Are you looking for crockpot cheap meals for the family? Then, you’re in the right place!
If you’ve been here before, you know me. I love discovering easy and cheap meals to cook for my family. That’s why I constantly share cheap recipe ideas here. Whether you’re looking for cheap Instant Pot meals, dirt cheap meals for the family, or cheap lunch ideas for your husband, you will find lots of ideas here.
Today’s list is for you if you are looking for meal ideas to make using your crockpot or slow cooker, because let’s face it, we have our busy days! For these moments, I recommend using your crockpot or slow cooker!
The main point of having a slow cooker is that it saves you time cooking. Slow cooker meals are basically dump-and-go recipes. Once you’ve put the ingredients inside, you program the device, and off you go to where you want to be. Once it’s done, you’re guaranteed to have a freshly-cooked, healthy meal for your whole family.
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Best Cheap Crockpot Recipes
If you enjoy making delicious meals for your family and want to save money on food, here are cheap crockpot meals that are sure to delight your family at the dinner table.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Slow-cooker chicken thighs are so juicy and delicious, made even more irresistible by herbs and spices. Searing the chicken thighs before they hit the slow cooker is key to that golden brown skin. And oh, don’t forget to use the drippings for gravy – it definitely levels up this cheap crockpot recipe.
Credit: The Recipe Rebel
- Slow Cooker Chicken Soup
The slow cooker makes amazing recipes as well, and one of my go-to’s is this slow cooker chicken soup. Featuring shredded chicken, cheese, bacon, and ranch, I daresay this soup has everything I’m looking for in comfort food!
Credit: Easy Weeknight Recipes
- Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts
I could not begin to put into words just how amazing this delicious meal is. With just a few ingredients – bacon, chicken breasts, brown sugar, and garlic, you could come up with this flavorful dish with minimal effort. Adding a side of carbs, such as mashed potatoes, make this one hearty meal.
Credit: TipBuzz
- Crockpot Picadillo
The crockpot Picadillo is an amazing slow cooker dish featuring ground beef, tomatoes, olives, and a few more spices. Cooked in the slow cooker, ground beef becomes super tender and juicy. This can be a meal prep meal that you can prepare the night before, then cook in the slow cooker in the morning. Serve this over a hot bed of steamed rice and turn use leftovers to fill enchiladas or stuffed peppers.
Credit: Skinny Taste
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
The slow cooker is also one of the cheap crockpot meals that we cook over and over again. The classic pot roast is a slow cooker favorite, thanks to extra tender meat and juicy vegetables cooked slowly in aromatics and spices. Most people serve pot roast during the holidays, but it can easily be cooked and served on a weekend dinner. Paired with mashed potatoes, I don’t think you can ever go wrong with this slow cooker recipe.
Credit: Downshiftology
- Slow Cooker Korean Chicken
If you’re looking for a unique slow cooker dinner, then you should try cooking Korean chicken in the crock pot. This is a spicy-sweet chicken dish with Korean flavors. Chicken thighs are coated in soy sauce, ginger, honey, sesame oil, and chili flakes before they hit the crock pot. This is a make-ahead dish with a decent prep time, so it’s definitely one of the crockpot meals I go back to whenever I’m craving Asian food.
Credit: Yes to Yolks
- Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tostadas
This is another cheap crockpot meal that got me more appreciative of my slow cooker. Simply cook chicken in the crockpot with the salsa and taco seasoning, then shred. Put shredded chicken on tostadas, and top with cheese and the rest of the ingredients. This easy crockpot recipe is an amazing comfort food that’s perfect for the whole family.
Credit: Eating On A Dime
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
This is a no-fuss, no extra-effort cheap crockpot meal that tastes great! Simply dump the ingredients inside and cook for five hours. You’ll have a bowl of tender chicken that mixes perfectly with black beans, and cream cheese and then topped with sour cream and avocado slices. So divine!
Credit: The Pioneer Woman
- Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Lentil Soup
This is one of the most filling, cheap crockpot recipes for me. The main ingredient is sweet potatoes and red lentils, and along with some pantry staples, you get an awesome dish. I love meal-prepping this recipe just because it’s a family favorite, and it never fails to wow everyone. Making crockpot meals has never been this easy!
Credit: Well Plated
- Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken Thighs
Chicken makes for easy crockpot meals, and this recipe features flavorful chicken thighs slow-cooked in Moroccan spices. This is one of my favorite dump-and-go crockpot meals because they come out perfectly flavored and satisfying all the time! Serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or freshly-cooked rice to get a complete meal.
Credit: Rachel Cooks
- Easy Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup
The crockpot chicken noodle soup is the perfect chicken dish to prepare for the cold seasons. This slow-cooker chicken dish makes use of chicken breasts, along with other ingredients: carrots, celery, potatoes, and green beans, along with herbs and aromatics. Thick egg noodles cooked in the crock pot become tender and complements the flavor of chicken and vegetables quite well.
