Summertime comfort food, perfect after a day of digging in the dirt and planting things and swimming ... - aargersi —aargersi

A hearty stew made with smoky ham, creamy white beans, and flavorful vegetables. Slow-cooked to develop rich flavors, this rustic dish is warm, comforting, and perfect for using leftover ham.

Tender chicken slow-cooked with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Light yet flavorful, this simple stew is a fresh and healthy option that pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, or crusty bread.

A nourishing, veggie-packed stew with a medley of colorful vegetables simmered in a savory broth. Perfect for vegetarians or anyone seeking a wholesome, filling, and easy one-pot meal.

Beef roast slow-cooked in zesty Italian seasonings, tomatoes, and garlic. This bold-flavored dish is juicy, tangy, and perfect over pasta, mashed potatoes, or a bed of polenta.

These noodles are my lightened-up version of a David Chang dish. This sauce would probably make tree bark taste good, and would be a great addition to almost anything: rice, salad, fish -- whatever! I chose to pair it with some tofu and fresh yakisoba noodles. —Alexandra V. Jones

A light, aromatic soup made with white beans, fennel, and herbs. Subtle licorice notes from fennel balance the creamy beans, creating a delicate and refreshing soup perfect for any season.

Tender pork chunks slow-cooked in a tangy green tomatillo and green chili sauce. This Mexican classic is bold, zesty, and perfect for serving over rice, in tacos, or with warm tortillas.

A bold, spicy chili loaded with ground meat, beans, tomatoes, and plenty of seasoning. This zippy version is slow-cooked for rich flavor and delivers just the right amount of heat for chili lovers.

I really love this recipe, like, in an unhealthy, almost obsessed way… Why? Because it so damn tasty! If you bring this to a potluck, I promise there will be nothing left over!

Beef steaks simmered in a rich tomato and onion gravy until tender. This classic comfort food is easy to make in a slow cooker and pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or noodles.

Sweet Italian sausage slow-cooked with white beans, onions, and brown sugar for a slightly sweet, savory twist. A comforting and easy dish that’s perfect for busy nights or potluck dinners.

Thanks to a sultry sesame dressing (and a secret ingredient: water), this salad is creamy despite being vegan and puts other nutty noodle salads to shame. Best of all, it travels well and tastes even better as tomorrow's lunch. Recipe adapted slightly from Fine Cooking magazine. —Genius Recipes

A creamy and hearty chowder made with corn, potatoes, and smoky bacon. Rich and satisfying, it’s the perfect slow cooker soup for cool weather and can be made vegetarian-friendly if needed.

A note on noodle choice: any long, thin pasta will do. Vermicelli or thin rice noodles (like those pictured here) are great gluten-free options, and hold up much better than brown rice noodles when cooked and then chilled. If it's what you have in your pantry or all you can find, plain ol' spaghetti works just as well. —Kendra Vaculin

At our blog, Boy Meets Girl Meets Food, we love a good noodle dish. However, we often find that they can become quite heavy and drowned out with sauces, so yesterday we set about making a light and simple noodle dish that is a perfect accompaniment to seafood, stir-fries, and poultry alike! —boymeetsgirlmeetsfood