30 Budget-Friendly Crockpot Meals That Save Time & Money

When life gets busy, and we're all trying to save a few bucks, the crockpot becomes my best friend. It’s like having a personal chef that doesn’t judge when I barely have time to breathe, let alone cook. Using this fabulous kitchen gadget not only saves precious time but also keeps my wallet happy.

Today, I am excited to share with you my favorite 30 budget-friendly crockpot meals that save time & money. These meals are super easy to prepare, packed full of flavor, and perfect for those hectic days when all you want is a hot meal without the fuss.

1. Slow Cooker Chili

A hearty and filling dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet.
2. Add all ingredients to the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
4. Serve hot.

2. Chicken Taco Soup

A tex-mex favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can corn
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 4 cups chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Place chicken in the crockpot.
2. Add all other ingredients.
3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
4. Shred chicken before serving.

3. Beef Stroganoff

Comfort food at its finest.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef stew meat
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 packet brown gravy mix
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine meat, soup, and onion in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
3. Stir in sour cream and gravy mix, cook for additional 30 minutes.
4. Serve over noodles or rice.

4. BBQ Pulled Pork

Perfect for sandwiches.

Ingredients:

• 2 lb pork shoulder
• 1 bottle BBQ sauce
• 1 onion, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Season pork and place in the crockpot.
2. Add onion and pour BBQ sauce over top.
3. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
4. Shred pork and mix with sauce before serving.

5. Vegetarian Lentil Stew

Packed with plant-based goodness.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups lentils
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
3. Serve with crusty bread.

6. Honey Garlic Chicken

Sweet and savory delight.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup ketchup

Instructions:

1. Place chicken in the crockpot.
2. Mix soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ketchup; pour over chicken.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
4. Serve over rice.

7. Potato Soup

Warm and comforting.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• Bacon bits (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place potatoes, onion, and broth in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Stir in heavy cream and cheese; cook additional 30 minutes.
4. Top with bacon bits if desired.

8. Spaghetti and Meatballs

Italian classic made easy.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 packet Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• Spaghetti pasta

Instructions:

1. Mix beef, seasoning, breadcrumbs, and egg; form into meatballs.
2. Place meatballs in the crockpot and cover with sauce.
3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
4. Serve over cooked spaghetti.

9. Chicken and Dumplings

Southern comfort without the effort.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 can biscuits, cut into quarters
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place chicken, soup, broth, onion, and carrots in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours.
3. Add biscuit pieces and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
4. Serve hot.

10. Vegetable Curry

Full of flavors and healthy veggies.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers)
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Serve over rice or with naan bread.

11. Beef and Broccoli

Better than takeout.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef strips
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Place beef, soy sauce, broth, and garlic in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 5 hours, add broccoli.
3. Cook an additional hour.
4. Serve over rice.

12. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Rich and flavorful.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine tomatoes, onion, broth, and basil in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours.
3. Blend with cream and cook for another 30 minutes.
4. Serve with grilled cheese.

13. Pork Carnitas

Fantastic for taco night.

Ingredients:

• 2 lb pork shoulder
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup salsa
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano

Instructions:

1. Place pork in the crockpot, add remaining ingredients.
2. Cook on low for 8 hours.
3. Shred pork and serve in tortillas.

14. Spinach Artichoke Dip

Perfect for parties.

Ingredients:

• 1 package frozen spinach, thawed
• 1 can artichoke hearts, chopped
• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup sour cream

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.
3. Serve with bread or crackers.

15. Teriyaki Chicken

Sweet and savory goodness.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Place chicken in the crockpot.
2. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and garlic; pour over chicken.
3. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
4. Serve with steamed rice.

16. Sausage and Peppers

A delight for your taste buds.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage links
• 3 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Place sausage, peppers, onion, and tomatoes in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Serve on hoagie rolls or over pasta.

17. Corn Chowder

An easy and hearty meal.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups corn kernels
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 potatoes, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine corn, broth, onion, and potatoes in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours.
3. Stir in heavy cream before serving.
4. Optional: Blend some of the soup for a thicker consistency.

18. Shepherd’s Pie

Classic comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can corn
• 1 can peas
• 1 packet brown gravy mix
• 4 cups mashed potatoes

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet.
2. Place beef, corn, peas, and gravy mix in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
4. Top with mashed potatoes, cook for an additional 30 minutes.

19. Chicken and Rice

Simple and satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place chicken, rice, broth, and onion in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Serve hot.

20. Beef Tacos

Quick and flavorful.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup salsa
• Taco shells and toppings

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet; drain fat.
2. Place beef, seasoning, and salsa in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 4 hours.
4. Serve in taco shells with toppings.

21. Macaroni and Cheese

Cheesy and delightful.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Serve hot.

22. White Chicken Chili

Creamy and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast
• 1 can white beans
• 1 can corn
• 1 can diced green chiles
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 cup cream cheese

Instructions:

1. Place chicken, beans, corn, chiles, and broth in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Stir in cream cheese before serving.

23. Eggplant Parmesan

Healthy and hearty.

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant, sliced
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1. Layer eggplant, sauce, and cheeses in the crockpot.
2. Top with breadcrumbs.
3. Cook on low for 4-5 hours.
4. Serve over spaghetti.

24. Thai Peanut Chicken

Nutty and rich in flavor.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Place chicken in the crockpot.
2. Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and garlic; pour over chicken.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
4. Serve over rice or noodles.

25. Spanish Rice

Great as a side or main dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp paprika

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
3. Fluff with fork before serving.

26. Ratatouille

A medley of vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 eggplant, diced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
3. Serve as a side or over pasta.

27. Mongolian Beef

Sweet and tangy Asian favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef strips
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, sliced

Instructions:

1. Place beef, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and onion in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 5 hours.
3. Serve over rice or noodles.

28. Stuffed Peppers

Hearty and satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers, tops removed and gutted
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup rice, cooked
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions:

1. Mix beef, rice, and tomatoes, stuff into peppers.
2. Place stuffed peppers in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
4. Top with cheddar cheese, cook additional 15 minutes.

29. Cajun Chicken Pasta

Spicy and creamy.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tsp cajun seasoning
• Pasta of your choice

Instructions:

1. Place chicken, cream, tomatoes, pepper, onion, and seasoning in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours.
3. Serve over cooked pasta.

30. Jambalaya

A true southern classic.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sausage, sliced
• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 1 cup shrimp
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups rice, uncooked
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 tsp cajun seasoning

Instructions:

1. Place sausage, chicken, onion, pepper, broth, rice, tomatoes, and seasoning in the crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Add shrimp and cook an additional 30 minutes.
4. Serve hot.

Conclusion

These crockpot recipes are my go-to solutions for busy days and tight budgets. So dust off your slow cooker, and dive into these easy, delicious meals that will make dinner stress-free and economical. Enjoy!