Slow cookers are a great short cut for the home cook with a full-time job: Just set the timer and let the contents cook while you work. But until recently, slow cooker recipes were pretty blah and fairly similar (think a can cream-of-mushroom soup + chopped veggies + a hunk of meat). Sure, pot roast is delicious, but your favorite kitchen gadget can do so much more. From enchiladas to macaroni and cheese, here are some creative crock pot recipes from us and bloggers around the web.
Poached Pears in Caramel Sauce (photograph by The Perfect Pantry)
Shrimp and Artichoke Barley Risotto
Slow-Cooker Enchiladas (photograph by Emma Christensen for The Kitchn)