If the change to cold weather has you craving something warm and comforting, then it's time to dig out your slow cooker out from the back of the cupboard. Slow cookers are especially handy when your free time is non-existant and your schedule is stretched to the limit. Put dinner on auto-pilot with one of the Test Kitchen's tasty choices below.

New to slow cooking? Discover the versatility and ease of slow cooking your dinner in our Q&A with the Test Kitchen's own Elizabeth Baird.

	Slow Cooker Beef and Stout Stew No pre-browning meat required, just chop meat & veggies and let your slow cooker do the rest.
	Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork Stew Push the pork and sweet potatoes gently to one side of the slow cooker, then whisk the flour mixture into the other side. This helps keep the sweet potatoes intact.
	Slow Cooker Lemon and Olive Chicken This is a slow cooker version of one of the Test Kitchen's favourite braised chicken dishes.
	Slow Cooker Cassoulet This traditional braised French country classic works well in the slow cooker.
	Slow Cooker Creamy Mushroom Chicken Stew Dried mushrooms develop rich, earthy flavours in the slow cooker.
	Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs Slow-simmering tomato and meatball sauce creates the richest, most flavourful sauce for spaghetti or your favourite pasta.
	Slow Cooker Seafood Chowder Rich seafood chowder doesn't have to take hours to prepare, and this recipe is proof. All you need on the side is a crusty loaf of bread for dipping.
	Slow Cooker Spinach Ravioli Soup The base for this soup is a flavourful, homemade vegetable stock, made simple by putting your slow cooker to use. You'll never reach for store-bought again!
	Slow Cooker Sausage and Seafood Ragout Sausage, seafood, eggplant, tomatoes and paprika make up this simple, cosy stew.
	Slow Cooker Chicken and Sausage Gumbo 20 minutes of recipe prep is all the time you'll spend on this hearty, stick-to-your-ribs slow-cooker gumbo.
	Slow Cooker Squash and Chickpea Curry Rich cashew butter makes a special addition to this vegetarian curry dish.
	Slow Cooker Spanish Pot Roast A company-worthy pot roast brimming with flavour.
	Slow Cooker Smoked Turkey and Noodle Soup Often turkey legs are on sale, and this soup is the perfect way to feed your family for less.
	Slow Cooker Pork and Black Bean Chili Earthy cumin spices and sweet bell peppers accent this rustic pork and bean stew beautifully.
	Slow Cooker Port and Prune Pork Roast Sweet-savoury sauce makes economical pork shoulder taste gourmet.
	Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks with Fennel and White Beans A classic lamb stew made easy in the slow cooker. Serve with crusty bread.
	Fennel and Tomato Pork Stew Another great way to use pork shoulder blade, this tomato-based stew makes the kitchen smell divine.
	Lemon Lentil Soup One of our most popular slow cooker recipes, this vegan soup is a hit for a crowd.
	Chicken Chili A lighter chili using chicken, white kidney beans, cumin and cilantro.