Stewed Zucchini and Tomatoes
Zucchini, tomatoes and green peppers star in this make-ahead dish that offers a fresh take on traditional vegetable sides. Bubbly cheddar cheese adds a down-home feel. —Barbara Smith, Salem, Oregon
Cheddar-Topped Barbecue Meat Loaf
My family loves the bold barbecue flavor of this tender meat loaf. I love that it's such an easy recipe to prepare in the slow cooker. —David Snodgrass, Columbia, Missouri
Old-Fashioned Tapioca
My family loves old-fashioned tapioca, but I don’t always have time to make it. So, I came up with this simple recipe. It lets us enjoy one of our favorites without all the hands-on time. —Ruth Peters, Bel Air, Maryland
Cherry Upside-Down Bread Pudding
I've always loved bread pudding, and I enjoy fixing this for my family on a chilly day. You could use a different flavor of pie filling and omit the chocolate chips to make a completely different dessert. It's always delicious! —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland
Cheesy Bruschetta Spread
Every bite of this cheesy dip delivers tons of flavor. I have been asked over and over again for the recipe. It's so easy to make and a great appetizer for any time of year. —Maggie McDermott, Central Square, New York
English Pub Split Pea Soup
This family favorite is the same recipe my grandmother used. Now with the magic of the slow cooker, I can spend 15 minutes putting it together, walk away for 5 hours, and come back to "soup's on." Finish it with more milk if you like your soup a bit thinner. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
Slow-Cooker Caponata
This Italian eggplant dips preps quickly and actually gets better as it stands. Serve it warm or at room temperature. Try adding a little leftover caponata to scrambled eggs for a savory breakfast. —Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana
Slow-Cooked Potatoes with Spring Onions
I love the simplicity of this recipe, as well as the ease of preparation with my slow cooker. And everyone always likes roasted potatoes, even my pickiest child! If desired, top with shredded or crumbled cheese. —Theresa Gomez, Stuart, Florida
Peachy Summer Cheesecake
This cool and always refreshing dessert is lightened up a bit but still fancy enough to take to a gathering. You can make it ahead of time and freeze it—just wrap it well in airtight wrap, and only add the peaches after it thaws. —Joan Engelhardt, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Sunday Dinner Brisket
We loved how tender this brisket came out of the slow cooker. The sauce has a robust, beefy flavor with a slight tang from the balsamic vinegar, and the rich caramelized onions complete the dish.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Slow-Cooker Strawberry Pudding Cake
This recipe was created because of my love of strawberry cheesecake. I had these ingredients in my pantry and thought I'd give it a whirl. Wow, the flavors are just like strawberry cheesecake, only in a warm, comforting cake version. It's a whole lot easier than making cheesecake, too! —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
Creamy Polenta with Balsamic Glaze
This delicious and easy side dish goes incredibly well with braised meat. It makes any meal feel a little more elevated.—Sarah Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire
Black-Eyed Peas with Ham
Here's a regional favorite I grew to love after moving to the South. You'll never want black-eyed peas from a can again! Serve the dish as a side with grilled chicken...or make it your main course and round out the meal with greens and corn bread. —Tammie Merrill, Wake Forest, NC
Chicken Chop Suey with a Twist
If you’re in for a busy evening, here’s a great way to ensure you can still have a healthful supper. It’s tasty and traditional, and easy, too!
Bacon Breakfast Casserole
This easy breakfast dish allows me to make a comforting family favorite that doesn't take a lot of prep. It's also great for big brunch gatherings. —Paula Lawson, Springfield, Ohio
Contest-Winning Mushroom Pot Roast
Wow! The wine-warmed flavors in this recipe are amazing! Packed with wholesome veggies and tender beef, this is one company-special dish all ages will like. Serve with mashed potatoes to enjoy every last drop of the rich, beefy gravy. —Angie Stewart, Topeka, Kansas
Sweet and Tangy Beets
Fresh beets are delicious when combined with aromatic spices and a hint of orange. These have the ideal balance of sweet and sour flavors. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Slow Cooker Rice Porridge
We Italians have a soft spot for our rice dishes. Whether it's risotto or rice pudding, it's all good. This not-too-sweet treat is a terrific way to finish a meal. Top it off with cherry or blueberry pie filling right before serving...or stir in a little Amaretto. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Turkey & Pork Meatballs
Treat yourself to homemade meatballs, already simmering in sauce, at the end of a busy day. —Suzanne Wagg, Madison, Maine
BBQ Pork & Peppers
It was the first recipe I ever made in a slow cooker & it was the first recipe my husband taught me! I usually pair this with white rice & a salad.
