31 Fall Slow-Cooker Recipes for Every Day in October

Day 1: Slow-Cooker German Bratwurst

I created this Old World favorite from a dish I had during my travels. The flavorful entree is perfect for weeknights or special occasions. I like to serve this slow-cooker bratwurst with pasta. —Gerald Hetrick, Erie, Pennsylvania

Day 2: Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken

This slow-cooker butter chicken recipe is similar to the Middle Eastern version I had in Malaysia. I spent several years there eating a variety of Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian food. Butter chicken was one of my favorite dishes while I was there! —Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio

Day 3: Slow-Cooker Curried Pumpkin Soup

Looking for something new to beat dinnertime doldrums? Try my pumpkin soup! A touch of curry powder lends an aromatic spiced appeal while whipping cream gives the soup its silky texture.—Debbie Flocco, Norristown, Pennsylvania

Day 4: Weekday Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cooked “cacciatore” means a dish prepared “hunter-style” with tomatoes, mushrooms, onions and seasonings. We add a touch of white wine to make ours northern Italian-style. —Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Missouri

Day 5: Apple Betty with Almond Cream

I love making this apple betty for friends during the peak of apple season. I plan a quick soup and bread meal, so we can get right to the dessert! —Elizabeth Godecke, Chicago, Illinois

Day 6: Chorizo Chili

I modified a bean soup recipe and came up with this wonderful chili. I make it mild for my family but add Tabasco sauce to spice up my bowl. —Jenne Delkus, Des Peres, Missouri

Day 7: Grampa's German-Style Pot Roast

Grampa was of German heritage and loved the Old-World recipes given to him by his mother. I made a few changes so I could prepare this dish in the slow cooker and give it a slightly updated flavor. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Day 8: Meat Loaf from the Slow Cooker

This simple, easy-to-make meat loaf is one of my personal favorites. I'm often asked for the recipe. —Laura Burgess, Mount Vernon, South Dakota

Day 9: Pumpkin Spice Custard

We love this traditional Crock-Pot pumpkin spice custard. The added espresso powder gives it a latte effect! —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon

Day 10: Lentil Pumpkin Soup

Garlic and spices brighten up my hearty pumpkin soup. It’s just the thing we need on a chilly fall day. —Laura Magee, Houlton, Wisconsin

Day 11: Slow-Cooker Short Ribs

These slow-cooker short ribs are an easy alternative to traditionally braised short ribs—you don't need to pay any attention to them once you get them in the slow cooker. (That makes it my favorite beef short ribs recipe!) —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas

Day 12: Slow-Cooker Ratatouille

Not only does this classic recipe make a phenomenal side dish, you can also serve it with sliced French bread for a warm and easy appetizer. —Jolene Walters, North Miami, Florida

Day 13: Slow-Cooker Grits

Since moving to the South, I have come to love grits! I also love my slow cooker, and I worked to find a way to make perfect grits without stirring on the stovetop. I knew this slow-cooker grits recipe was a winner when my mother-in-law overheard someone at a church potluck say that "it just wasn't right that a Midwesterner could make such good grits!" —Tacy Fleury, Clinton, South Carolina

Day 14: Autumn Pumpkin Chili

We have this turkey pumpkin chili often because everyone loves it, even the most finicky grandchildren. It’s a definite keeper in my book! —Kimberly Nagy, Port Hadlock, Washington

Day 15: Fudgy Peanut Butter Cake

I clipped this easy peanut butter cake recipe from a newspaper years ago. The house smells fantastic while it's slow cooking. My husband and son enjoy the cake with ice cream and nuts on top. —Bonnie Evans, Norcross, Georgia

Day 16: Slow-Cooked Ropa Vieja

I traveled to Cuba a few years ago and had some of the best food imaginable. This dish stuck out, and when I returned home, I began to experiment with making ropa vieja in the slow cooker. I hope you enjoy the flavors of Cuba as much as I do. —Joshua Boyer, Traverse City, Michigan

