17 cozy comfort meals you can make in a slow cooker

Beef stew is one of the best slow-cooker recipes for fall days. John Kernick/Williams Sonoma 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. As the first hints of fall arrive and temperatures begin to cool, it's a great time to dust off your Crock-Pot or slow cooker and ease into the season with warm, comforting meals that practically cook themselves. Business Insider spoke with chefs and cookbook authors about their favorite comforting slow-cooker meals , from hearty beef stews and chowders to tender brisket, and researched celebrity chefs' go-to Crock-Pot dishes. Here are 17 cozy comfort-food dishes you can make in a slow cooker, according to chefs.