Slow-Cooker Classics

Make this classic "set it and forget it" recipe before leaving in the morning, and its wafting flavors will greet you at the door when you return home. Use two forks to gently pull apart the meat.

More seasoned than spicy, chicken legs become fall-off-the-bone tender when given the slow-cooker treatment. Cumin, cinnamon, and ginger lend a sophisticated sharpness to the chicken's sauce -- make sure to reserve leftovers to serve with rice or polenta.

Some of the best meals are the least complicated. Let this homey and nostalgic dish evoke childhood memories -- or create new ones! Either way, this comforting meal is as easy to enjoy as it is to clean up.

Most people think of using a slow cooker for hearty red-meat dishes; this bright and spicy Louisiana-style stew with shrimp, okra, and smoked sausage shows this favorite appliance can do much more. The smoked sausage, like andouille or kielbasa, add both robust and delicate tastes to the finished dish.

Tough cuts, such as the brisket used in this recipe, become meltingly pliable when cooked for ages. Serve this dish with grainy mustard to provide a pleasant textural contrast.

Enough with the stews -- pass the sweets! These decadent brownies are a crowd-pleasing treat that cook for 3 1/2 hours, so set them up before making dinner. By the time you're finished eating, dessert will be ready.

Plan ahead and make this hearty ragu a day or two in advance, as the flavors will become richer with time. Serve it spooned over thick egg noodles, polenta, or a hunk of crusty bread.

If you love turkey, then think beyond Thanksgiving! Cooked with lemon zest and finished with lemon juice, this bright stew is extremely flavorful.

This sweet and tart spread makes a lovely holiday gift -- but be sure to save some for yourself! It's great on toast, on pancakes, or mixed into oatmeal.

Dark-meat chicken becomes easily shreddable (and perfect for tacos) after hours of low, slow cooking. Using boneless, skinless thighs makes the steps after cooking a cinch. If doubling this recipe to serve guests, set up taco shells, toppings, and chicken and allow everyone to serve themselves.