Total time: 9 hr 10 min • Prep: 10 min • Cook: 9 hr • Serves: 4 • Difficulty: Easy

Classic cioppino, an Italian-inspired San Francisco dish, just got easier, thanks to the slow cooker. Throw this together in only 10 minutes and four large servings are ready to devour when it is time for dinner. The slow cooker marries the flavors of the tomatoes, vegetables and spices to make a rich and flavorful broth. The broth can sit on warm for up to 3 hours making this easy for a morning start or midday. If you have other seafood such as mussels, scallops or grouper, they can easily accompany or replace the shrimp and cod. Just be sure they cook through before serving the dish. Add a simple side of crusty bread to get the most of the stew base or add a quick green salad for a fresh veggie hit. Double this one easily for entertaining. Stews like this make a great main for the holidays when there are lots of people to feed.