Whether you're fully vegetarian or just aiming to eat less meat, the slow cooker can be really useful.
And that's especially true when it comes to drop dinners or dump dinners: meals where you can toss everything into the Crock-Pot or Instant Pot, then let the appliance do all the heavy lifting.
Below you'll find several of our favorite vegetarian options for one for both. (Reminder that since the Instant Pot has a slow cooker setting, any of these can be adapted for it!)
Advertisement
Advertisement
1. Instant Pot Mac 'n' Cheese With Broccoli
Your favorite comfort food dinner — plus some extra veggies tossed in.
2. Crock-Pot Chickpea & Sweet Potato Chili
Packed with protein and fiber.
Advertisement
Advertisement
3. Portobello Mushroom Pot Roast With Noodles
Make a big batch and freeze the leftovers for later.
4. Vegetarian Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Just 10 minutes of prep — then dinner cooks itself.
Advertisement
Advertisement
5. Quinoa and Black Bean Stuffed Peppers
Topped with plenty of avocado.
6. Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
A fall staple — but good enough to eat year-round, if you ask me.
Advertisement
Advertisement
7. Slow Cooker Veggie Fajitas
Load these up with all of your favorite toppings!
Recipe: Slow Cooker Veggie Fajitas
8. Instant Pot Cauliflower Tikka Masala
Serve this with rice, naan, tofu — or enjoy on its own.
Advertisement
Advertisement
9. Slow Cooker Enchilada Quinoa
Packed with protein, thanks to a base of black beans and quinoa.
Recipe: Slow Cooker Enchilada Quinoa
10. Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
Best served with plenty of Italian bread.
Recipe: Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
Advertisement
Advertisement
11. Instant Pot Vegan Chili
Raise your hand if you know that lentils are seriously underrated.
Recipe: Instant Pot Vegan Chili
12. Instant Pot Pasta Primavera
This version sneaks in extra frozen veggies with a steamer pack. (But feel free to use fresh ones if you have them on hand!)
Recipe: Instant Pot Pasta Primavera
Advertisement
Advertisement
13. Crock-Pot Vegetable Soup
The vegetables cook low and slow in a tomato-based broth for eight hours, then the pasta drops in at the end.
Recipe: Crock-Pot Vegetable Soup
14. Slow Cooker Barley Risotto
Chickpeas give this extra protein and fiber.
Recipe: Slow Cooker Barley Risotto
Advertisement
Advertisement
15. Instant Pot Black Beans
Customize these to your liking — then enjoy as a dinner side (or on their own!)
Recipe: Instant Pot Black Beans
16. Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup
You can make this chunky by leaving the potatoes cubed. Or try it smooth by breaking out the immersion blender once all is done cooking.
Advertisement
Advertisement
17. Veggie Crock-Pot Lasagna
Layer up!
Recipe: Veggie Crock-Pot Lasagna
18. Creamy Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup
The secret ingredient in the slow-cooked tomato sauce? Carrots, to add a bit of sweetness and visual brightness.
Advertisement
Advertisement
19. Crock-Pot Quinoa and Vegetables
This would also work well for meal prep.
Recipe: Crock-Pot Quinoa and Vegetables
20. Slow Cooker Vegan Sweet Potato Soup
A few minutes from the immersion blender at the end makes everything smooth and creamy.
21. Lentil Butternut Squash Curry
If you want to get extra efficient with Crock-Pot cooking, consider bulk-prepping several meals all at once, then freezing them.
Recipe: Lentil Butternut Squash Curry
22. Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
Our advice? Ditch your hot oven this summer. By making this in the slow cooker instead, you can keep your kitchen cool.
Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
