• A slow cooker or Crock-Pot can be a valuable yet underutilized tool in your kitchen.
  • A slow cooker can make many cozy comfort foods, from stews to simple soups and roasted meats.
  • Meats like brisket and short ribs become tender when made in a slow cooker.

There’s nothing better than coming home to the comforting aroma of beef stew or pasta sauce simmering in a Crock-Pot, especially for those feeling a little anxious on Election Day. 

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.

Business Insider spoke with chefs and cookbook authors about their favorite comforting slow-cooker meals, from hearty beef stews and chowders to brisket, and researched celebrity chef’s go-to Crock-Pot dishes. 

Here are 17 cozy comfort-food dishes you can make in a slow cooker, according to chefs.