Coming home to a hot meal after a long day of work is the ultimate gift. The slow cooker method is a lifesaver for busy families: simply toss your ingredients in, set it, and forget it until dinnertime. Slow-cooked chicken, beef, vegetables, and more are incredibly tender too. For dishes you know you'll want to eat again soon, we recommend doubling up on ingredients and tossing leftovers in the freezer.

This appliance has come a long way in recent years. Many newer models have auto-shutoff and keep warm settings (for times you get tied up in meetings or traffic), LED-lit digital displays, delay start functionality, and multiple temperature settings. Don't be intimidated: All of these fancy features help make slow cooking even more convenient.

Ready to slow-cook? Keep scrolling for our best, super-easy slow cooker recipes.Slow-Cooker Asian Short Ribs
Slow-Cooker Asian Short Ribs
MARCUS NILSSON
Preparing short ribs may sound intimidating, but they're a cinch to make in the slow cooker.

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Slow-Cooker Ragù With Spaghetti Squash
Slow-Cooker Ragù With Spaghetti Squash Recipe
CAITLIN BENSEL
Our favorite part about this recipe is that you can cook the Bolognese-inspired sauce and the spaghetti squash in the slow cooker at the same time. The result is an easy, hands-off dinner that doesn't skimp on flavor. Shave some Parmesan on top of each plate before serving and you're good to go.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Tostadas
Slow-cooker Chicken Tostadas with toppings on a white plate with a purple cloth napkin
CAITLIN BENSEL
In this recipe, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are cooked in a slow cooker with onions, tomatillo salsa, and poblano chiles. The result is ridiculously tender meat with a tangy taste, which is the perfect tostada topper. While the slow cooker is handling the chicken, all you need to do is make a quick pico de gallo and sprinkle some crumbled queso fresco on the finished product.

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Slow-Cooker Pork Ditalini Stew
Ditalini and Stewed Pork Soup
GENTL & HYERS
Pork shoulder—the star of this stew—thrives in the slow cooker and gets incredibly tender after being cooked low and slow. This cozy soup also includes baby spinach, bite-size ditalini, and a rich tomato broth. Top each bowl off with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving to tie everything together.

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Slow-Cooker Classic Beef Stew
Slow-Cooker Classic Beef Stew
SUSIE CUSHNER
This recipe, which is perfect for a cold day, is packed with plenty of ingredients you probably already have at home, including flour, tomato paste, olive oil, and frozen peas. While the stew takes about eight hours to cook, we promise it's worth it.

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Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes
Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes
CON POULOS
The slow cooker does wonders for tenderizing meat, and this chili recipe proves that the same is true for vegetables. The vegetarian dish is loaded with sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and a variety of beans, along with a litany of other ingredients you just have to toss in the slow cooker. Top each bowl of chili with sour cream, scallions, radishes, and tortilla chips and you're all set.

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Slow-Cooker Tuscan Pot Roast
Slow-Cooker Tuscan Pot Roast
SUSIE CUSHNER
Dry red wine and tomato paste give this dish extra depth and layers of flavor.

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Slow-Cooker Shredded Chicken
2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Recipe
GETTY IMAGES
This simple slow-cooker recipe calls for just two ingredients—chicken and a jar of salsa verde. The result is a mildly spicy shredded chicken dish that is both versatile and delicious. Once the chicken is done cooking, go ahead and use it as a taco base, serve it with a hearty helping of beans and rice, or add it to a bowl of pasta or soup. Whatever your craving, this shredded chicken will come in handy.