8 Slow-Cooker Recipes for Holiday Entertaining

Combine the easy familiarity of a Sunday supper with a couple of special-occasion tweaks and you've got this pot roast. First, you rub the roast with a savory-sweet mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley and a pinch of sugar. Then, you sear the meat over medium heat until it's browned, before placing it over carrots and potatoes in the slow cooker. The searing gives the meat extra depth of flavor, as well as a nice charred look that holds up over hours in the slow cooker. The tender beef, with melting carrots and hearty potatoes, makes for a winning (and low-effort) entree.

Get the recipe: Santa Maria–Style Pot Roast