10 Dirt Cheap Crockpot Dinners for Easy Family Meals

These dirt cheap crockpot dinners make it easy to feed the family without spending hours in the kitchen. Each recipe uses simple grocery-store ingredients and lets your slow cooker do the work.

1. Crockpot Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

Ingredients: tortellini, pizza sauce, pepperoni, Italian sausage, and mozzarella cheese.

Layer the ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low until the tortellini is tender and the mozzarella is melted and bubbly.

2. BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Ingredients: chicken breasts, barbecue sauce, onion, garlic, and hamburger buns.

Cook until tender, shred the chicken in the sauce, and pile it onto soft toasted buns for an easy family dinner.

3. Honey Garlic Meatballs

Ingredients: frozen meatballs, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and green onions.

Whisk the sauce, pour it over the meatballs, and cook until glossy and heated through. Serve with rice or noodles.

4. Creamy Ranch Chicken

Ingredients: chicken breasts, ranch seasoning, cream cheese, chicken broth, and parsley.

Cook the chicken until tender, then stir the sauce smooth. It is delicious over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.

5. Taco Meat Bowls

Ingredients: ground beef, taco seasoning, black beans, corn, salsa, rice, tomatoes, and sour cream.

Cook the seasoned beef mixture, then spoon it into bowls with rice and your favorite toppings.

6. Slow Cooker Spaghetti

Ingredients: ground beef, spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, spaghetti noodles, onion, and Italian herbs.

Brown the beef first if preferred, then cook everything together until the noodles are tender and saucy.

7. Cheesy Potatoes with Ham

Ingredients: frozen diced potatoes, diced ham, cheese soup, cheddar cheese, and green onions.

Stir all ingredients together in the slow cooker and cook until creamy, hot, and packed with melted cheese.

8. Lemon Garlic Chicken

Ingredients: chicken thighs, lemon juice, garlic, Italian seasoning, and chicken broth.

Cook on low until the chicken is juicy and tender. Serve with rice, noodles, or roasted vegetables.

9. Beef and Potato Stew

Ingredients: beef stew meat, potatoes, carrots, onion, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce.

Add all ingredients to the crockpot and cook low and slow until the beef is fork-tender.

10. Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients: chicken breasts, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, ranch dressing, cheddar cheese, and green onions.

Cook until the chicken shreds easily, then stir the dip creamy. Serve with tortilla chips, celery, and carrots.

Budget Slow Cooker Tips

• Choose value packs of chicken or beef and freeze meal-sized portions.
• Use frozen vegetables, canned beans, and pantry staples to keep costs down.
• Serve with rice, pasta, potatoes, or buns to stretch each dinner further.
• Save leftovers for easy lunches the next day.