18 easy slow cooker recipes

Slow and steady wins the race with this hearty soup. 15 minutes of prep is all that's required of you. The reward is a bounty of freezer meals your future self will thank you for. Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup

A decadent French toast breakfast that's basically effortless? This slow-cooker recipe is your new best friend. Get the recipe: Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Crunch French Toast

Serve these saucy ribs over egg noodles and pair with your family’s favourite veggies for a simple and satisfying dinner. Get the recipe: Saucy Short Ribs

Don’t fuss with takeout, restaurant-worthy Indian food is within your grasp thanks to this oh-so-easy dish. Omit the jalapeno if your family likes things on the tamer side. Get the recipe: Chana Masala

French toast in the slow cooker? Yes you can. This recipe is perfect for setting up the night before, so you can wake up to a lazy weekend breakfast of the best kind of carbs. Get the recipe: Maple Bacon French Toast

Come home to a bowl of comfort in the form of barley, chunky veggies and lean ground beef in a tomato-y broth. Bonus: This soup freezes like a dream. Get the recipe: Hamburger Soup

This sweet, sticky dish is great over rice. If you’re worried about chicken breasts getting dry, sub for juicy chicken thighs. Get the recipe: Pineapple Chicken

This tender pork dish is delicious over noodles (use some cooking liquid in the sauce). The cooking liquid can even be defatted, frozen and reused to braise pork another day—it only gets richer with use. Get the recipe: Red-Cooked Pork Sandwiches 

Make your main dish and two side dishes in one fell swoop. Get the recipe: Herb and Spice Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots

Forgo baking sheets in favour of your slow cooker. Here’s a handy tip: Granola will toast a little faster if you push it up agianst the side of the slow cooker, leaving a well in the middle. Get the recipe: Almond and Cherry Granola

Try a new spin on the classic Italian dish. The slow cooker does all the work for this simple ravioli. Get the recipe: Ravioli Lasagna

Nope, not a mistake, this cheeseburger meatloaf is made in the trusty slow cooker. Eat it between two slices of bread for an old school meatloaf sandwich. Get the recipe: Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Slider buns are easier for small hands to hold. But this saucy standard tastes just as dandy by the forkful. Get the recipe: Saucy Pulled Pork

Brisket is a humble cut of beef—inexpensive and easy to prep. All it asks for in return is a little time. Braised over hours, brisket comes out succulent and tender. Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Braised Brisket

Oatmeal isn’t the only grain that makes for great porridge. Barley is a slightly chewy and nutty-tasting option, chock full of fibre. Get the recipe: Overnight Barley Porridge

Congee is a savoury rice porridge traditional to many Asian cultures and is often served for breakfast. Think of it as something like a soupy risotto—very tasty and easy to eat. Get the recipe: Comforting Chicken Congee

Use your favourite barbecue sauce to create the final glaze on these easy ribs. Forget going out to eat, the best BBQ in town is in your slow cooker. Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Ribs

This chili is a great way to eat your veggies. It’s loaded with flavour and fun to top with chopped avocado and shredded cheese. Get the recipe: Hearty Vegetarian Chili

Read more:
Soup: 15 simple recipes 13 healthy comfort food recipes 5 easy and delicious last-minute dinner recipes