Southern Living
food
Slow Cooker
Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Recipes

Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Recipes

By Kaitlyn Yarborough

October 03, 2017

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford / Food Styling: Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

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.

Start Slideshow

1 of 26

Slow-Cooker Veggie Chili

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

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.

2 of 26

Stewed Green Beans and Tomatoes

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: Stewed Green Beans and Tomatoes

A favorite Southern side with a Asian twist.

3 of 26

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.

4 of 26

Slow-Cooker Green Bean Casserole

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

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!

5 of 26

Tomato-Herb Frittata

Credit: Victor Protasio

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.

6 of 26

Baked Pimiento Cheese Dip

Credit: Photo Jennifer Davick, Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford, Food stylist: Toni Brogan

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.

7 of 26

Easy-Does-It Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Credit: Helen Norman

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.

8 of 26

Black Bean Chimichangas

Credit: Jennifer Davick

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.

9 of 26

Slow-Cooker Tomato Sauce

Credit: Alison Miksch

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!

10 of 26

Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

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.

11 of 26

Balsamic Root Vegetables

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford / Food Styling: Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Recipe: Balsamic Root Vegetables

These colorful root vegetables make the perfect addition to any dinner.

12 of 26

Slow-Cooker Cheese Grits

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

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!

13 of 26

Chickpeas in Curried Coconut Broth

Credit: Oxmoor House

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.

14 of 26

Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti

Credit: Photo: Kana Okada; Styling: Susan Vajaranant

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti

This easy pasta dish is easily a family-favorite—it's easy and kid-friendly!

15 of 26

Tomato and Feta Dip

Credit: Jennifer Davick

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.

16 of 26

Candied Yams

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Candied Yams

Video: Candied Yams

Bring this Southern classic straight from the slow cooker to your holiday table.

17 of 26

Apple Butter

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Apple Butter

We’ll be spreading this homemade apple butter on biscuits at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

18 of 26

Cinnamon-Pecan Breakfast Bread Pudding

Credit: Southern Living

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.

19 of 26

Wild Rice Pilaf

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Wild Rice Pilaf

This wild rice pilaf is the easiest slow-cooker side for the holidays.

20 of 26

Creamy Grits Mexi-Casserole

Credit: Jennifer Davick

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.

21 of 26

Vegetable Tortellini Soup

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Vegetable Tortellini Soup

Warm up with this soulful soup that’s packed with veggies (and cheese-filled pasta).

22 of 26

Spicy White Cheese Dip

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Spicy White Cheese Dip

Every game-day party needs a warm, cheesy dip. Here’s your new favorite.

23 of 26

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato-Black Bean Chili

Credit: Skyler Burt

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.

24 of 26

Squash and Green Chile Casserole

Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Squash and Green Chile Casserole

Southern squash casserole gets a hint of Southwestern flavor from green chiles and tomatillos.

25 of 26

Strawberry-Blueberry Jam

Credit: Southern Living

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.

26 of 26

Wild Mushroom Pasta Alfredo with Walnuts

Credit: Jennifer Davick

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.

Replay gallery

Up Next

By Kaitlyn Yarborough

Account

More

Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Recipes

1 of 26

Slow-Cooker Veggie Chili

1 of 26

2 of 26

Stewed Green Beans and Tomatoes

2 of 26

3 of 26

Spinach-and-Broccoli Breakfast Bread Pudding

3 of 26

4 of 26

Slow-Cooker Green Bean Casserole

4 of 26

5 of 26

Tomato-Herb Frittata

5 of 26

6 of 26

Baked Pimiento Cheese Dip

6 of 26

7 of 26

Easy-Does-It Mashed Sweet Potatoes

7 of 26

8 of 26

Black Bean Chimichangas

8 of 26

9 of 26

Slow-Cooker Tomato Sauce

9 of 26

10 of 26

Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese

10 of 26

11 of 26

Balsamic Root Vegetables

11 of 26

12 of 26

Slow-Cooker Cheese Grits

12 of 26

13 of 26

Chickpeas in Curried Coconut Broth

13 of 26

14 of 26

Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti

14 of 26

15 of 26

Tomato and Feta Dip

15 of 26

16 of 26

Candied Yams

16 of 26

17 of 26

Apple Butter

17 of 26

18 of 26

Cinnamon-Pecan Breakfast Bread Pudding

18 of 26

19 of 26

Wild Rice Pilaf

19 of 26

20 of 26

Creamy Grits Mexi-Casserole

20 of 26

21 of 26

Vegetable Tortellini Soup

21 of 26

22 of 26

Spicy White Cheese Dip

22 of 26

23 of 26

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato-Black Bean Chili

23 of 26

24 of 26

Squash and Green Chile Casserole

24 of 26

25 of 26

Strawberry-Blueberry Jam

25 of 26

26 of 26

Wild Mushroom Pasta Alfredo with Walnuts