For stress-free Sunday supper, break out the crock pot! With just a little prep time, a handful of ingredients, and a few hours of very hands-off slow cooking, you can have a delicious meal ready for the whole family. When you don't want to deal with your oven or stand around babying a sauce over the stove, a slow cooker is a great way to go. Don't want to wait for the weekend? These easy recipes are just as good for a weeknight meal.

Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork

These slow cooker pulled pork tacos were made to feed a crowd, so invite a few extra guests. While you can (and should!) customize the toppings for extra crunch and color, there's nothing that can outshine the spicy, meaty flavors of the slow-roasted pork. Feel free to use a little less chili to please younger palates.

Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork from Simply Recipes

Slow Cooker Pesto Lasagna

This slow cooker recipe takes a classic Italian lasagna and adds additional depth and complexity of flavor with one simple addition — a jar of pesto. The nutty, salty kick from the pesto means you won't miss the meat in this vegetarian dish. It's everything we look for in a slow-cooker recipe: an easy-to-make meal with a short list of ingredients, but with flavors that will make your Sunday supper something special.

Slow Cooker Pesto Lasagna from A Year of Slow Cooking

Best Slow Cooker Bolognese

Bolognese (which is just a fancy term for meat sauce) is a perfect match for the slow cooker. To develop the rich flavors that are a hallmark of the sauce, the beef needs to be left simmering in tomato sauce for hours and hours. Sounds like a job for the slow cooker! Whether or not to include sugar in Italian red sauce is a debate that can get quite heated ... so we'll just say that you can omit it if you prefer. No judgement here!

Best Slow Cooker Bolognese from Framed Cooks

Slow Cooked Honey Garlic Chicken

Meaty chicken thighs are a family-friendly favorite that take well to the slow cooker. This simple recipe calls for just six ingredients, so you can get a tasty meal on the table with only five minutes of hands-on time. Take a note from our users and reduce the amount of soy sauce if you prefer your food less salty, or swap out the ketchup for tomato paste to reduce the sweetness.

Slow Cooked Honey Garlic Chicken from A Year of Slow Cooking

Slow Cooker Korean Beef

The flavors in this slow cooker beef recipe come from a few Asian ingredients that are easily found in most American supermarkets: Sriracha, rice-wine vinegar, and low-sodium soy sauce. Together with brown sugar, they make for a glaze that is sticky, sweet, tangy, and spicy all at once. The bulk of the ingredients are already in your pantry; just pick up beef, fresh ginger, and scallions, and this easy slow cooker can be yours tonight!

Slow Cooker Korean Beef from Damn Delicious

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Easy Jerk Chicken

This one-pot chicken dinner is cooked with black beans and corn, so your side cooks right alongside your main dish. You can round out the meal with rice if you like, or serve it as is for a tasty lower-carb meal. If you don't have jerk seasoning, the recipe also includes instructions to make your own.

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Easy Jerk Chicken from Fit Slow Cooker Queen

Crock Pot Pot Roast

A slow cooker pot roast produces some of the most tender beef you can find. In this version of the comfort food classic, we skip searing the meat at the beginning — when cooking low and slow, it's an unnecessary step that doesn't affect the flavor. For more secrets to perfect your pot roast, be sure to read "How To Make The Best Slow Cooker Pot Roast."

Crock Pot Pot Roast by Yummly

Slow Cooker Pork Chop Stroganoff

If you're looking for quick and easy shortcuts to free up some time in your day, this pork recipe may fit the bill! It takes advantage of some simple ingredients from your pantry, such as cream of mushroom soup and powdered gravy mix, to create a creamy and flavorful sauce — no whisking or stove-top cooking required.

Slow Cooker Pork Chop Stroganoff from The Midnight Baker

Best Ever Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Beef stew is one of the most classic recipes to make in a slow cooker, but with so many recipes out there, how do you know where to start? With this highly-rated version, of course! This traditional recipe features baby potatoes (no peeling required), frozen peas, and carrots, but you can switch up the vegetables however you like. Feel free to omit the peas, add parsnips, or swap out the chopped onion for pearl onions. With its lengthy cook time, the beef develops a rich flavor along with the simple tomato-based sauce.

Best Ever Slow Cooker Beef Stew from The Recipe Critic

Slow-Cooker Beef Brisket and Onions

Brisket is another cut of beef that is meant for slow-cooking. It's a classic in Jewish households for the Sabbath as it can be prepared ahead of time in the slow cooker, allowing the day of rest to be observed. It's easy to understand its popularity: Brisket is also a less expensive cut of beef, feeds a crowd, and, when paired with soft stewed onions, has rich umami flavors that are sure to satisfy guests any day of the week.

Slow-Cooker Beef Brisket and Onions from Martha Stewart

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Warm and spicy flavors come to life in this slow cooker version of the Indian classic, Chicken Tikka Masala. This is a simplified version that can be assembled quickly enough in the morning during the week, but is impressive enough to make for family dinner on the weekend.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala from Framed Cooks

Want even more slow cooker recipes? Try one of these searches on Yummly:

• Slow cooker chicken recipes
• Slow cooker chili recipes
• Crock pot beef stew
• Italian slow cooker
• Slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches