1 / 31
Day 1: Greek Shrimp Orzo
This is one of our favorites. It's delicious, satisfying and reheats well. My husband would rather have “the orzo dish” than go out to eat. Serve it with crusty bread and salad. —Molly Seidel, Edgewood, New Mexico 2 / 31
Day 2: Country-Style Pork Loin
This pork roast is so moist and tender, it melts in your mouth. My son puts it at the top of his list of favorite foods. We like it with mashed potatoes. —Corina Flansberg, Carson City, Nevada 3 / 31
Day 3: Slow-Cooker Beef and Broccoli
I love introducing my kids to all kinds of flavors. This Asian-inspired slow-cooker beef and broccoli meal is one of their favorites, so I serve it often. —Brandy Stansbury, Edna, Texas 4 / 31
Day 4: Greek Chicken with Green Beans
My Greek grandmother made the most delicious Greek chicken and green beans with a lemon-tomato flavor. Whenever I make this slow-cooker recipe, I think of her. The juices from the chicken help flavor the green beans, but the beans can be prepared alone as a side dish without the chicken. —Elizabeth Lindemann, Driftwood, Texas 5 / 31
Day 5: Cilantro-Lime Chicken
As a working mom and home cook, I strive to serve fabulous, flavor-packed dinners that make my family smile, like this tasty cilantro-lime chicken. There is nothing more awesome than a slow-cooker recipe that makes it seem as though you've been cooking in the kitchen all day! —Mari Smith, Ashburn, Virginia 6 / 31
Day 6: Melt-in-Your-Mouth Sausages
My family loves this recipe. It’s such a good all-around dish, either for sandwiches like these or served with hot cooked spaghetti. 7 / 31
Day 7: Smoky White Beans & Ham
I had never made or eaten this dish before meeting my husband here in Kentucky. Now I make it at least once a week. I serve it with some homemade sweet cornbread. Delicious! —Christine Duffy, Sturgis, Kentucky 8 / 31
Day 8: Butter Chicken Meatballs
My husband and I love meatballs, and we love butter chicken. Before an appetizer party, we had the brilliant idea to combine these two loves, and the new creation got rave reviews! Want them as a main dish? Just serve with basmati rice. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta 9 / 31
Day 9: BBQ Brats
In Wisconsin, brats are a food group! We are always looking for new ways to cook them. This recipe is easy and a hit at any tailgate party or cookout, any time of year. —Jessica Abnet, DePere, Wisconsin 10 / 31
Day 10: Black & White Bean Chili
This is a healthy and filling meal that even the kids love! The satisfying chili is great for football games or potluck dinners. —Katti Scott, Manteo, North Carolina 11 / 31
Day 11: Cheesy Turkey Meat Loaf
Nothing says comfort food better than meat loaf! Get this one started in the morning and you’ll have a fantastic hot meal ready even by lunchtime. —Deanna Martinez Bey, Wake Forest, North Carolina 12 / 31
Day 12: Coffee-Braised Roast Beef
This recipe has been a family tradition since 1974. The meat is quick and flavorful, so it's a nice welcome home after a long day of work. The coffee adds an intriguing flavor to the roast, and the juices can be thickened for a delicious gravy.—Nancy Schuler, Belle Fourche, South Dakota 13 / 31
Day 13: Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Chicken
I live in Georgia, but I appreciate the tangy, sweet taste of Carolina barbecue chicken. In fact, my sons are more likely to show up to dinner if they know I'm serving this slow cooker recipe. —Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia 14 / 31
Day 14: Cajun Pork and Rice
I created this recipe upon returning home from traveling. With little food in the house, I used what was there. My husband loves this dish because it's tasty, and I love it because it's easy. —Allison Gapinski, Cary, North Carolina 15 / 31
Day 15: Sweet & Sour Pork Wraps
We always make these wraps at our family's annual party, and they're a true favorite. The cabbage and cilantro give them tempting texture and flavor. —Andrew DeVito, Hartford, Connecticut 16 / 31
Day 16: Slow-Cooked Beef Enchiladas
