All of January is National Slow-Cooker Month and what a perfect time for it. If you’ve spent the last two months cooking up a storm for all the holidays, it’s time to sit back and let the slow cooker do all the work for you. That’s right – forget about having a stovetop filled with pots – one for the rice, one for the veggies and another for the sauce. The slow cooker can do it all in one pot.

The slow cooker or crockpot can be a busy person’s best friend. You just put your ingredients in the slow cooker, set it and let it do all the cooking. It will keep your food warm until you’re ready to enjoy it. That means you can cook while you’re at work, running errands or even overnight. The idea of slow cookers may make you think of soups and stews and it certainly does make easy work of those dishes. Just see 10 Nutritious Soups and Stews to Make in Your Slow Cooker for yummy, comforting recipes.

A slow cooker can do so much more than just soups and stews, however. It can help you make morning cereal, beans, chili and even desserts. Check out It’s Not Just for Soup: 7 Ways to Put Your Slow Cooker to Use to see how to make hot cocoa, veggie broth and more. Want to make your own vegan yogurt, foil-packed dinners or hot fudge sundaes? Find out how in 5 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Use Your Slow-Cooker For. A slow cooker can also be used for more than food. Read From Soap to Air Freshener, Here are 8 Things That Can All Be Made Using Your Crockpot! Play-dough! You can make your own play-dough! If you’re new to the world of slow cookers, we have 10 Tips for How to Cook with a Slow Cooker that will help. Then get ready to take it easy all month with these delicious slow cooker recipes.

1. Slow Cooker North African Couscous

When you put together the root veggies often used in African cuisine with the spicy flavors of the region, you get some delicious food like this Slow Cooker North African Couscous. This dish is so rich in flavors and so easy to prepare. Vegetables and spices go in the crock pot. At dinner, serve over infused couscous. Simple.

2. Slow Cooker Ginger and Cauliflower Curry

You won’t believe the smells coming out of your slow cooker while this Slow Cooker Ginger and Cauliflower Curry is cooking. Cauliflower, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes are seasoned with ginger, cloves, cinnamon, cayenne, and curry for layer after layer of amazing flavor.

3. Slow Cooker Vietnamese Caramel Tofu and Carrots

When you need to impress someone with your ethnic culinary talents, make this Slow Cooker Vietnamese Caramel Tofu and Carrots. This dish is a showstopper, and it couldn’t be easier to make. Both sweet and aromatic, tofu is ideal as it absorbs the flavors beautifully. Serving it with fresh coriander, pickled bean sprouts, and rice balances the dish and prevents it from being too sweet.

4. Smoky Slow Cooker Tempeh with Sweet Potato and Green Beans

With a slow cooker, not only can you make a dish but you can make the whole meal at once. This Smoky Slow Cooker Tempeh with Sweet Potato and Green Beans is the entrée and two side dishes all made in one pot at the same time.

5. Slow Cooker Pulled Jackfruit Jambalaya

No need to stand over the stove waiting for your food to cook when you can put it in the slow cooker and walk away. This Slow Cooker Pulled Jackfruit Jambalaya takes all the work out of making this spicy, flavorful dish including the rice.

6. Slow Cooker Mexican Tacos with Guacamole and Salsa

Tacos in a slow cooker? You bet. These Slow Cooker Mexican Tacos with Guacamole and Salsa are so satisfying with tomatoes, potatoes, beans, and tons of Mexican spices. They’re so easy to make and good for you too. Just add all the ingredients in your slow cooker, then whip up the salsa and guacamole when it comes time to serve. Taco Tuesdays have never been easier.

7. Slow Cooker Tempeh Braised with Figs and Port Wine

Most people think of slow cooker dishes as homey and comforting. You can also make an elegant dinner in your slow cooker like this Slow Cooker Tempeh Braised with Figs and Port Wine. Flavored with fresh herbs, no one will believe you made this in a slow cooker.

8. Crockpot Coconut Curry Lentil Soup

Toss some fresh veggies, red lentils, coconut milk, and spices into your slow cooker and go run your errands. When you get back, you’ll have this comforting Crockpot Coconut Curry Lentil Soup waiting for you to enjoy.

