The best thing about a slow cooker is it does virtually all of the work for you – most recipes require minimal prep work, so you just add the ingredients, plug it in and go about your daily life. But slow cooker recipes tend to be super meat-centric. Looking for lighter, healthier, meat-free crockpot recipes? Check out this collection, which includes breakfast pudding, baked potatoes, soups, dips, tomato sauce and even desserts.
Loaded Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes
Don’t want to wait an hour for potatoes to bake when you get home from work? Stick them in the slow cooker with some broccoli, mushrooms and broth and by the time you get home they’ll be deliciously tender and infused with flavor. Get Martha Stewart’s recipe.
Chipotle Black Bean and Quinoa Stew
Chipotle peppers make this slow-cooked black bean and quinoa stew spicy and smoky. The recipe, by Tasty Yummies, is vegan and virtually fat-free, and full of fiber and vitamin C.
Slow Cooker Bean and Spinach Enchiladas
Do these enchiladas look amazing or what? Real Simple offers a recipe for slow-cooker bean and spinach enchiladas that’s so easy to make.
Spinach Artichoke Soup
Addictive spinach artichoke dip is adapted into a (vegan!) soup by Keepin’ it Kind, getting its cheesiness from nutritional yeast, lemon juice, white miso and mustard powder.
Slow Cooker Greek Stuffed Peppers
Martha Stewart offers up another unexpected vegetarian crockpot recipe with this Greek stuffed pepper dish, featuring bell peppers brimming with cannelloni beans, couscous and feta.
Crockpot Refried Beans
There’s just no comparison between homemade refried beans and the canned stuff. Cooking dried pinto beans in a slow cooker results in a creamy, rich dish perfect for burritos or dips. Get the recipe at Real Mom Kitchen.
Crockpot Apple Crumble Breakfast Pudding
Don’t forget about sweet dishes! This apple crumble breakfast pudding by Healthful Pursuit is vegan, gluten-free, grain-free and sugar-free but tastes totally sinful thanks to maple syrup, spices, chia seeds and some sliced apples.
Easy Crockpot Tomato Sauce
If you think you don’t have time to make your own tomato sauce, try this flavorful crockpot recipe by My Whole Food Life.
Slow Cooker Self-Saucing Chocolate Pudding
Your entire house will smell incredible when you make this self-saucing chocolate pudding recipe from Parade.
Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese Florentine
Want some vegan comfort food? This recipe for florentine macaroni and cheese is super simple, warm and filling, but dairy-free.
Crockpot Minestrone Soup
Few soups are as satisfying as minestrone when it’s cold outside. This recipe from Skinny Taste is low in calories and can simmer all day, so it’s ready for you when you’re hungry.
Slow Cooker BBQ Tofu
Vegetarians don’t have to be left out of the BBQ fun. While most slow-cooker barbecue dishes involve pork or chicken, this one from Sarah Snacks uses tofu.
Vegan Blueberry Lemon Cake
From the book ‘Vegan Slow Cooking’ comes a delicious blueberry lemon cake recipe that’s soy-free, with gluten-free and oil-free options.
Crockpot Taco Bean Dip
This flavorful dip incorporates veggie crumbles, shredded cheddar, cream cheese and sour cream – so while it’s a bit decadent, it’s great for events or special treats.
Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole
So maybe this doesn’t make for the most photogenic meal (beige casseroles rarely do), french toast casserole cooked in a crockpot is definitely a nice way to wake up.

