28 Slow-Cooker Side Dishes to Make Tonight

Slow-Cooker Mac and Cheese

What could be more comforting (or easy!) than a Crock-Pot mac and cheese? Nothing! This classic casserole is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish, and I’ve never met anyone who didn’t ask for second helpings of the cheesy slow-cooker dish. —Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina

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Scalloped Potatoes & Ham

I adapted an oven recipe to cook itself while I’m away. It’s ready to serve when I get home, making it a real winner in my book! —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California

Scalloped Taters

This creamy and comforting slow-cooked side tastes great with almost any main dish and is a snap to assemble with convenient frozen hash browns. It's a good way to make potatoes when your oven is busy with other dishes. —Lucinda Wolker, Somerset, Pennsylvania

Slow-Cooker Baked Beans

Simmered in molasses, these slow-cooker Boston baked beans are perfect to take to your next potluck. The sauce is sweet, dark and rich and they complement anything you serve with them.—Darlene Duncan, Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Slow-Cooker Bacon Mac & Cheese

I’m all about easy slow-cooker meals. Using more cheese than ever, I’ve developed an addictive spin on this casserole favorite. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

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

Slow-Cooked Bean Medley

I often change the variety of beans in this classic recipe, using whatever I have on hand to total the five cans called for. The sauce makes any combination delicious! It's a gluten-free side dish that's popular with just about everyone. —Peggy Gwillim, Strasbourg, Saskatchewan

Slow-Cooked Green Beans

I spent hours in search of sides for a cooking demo to present to women from my church. These easy green beans became my star attraction. —Alice White, Willow Spring, North Carolina

Slow-Cooker Creamed Corn with Bacon

Every time we take this super rich corn to a holiday potluck or work party, we leave with an empty slow cooker. It's decadent, homey and so worth the splurge. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia

Honey-Butter Peas and Carrots

This classic combination of peas and carrots is enriched with a handful of flavor enhancers. Slow cooking allows the ingredients to meld for maximum richness. —Theresa Kreyche, Tustin, California

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

Mom’s Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Mom's friend gave her this recipe for Crock-Pot scalloped potatoes and ham years ago, and she shared it with me. When we have leftover ham to use up, it's the most-requested recipe at my house. —Kelly Graham, St. Thomas, Ontario

Boston Baked Beans

Simmered in molasses, these slow-cooker Boston baked beans are perfect to take to your next potluck. The sauce is sweet, dark and rich and they complement anything you serve with them.—Darlene Duncan, Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Savory Sausage Stuffing

I used to make the same old dressing every year for Thanksgiving. About 10 years ago, I decided to jazz up my recipe by adding pork sausage. Now everyone requests it for all our holiday meals. —Ursula Hernandez, Waltham, Minnesota

Parsley Smashed Potatoes

I love potatoes but hate all the work involved in making mashed potatoes from scratch. I came up with a simple side dish that was made even easier thanks to my slow cooker. Save the leftover broth for soup the next day! —Katie Hagy, Blacksburg, South Carolina

Black-Eyed Peas & Ham

Every New Year's Day we have these slow-cooked black-eyed peas to bring good luck for the coming year. —Dawn Legler, Fort Morgan, Colorado

Shoepeg Corn Side Dish

I took this dish to a potluck and everyone asked for the recipe. If shoepeg corn isn't available in your region, then regular canned corn works well in this recipe, too. —Gloria Schutz, Trenton, Illinois

Slow Cooker Red Beans & Sausage

Being from Louisiana, my go-to comfort food is red beans and rice. The Crock-Pot makes it so easy and the recipe reminds me of Sunday family dinners going back generations. Serve it as a slow-cooker side dish or make it a meal with hot buttered corn bread. —Lisa Bowie, Las Vegas, Nevada

Glazed Spiced Carrots

Glazed carrots are a classic side dish for all kinds of special occasions. They're the perfect accompaniment for all kinds of main entrees. This recipe is very easy to put together, leaving your oven and stove top free for other cooking creations. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Slow-Cooked Ranch Potatoes

Even after seven years, my family still asks for this tasty potato and bacon dish. Try it once and I'll bet your family will be hooked, too. —Lynn Ireland, Lebanon, Wisconsin

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

Italian Mushrooms

Only four ingredients create a rich and flavorful side dish that we love to eat with beef and mashed potatoes. —Kim Reichert, St. Paul, Minnesota

Easy Beans & Potatoes with Bacon

I created this recipe because I love the combination of green beans with bacon. It’s smart when company is coming because you can start the side dish in the slow cooker and continue preparing the rest of the dinner—or visit with your guests! —Barbara Brittain, Santee, California

Slow-Cooker Spinach & Rice

I started making this in the slow cooker to save oven space during the holidays. It's so convenient, I no longer reserve it for special occasions!—Erica Polly, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

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

Garlic Green Beans with Gorgonzola

I updated this green bean holiday side dish by adding a touch of white wine, fresh thyme and green onions. It's delicious, easy to make and my family loves it! —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

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

Chipotle Shredded Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

I crave a little heat with my sweet spuds, so I mix in chipotle peppers. The smoky flavor blends perfectly with this creamy, cheesy side dish. —Kathi Jones-DelMonte, Rochester, New York