Keep your wallet and stomach full with these cheap crockpot meals! Your family will love them and you’ll love how easy they are to make.
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Pin RecipeFinding meals that are both easy to prepare and easy on the wallet can sometimes be challenging. That is where the crockpot comes into play. The slow cooker is a true lifesaver when it comes to finding recipes that will keep the grocery bill light and the dinner prep easy.
Simple and Cheap Crockpot Meals to Eat
Crockpot meals are always a good idea. They may take some time to cook, but they’re a breeze to put together. The slow cooking of the food makes everything so tasty, with layers and layers of flavor.
Crockpot meals are also super easy on the wallet. Most of the ingredients fall on the cheaper side, so they don’t break the bank. The portions also tend to run large in the crockpot, making for loads of leftovers. It’s really a win-win, no matter how you look at it!
Cheap Crockpot Meals Your Family Will Love
1. White Chicken Chili
Look no further than this white chicken chili for a cheap, easy weeknight meal. The simplicity of the recipe doesn’t carry over into the taste, as this dish has layers of flavor in each bite.
2. Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Stay within your budget and create a mouthwatering meal with this BBQ chicken from the crockpot. Serve the chicken on sandwiches, wraps, or on its own to make a budget-friendly dinner the whole family will love.
3. Crockpot Chili
This chili recipe may take several hours to cook, but after one bite, you’ll see that it is truly worth the wait. The 4-6 hour cook time in the crockpot brings out the best in every ingredient!
4. Crockpot Hot Dogs
Who knew you could make hot dogs in a crock pot?! This recipe is a kid-friendly dinner for sure, and everyone will love customizing their dogs with their favorite toppings.
5. Crockpot Pulled Pork
Go low and slow in the crockpot and watch this pulled pork come to life. Serve the tasty pulled pork with coleslaw for the ultimate sandwich.
6. Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken
Trick your mind into thinking you ordered take-out with this slow cooker Thai peanut chicken. The tasty chicken is coated in a thick, creamy peanut sauce. Serve the chicken over rice for a cheap and easy meal.
7. Slow Cooker Parsnip and Carrot Soup
The only thing better than a giant bowl of soup on a winter’s day is a bowl of soup that is easy and cheap to make. This slow cooker parsnip and carrot soup fits all of those requirements and more. It will be your go-to recipe all winter long.
Cheap Crockpot Meals for the Whole Family
8. Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
The secret to getting the bright, citrusy orange flavor in this chicken dish is all in the slow cooker. The slow cook allows the sauce to create a bold flavor that is out of the world. This is a cheap crockpot meal worth every bite.
9. Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Tacos are always a good idea when you’re looking for a cheap and easy meal. These tacos only require 4 ingredients and couldn’t be simpler to make.
10. Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna
Next time you head to the store to buy groceries, pick up some frozen ravioli, jarred sauce, cheese, and ground beef to make this crockpot ravioli lasagna. It’s the easiest way to make lasagna at home!
11. Slow Cooker Lentil Soup
Lentils are always on the list when I am looking for filling foods that don’t break the bank. The dish may not look the prettiest, but it is super filling and tasty.
12. Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
Comfort food dinners don’t always have to be unhealthy! Case in point: this slow cooker red beans and rice. The inexpensive dinner is not cheap in taste and will make your tastebuds feel like a million bucks.
13. Taco Soup
If you love tacos, but you’re looking for a meal that is on the cozier side, then this taco soup is just for you. The soup has everything you love about tacos, including ground beef, beans, corn, and more. Don’t forget to top it with cheese and sour cream!
14. Crockpot Chicken and Noodles
It doesn’t get more comforting than cheesy chicken and noodles from the crockpot. The cheap crockpot meal is perfect for an easy winter dinner when you’re craving something cozy.
15. Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
Get ready to fall in love with this creamy black bean soup. The hearty soup is a protein bomb that will keep you full for hours on end.
16. Crockpot Sausage Cheese and Ravioli Dinner
This crockpot sausage, cheese, and ravioli dinner is full of hearty, satisfying ingredients. Sausage is a great meat to use when you’re looking to keep things on the cheaper side, as it is super flavorful but won’t break the bank.
17. Slow Cooker Meatloaf
Meatloaf is always a great dinner to make in the slow cooker. This meatloaf is topped with a tangy, sweet glaze to make it stand out from the standard dish.
Easy and Cheap Crockpot Meals
18. Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese from a crockpot is always better than mac and cheese from a box! One bite from this recipe, and you’ll be on team crockpot for life.
