Dump apple slices over pork chops in the crock with cinnamon, and get a dinner so delicious it smells like fall in a bowl.

This 4-ingredient slow cooker pork chops and apples recipe is my kind of weeknight cooking: minimal effort, cozy flavors, and a payoff that tastes like you fussed far more than you did. Pork and apples are an old-world pairing that dates back to European farmhouse cooking, where fruit and meat often shared the same pot to stretch ingredients and balance richness with natural sweetness.

In the Midwest, this combination feels especially at home as the weather cools and apple season hits its stride. You might want to make this dish when you’re craving something comforting but don’t have the bandwidth for a complicated recipe—everything goes into the slow cooker, and a few hours later you have tender, savory-sweet pork chops and soft, cinnamon-kissed apples that practically melt into a rustic sauce.

These slow cooker pork chops and apples pair beautifully with simple, starchy sides that can soak up the juices. Creamy mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles are classic choices, but a wild rice blend or barley pilaf adds a nice chew and a nutty contrast to the sweetness of the apples.

For something green, try sautéed green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a crisp salad with a sharp vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the pork. If you prefer a lighter plate, serve the chops over a bed of shredded cabbage or sautéed kale—the warm apple juices act almost like a built-in dressing.