5 Slow Cooker Recipes That Nail That Unicorn-Like Meal Trifecta: Easy, Healthy, AND Vegetarian

There are two types of cooking that feel notoriously difficult to do well: healthy and vegetarian. While most everyone wants to eat healthily, many clean-eating recipes can feel pretty meh. And many vegetarian recipes that sound incredible right off the bat — say, rich pasta dishes — end up being super heavy, with lots of oil or cheese.

We get it! But dishes that incorporate all of the pluses do exist, and we scoured food blogs to find some great ones that literally anyone can make. So feast your eyes on the best easy, healthy, vegetarian slow cooker recipes out there.

Why slow cooking? Well, long-steeped foods mull together for stronger, richer flavors, and — bonus! — they require a lot less work on your part. Did we mention? They're so easy!

So let's go:

One of the tough things about being a vegetarian is getting a healthy, hearty meal that still tastes decadent. This Portobello pot roast eats like a chunky stew, but the “meat” is made of wholesome mushrooms. Get the recipe from Gimme Some Oven.

It had never occurred to us to make a frittata in our slow cooker, but now that we’ve tried it, we will never go back. It’s such an easy solution to baking up a large batch of healthy breakfast — and now we’re set for the week! Get the recipe from Kalyn’s Kitchen.

Ratatouille is amazing because it feels like a winter dish but technically it’s a summer dish, so basically you can enjoy it whenever you darn well please. This set-it-and-forget-it dish is healthy, easy, and will help you make the most of your farmer’s market selection. Get the recipe from Eating Bird Food.

Now here’s a recipe that will appeal to even your pickiest friends and family: whole wheat mac and cheese, pumped up with pinto and kidney beans. It’s a healthy, filling take on a classic that everyone and their mother loves. Get the recipe from Kristine’s Kitchen.

When you hear “butternut squash” and “apple,” you probably immediately think of autumn, but there’s no good reason why you can’t indulge in this savory, sweet, and hearty meal year-round — especially when it’s a one-pot wonder. Get the recipe from Clean Eating Veggie Girl.