Day 17: Italian Shredded Pork Stew

Need a warm, soothing meal for a blustery night? Throw together this slow-cooked stew loaded with sweet potatoes and kale. And the shredded pork is oh-so-tender! —Robin Jungers, Campbellsport, Wisconsin

Day 18: Fall Vegetable Sloppy Joes

I make this dish in the fall and sneak grated vegetables into the sloppy joe mixture. It’s especially good when children don’t like to eat their vegetables! Just walk away until the end of the day and let the slow cooker do all the work. Also delicious: Top the filling with a little shredded cheese before serving. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Day 19: Slow-Cooker Spinach Bean Soup

This navy bean soup is heartwarming comfort food at its best. It's my signature soup that I make for my family and friends. The bright red and green of the peppers and spinach give it a suitably seasonal look. —Barbara Shay, Pasadena, California

Day 20: Slow-Roasted Chicken with Vegetables

Even a beginner cook could make this slow-cooked chicken and have it turn out perfectly. This recipe could not be easier. A few minutes of prep and you’ll come home to a delicious dinner. —Anita Bell, Hermitage, Tennessee

Day 21: Shredded Lamb Sliders

Lamb, a wonderful special-occasion meat, is a big crowd-pleaser in these delicious sliders. I served up about 1,500 in two days when I made them for the Great American Beer Fest, using every little bit to satisfy the very last customer. —Craig Kuczek, Aurora, Colorado

Day 22: Moist Cranberry Pork Roast

I love to serve this tender, flavorful pork to guests. You don’t have to toil away in the kitchen to prepare it, yet it tastes like a gourmet meal. —Kimberley Scasny, Douglasville, Georgia

Day 23: Slow-Cooker Lasagna Soup

Every fall and winter, our staff has a soup rotation. I have modified this recipe so I can prep it the night before and put it in the slow cooker in the morning. My colleagues love it! —Sharon Gerst, North Liberty, Iowa

Day 24: Fall Garden Medley

I like to make this recipe in the fall and winter for special occasions because it's very colorful, tasty and healthy. It's a hearty side that complements many different meat dishes. —Krystine Kercher, Lincoln, Nebraska

Day 25: Slow-Cooked Pumpkin Apple Cobbler

This spiced pumpkin apple cobbler recipe is sure to please all of your holiday guests. It's perfect for fall, but can be made year-round since it uses fresh or frozen cranberries. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Day 26: Mexican Bubble Pizza

This tasty pizza offers a new way to experience Mexican cuisine. Serve it at your next party and watch it disappear before your eyes. —Jackie Hannahs, Cedar Springs, Michigan

Day 27: Partytime Beans

A friend brought this colorful bean dish to my house for a church circle potluck dinner. As soon as I tasted the slightly sweet slow-cooked beans, I had to have the recipe. I've served the beans and shared the recipe many times since. —Jean Cantner, Boston, Virginia

Day 28: Slow-Cooked Split Pea Soup

I've been making this soup for years. After every holiday where ham is served, the hostess hands me the ham bone and a bag of peas when I leave. I love it with a slice of crusty fresh bread. —Susan Simons, Eatonville, Washington

Day 29: Slow-Cooker Thai Butternut Squash Peanut Soup

This seemingly exotic dish is simple, vegan, healthy and hearty. The peanut butter blends beautifully with the sweetness of the squash and Thai seasonings. You can also serve this soup without pureeing it first. —Kayla Capper, Ojai, California

Day 30: Slow-Cooker Turkey Sloppy Joes

The combination of chili sauce and ground turkey in these sloppy joes creates a delicious flavor. The avocado adds a special touch to the sandwiches. —Nichole Jones, Idaho Falls, Idaho

Day 31: Spiced Acorn Squash

Working full time, I found I didn't always have time to cook the meals my family loved, so I re-created many of those dishes in the slow cooker. This treatment for squash is one of our favorites. —Carol Greco, Centereach, New York