Meatless Ideas for Any Day of the Week
Most people associate their slow cooker with meat staples like pulled pork or braised pork ribs. However, this handy little tool is just as useful when creating vegan recipes. It whips up everything from vegetable soups to meatless lasagna with ease. You can even use your slow cooker for dessert. With so many delicious options, where do you start? Minestrone is one of the most hearty vegetarian meals you can make, and luckily, it’s even better in a slow cooker. Cook the beans low and slow so they are soft, very soft and not mushy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegan Minestrone
slow cooker grits
One of the best things about grits is that they can be enjoyed savory or sweet when prepared properly. We love that this recipe takes the guesswork out of prep—just add the grits, milk, butter, and salt to the slow cooker and turn it down to low. Make sure to have your favorite toppings ready, grits are the perfect base for cheddar or warm maple syrup.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Grits
Slow Cooker Bean and Barley Soup
The soup is especially delicious when cooked on a low speed, giving the flavors time to develop and expand. Your slow cooker is sure to come in handy in any soup recipe, especially for this bean and barley option. It’s packed with hearty veggies like spinach, carrots, and mushrooms, making it a nutritious and nutritious meal any day of the week.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Bean and Barley Soup
Slow Cooker Artichoke Stew with Toasted Garlic Crumbs
Braised artichokes are an elegant appetizer that will make you look like you’ve been fussing about them all day. That’s hardly the case with this easy recipe — just add the breadcrumb mixture to the slow cooker. Guests will love peeling off every layer of crunchy garlic flavor.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Artichokes with Toasted Garlic Crumbs
Slow Cooker Vegetable Lasagna
If you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal that’s nutritious and comforting, this is probably the easiest one to get. It’s the perfect weeknight lasagna – no need to cook noodles or layer toppings. Just stack them all in the slow cooker and set for three hours.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetable Lasagna
Vegetarian Chili
Chili peppers are a must for fall and winter, and this delicious and easy recipe relies on veggies for a nutritious boost. It’s loaded with beans to make it even more hearty, and chopped jalapenos add just the right amount of spice.
Get the recipe: Vegan Chili
Slow Cooker Whole Wheat Breakfast Porridge
Mornings can be busy, especially when you have kids busy getting ready for school. That’s why we love this no-intervention hearty oatmeal recipe. It lets your slow cooker get the job done, serving up whole-grain porridge that’s easy to top with your favorite nuts or dried veggies.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Whole Wheat Breakfast Porridge
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
Making perfect macaroni and cheese from scratch can be labor-intensive, but it doesn’t have to be—thanks to this easy slow cooker recipe. Simply combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce topping, then place in the slow cooker and let sit for four hours. Don’t have a slow cooker? No problem, this can also be made in the oven.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
Slow Cooker Applesauce Recipe
If you love picking apples in the fall, here’s another great recipe to help you run out of apples. The apples are peeled, cored, and diced, then tossed in the slow cooker. Cover and cook overnight on low heat to wake up to the sweet smell of slow-roasted apples. Serve with hot crackers, toast or even a cheese board.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Applesauce Recipe
Slow Cooker Mushroom Barley Risotto
This hearty meal is warm and nutritious, so it’s perfect for fall and winter. While it’s an ideal side dish, stuffed mushrooms mean it’s also a great vegetarian main course option.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Mushroom Barley Risotto
slow cooker bread
Waiting for dough to rise can be a hassle, so we love this bread recipe that bakes the dough straight from the mix – no rise required. Like a loaf of baguette, this loaf is light and airy, so it’ll make an impressive addition to any dinner party.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Bread
Slow Cooker Freezer Pack Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry
If you’re looking for a quick healthy meal that you can prepare ahead of time and freeze for later, try the homage to Indian vegetable curry. It’s bursting with flavors of ginger, coconut, and curry, so it’s a warm and complex dish that’s nutritious and bright. Quartering the cauliflower helps it hold its shape over long cooking times, so you’re left with a tasty vegetable instead of mushy.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Freezer Pack Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry
Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes
If you’ve never tried slow-cooking sweet potatoes, now’s your chance – these dense veggies turn out to be incredibly soft and tender when slow-cooked. Butter, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice combine for a rich, rich flavor. Enjoy a rich, decadent side dish with your holiday meal.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes
Curried Chickpeas and Spinach
Chickpeas are dense, which makes them perfect for the slow cooker because they don’t get overly soggy. Thanks to ginger, garlic, and serrano peppers, this vegan recipe is packed with bold flavors. Vegetable-packed dishes are best served with grilled naan.
Get the Recipe: Curried Chickpeas and Spinach
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are already easy to make, but this recipe uses your slow cooker to make the process even easier. Just add the potatoes, butter, salt and pepper to the slow cooker, then cover and bring to a simmer. Before you know it, you’ll be eating creamy buttery mashed potatoes.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Slow Cooker Coconut Brown Rice Pudding
When placed in the slow cooker, the natural starchy qualities of the rice are released, creating a thick and creamy rice pudding. Coconut milk helps add sweetness and silkiness, which makes this recipe a delicious dessert or breakfast. Top with your favorite nuts or dried fruit.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Coconut Brown Rice Pudding
Slow Cooker Pesto Pasta
Minestrone soup is a great vegetarian option for lunch and dinner. The pesto gave this a little extra flavor, and the ditalini pasta made it even more hearty. Serve with warm crusty focaccia bread.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pesto Pasta
Green Chile Queso
To have an easy and delicious dip ready in half an hour, use the slow cooker. Thanks to green chiles and jalapenos, this vegetarian dip is melty, cheesy and spicy. Queso is a must-have for any backsplash, so impress your friends and serve it with crunchy chips, pretzels, or crusty bread.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Queso
Slow Cooker Asparagus and Barley Risotto
Risotto can be labor-intensive and often involves standing on the stove and vigorously stirring the rice and ingredients until creamy. Not so with this easy recipe—it lets your slow cooker do the work for you and doesn’t require constant stirring. In this recipe, barley replaces the traditional Arborio rice for a nutty, toothy treat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Asparagus and Barley Risotto
Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler
For a delicious, easy, hands-free dessert, check out this recipe for Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler. It’s simple and easy to make and can be made with frozen or fresh peaches. Toasted chopped pecans add an extra crunch.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler
Slow Cooker Corn Dip
Corn dip is a hit and this recipe is easy to make for a group. Perfect for potlucks or tailgate parties, it combines frozen corn, cream cheese, jalapenos and cilantro for a spicy, cheesy and delicious dip. Serve with tortilla chips or warm crusty bread.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Corn Dip
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Lentil Soup
Lentils and sweet potatoes are the perfect combination for a hearty fall recipe—and when combined, they make for a sweet, earthy, and dense dish that’s perfect for vegetarians. We love this recipe that uses ginger, curry powder, and cilantro for extra flavor.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Lentil Soup
Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats
Waking up to a bowl of oatmeal is a warm and cozy way to start your day, and it’s even better if you can put your oats in the slow cooker and let it work for you. This easy recipe is even better when topped with fresh blueberries and sliced bananas.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Stew
For an easy and nutritious weeknight meal you can set and forget, try this Slow Cooker Pumpkin Stew. Chickpeas, butternut squash, and Swiss chard combine for the perfect cozy fall meal. Serve with crusty bread.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Pumpkin Stew
Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy
Want to impress your guests this holiday season? Make your own candy! It’s easier than you might think – just mix the peanuts with chocolate chips and white chocolate squares. Let it melt in your slow cooker, then cool in cupcake liners.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Chocolate Candies