Imagine this: you get home from a long day of classes and open your apartment door to the delicious smell of a home-cooked meal, that pretty much cooked itself.

You may be thinking “this sounds too good to be true,” but I want to let you in on my little secret … the Crock-Pot. Keep reading for the five reasons you need one, too.

1. Hot and Ready Meals

A small amount of prep at the beginning of the day can create a dinner that’s to die for. Most Crock-Pot recipes range from six to eight hours of cook time, meaning you just throw the ingredients together. By the time you’re back home, there’s a hot meal waiting for you. Slow cookers can safely stay on throughout the day, so you don’t have to worry about burning your kitchen down.

2. Bang for Your Buck

Hopefully, you like leftovers. When cooking with a Crock-Pot, you’re going to have plenty! You can make up to eight servings, depending on the size of your Crock-Pot. If you’re like any average college student, you probably don’t have many mouths to feed. I recommend freezing your leftovers to eat later, or storing them in the fridge for tomorrow’s lunch.

3. Foolproof Recipes

Crock-Pot recipes come in all shapes and sizes, with varying degrees of difficulty. I usually seek out simple recipes with easy, accessible ingredients. Most of the time, you can throw in proteins, some vegetables, and any seasonings your heart desires to create a stand-out meal. Just chop, chuck it all in the Crock-Pot, and watch the magic happen!

4. Publix Taste on a Walmart Budget

Cheaper ingredients thrive in a Crock-Pot. The process of slow cooking tenderizes cheaper cuts of meat, so you can ball on a budget without sacrificing taste. If you want to save even more money, pick recipes with seasonal vegetables to keep the grocery bill low. Just add the right spices, and you’re on your way to flavor town!

5. Less Mess = Less Stress

Nothing is worse than looking back at your kitchen and realizing it looks like disaster struck. With Crock-Pot cooking, that doesn’t happen. Everything happens in the Crock-Pot, so there aren’t a bunch of extra pots and pans being thrown around the kitchen. You do all your prep at the beginning of the day, which allows for plenty of time to clean any possible mess.

You can get a decent slow cooker at a reasonable price. Once you have one, you’ll use it for years to come.  If you don’t believe me, go ask your mom how old her Crock-Pot is. Nine times out of ten, it’s older than you!

Now that you’ve seen the magic of the Crock-Pot, we want to see your recipes! Tag us on social media @AuburnCampusRec to show us some of your go-to recipes.

 Be well, Auburn.

 Photography: Abbey C.