When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner there’s no shortage of delicious dishes to be included on your table. The only problem? Your oven and stovetop can fill up fast! That’s why we like to break out our trusty slow cooker. It can handle everything from the turkey and sides to breads and desserts with ease — saving space in your oven and making your day a little bit easier.

Candied sweet potatoes have long been a celebrated side dish during the holiday season, but we have removed some of the sweetness (no marshmallows!) and made them even easier by cooking them in a slow cooker. We cut the potatoes into thick rounds so they hold up during the cooking process. The resulting tender sweet potatoes glazed with butter and spices are just sweet enough to make them the perfect accompaniment to your favorite poultry or pork dish.

This low-maintenance main serves 6 — for hardly any work at all. Best of all, the turkey breast cooks up tender, juicy and flavorful thanks to the low-and-slow cooking method and a blend of spices and aromatic vegetables.

Two of your favorite Thanksgiving flavors (apples and cranberry) are rolled into one with this easy, autumnal dessert. Be sure to use large baking apples such as Rome or Golden Delicious — they'll have just the right tenderness.

The slow cooker takes an already-simple classic recipe and makes it even easier. Simply toss cut russet potatoes, butter and a touch of salt and pepper into a slow cooker, turn it on low and walk away for a few hours. When you return, the potatoes will be perfectly tender and ready to be mashed. Best of all, the slow cooker traps all the potato flavor, making these spuds extra potato-y.

Nothing complements your Thanksgiving desserts quite like a warm glass of mulled red wine. Making it in the slow cooker won’t use up precious stovetop space — and will still make your whole house smell incredible.

This hearty stuffing requires no use of a stovetop or oven — simply add cut-up stale French bread, a few vegetables and sweet Italian sausage to a slow cooker and let the machine do the rest. Only a small amount of chicken broth is necessary, because the vegetables and sausage give off so much liquid (and flavor).

Pineapple upside-down cake is a beloved dessert that’s welcome any time of the year, Thanksgiving included. This easy-to-make version comes together in the slow cooker. Just be sure to drape paper towels over the top of the slow cooker; they’ll absorb extra moisture and keep the cake from getting soggy.

This comforting side dish takes a couple of supermarket shortcuts: Buy presliced mushrooms and canned french-fried onions to save on prep time. The raw cremini mushrooms are thrown right into the slow cooker and release their savory goodness while the green beans cook.

If you want to carve a whole bird but are feeding a smaller crowd, chicken makes a nice alternative to turkey. Plus, you can cook the whole thing in your slow cooker!

Instead of mashed potatoes, try serving these showstopping spuds. We use Yukon Golds so that the finished dish still has a rich, creaminess in every bite. Bacon, butter and thyme add all the flavor you could ever need.

Apple butter is possibly the easiest preserves to make. You don't even have to peel or core the apples, and your slow cooker does all the hard work. If you make this recipe ahead of time you can set a jar out with your Thanksgiving bread basket for a special holiday treat.

This easy-to-make bread is light and airy, like the soft inside of a loaf of French bread. There's no need to let it rise; you can go directly from making the dough to baking with no waiting around. What could be easier?!

Save oven space with this classic creamy potato side dish. We added a little bit of flour to help thicken and stabilize the cream. Keeping the potatoes thin is the secret to this recipe's success try using a mandoline to slice them evenly.

These chocolate-peanut treats make the perfect addition to any Thanksgiving dessert spread. Simply layer peanuts, sweet chocolate squares, semisweet chocolate chips and white almond bark before slow cooking into a creamy mixture that can be dropped into cupcake liners for a hand-held treat.

Squash is an essential part of any Thanksgiving feast but roasting it on a sheet pan takes up an entire rack in your oven. Save space by letting it simmer away in your slow cooker until perfectly tender and delicious.

No one can say no to a glass of warm, spiced cider with dessert — especially when it's spiked with a little bourbon!