recipe in a farm journal soon after she and my dad got married. The tender beef has been a family favorite for years, and my dad often requests it. —Danielle Brandt, Ruthton, Minnesota
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30: Slow-Cooker Milk-Can Supper
Here’s a slow-cooked version of an old campfire classic. Pioneers and cowboys would cook this kind of meal over a milk can on an open fire, letting the flavors and textures blend together beautifully. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
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Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
Slow-cooker corned beef is packed with cabbage and other hearty vegetables. It's easy to pull together for St. Patrick's Day, but you can enjoy it any time of year.
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Slow-Cooker Chuck Roast
Packed with tender beef and vegetables and served in a rich gravy, this slow-cooker chuck roast is a hearty, delicious dinner any night of the week.
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Slow-Cooked Stuffed Peppers
My favorite kitchen appliance is the slow cooker, and I use mine more than anyone else I know. It does a great job with this good-for-you dish. —Michelle Gurnsey, Lincoln, Nebraska
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Barbecue Chicken Sliders
Brining the meat overnight helps make these BBQ chicken sliders taste exceptionally good. Plus, they're so tender, they melt in your mouth. —Rachel Kunkel, Schell City, Missouri
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Slow-Cooker Lemon Chicken
A great way to get chicken breast at its most moist and tender is to let the slow cooker do the work. That leaves you with less than 10 minutes of prep for this aromatic slow-cooker lemon chicken recipe.
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Slow-Cooker Pizza Casserole
Crockpot pizza casserole is the recipe for a satisfying one-and-done meal. This comforting casserole with mass appeal is just what you need when cooking for a crowd.
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Refried Bean Dip
This five-star refried bean dip is one of our most popular appetizer recipes. After one dreamy bite, you'll understand why. It's spicy, a little creamy and extremely cheesy.
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Slow-Cooked Carnitas
Simmer up succulent pork the slow-cooker way. Sometimes, instead of using tortillas, I put the seasoned meat on top of shredded lettuce for a tasty salad. —Lisa Glogow, Aliso Viejo, California
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21: Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
What if you could get the perfect pot roast with half the work, but double the flavor? Good news: You can. Here's how, with the help of our best slow-cooker pot roast recipe.
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Stephanie’s Slow-Cooker Stew
Start this warming one-pot meal before you head out for the day. By the time you get home, the well-seasoned meat will be tender and mouthwatering. —Stephanie Rabbitt-Schapp, Cincinnati, Ohio
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French Dip
For a sandwich with more pizazz than the traditional French dip, give this recipe a try. The seasonings give the broth a wonderful flavor, and the meat cooks up tender and juicy. This slow-cooked version will soon be a favorite at your house too. —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
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“Secret’s in the Sauce” BBQ Ribs
A sweet, rich sauce makes this BBQ ribs recipe so tender that the meat literally falls off the bones. And the aroma is wonderful. Yum! —Tanya Reid, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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Apple Butter
Homemade apple butter could not be easier to make—it just takes a little patience! The result is a sweet, aromatic and versatile condiment you will want to spread on everything this fall.
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16: Stuffed Chicken Rolls
Just thinking about this dish sparks my appetite. The ham and cheese rolled inside are a tasty surprise. Leftovers reheat well and make a perfect lunch with a green salad. —Jean Sherwood, Kenneth City, Florida
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Creamy Italian Chicken
Italian salad dressing mix is like a secret weapon for adding flavor to this creamy chicken dish. Served over rice or pasta, this Italian dressing chicken is rich, delicious and special enough for company. —Maura McGee, Tallahassee, Florida
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Potluck Macaroni and Cheese
You'll always have a winner at the potluck when you bring macaroni and cheese. Here's an extra-rich, creamy version for the slow cooker. —Jennifer Blondek, Chicopee, Massachusetts
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Cube Steak
This meltingly tender slow-cooker recipe is the perfect introduction to cube steak, a tenderized cut of beef that's rich beyond its price tag.
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Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Let the slow cooker do the work for you and enjoy these tangy, tasty pulled pork sandwiches with minimal hands-on effort required.
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Slow-Cooker Chicken Thighs
Here’s a real sensation: Asian-style slow-cooker chicken thighs and rice. They always go over big with my family. —Gigi Miller, Stoughton, Wisconsin
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9: Lime Chicken Tacos
This slow-cooker chicken tacos recipe is anything but boring or bland. Fresh lime juice, chili powder, salsa and corn give the tender chicken a burst of fresh flavor.
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8: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Of all the recipes I make in my slow cooker, this Crock-Pot BBQ chicken is my most treasured. If you enjoy your BBQ sweet with a little spice, this will be your new favorite, too. —Yvonne McKim, Vancouver, Washington
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7: Stamp-of-Approval Spaghetti Sauce
My father is very opinionated, especially about food. This recipe received his almost unreachable stamp of approval. I have yet to hear a disagreement from anyone who has tried it! —Melissa Taylor, Higley, Arizona
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6: White Bean Chicken Chili
My sister shared this white bean chicken chili recipe with me. I usually double it and add one extra can of beans, then serve with cheddar biscuits or warmed tortillas. The jalapeno adds just enough heat to notice but not too much for my children. —Kristine Bowles, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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5: Slow Cooker Lasagna
You do not have to worry about dinner when you make slow-cooker lasagna. Simply layer a browned ground beef mixture with a cheesy filling and tomato sauce between no-bake lasagna noodles, and let it cook low and slow for a few hours. It is the perfect no-fuss weeknight meal.
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4: Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin Chili
My family is crazy about this slow cooker chili because it uses ingredients you don't usually find in chili. Believe it or not, I discovered that pumpkin is what makes the dish so special. Cook up a big batch and freeze some for later; it tastes even better reheated. —Deborah Vliet, Holland, Michigan
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3: Forgotten Jambalaya
During chilly times of the year, I fix this jambalaya at least once a month. It’s so easy—just chop the vegetables, dump everything in the slow cooker and forget it! Even my sons, who are picky about spicy things, like this dish. —Cindi Coss, Coppell, Texas
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2: Slow-Cooker Short Ribs
It is easy to learn how to cook short ribs in a slow cooker. The slow-cooker short ribs become so tender that you can cut the meat with a fork! The beef short ribs cook in a rich braising liquid that doubles as a gravy when it comes time to serve.
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