Fall is the perfect time to break out the slow cooker. As the days get shorter and busier, a hot home-cooked meal is just what you need. Slow cooker meals require little active time but fill your home with enticing aromas as they cook. The key is choosing recipes that allow you to dump in ingredients and walk away.
For a classic comfort food dinner, beef stew is always a good option. Cubed chuck roast, potatoes, carrots and broth are all you need. As the meat and veggies simmer, the broth reduces and infuses everything with flavor. Serve the stew with a crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
Another easy slow cooker meal is chicken tortilla soup. Place chicken breasts, broth, beans, corn and spices in the slow cooker. Once the chicken is cooked through, shred it and return to the pot. The long, slow cooking allows the flavors to blend and thicken the broth. Garnish the soup with avocado, lime, tortilla chips or shredded cheese.
If you want to get out of a pasta rut, try slow cooker lasagna. Layer noodles, cheese, sauce and spinach in the crockpot and let it cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. The result is a creamy, cheesy lasagna with little effort. Serve with a simple salad for a complete Italian-inspired dinner.
For a vegetarian meal, vegetable curry over rice is perfect. Chop cauliflower, carrots and bell peppers and cook in coconut milk and curry spices until tender. The curry will thicken as it cooks, allowing you to adjust spices to your desired heat level. Serve the curry with rice, naan bread, mango chutney and cilantro.
With a little planning, you can have a delicious, home-cooked dinner ready when you walk in the door. A slow cooker allows you to make extraordinary meals with ordinary ingredients and minimal effort. Choose a few recipes to keep in rotation for easy fall dinners all season long. Your family and home will thank you.