Total time: 6 hr 25 min • Prep: 25 min • Cook: 6 hr • Serves: 6 • Difficulty: Easy

This rich, chunky chowder is extremely satisfying and is comfort food at its finest. It requires some prep in terms of chopping up the veggies before adding them to the slow-cooker; otherwise, this recipe is extremely hands-off and will be ready to go after a long day of work. It features potatoes, carrots, leeks, pearl barley, bay leaves, and dried thyme, while it gets its luxuriously creamy consistency from evaporated milk and half-and-half. Lean Canadian bacon also gives it great flavor without adding too much fat. Simply toss everything together but the milks in the slow cooker, then set it and forget it for 6 hours. Stir in the milks when it's done cooking, and your delicious chowder is ready to go.