Top 17+ cozy comfort foods you can make in a slow cooker

Stew is one of those slow-cooker meals where you can practically toss in the ingredients and walk away.

Brisket is another meat that becomes super tender in a slow cooker., Ribs can also be made in a Crock-Pot., Bolognese sauce is another great way to utilize your Crock-Pot., Meatballs are another warming meal to make in a slow cooker., Goat shoulder is another delicious meal you can make in a Crock-Pot.

Beef, turkey, or chicken stew is a perfect stick-to-your-bones meal during the winter months.

"Beef stew is really nice in the slow cooker," Laidlaw said. "That's something I grew up on with the slow cooker, and it's just as good today."

But stew is also hassle-free.

"Slow cookers are perfect in the winter for soups and stews," Laidlaw said. "The best part is that you can set it in the morning and walk away."

Brisket is another meat that becomes super tender in a slow cooker.

Brisket is another meat that becomes super tender in a slow cooker., Ribs can also be made in a Crock-Pot., Bolognese sauce is another great way to utilize your Crock-Pot., Meatballs are another warming meal to make in a slow cooker., Goat shoulder is another delicious meal you can make in a Crock-Pot.

Laidlaw's recipe for slow-cooked braised brisket includes garlic, onion, dry red wine, carrot, and chicken or beef stock, with a chimichurri sauce.

"Brisket is a natural partner for the slow cooker, as a gentle braise renders it meltingly tender," Laidlaw writes in "Everyday Slow Cooking."

Ribs can also be made in a Crock-Pot.

Brisket is another meat that becomes super tender in a slow cooker., Ribs can also be made in a Crock-Pot., Bolognese sauce is another great way to utilize your Crock-Pot., Meatballs are another warming meal to make in a slow cooker., Goat shoulder is another delicious meal you can make in a Crock-Pot.

"Ribs do really well in the slow cooker, and you can always stick them under the broiler in the end to crisp them up," Laidlaw said.

Bolognese sauce is another great way to utilize your Crock-Pot.

Brisket is another meat that becomes super tender in a slow cooker., Ribs can also be made in a Crock-Pot., Bolognese sauce is another great way to utilize your Crock-Pot., Meatballs are another warming meal to make in a slow cooker., Goat shoulder is another delicious meal you can make in a Crock-Pot.

"Bolognese is great because you can cook it for a long time," Laidlaw said. "You just have to remember that the sauce doesn't evaporate the same as it would if you were doing it on the stove. You definitely need to compensate and put less liquid in the pot if you're using a slow cooker."

Meatballs are another warming meal to make in a slow cooker.

Brisket is another meat that becomes super tender in a slow cooker., Ribs can also be made in a Crock-Pot., Bolognese sauce is another great way to utilize your Crock-Pot., Meatballs are another warming meal to make in a slow cooker., Goat shoulder is another delicious meal you can make in a Crock-Pot.

Acheson points out that not only are meatballs, like the veal meatballs he includes in his book, easy and delicious to make, but they're a comforting, kid-friendly option you can make in a slow cooker.

"Slow cookers are not necessarily the best tool for cooking for one — they work so much better for nourishing an entire family," he said.

Pork shoulder is a slow-cooker staple you can use in a number of dishes.

Brisket is another meat that becomes super tender in a slow cooker., Ribs can also be made in a Crock-Pot., Bolognese sauce is another great way to utilize your Crock-Pot., Meatballs are another warming meal to make in a slow cooker., Goat shoulder is another delicious meal you can make in a Crock-Pot.

"One dish I think is so versatile is pork shoulder in a slow cooker with broth and a little salt and pepper," Laidlaw said. "I just braise that and then you can turn into so many different things."

Laidlaw said that using a pork shoulder, you can make everything from pulled-pork sliders to carnitas tacos or burritos.

You can also prepare a leg of lamb in the slow cooker, but you might want to sear it first.

Brisket is another meat that becomes super tender in a slow cooker., Ribs can also be made in a Crock-Pot., Bolognese sauce is another great way to utilize your Crock-Pot., Meatballs are another warming meal to make in a slow cooker., Goat shoulder is another delicious meal you can make in a Crock-Pot.

"Leg of lamb is so good as it breaks down in the slow cooker," Acheson said. "Cooking in the slow cooker and then finishing another way is going to make sure your meat is at its best. Whether that means re-searing the meat or throwing it under the broiler, you might want to think about other steps to really finish off your meal."

Laidlaw added, "Recipes that have you throw everything in without any prep ahead are not nearly as good or as flavorful as the ones that do. Taking ten minutes to brown the meat before you put it in or getting the onions started goes a long way to making your meals more delicious."

Goat shoulder is another delicious meal you can make in a Crock-Pot.

Brisket is another meat that becomes super tender in a slow cooker., Ribs can also be made in a Crock-Pot., Bolognese sauce is another great way to utilize your Crock-Pot., Meatballs are another warming meal to make in a slow cooker., Goat shoulder is another delicious meal you can make in a Crock-Pot.

"These days, goat shoulder doesn't have that gamey taste it might have had before," Acheson said. "When you're talking about cooking a large piece of meat, a slow cooker is a great place to start."