Planning and executing a full dinner menu can be overwhelming, especially if you do it alone. But if you have a slow cooker, you won’t have to worry too much. You can simply buy and prepare the ingredients beforehand, place them in the pot, and they will allow you several hours to cook other dishes or perhaps make dessert.

Here are 3 of the best crock pot recipes that will be a hit with guests of all ages:

Sweet and spicy cocktail smokies

What do you need:

• 2 veal sausages, quartered

• 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 3 tablespoons of water

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

• 1 tablespoon Sriracha, or more to taste

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

In a large bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, brown sugar, water, Sriracha, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard until well blended. Add the hot dogs to the bowl and stir to coat. Transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cover and cook 4 to 5 hours over low heat. Garnish with fresh parsley leaves before serving.

Baked and simmered buffalo chicken balls

What do you need:

• 1/2 kilo of ground chicken

• 1 large egg

• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

• 3/4 cup buffalo sauce

• 3/4 cup Panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs)

• 1/4 cup blue cheese dressing

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste

Combine ground chicken, egg, onion, panko, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground black pepper in a large bowl. Stir until all the ingredients are well combined. Form 1 1/2 inch meatballs with clean hands. Place the balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven (400F) until the sides are lightly golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. When ready, place the meatballs in a crock pot and add the buffalo sauce. Toss to coat. Cook for 2 hours over low heat. Top meatballs with blue cheese dressing before serving.

Cheese and beer dip for parties

What do you need:

• 1 kilogram processed cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

• 1 cup of Irish beer (such as Guinness)

• 1/2 cup sauce

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Heat the processed cheese food in a crock pot for 20 minutes on high until melted. Add beer, salsa, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper to melted cheese. Stir until the ingredients are well combined. Heat, stirring frequently, then serve.

These easy dishes are the best crock pot recipes to serve at your party!