<p class="ingestion featured-caption">Beef stew.John Kernick/Williams Sonoma</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>A <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-slow-cooker-recipes-2017-10">slow cooker</a> or Crock-Pot can be a valuable yet underutilized tool in your kitchen.</li><li>A slow cooker can make many cozy comfort foods, from stews to simple soups and roasted meats.</li></ul><p>There's nothing better than coming home to the comforting aroma of beef stew or pasta sauce simmering in a Crock-Pot.</p><p>As the weather turns cooler, it's the perfect time to bring out your Crock-Pot or slow cooker to prepare hearty meals that cook on their own during the workday, especially if you've returned to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/companies-requiring-return-to-office-rto-mandate">working in the office</a>. </p><p>Business Insider spoke with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/kitchen/top-kitchen-appliances-tools" rel>chefs</a> and cookbook authors about their favorite comforting <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/slow-cooker-crock-pot-fall-recipes-review-2021-10" rel>slow-cooker meals</a>, from hearty beef stews and chowders to brisket, and researched celebrity chef's go-to Crock-Pot dishes. </p><p>Here are 17 cozy comfort-food dishes you can make in a slow cooker, according to chefs.</p>