Enchiladas get a beefy boost of goodness from slow-cooked roast. When the meat is done, assemble with tortillas and bake. Top with lettuce and tomatoes if desired. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 17 / 31
Day 17: PB&J Pork Sandwiches
I came up with this recipe for one of my daughters who loves peanut butter and pork! The result has become a favorite, and kids and grown-ups alike often request it for dinner. —Jill Cox, Lincoln, Nebraska 18 / 31
Day 18: Sausage, Artichoke & Sun-Dried Tomato Ragu
This is a thick and hearty spaghetti sauce that's simple to prepare. Like all good spaghetti sauces, this one tastes even better the next day. If you prefer a little celery or bell pepper in your sauce, go ahead and throw them in. The results will still amaze. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho 19 / 31
Day 19: Sausage with Jalapeno Potatoes
While we were in Texas, my husband and I came up with this dish for weekend cookouts. This one is for meat and potato lovers everywhere. —Rose Smith, Royalton, Illinois 20 / 31
Day 20: Farm-Style BBQ Ribs
Inspiration struck when I saw a recipe like this one in a newspaper. My version was an instant hit with my husband and friends. When I discovered how easy it is to make in the slow cooker, it got even better. —Bette Jo Welton, Eugene, Oregon 21 / 31
Day 21: Cheesy Ham & Corn Chowder
When the day calls for a warm bowl of chunky soup, we make a big pot of the goods—potatoes, corn, ham and cheese. —Andrea Laidlaw, Shady Side, Maryland 22 / 31
Day 22: Slow Cooker Sausage Lasagna
On especially cold winter days, my family loves this with mild Italian sausage. I agree about the cold days, but I prefer a spicy sausage blend, which gives it a bit of a zing. —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska 23 / 31
Day 23: Tangy Orange Chicken Thighs
Here's a quick-prep recipe for tender, flavorful chicken in a tangy tomato-based sauce. You can easily double or triple the recipe, depending on the size of your slow cooker. —Dahlia Abrams, Detroit, Michigan 24 / 31
Day 24: Meat Lover's Pizza Hot Dish
I make this hearty casserole for the men who help us out during harvest time. Every year they say it’s the best, hands down. Throw in any pizza toppings your family likes—Canadian bacon, black olives and green peppers are some of our picks. —Brook Bothun, Canby, Minnesota 25 / 31
Day 25: Double-Duty Chicken with Olives & Artichokes
My grandmother came from the region around Seville, Spain, where olives are produced. They get a starring role in her scrumptious chicken. —Suzette Zara, Scottsdale, Arizona 26 / 31
Day 26: Stuffed Turkey with Mojo Sauce
I love Latin food so I created this recipe that combines wonderful spices and fresh ingredients. This is a traditional turkey recipe with a healthier twist because it uses chicken sausage instead of chorizo. —Melissa Lauer, San Antonio, Texas 27 / 31
Day 27: Slow-Cooked Beef Burritos with Green Chiles
I created this recipe years ago, and it has become such a favorite that the wonderful aroma of it cooking makes my family instantly happy. It is hearty, flavorful and easy to prepare, and uses the long, slow cook time that truly defines comfort food. —Sally Pahler, Palisade, Colorado 28 / 31
Day 28: BBQ Chicken Sliders
Brining the meat overnight helps make these BBQ chicken sliders taste exceptionally good. Plus, they're so tender, they melt in your mouth. —Rachel Kunkel, Schell City, Missouri 29 / 31
Day 29: Slow-Cooked Italian Chicken
With its nicely seasoned tomato sauce, this enticing chicken entree is especially good over pasta or rice. "My father loved it when I made this," writes Deanna D'Auria of Banning, California. 30 / 31
Day 30: Conga Lime Pork
Dinner guests won’t be too shy to get in line when this yummy chipotle pork moves to the buffet table. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina 31 / 31
Day 31: Beer-Braised Pulled Ham
To jazz up ham, I slow-cooked it with a beer sauce. Buns loaded with ham, pickles and mustard are irresistible. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts Originally Published: April 15, 2020