Slow Cooker Apple Pudding Cake
A satisfying dessert, pudding cake is a superb treat on a chilly night. It separates into three layers—apples, cake and sauce—and I like to serve it in a bowl. —Ellen Schroeder, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Butter & Herb Turkey
My kids love a turkey meal, and this one falls off the bone. It's the ideal recipe for special family times and holidays. —Rochelle Popovic, South Bend, Indiana
French Onion Soup with Meatballs
I got the idea for how to make this soup after I went to a brewhouse restaurant that put ale in their gravy. I make this every time the weather starts to cool down in the fall—it's comfort food for the soul. —Crystal Holsinger, Surprise, Arizona
Slow-Cooked Blueberry Grunt
If you love blueberries, then you can't go wrong with this easy dessert. For a special treat, serve it warm with vanilla ice cream. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California
Slow-Cooker Turkey Sloppy Joes
Chili sauce and ground turkey make a delicious marriage in these sloppy joes, and the mashed avocado adds a special touch to the sandwiches.—Nichole Jones, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Cowboy Calico Beans
This is a tradition at the table when my girlfriends and I go up north for a girls' weekend. The husbands and kids are left at home, but the slow cooker comes with us! —Julie Butsch, Hartland, Wisconsin
Corn and Broccoli in Cheese Sauce
This veggie side dish is a standby. My daughter likes to add leftover ham to it. Save room in the oven by making this savory side in your slow cooker. —Joyce Johnson, Uniontown, Ohio
Apple Betty with Almond Cream
I love making this apple betty for friends during the peak of apple season. I plan a quick soup and bread meal, so we can get right to the dessert! —Libby Walp, Chicago, Illinois
Cranberry Sauerkraut Meatballs
I tried these meatballs at a birthday party for a friend, and now I make them all the time. They are super easy to make and perfect for a potluck or a Sunday afternoon football game. —Lisa Castelli, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
All-Day Red Beans & Rice
My family loves New Orleans-style cooking, so I make this authentic dish often. Being a busy workingwoman, I appreciate how simple it is. And its smoky ham flavor is scrumptious. —Celinda Dahlgren, Napa CA
Fruity Pork Roast
I like using the slow cooker for our meals because it gives me time for other preparations, frees the oven, and it usually doesn't matter if you serve it later than planned. The fruit in this recipe, which I adapted, gives the pork a special flavor. —Mary Jeppesen-Davis, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Hawaiian Kielbasa Sandwiches
If you are looking for a different way to use kielbasa, the sweet and mildly spicy flavor of these sandwiches is a nice change of pace.—Judy Dames, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania
Honey-Glazed Ham
Here's an easy solution for feeding a large group. The simple honey ham is perfect for family dinners, where time in the kitchen is as valuable as space in the oven.—Jacquie Stolz, Little Sioux, Iowa
Slow-Cooker Oatmeal
Waking up to this wonderful aroma and piping hot meal is a great way to start the day! —Brandy Schaefer, Glen Carbon, Illinois
New England Indian Pudding
This recipe was inspired by traditional New England Indian pudding. My version is made in the slow cooker instead of baking hours in the oven. Use real molasses—if it's too strong, cut the amount down to 1/3 cup. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Slow-Cooker Chocolate Pots de Creme
Lunch on the go just got a whole lot sweeter. Tuck jars of rich chocolate custard into lunch bags for a midday treat. These desserts in a jar are fun for picnics, too. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Sweet Potato and Pesto Slow-Cooker Bread
I like to bake fresh bread, both as a way to offer my family a delicious accompaniment to dinner and just because I enjoy the process. Baking bread in the slow cooker allows you to achieve a tender, perfectly baked loaf without turning on the oven, especially helpful in the summer. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah
Slow-Cooked Pizzaiola Meat Loaf
I also like to add Italian Castelvetrano olives to the meat loaf mixture. They're bright green, very mild and fruity, and are available in the deli section of the grocery store. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole
