45 Vegetarian Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker (2024)

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45 Vegetarian Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker (1)Hazel WheatonUpdated: Feb. 21, 2023

    Whether you're making a main course, appetizer, soup or side, these vegetarian slow-cooker recipes are the perfect way to go.

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    Potluck Macaroni and Cheese

    You’ll always have a winner at the potluck when you bring macaroni and cheese. Here’s an extra-rich, creamy version for the slow cooker. —Jennifer Blondek, Chicopee, Massachusetts

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    Vegetarian Tortilla Lasagna

    You won't miss the meat in this savory delight. The layered main course is as tasty as it is impressive. Serve warm wedges alongside tortilla chips or a green salad.—Connie L McDowell, Greenwood, Delaware

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    Over-the-Rainbow Minestrone

    This colorful soup is vegetarian-friendly and full of fresh flavors from a rainbow of vegetables. You can use any multicolored pasta in place of the spirals. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado

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    4/45

    Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti

    I don’t know one family that doesn’t have some crazy, hectic weeknights. This slow-cooker vegetarian baked ziti recipe was a delicious, easy fix for a busy weeknight dinner for our family. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio

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    Vegetarian Buffalo Dip

    A friend made Buffalo chicken dip and that got me thinking about creating a vegetarian dip with the same flavors. This addictive dip is so amazing, no one will miss the meat. —Amanda Silvers, Old Fort, Tennessee

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    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooked Stuffed Peppers

    My favorite kitchen appliance is the slow cooker, and I use mine more than anyone else I know. It does a great job with this good-for-you dish. —Michelle Gurnsey, Lincoln, Nebraska

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    Low and slow is the way to go! Try these vegetarian Dutch oven recipes for more tasty ideas.

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    Slow-Cooker Vegan Chili

    I combine ingredients for this hearty slow-cooker vegan chili the night before, start my trusty slow cooker in the morning and come home to a rich, spicy meal in the evening! —Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii

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    Whenever I go to an event, I'm always asked to bring this hot dip. Five types of cheese make it a standout and oh-so delicious. I love its party-ready convenience—I serve it straight from the slow cooker, so set-up and cleanup are a breeze! —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

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    Taste of Home

    African Peanut Sweet Potato Stew

    Back when I was in college, my mom made an addicting sweet potato and peanut stew. I shared it with friends, and now all of us serve it to our own kids. They all love it, of course. —Alexis Scatchell, Niles, Illinois

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    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooker Frittata Provencal

    This recipe means that a delectable dinner is ready when I walk in the door from work. The vegetarian slow-cooker meal also makes an elegant brunch for lazy weekend mornings. —Connie Eaton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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    Barley Vegetable Soup

    We love this delicious vegetarian soup brimming with veggies and barley. Though it doesn’t taste like it, this is a low-calorie, low-fat recipe! —Mary Tallman, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin

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    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooked Broccoli

    This family-favorite side dish is quick to fix and full of flavor. Because it simmers in a slow cooker, it frees up my oven for other things. That's a tremendous help when I'm prepping a big meal at home. —Connie Slocum, Antioch, Tennessee

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    13/45

    Taste of Home

    Marty's Bean Burger Chili

    My husband and I met while working the dinner shift at a homeless shelter that served my chili. I’ve revised the chili using bean veggie burgers. —Marty Nickerson, Ellington, Connecticut

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    Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach-Artichoke Dip

    Fresh veggies and crackers will disappear quickly when they're next to this cheesy slow-cooked dip. With smoked Gouda, it has an extra level of flavor that keeps everyone guessing. —Katie Stanczak, Hoover, Alabama

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    15/45

    Slow-Cooker Potluck Beans

    It was the morning of our family potluck and I still needed something to bring. I threw together this recipe while drinking my morning coffee. By the end of the gathering, the beans were all gone and someone had even washed the slow cooker for me! —Mary Anne Thygesen, Portland, Oregon

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    16/45

    Taste of Home

    Mushroom Marsala with Barley

    This vegetarian recipe is a tasty mashup of chicken Marsala and mushroom barley soup. It's terrific as a main dish, but it can also be served, with or without the barley, as a side. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

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    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooker Baked Potatoes

    These slow-cooker baked potatoes are so easy—just add your favorite toppings. Save any extra potatoes to make baked potato soup the next day. —Teresa Emrick, Tipp City, Ohio

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    Taste of Home

    Sweet Potato Lentil Stew

    I fell in love with the spicy aromas in this sweet potato lentil stew. Add whatever ingredients you have on hand, like zucchini, spinach, kale and corn. —Heather Gray, Little Rock, Arkansas

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    19/45

    Slow-Cooker Chickpea Tagine

    While traveling through Morocco, my wife and I fell in love with the complex flavors of the many tagines we tried. This is a hearty vegetarian version you’ll want to make all winter long. Resist the urge to stir this dish too much, as it will break down the veggies. —Raymond Wyatt, West St. Paul, Minnesota

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    20/45

    Taste of Home

    Party Time Beans

    A friend brought this colorful bean dish to my house for a church circle potluck dinner. As soon as I tasted the slightly sweet slow-cooked beans, I had to have the recipe. I've served the beans and shared the recipe many times since. —Jean Cantner, Boston, Virginia