Credit: Jessica Gavin
- Ham Bone Split Pea Soup
One of the best ways to put leftover ham bone during the holidays into use is to turn it into soup. This is probably one of the easy crockpot meals you’ll turn back to time and again. Just add in a few vegetables like diced carrots, green split peas, and celery, then let the slow cooker do the work. After a few hours, you’ll have a batch of hot creamy soup, garnish with scallions or chopped parsley and serve with toasted garlic bread.
Credit: Spend with Pennies
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas
When it comes to Mexican food, enchiladas always come to mind. And you’d be surprised just how easy it is to make your own enchiladas at home, thanks to the trusty slow cooker. Simply dump shredded chicken into the pot, add in enchilada sauce, black beans, garlic and onion, and cheese. I like to top it off with sour cream. guacamole and salsa.
Credit: Britney Breaks Bread
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Pulled pork is one of the best dishes to cook in your crock pot. I particularly love that I can do pulled pork sandwiches, which make the perfect lunch or snack, and they never disappoint! Also, these are time-savers because you can do plenty of things while the pork is slow cooking. This easy crockpot recipe turns any sandwich even more magical, at minimal cost and effort.
Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker
- Crockpot Baked Potatoes
Many people wouldn’t probably think of baking potatoes in the crock pot, but I’m telling you — this is one of the easy crockpot meals you’ll ever try. The potatoes come out tender without being mushy, and with just the right amount of seasonings and flavor, they’re guaranteed to come out heavenly. Top them off with some Greek yogurt, cheese, and chives, and your baked potatoes will surely delight your family and guests.
Credit: Well Plated
- Crock Pot Smoked Sausage and Hash browns
If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast that’s bursting with flavors and incredibly satiating, then let me introduce to you this crock pot smoked sausage and hash browns. This is a casserole-like dish where you dump all the ingredients into the slow cooker and let the device work its magic. Tip: if you ever find yourself rushing in the morning, some meal planning goes a long way. Cook this at night and reheat in the morning. You’ll probably never want to skip breakfast again.
Credit: 12 Tomatoes
- Low-Carb Crockpot Chicken Thighs
People who are watching their carbs have come to realize that slow cookers help make them amazing keto dishes. This low-carb chicken thigh recipe, for example, has only four grams of carbs and is rich in flavors and textures. Simply put the few ingredients into the crock pot and let cook for a few hours. Paired with cauliflower rice, this slow cooker dish should help you stay on your diet without making crazy sacrifices in the kitchen.
Credit: Sugar Free Mom
- Sweet and Sour Crockpot Meatballs
Homemade sweet and sour meatballs are also a family favorite, so I find myself reaching out to this recipe time and again. Frozen meatballs work just as well as freshly made ones. I suggest making a huge batch of meatballs as part of meal prepping, and then taking them out whenever you want to cook sweet and sour slow cooker meatballs. To get a complete meal, pair them up with steamed rice, or a side of vegetables.
Credit: Dinner At the Zoo
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
A slow cooker can cook an amazing rotisserie-style whole chicken, and it’s one of the cheap crockpot meals that would surely impress everyone on the dinner table. Cooked in the crock pot, your chicken will turn up juicy and bursting with flavors. You can pair chicken with your vegetables of choice, such as scalloped potatoes and green beans, for an even more satisfying meal.
Credit: Kristine’s Kitchen
- Glazed Crock Pot Pork Chops
This is one of the easy crockpot meals that are really cheap but taste expensive! Pork chops are cooked on low and slow in sugar and garlic, giving the meat the right balance of sweet and savory. I also love how this easy slow cooker recipe levels up when entertaining with friends and family. Paired with vegetables and other side dishes, it easily becomes the dinner highlight.
Credit: Dinner Then Dessert
- Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo With Pasta And Broccoli
There are times when it’s hard to throw a decent dinner for your family, but this recipe has been quite a lifesaver. Kids and adults alike in the house love how the tender chicken complements the creamy alfredo sauce. With broccoli and pasta, this slow cooker dish is both healthy and satiating, leaving everyone happily satisfied.
Credit: Cooking With Carlee
- Crockpot Cabbage Steaks
Whether you want to do Meatless Mondays or commit to a vegan lifestyle, this is one of the best crockpot recipes to try. This is a cheap and healthy dish, featuring cabbage cooked in the slow cooker, and then paired with baby potatoes or any other root crops of your choice. Just before serving, top with unsweetened yogurt and dill, salt, and pepper.
Credit: Healthy Slow Cooking
- Crockpot Glazed Chicken Teriyaki
If you’re looking for healthy meal prep dishes that using your slow cooker, then this is a great recipe to look into. Tender chicken cooked in honey and chicken stock gives it a sweet sticky glaze. All the other ingredients can be found in your pantry. It’s a great dish to pair with brown rice and vegetables, making it an even healthier meal for the family.
Credit: Mealprepify
- Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana
The slow cooker Zuppa Toscana is one of the best fall and winter crockpot recipes, featuring Italian sausage, potatoes, and kale cooked in a creamy soup. The only effort you need to make in this meal is to brown the sausage before dumping them into the crock pot with the rest of the ingredients. Cook for four hours, and serve with garlic bread.
