Slow cooker dinner party recipes

Use budget-friendly chicken thighs in this delicious slow cooker coq au vin – they make the best cut for slow cooking. Enjoy with mash or tagliatelle

A decadent duck dish slow-cooked French-style in goose fat to make it mouth-wateringly tender

Get this chicken tikka masala cooking in the morning and have dinner waiting for you when you get in – it's perfect for a cold winter evening.

A delicious, spicy blend packed full of iron and low in fat to boot. It's ready in under half an hour, or can be made in a slow cooker

Make this low-calorie veggie lasagne as a lighter alternative to the traditional bake. It's layered with pasta, ratatouille and sliced aubergine, and packs in all of your five-a-day

Cook braising steak in the slow cooker for really tender meat. Add button mushrooms or smoked paprika for extra flavour – it will be an instant family favourite.

Fill your kitchen with the smell of Christmas with this slow cooked gammon. The cola adds a sweet treacly flavour to balance the saltiness of the ham.

Cook lamb low and slow to produce tender, deeply flavoured meat with minimal effort. Serve with potatoes and seasonal greens, if you like

Put in a little effort the night before and you can have a velvety soup ready as a starter for a special dinner with guests. This recipe serves six generously

Pair tender goat meat with a dark, smoky and rich mole. Don’t skimp on the accompanying pickled radishes – the sharpness really brings the dish to life

Take the stress out of cooking a joint of beef by using your slow cooker. The meat will be beautifully tender and full of flavour. It’s a game changer!

Try a slow-cooked version of squid, inspired by classic Italian puttanesca sauce. It makes a hearty lunch with crusty bread

Tuck into gochujang short ribs for a comforting winter warmer. With slow-cooked tender, juicy meat and tangy apple slaw, it’s perfect for relaxed entertaining

Prepare this beef brisket and let it bubble away in the slow cooker, leaving you with a tender, rich stew. Serve with golden ale gravy and horseradish mash.

Make an easy loaf with this slow cooker bread recipe. This simple project is perfect for beginners and uses strong wholemeal or white flour

Cook a leg of lamb in the slow cooker and be rewarded with tender meat that melts in the mouth. Enjoy with mashed potatoes and steamed veg

Leave our slow cooker sticky pudding to cook all day so it’s ready to serve in the evening with ice cream. Rich and indulgent, it's the ultimate comforting dessert

Throw a handful of ingredients in the slow cooker at the start of the day and this classic French chicken chasseur will be ready by the time you get home

With fall-apart beef, tomatoes and peppers in a creamy, rich stew, our slow-cooker goulash recipe couldn't be easier or more comforting

Add depth of flavour and chunky texture to cottage pie by using ox cheek – this makes it worthy of a special occasion. Enjoy with your favourite greens

Use a slow cooker to make this beef topside for Sunday lunch – the whole family will love it. Slow cooking makes the meat so tender and gives it a real depth of flavour

Slow cooking delivers lovely tender meat. Cook this shoulder of pork until it falls apart, shred it, then pile into baguettes or serve alongside veg or salad

Don't slave over a hot stove – our no-fuss Thai chicken curry is quick to prepare, then let your slow cooker do the work. Serve with rice and Thai basil

Use a slow cooker for this marvellous homemade lamb curry. The vibrant flavour will knock your socks off, and cooking the lamb slowly makes it meltingly tender