On a chilly evening, there’s nothing like coming home to a warm meal that practically cooked itself. Keep these slow cooker meals in your back pocket for when you’re craving comfort.

The slow cooker is the ultimate kitchen companion for cozy fall evenings. With minimal work, you can whip up delicious dishes that fill your home with mouthwatering aromas. To help you get started, here are three indulgent dishes that will keep you warm as the temperatures start to dip.

Taco Soup

The perfect blend of hearty and zesty, taco soup is a great go-to. This dish is packed with ground beef, beans, corn, and a medley of spices, and you can further customize it to your heart’s content.

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
2 cups beef broth
1 packet taco seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, cook the ground beef until browned, then transfer the meat to the slow cooker.

2. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and taco seasoning to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.

3. Set the slow cooker on low and let it cook for about 6 hours.

4. Serve hot with your favourite toppings.

Chicken Pot Pie

Nothing says comfort like chicken pot pie. This slow cooker version gives you all the classic flavours—tender chicken, vegetables, creamy sauce, and flaky biscuits—with much less fuss.

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
2 cups mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Refrigerated biscuits

Instructions:

1. Place the chicken, mixed vegetables, chopped onion, and minced garlic in the slow cooker.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, milk, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken and vegetables.

3. Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

4. About 30 minutes before serving, bake the biscuits according to instructions and serve on top.

Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, and making it in a slow cooker ensures the rich, creamy result you want with little effort on your part!

Ingredients:

2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups milk
1 can evaporated milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Add the uncooked macaroni to the slow cooker, followed by the shredded cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, paprika, salt, and pepper.

2. Stir everything together until the cheese is evenly distributed.

3. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce is thick and creamy.

4. Serve hot.

Slow cooker meals are perfect for those chilly fall nights when you want something warm and comforting but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. From the zesty kick of taco soup to the creamy richness of mac and cheese, these dishes are sure to become seasonal favourites.