7 Ways With a Slow Cooker

Slow is the New Fast

Take a few minutes in the morning to toss in savory ingredients and, when you get home, a tasty meal will be ready. Whether you're making a main dish, a sweet dessert, or even butter (yes, butter), it doesn't get much easier than this.

Slow-cooker Beef Tacos

Brown the meat in a Dutch oven, then let the slow-cooker work its magic as the rich spices meld. You can also serve the versatile, tender beef over baked potatoes instead of in soft tortilla shells.

Recipe: Slow-cooker Beef Tacos

Beer-and-Cheddar Fondue

Use a slow-cooker to keep the party going. The low setting keeps dishes like this festive fondue at the perfect temperature until the last guest has gone home.

Recipe: Beer-and-Cheddar Fondue

Slow-Cooker Meat Loaf with Shiitake Mushrooms

Use a slow-cooker to upgrade your meat loaf–it prevents evaporation, so you'll end up with a super-moist dinner packed with flavor.

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Meat Loaf with Shiitake Mushrooms

Overnight Apple Butter

Slow-cookers make more than meaty dinner dishes. Make a sweet, rich apple butter spread that goes perfectly on a toasted English muffin or served over pork chops. One taste and you'll never believe it's fat free.

Recipe: Overnight Apple Butter

Mocha Pudding Cake

Make the ultimate dessert–a fudgy mix of cake and pudding–in two easy steps. Stir ingredients in a bowl, then add to the slow cooker for about two hours. Dessert doesn't get much sweeter that that.

Recipe: Mocha Pudding Cake

Grandma Dean's Chicken and Dressing

Plan a home-style dinner like grandma used to make with only 30 minutes of prep work. You'll come home to a house with smells reminiscent of Sunday suppers with the family.

Recipe: Grandma Dean's Chicken and Dressing

More 7 Ways With...

Beat the weeknight "What's for dinner?" crunch. Browse a few of our favorite quick-cooking entrées and pick one that makes your mouth water.

• 7 Ways With Salmon featuring Salmon Burritos with Chile-Roasted Vegetables (left)
• 7 Ways With French Bread
• 7 Ways With Tilapia
• 7 Ways With Fresh Shrimp
• 7 Ways With Rotisserie Chicken