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    21/45

    Butternut Squash with Whole Grains

    Fresh thyme really shines in this hearty slow-cooked side dish featuring tender butternut squash, nutritious whole grain pilaf and vitamin-packed baby spinach. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    Enchilada Pie

    This impressive, hearty dish is perfect for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. —Jacqueline Correa, Landing, New Jersey

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    23/45

    Taste of Home

    This recipe came to me from a friend who had worked at a health food store. I changed a few things until I found a version that my family loved. My son doesn't like things too spicy, so I make the stew milder for him and add a sprinkle of extra spice in mine. My husband, who farms, works outdoors for long hours at a time and finds this soup hearty enough to keep him satisfied. —Melanie MacFarlane, Bedeque, Prince Edward Island

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    24/45

    Butternut Squash Soup with Cinnamon

    The golden color, smooth and creamy texture, and wonderful taste of this soup make it welcome on a chilly fall day. It has a slightly tangy flavor from the cream cheese, and the cinnamon really comes through. —Jackie Campbell, Stanhope, New Jersey

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    Warm Feta Cheese Dip

    We’re big on appetizers, so this dip is a mashup of our favorite tastes, like cream cheese, feta, basil and sweet peppers. Serve with bread or chips. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin

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    Taste of Home

    Italian Spaghetti Squash

    This is a unique and easy way to cook spaghetti squash. Be sure the squash is on the small or medium side so that it fits into the slow cooker after being cut in half. —Melissa Brooks, Sparta, Wisconsin

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    27/45

    Taste of Home

    Simple Vegetarian Slow-Cooked Beans

    When I have a hungry family to feed, these tasty beans with spinach, tomatoes and carrots are a go-to dish. This veggie delight is frequently on our menu. —Jennifer Reid, Farmington, Maine

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    Taste of Home

    Cheesy Spinach

    My daughter often serves this cheese and spinach blend at church suppers. Even people who don't usually eat spinach like this flavorful dish once they try it. There are never any leftovers. —Frances Moore, Decatur, Illinois

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    Taste of Home

    Maple-Walnut Sweet Potatoes

    Topped with dried cherries and walnuts, this side is downright delicious. Even people who aren't into sweet potatoes will grab a second scoop. —Sarah Herse, Brooklyn, New York

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    Taste of Home

    No-Fuss Potato Soup

    For a busy-day supper, my family loves to have big steaming, delicious bowls of this soup, along with fresh bread from our bread machine. —Dotty Egge, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota

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    Taste of Home

    Cheddar Creamed Corn

    I took this super easy recipe to a school potluck once and it was gone in no time. I’ve been asked to bring it to every function since. —Jessica Maxwell, Englewood, New Jersey

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    Championship Bean Dip

    My friends and neighbors expect me to bring this irresistible dip to every gathering. When I arrive, they ask, "You brought your bean dip, didn't you?" If there are any leftovers, we use them to make bean and cheese burritos the next day. —Wendi Wavrin Law, Omaha, Nebraska

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    34/45

    Taste of Home

    Cheese-Stuffed Sweet Onions

    These onions are cooked in vegetable broth and stuffed with a delicious blend of cheeses. Experiment to find the blend you like. Instead of goat cheese, try cream cheese or mascarpone. You could substitute Gorgonzola cheese for the blue cheese, and in place of Romano, you could use Parmesan. Any blend is delicious! —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California

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    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooked Beans

    This flavorful bean dish adds nice variety to any buffet because it’s a bit different from traditional baked beans. It’s a snap to prepare, too, since it uses convenient canned beans, barbecue sauce and salsa. —Joy Beck, Cincinnati, Ohio

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    Slow-Cooked Lemony Spring Veggies

    These spuds do a slow simmer with carrots and onion for a comfort side that bucks up any entree. Finish the dish with a sprinkle of chives. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    Garlic and Herb Mashed Potatoes

    Cream cheese is the secret ingredient in these comforting spuds. Simply mash, mix and let them warm in the slow cooker. —Frieda Bliesner, McAllen, Texas

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    Mexican Fondue

    A handful of items and a few moments of prep work are all you'll need for this festive fondue. Not only does it take advantage of canned goods and other convenience items, but the slow cooker does all the work. —Nella Parker, Hersey, Michigan

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    39/45

    Spinach White Bean Soup

    After a busy day as a college nursing professor, I love to come home to this slow cooker white bean soup. It provides plenty of nutrients to keep me healthy. —Brenda Jeffers, Ottumwa, Iowa

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    40/45

    A rich blend of spices adds flavor to tender, nutritious bulgur and garbanzo beans in this tangy dish that has just the right amount of heat. A hint of sweetness from golden raisins is the perfect accent. —Faith Cromwell, San Francisco, California

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    Taste of Home

    Hearty Vegetable Split Pea Soup

    This vegetarian slow-cooker soup is my secret weapon on busy days. It’s delicious served with oyster crackers that are tossed in a bit of melted butter and herbs and then lightly toasted in the oven. —Whitney Jensen, Spring Lake, Michigan

