7 Ways With a Slow Cooker

Slow is the New Fast Tout

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 Recipe

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.

Beer-and-Cheddar Fondue Recipe

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.

Slow-Cooker Meat Loaf with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe

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.

Overnight Apple Butter Recipe

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.

Mocha Pudding Cake Recipe

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.

Grandma Dean's Chicken and Dressing Recipe

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.