You only need two ingredients to make these simple yet satisfying dishes, in addition to the basics of water, salt, and pepper. There are some options for add-ins to take things to the next level, but overall, your grocery list will be remarkably short. The result: You’ll get to spend more time cozying up at home. Truthfully, the possibilities of simple meals you can make in your slow cooker are practically endless. All it takes is a high-quality, pre-made sauce plus your protein of choice. Let it all cook together while you go about your day, and dinner is served! Read on for a little inspiration to get you started, plus some ideas for sides and dessert. Place the pork in the slow cooker and cook on low for eight hours. Take the meat out and let it rest for 20 minutes, then shred with a fork. There will be liquid in the slow cooker that the meat gives off while cooking—if you strain the fat off with a mesh strainer and pour it back over the shredded pork, it will take the flavor to the next level. Finally, return the shredded meat to the slow cooker and smother it with your favorite bottled BBQ sauce-Carolina-style, sweet and sticky, it all works. Enjoy by the forkful, in sandwich form, or served up with a side of slaw. To make it, drain and rinse four 15-ounce cans of chickpeas. Dump in an 8-ounce jar of Tikka Masala sauce and cook on low for five hours. Can’t find pre-made Tikka Masala in your local store? This recipe also works with jarred curry sauce or a similarly spiced simmer sauce. RELATED: We Tested 142 Time-Saving Cooking Sauces—These Are the 6 Best Start with about six boneless, skinless chicken breasts (aiming for around 2 pounds), and season them with salt and pepper. Arrange them at the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer and add 8 to 10 ounces of your favorite bottled buffalo sauce (my personal favorite is a no-sugar-added version from Primal Kitchen). Set your slow cooker on low for three hours, then shred the chicken and combine thoroughly with the sauce left at the bottom of the slow cooker. Serve the tender, spicy chicken on its own, on top of a salad, or in lettuce cups topped with blue cheese for a classic flavor combination. To make applesauce: Peel and core about 3 pounds of apples, then cut them into roughly 1-inch chunks. Throw them into the slow cooker with 1/2 cup of water, 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir the mixture, and then set the slow cooker on high for four hours. When the mixture is done, you can either leave it as is for chunky applesauce or puree it with an immersion blender. Pack the applesauce into containers for easy snacks, serve over latkes, or alongside pork tenderloin. For dipping, try chunks of pound cake, sliced fruit (strawberries, pineapple, and bananas are all fab choices), marshmallows, and pretzels. Keeping some thin skewers handy will save hands from getting too messy in the process. Want to take it to the next level? Serve your melty chocolate alongside churros.