What's not to love about classic Tater Tot casserole—especially when it's made in the slow cooker? You'll want to add this family-pleasing potluck favorite to your regular rotation. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Slow-Cooker Creamy Cauliflower Soup
I love indulgent cream soups but not the fat that goes along with them, so I came up with a healthier version. The velvety texture of this cauliflower soup makes it feel so rich, and the spicy kick warms you up in a flash. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Apple Pie Steel-Cut Oatmeal
I absolutely love this slow cooker oatmeal. The steel cut oats have so much flavor and texture. My family loves to sprinkle toasted pecans on top. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Slow-Cooked Summer Squash
We love squash, but I got tired of fixing just plain squash and cheese. I decided to jazz it up a bit. This was a huge hit with the family. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Chicago-Style Beef Rolls
I have fond memories of eating these big, messy sandwiches at a neighbor's house when I was growing up. Freeze extras and save for another meal, too! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Slow-Cooker Pasta e Fagioli
This chunky soup is good to the last spoonful. It's my go-to recipe because it's so hearty and we all always want more. —Penny Novy, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Slow-Cooked Bread Pudding
This warm and hearty dessert is perfect on any cold, blustery winter evening. And the slow cooker fills your kitchen with an amazing aroma. My stomach is growling just thinking about it! —Maiah Albi, Carlsbad, California
Creamy Onion Pork Chops
Wine adds delectable flavor to the chops, and the meat falls from the bone. This easy dish just might initiate every family member into the cook something good for dinner club! —Kristina Wyatt, Catawba, Virginia
Slow-Cooker Sauerbraten
My family is of German Lutheran descent, and although we enjoy this traditional beef roast, I never liked the amount of time and fuss it takes to make it. This recipe is so good and oh-so-easy. It's great served with dumplings, spaetzle, veggies or a salad. —Norma English, Baden, Pennsylvania
Italian Meatball 'n' Bean Soup
This is a taste sensation the whole family will love.—Amanda Bowyer, Caldwell, Idaho
Slow-Cooked Bean Medley
I often change the variety of beans in this classic recipe, using whatever I have on hand to total the five cans called for. The sauce makes any combination delicious! It's a gluten-free side dish that's popular with just about everyone. —Peggy Gwillim, Strasbourg, Saskatchewan
Vegetarian Pea Soup
“I adapted this recipe from several I found online,” says Corrie Gamache of Palmyra, Virginia. “When I was a vegetarian for health reasons, it was a favorite. Even my meat loving husband asked for seconds!”
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pot Roast
Slow-simmered and seasoned with rosemary, mustard and thyme, this tender and tasty crock pot roast and potatoes recipe is so easy to make and always a hit. Substitute burgundy or brandy plus a half-cup of water for the broth…the aroma of this English roast recipe is wonderful! —Jeannie Klugh, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Steak Strips with Dumplings
Take in a parade on the Fourth or spend a day by the lake and come home to this slow-cooked specialty all ready to eat! The recipe’s from John Smalldridge of Princeton, Idaho.
Slow-Cooked Turkey Sandwiches
These sandwiches have been such a hit at office potlucks that I keep copies of the recipe in my desk to hand out. —Diane Twait Nelsen, Ringsted, Iowa
Squash & Chicken Stew
We created a satisfying stew that’s nutritious, loaded with flavor and family-friendly. Slowly simmer chicken thighs with stewed tomatoes, butternut squash, green peppers and onion for meal-in-one convenience. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Rosemary Pot Roast
Come home to a comforting, ready-to-eat entree with this slow-cooker favorite. It’s so easy and fills the house with a wonderful aroma. I’ve served it often…guests always want the recipe.
Apple-Dijon Pork Roast
Cindy Steffen from Cedarburg, Wisconsin shares one of her family favorites for cold-weather comfort. “This recipe takes less than five minutes to assemble and is delicious.” TIP: “I like to serve the roast with rice, then use the tangy sauce as a gravy for both,” Cindy shares.