19. Slow Cooker Queso Chicken Tacos
Talk about a true flavor bomb! These slow cooker queso chicken tacos only require 4 ingredients to come together and create a true party of flavors. The chicken is so good you can eat a whole bowl on its own and ditch all the taco toppings.
Cheap Crockpot Meals For A Crowd
20. Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
Breakfast for dinner is always a hit! Swap around the meals and serve up this breakfast casserole to end your day. The only thing that will feel cheap about this meal is the receipt from the store.
21. Potato Soup
Stay within your budget and create a meal that the whole family will love with this potato soup. The soup is rich, creamy, and super filling. Top it with corn or bacon for a little extra burst of flavor.
22. Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Skip the complicated process of making chicken pot pie and make it into soup instead with this cheap and easy recipe. This chicken pot pie soup basically takes the filling of the chicken pot pie and turns it into a creamy bowl of goodness.
23. Salsa Chicken
Salsa chicken for dinner is bound to be a hit with family and friends. The simple dinner is super economical, but it doesn’t taste that way! It’s loaded with big, bold Tex-Mex flavors.
24. Crockpot Lasagna
Ditch the complicated process of making lasagna and go the simple route with this crockpot lasagna recipe. Cooking this dish in the crockpot takes out all of the complications of making classic lasagna.
25. Buffalo Chicken Soup
You’ve had buffalo chicken in dip, wraps, and wings, but have you ever had it in soup? Prepare to fall in love with this buffalo chicken soup. It is super easy to make and full of spicy flavor.
26. Cocktail Meatballs
You don’t have to throw a party to whip up a batch of cocktail meatballs. The little meatballs are great for dinner any night of the week. The secret ingredient of grape jelly is a pantry staple!
27. Crockpot Turkey Breast
Cooking a whole turkey for dinner is expensive and super time-consuming. Go for the simple version, and cook up a turkey breast in your crockpot instead. It’s much lighter on your wallet and quicker on time!
28. Creamy Crockpot Chicken
There is no lack of flavor here with this creamy crockpot chicken. The low and slow cooking in the crockpot allows the chicken to hit its peak both in flavor and texture.
29. Frozen Meatballs in a Crockpot
Do yourself a favor, and keep a bag of frozen meatballs in your freezer. The simple and cheap dinner will taste as if it sat in the stove all afternoon, thanks to the crockpot.
30. Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
These crockpot chicken fajitas will be a hit with the whole family. The juicy chicken can be topped however you like, making it a win for even the pickiest eater at the table.
31. Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
There is no need to spend all the money going out to dinner when you can create a restaurant-worthy meal in your kitchen thanks to this crockpot chicken alfredo recipe. The rich Alfredo sauce pairs perfectly with juicy chicken that was cooked low and slow. After one bite, you won’t regret your choice about staying in.
32. Crockpot Cabbage Rolls
Bookmark this recipe for a cold winter day. These crockpot cabbage rolls will hit the spot with their flavorful filling of rice and meat. The comforting meal will be a wintertime favorite.
33. Crockpot Pizza Casserole
The next time you are tempted to pick up your phone and order a pizza, remember that this crockpot pizza casserole recipe exists. The recipe combines the flavor and toppings of your favorite pizza with ziti noodles to make a casserole that is better than any takeout meal!
34. Crock Pot Spaghetti
Sometimes, it is best to keep dinner simple. Case in point: this crockpot spaghetti. The dish is both easy on the wallet and on preparation. Thanks to the low and slow cooking time, the flavors meld together beautifully for a delicious family-friendly comfort food.
35. Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Preparing a meal that is easy on the wallet and that the whole family will enjoy can sometimes be a challenge. Luckily, that is not the case when these slow cooker crack chicken sliders are on the menu. The tender chicken is seasoned with ranch flavoring, making it a hit with everyone who takes a bite!
FAQs
Almost anything can be made in a crockpot! However, recipes with sauces, meats, and noodles tend to cook best. Any of the recipes above will be a hit in the crockpot.
The two cooking appliances are basically the same. Some Crockpots have more settings, allowing for a more personalized experience when cooking.
While you can put raw meat in a crockpot or slow cooker, it is best to sear it first to lock in more of the flavor. Overall, you are best following the instructions for the recipe at hand to see what it recommends for the meat. Just make sure whatever you’re cooking reaches the recommended internal temperature to ensure it’s safe to eat!
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