One of the best things about the fall and winter seasons are all those hearty dinners that will keep us warm and cozy during the long, cold nights. What’s even better is to prepare some of those meals using your slow cooker, where they’ll bubble away for hours, permeating your home with mouth-watering aromas. Check out a few of our favorite slow-cooker recipes.

Chicken & Dumplings

How often do you indulge in this classic comfort food? Probably not often enough, right? Who has the time? Well, when you have a slow cooker, it couldn’t be easier. This recipe only has five ingredients – one of them being refrigerator biscuit dough for the dumplings. Add the first four ingredients to the slow cooker, let it simmer for 5-6 hours, add the biscuit dough about an hour before serving, and voila! You have the perfect comfort food with hardly any effort.

Ramen Bowls

Don’t be deceived – this isn’t the instant ramen from your college days. No, this is the real deal. Flavorful broth, pork, shiitake mushrooms, kombu, ginger … This is the best ramen bowl ever, not to mention the healthiest. You can also easily make it vegetarian with a couple simple substitutions.

Steak Fajitas

Who would have thought you could make this incredible Tex-Mex dish in a slow cooker? It’s far easier to make than you might think – the most challenging part is just getting the steak right. If you’re having a night in with friends, just double or triple the recipe.

Lasagna Soup

Everyone loves lasagna, but no one loves how much work it is to make. Take this simpler route by turning it into a rich, flavorful soup that takes less than half the time and effort. And once again, you can leave out the meat to make a vegetarian option.

Pot Roast Hash

Don’t limit yourself to dinners when it comes to using your slow cooker. How about whipping up a delicious breakfast, too? This hash includes chuck roast, Worcestershire sauce, and Potatoes O’Brien. You can cook the meat the day or night before and have it ready for the morning assembly. It’s also perfect to freeze for a morning when you don’t want to have to worry about whipping up a nutritious meal.

Cherry Apple Crisp

Cherries. Apples. Crumbly, sweet topping. What else needs to be said?

For more tips on cooking up delicious and nutritious meals using modern appliances, check out The Slate’s blog.