Over the years, the slow cooker has become a kitchen staple—and for good reason. By doing a little prep early, you get to come home from work to a perfectly cooked ready-to-eat meal, which is perfect for those busy weeknights. And because the ingredients have had hours to cook together, their flavors are fully melded. Basically, all you have to do is assemble the ingredients, turn it on, and within a few hours dinner is ready to serve. To help you make the most of this handy kitchen appliance, we've rounded up the best slow cooker recipes right here that have delicious results your whole family will love.

You'll soon find that the possibilities are endless with the following recipes that include slow cooker chicken, slow cooker beef, and even slow cooker vegetarian dishes. Not only can you serve these for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but you can also put these slow cooker recipes together year-round. Want to keep warm during winter? Bookmark one of the following slow cooker soup recipes. Looking to make more nutritious choices for dinner? There are plenty of healthy slow cooker recipes, too. If you need the perfect dish for your summer barbecue, we've also got plenty of summer slow cooker options. (Not to mention tons of slow cooker desserts!) No matter what time of year or day you plan to make these easy recipes, know that there's always one that'll fit your needs. Ready for a simple dinner? Just look through the following slow cooker recipes for inspiration.