Cider Cheese Fondue
Cheese lovers are sure to enjoy dipping into this creamy quick-to-fix fondue that has just a hint of apple. You can also serve this appetizer with pear wedges. —Kim Marie Van Rheenen, Mendota, Illinois
Deviled Swiss Steak
This main dish is satisfying all by itself. But you can also serve this Swiss steak over hot mashed potatoes.—Melissa Gerken, Zumbrota, Minnesota
Slow-Cooker Reuben Spread
My daughter shared this recipe with me for a hearty spread that tastes just like a Reuben sandwich. Serve it from a slow cooker set to warm so that it stays tasty and warm. —Rosalie Fuchs, Paynesville, Minnesota
Vegetable Soup with Hamburger
"I work full time and have a family of four," relates Theresa Jackson of Cicero, New York. "We sit down to a home-cooked meal just about every night, many times thanks to my slow cooker. This hearty soup is often on the menu."
Turkey in Cream Sauce
"I've been relying on this recipe for tender turkey since I first moved out on my own years ago," recalls Kathy-Jo Winterbottom of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. "I serve it whenever I invite new guests to the house, and I'm constantly writing out the recipe."
Teriyaki Pork Roast
Since my husband works full-time and attends school, I do a lot around the house, including wrangling our three kids. I'm always looking for no-fuss recipes, so I was thrilled to find this one. The juicy teriyaki seasoned pork roast has become a family favorite. —Roxanne Hulsey, Gainsville, Georgia
Hot Crab Dip
I have six children and one grandchild, work full-time, and coach soccer and football. So I appreciate recipes like this one that are easy to assemble. The rich, creamy dip is a fun appetizer for holiday gatherings. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Slow-Cooked Manhattan Clam Chowder
"I came up with this simple, delicious soup years ago when my husband and I both worked," writes Mary Dixon of Northville, Michigan. "It's easy to dump all the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning...and wonderful to come home to the aroma of dinner ready."
Creamy Red Potatoes
This rich and creamy potato side dish is my go-to for potlucks. It’s super easy to double, so I usually do. Folks almost always take seconds, and I almost always get compliments. —Shelia Schmitt, Topeka, Kansas
Shrimp Marinara
Flavorful marinara sauce simmers for just a few hours. Right before mealtime, toss in the shrimp to cook quickly. Serve over hot spaghetti for a delicious weeknight dish that feels dressed up. —Sue Mackey, Jackson, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Lava Cake
I love chocolate. Perhaps that's why this decadent slow-cooker cake has long been a family favorite. Sometimes I serve it warm, with vanilla ice cream; the cake can also be served cold. —Elizabeth Farrell, Hamilton, Montana
Amaretto Cherries with Dumplings
You can't beat the combination of almond flavor with cherries. These light and fluffy dumplings are heavenly. Topped with the sauce and ice cream, it makes for a scrumptious dessert. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Scalloped Potatoes & Ham
I adapted an oven recipe to cook itself while I’m away. It’s ready to serve when I get home, making it a real winner in my book! —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Slow-Cooked Corned Beef
It’s not luck; it’s just an amazing Irish recipe. With this in the slow cooker by sunrise, you can bet to fill seats at the dinner table by sundown. —Heather Parraz, Rochester, Washington
Spicy Shredded Beef Sandwiches
If you like your shredded beef with a little kick, then this recipe is for you. For an even zestier version of this recipe, add another jar jalapenos or use hot peppers instead of the pepperocinis.—Kristen Langmeier, Faribault, Minnesota
Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup
When I have leftover ham in the fridge, I always like to make this soup. Just throw the ingredients in the slow cooker, turn it on and dinner is done. —Pamela Chambers, West Columbia, South Carolina
Slow-Cooked Beef Vegetable Soup
Convenient frozen veggies and hash browns make this meaty soup a snap to mix up. Simply brown the ground beef, then stir everything together to simmer all day. It's wonderful served with bread and a salad. —Carol Calhoun, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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Emily Racette Parulski