A slow cooker can be your secret weapon in the kitchen when you want to whip up a delicious and easy meal fitting for your busy life. It means less time in the kitchen, more time to spend with family and friends or to complete tasks on your never-ending to-do list. There’s no denying that we love the versatility and ease of using a slow cooker, whether it be for seasonal comfort food, kid-friendly meals or even dessert. But we’re always looking for more ways to use a slow cooker in everyday life and for every type of meal, and sometimes life calls for a vegetarian dish. Cooking meat-less can be healthy and budget-friendly, or it can just be a good way to switch things up in the kitchen. Now, we love bacon as much as the next person, but there’s no reason to skip over delicious veggie-packed dishes that are perfect for all occasions. Here are some Southern mouthwatering vegetarian slow-cooker recipes to try today.
Slow-Cooker Veggie Chili
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Veggie Chili
This chili is packed full with delicious veggies—the flavors of zucchini, squash, carrots, and more make this dish hearty and flavorful, perfect for a filling and healthy dinner.
Stewed Green Beans and Tomatoes
Recipe: Stewed Green Beans and Tomatoes
A favorite Southern side with a Asian twist.
Spinach-and-Broccoli Breakfast Bread Pudding
Recipe: Spinach-and-Broccoli Breakfast Bread Pudding
Don’t let the name fool you—this yummy dish makes for one crowd-pleasing dinner too.
Slow-Cooker Green Bean Casserole
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Green Bean Casserole
A staple of the Southern dinner (or any holiday at least) gets even easier with a little help from our slow cooker. Don't forget those French-fried onions!
Tomato-Herb Frittata
Recipe: Tomato-Herb Fritatta
While a frittata can often be thought of as a breakfast or brunch dish, serve this up with a side salad for a delicious lunch or savory dinner recipe.
Baked Pimiento Cheese Dip
Recipe: Baked Pimiento Cheese Dip
Don't get us started on the perfection that is pimiento cheese, but this easy slow-cooker dip is especially great for a party. No worries—the addition of cornstarch to classic pimiento cheese helps to keep the oil from separating when the dip is heated.
Easy-Does-It Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Recipe: Easy-Does-It Mashed Sweet Potatoes
This easy and healthier alternative to mashed potatoes is a great side for everyday dinners. The slow cooker will keep them at the perfect temperature and prevent any major thickening disaster.
Black Bean Chimichangas
Recipe: Black Bean Chimichangas
Slow-cooker black beans give major flavor to these chimichangas. The recipe features a chicken-optional approach that you can leave out for a meat-free Tex-Mex dinner.
Slow-Cooker Tomato Sauce
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Tomato Sauce
You can whip up a big batch of this Slow-Cooker Tomato Sauce to have on hand all week, making for a super versatile menu!
Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese
Recipe: Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese
Who doesn't love some traditional mac-and-cheese? It's the ultimate comfort food made even easier with your trusty slow cooker.
Balsamic Root Vegetables
Recipe: Balsamic Root Vegetables
These colorful root vegetables make the perfect addition to any dinner.
Slow-Cooker Cheese Grits
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Cheese Grits
These simplified Slow-Cooker Cheese Grits are a great base for any breakfast or brunch. You can customize them with a variety of toppings to spice up this Southern classic. It's also a great starter for easy shrimp-and-grits!
Chickpeas in Curried Coconut Broth
Recipe: Chickpeas in Curried Coconut Broth
Fresh and so flavorful, this dish is so much easier than it sounds. It's sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti
This easy pasta dish is easily a family-favorite—it's easy and kid-friendly!
Tomato and Feta Dip
Recipe: Tomato and Feta Dip
Be careful—you’ll want to fill up on this warm, savory tomato and feta dip before dinner is even served.
Candied Yams
Recipe: Candied Yams
Video: Candied Yams
Bring this Southern classic straight from the slow cooker to your holiday table.
Apple Butter
Recipe: Apple Butter
We’ll be spreading this homemade apple butter on biscuits at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Cinnamon-Pecan Breakfast Bread Pudding
Recipe: Cinnamon-Pecan Breakfast Bread Pudding
Whether you’re serving breakfast for dinner or Sunday brunch, this cinnamon-pecan breakfast pudding deserves a spot on your plate.
Wild Rice Pilaf
Recipe: Wild Rice Pilaf
This wild rice pilaf is the easiest slow-cooker side for the holidays.
Creamy Grits Mexi-Casserole
Recipe: Creamy Grits Mexi-Casserole
If you’re craving breakfast for dinner, but your kids are asking for Tex-Mex night, we’ve got you covered with this slow-cooker recipe.
Vegetable Tortellini Soup
Recipe: Vegetable Tortellini Soup
Warm up with this soulful soup that’s packed with veggies (and cheese-filled pasta).
Spicy White Cheese Dip
Recipe: Spicy White Cheese Dip
Every game-day party needs a warm, cheesy dip. Here’s your new favorite.
Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato-Black Bean Chili
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato-Black Bean Chili
This vegetarian chili is ideal for a cold winter night. A tip from the test kitchen: This recipe does not call for an entire pound of dried beans, but the slow cooker can easily hold that much if you want to add more bulk to your soup. If you prefer to soak dried beans overnight, place them in a large saucepan, cover with water to 2 inches above beans. Soak at least 8 hours or overnight. Drain beans, and transfer to the slow cooker.
Squash and Green Chile Casserole
Recipe: Squash and Green Chile Casserole
Southern squash casserole gets a hint of Southwestern flavor from green chiles and tomatillos.
Strawberry-Blueberry Jam
Recipe: Strawberry-Blueberry Jam
Put all the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it do the work to make this homemade fruit jam. Seasonal berries of your taste can be substituted.
Wild Mushroom Pasta Alfredo with Walnuts
Recipe: Wild Mushroom Pasta Alfredo with Walnuts
This Alfredo pasta is full of color, flavor, and texture, and it requires virtually no hands-on time.