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    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooked Vegetables

    I like to simmer this satisfying side dish in my Crock-Pot. Vegetables, especially the garden-fresh kind, are my favorite to use for potlucks. My sister-in-law shared the recipe with me. —Kathy Westendorf, Westgate, Iowa

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    Taste of Home

    Zippy Bean Stew

    This bean stew is a staple for my co-workers and me once the weather turns cool. Although this is a low-fat dish, it definitely doesn't taste like it! —Debbie Matthews, Bluefield, West Virginia

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    Creamy Artichoke Dip

    My sister Teresa got this recipe from a friend and she passed it along. It's loaded with cheese, artichokes and just the right amount of jalapenos for a crowd-pleasing flavor. —Mary Spencer, Greendale, Wisconsin

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    Originally Published: May 01, 2020

    45 Vegetarian Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker (44)

    Hazel Wheaton

    Hazel is a writer and editor who has worked in the publishing industry for over 25 years in the fields of travel, jewelry arts and food. As the editor of the Taste of Home Christmas Annual (among other titles), she's in the holiday spirit all year round. An enthusiastic baker, she's known for her cookies, cakes and other baked goods. And she still wishes she could cook like her mother.

    45 Vegetarian Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker (2024)

    FAQs

    Is a slow cooker good for vegetarians? ›

    Cooking low and slow works really well for vegetarian meals. From light, vibrant ratatouille to warming soup and hearty tagines, these vegetarian slow-cooker recipes are sure to hit the spot.

    What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

    10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
    1. Raw Meat.
    2. Seafood.
    3. Pasta.
    4. Rice.
    5. Delicate Vegetables.
    6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
    7. Dairy.
    8. Wine and Other Liquor.
    Jan 19, 2024

    Can you put raw meat in slow cooker with vegetables? ›

    After touching raw meat, poultry, or seafood, wash your hands again for 20 seconds with soap and water. Vegetables cook slower than meat and poultry in a slow cooker, so put the vegetables in first, for the best quality. Add meat, poultry, or seafood to the slow cooker.

    How long does veg take to soften in slow cooker? ›

    Slow Cooker Vegetable Tips

    Throw veggies into a steamer basket or foil and set above the water. Cook covered on high for about 2-4 hours, or whenever the veggies are tender. Check out more vegetarian recipes you can throw in your slow cooker.

    Do vegetables lose nutrients in slow cooker? ›

    Vegetables cooked in a slow cooker or crock pot retain more of their natural vitamins and nutrients than harsher cooking methods – such as boiling – because the temperatures are lower.

    Do you put water in slow cooker with veg? ›

    Because your slow cooker will have a tightly sealed lid, the liquid won't evaporate so if you're adapting a standard recipe, it's best to reduce the liquid by roughly a third. It should just cover the meat and vegetables.

    What's the difference between slow cooker and Crockpot? ›

    A slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing, essentially. A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of brands. Crockpot is one brand of slow cooker. Crockpot popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970s.

    Can I cook frozen veggies in a slow cooker? ›

    directions
    1. Take the frozen vegetables, cream of celery soup, parsley, salt seasoned, pepper and garlic.
    2. Cook on high 1 hour or low 2.

    Why are my potatoes and carrots still hard in a slow cooker? ›

    Insufficient Liquid: If there wasn't enough liquid in the crockpot, it could have caused uneven cooking. Potatoes need to be fully submerged in liquid to cook evenly. Old Potatoes: Very old or stored potatoes can become starchy and may not soften as well during cooking. It's best to use fresh, firm potatoes.

    Should you fry veg before slow cooking? ›

    Precooking Can Boost Flavor.

    While the slow cooker is designed to make meals as easy as possible, you can add another depth of flavor by sautéing vegetables first, before adding them to the crock. This is especially true with aromatics like onion and garlic.

    Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in a crockpot? ›

    Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top. Set the heat level: A general rule of thumb is that cooking on the low setting (170 degrees F for most models) takes about twice as long as cooking on high (280 degrees F on most models).

    Is Slow Food vegetarian? ›

    The short answer is: no. While there are some Slow Food restaurants that are completely plant-based, it's important to keep in mind that it's not a vegan movement.

    Is a pressure cooker worth it for vegetarians? ›

    Pressure cookers are amazingly useful kitchen appliances that can dramatically expand your vegan cooking possibilities. They let you cook any number of meals that would otherwise be prohibitively time-consuming. If you cook beans often, or live in a place with long winters, you should strongly consider purchasing one.

    Is cooking in a slow cooker healthy? ›

    The low heat helps less expensive, leaner cuts of meat become tender and shrink less. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking and steam created within the tightly-covered container combine to destroy bacteria and make the slow cooker a safe process for cooking foods.

    Can vegetarians eat plant-based meat? ›

    In fact, according to results of the 2021 study that compared the nutrient intake of those who followed a traditional omnivore (meat-eating) diet, flexitarian/vegetarian diets that include traditional plant-based proteins like beans and nuts, and flexitarian/vegetarian diets that include plant-based meat alternatives ...

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