Credit: The Recipe Rebel
- Slow Cooker Barbecue Brisket
Featuring fork-tender beef cooked in homemade barbecue sauce, this slow cooker recipe will surely leave your family yearning for more! Beef brisket is an amazingly simple and cheap dish that even beginners can cook in their slow cookers. This recipe is best served with corn casserole, coleslaw, or potato salad.
Credit: Recipetin Eats
- Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches
Bring your sandwich game to the next level with this gluten-free slow cooker Italian chicken sandwich recipe. This sandwich comes with a yummy tomato flavor. The chicken breasts are slow-cooked until they are tender and juicy. Piled in between slices of garlic cheese and sprinkled with finely chopped basil and grated cheese, this seemingly simple dinner will soon become a family favorite.
Credit: Foodtastic Mom
- Slow Cooker Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
When you feel like consuming a bowl of chicken soup when you’re feeling down or cold (due to the weather), try remaking this slow-cooker dish. Simply dump chicken breasts, chicken stock, celery, garlic, and onions. At the last hour, stir in rice or orzo, beaten egg with lemon juice. This dish keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Credit: Flavor The Moments
- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Pork Carnitas is an awesomely flexible dish. It is basically a type of pulled pork recipe cooked in a slow cooker, allowing for that tender meat to separate so effortlessly. And the best thing is, pork carnitas is so easy to make, especially with a slow cooker. Put the seasoned pork into the crock pot, lime, and orange juice, and cook for 5 hours. Broil the meat for 3 minutes before serving, and enjoy!
Credit: Damn Delicious
- Crockpot Potato Soup
Heavenly potato soup cooked in a crock pot? Yes, you’ve read that right! In fact, it makes sense to cook creamy and rich potato soup in the crockpot so you don’t have to slave for hours over the stove. Just dump everything into the pot — diced potatoes, chicken stock, cream cheese, cream of chicken, green onions, and pepper and cook for 6 hours. Add bacon bits, grated cheese, and sliced green onions just before serving.
Credit: The Girl Who Ate Everything
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
This slow-cooker buffalo chicken makes an excellent filling for sandwiches. Tender, juicy chicken is cooked in the crock pot for hours, along with yummy buffalo sauce and ranch seasoning. After hours of low cooking, chicken meat should be super tender so that it easily separates with a pull of the fork. You can enjoy slow-cooked buffalo chicken with a side of your choice, or pile it in between buns, lettuce wraps, and top it with grated cheese!
Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew
If you’re like me, you’re also probably craving a heart stew during fall and winter. The cold season calls for something hot and yummy, such as this slow cooker beef stew. I love how the beef, carrots, peas, and potatoes complement each other, allowing this dish to really burst with all the right flavors. I love adding red wine or beef broth into the base, which gives the soup an acidic touch and helps tenderize the meat.
Credit: The Cozy Cook
- Slow Cooker Lamb Curry
If you’re looking to step out of your comfort zone and explore other cheap crockpot meals, I highly recommend this lamb curry recipe. The truth is, cooking Indian food takes a lot of time, unless you use a slow cooker. Just put everything into the pot and come home hours later with steaming lamb curry ready to be served.
Credit: My Food Story
- Crockpot Pork Chops and Stuffing
The crockpot pork chops with stuffing are such a classic slow cooker dish, but it’s also one that never fails to please! It’s a great definition of comfort food: tender pork chops, apples, seasoned gravy, and stuffing cooked for hours. Add your favorite vegetables, dried fruits, and nuts to elevate the dish.
Credit: Easy Dinner Ideas
- Slow Cooker Chicken Queso Dip
Big fan of dips? This slow-cooker chicken queso dip will raise your standards a notch higher! Creamy and cheesy, this dip is cooked in the crockpot for hours. Imagine this: shredded rotisserie chicken, a mix of different cheeses, diced tomatoes, scallions, taco seasoning, and other spices, cooked low and slow for hours. And the thing about slow cookers is that they don’t dry out whatever you’re cooking inside, so your dip is guaranteed to be extra creamy, cheesy, and stringy, perfect to pair with tortillas!
Credit: Sugar and Soul
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
If you’ve been meaning to get the kids to eat a lot more veggies, I believe this recipe is a great way to make them do so. Combining rice and chicken in the crockpot gives you a dish that has carbs, protein, and fiber. Plus, you can just mix everything together, set it and forget it, and your family will come home with a delicious dinner waiting for them.
Credit: The Recipe Rebel
- Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta
If you haven’t tried cooking pasta in the slow cooker yet, then you’re missing out! This chicken parmesan pasta recipe, for example, has everything you love in a delicious pasta dish: tender and juicy chicken breasts, tomato-based sauce, and yummy rich cheese. This makes an effortless dinner that’s easy on the budget.
Credit: Damn Delicious
Conclusion
There are literally thousands of slow cooker recipes out there, plus each with its own variations, so there’s really nothing stopping you from making delicious meals with your family.
The slow cooker is a must-have in the modern kitchen, especially for busy parents who want to make sure that the family eats well and healthily. With some meal planning, you can cook like a pro without putting too much time and work in the kitchen. Plus, these meals are budget-friendly, so your food budget will surely go further.