9. “Stuffed” Artichoke Soup in the Slow Cooker

This “Stuffed” Artichoke Soup celebrates all the amazing flavors of stuffed artichokes without any of the hassle it takes to make them. With artichoke hearts, vegan sausage, and homemade cashew cheese, this soup is rich, thick and delicious. It’s also a simple soup – one that cooks itself in the slow cooker while you’re at work or snuggled fast asleep in bed.

10. Crispy Crockpot Chickpeas

These Crispy Crockpot Chickpeas are everyone’s most favorite addictive snack made easier in a crockpot. This flavoring is spicy lemon cumin, but they’d be great with finely ground dried Harissa, Creole seasoning, or even cinnamon and sugar. Make them with whatever flavors you like but make a lot because these will go fast!

11. Easy-Peasy ‘Hamburger’ Soup

This Easy-Peasy ‘Hamburger’ Soup has all the hearty, savory, “meaty” goodness of a burger, but without the meat. It’s filled with veggies, pasta, and beefless crumbles. This soup is a great recipe if you want a filling dinner but are short on time – you can just throw all the ingredients in a crock pot and you’re good to go!

12. Not Your Mama’s Seitan Pot Roast

Maybe you want a Sunday dinner that tastes like you spent all day cooking it but you just don’t have the time. This Not Your Mama’s Seitan Pot Roast tastes just like the one that mom would have made but with seitan and in a slow cooker. It’s a warm, comforting dinner with all the flavor but none of the work.

13. Classic Vegetable Soup

Nothing is as warm, soothing, and comforting as the familiar flavors of the soup you grew up with. This Classic Vegetable Soup is just like the one you remember – savory with lots of veggies for taste and texture. It’s made in a crock pot so you can go about your day and have it waiting for you to come home.

14. No-Dak-Doritang (Spicy Korean Potato and Vegetable Stew)

If you like spicy Korean food, you’ll love this No-Dak-Doritang which is a spicy Korean potato and vegetable stew. “No-Dak” means “no chicken” and that’s because this vegan version is loaded with veggies. The Korean sauce is spicy with chile flakes and gochujang balanced with sweet maple syrup. Best part – it’s all made in the slow cooker.

15. Slow Cooker Stuffed Apples with Figs

You’ll be the apple of everyone’s eye when you make them these Slow Cooker Stuffed Apples with Figs. Figs, pecans, cinnamon, lemon, orange zest, and maple sugar are all stuffed into apples and slowly cooked until you have a warm and delicious dessert everyone will love.

16. Simple Slow-Cooked Black-Eyed Beans

Canned beans simply cannot compare to these Simple Slow Cooked Black-Eyed Beans made in a slow cooker. Here they are flavored with ginger, coriander, dill, red chiles, and coconut milk for an unusual and delicious recipe.

17. Slow Cooker Vegan Coconut Banana Pecan Coffee Cake Oatmeal

Set your slow cooker up with the ingredients the night before and in the morning, this Slow Cooker Coconut Banana Pecan Coffee Cake Oatmeal will be waiting for you. Once you smell it cooking, it’s guaranteed you won’t be hitting the snooze alarm.

18. Slow Cooker Kahlua Mint Hot Chocolate

Ever wish you had a warm drink waiting for you at the end of the day? Well, your slow cooker can do that for you. Coconut milk, chocolate, Kahlua, and mint come together to make this Slow Cooker Kahlua Mint Hot Chocolate. A perfect way to unwind after a busy day!

19. Gluten-Free Vegan Stuffing

If you’re a fan of wild rice stuffing, this Gluten-Free Vegan Stuffing will become your new favorite way to make it. It’s made in a crock pot so you can spend your time making other dishes. The wild rice is chewy and satisfying, and the mushrooms make this a savory stuffing you’ll simply love.

20. How to Make Slow Cooker Spicy Pinto Beans

These Spicy Pinto Beans are made simple by using a slow cooker. With cayenne, cumin, and scallion, it’s no wonder these beans are so popular in Mexican cuisine. Eat these with your favorite rice for a delicious Mexican rice and beans dish.

After all the hard work you do, you deserve a break. But before you turn to frozen dinners or take-out, break out the slow cooker or crockpot. You’ll have delicious, healthy meals without all the work.

Lead image source: Slow Cooker Mexican Tacos with Guacamole and Salsa