15 Cheap and Easy Crockpot Meals for Busy Weeknights

15 Cheap and Easy Crockpot Meals for Busy Weeknights

Weeknights get busy, and dinner shouldn’t feel like another chore—or a drain on your grocery budget. That’s where your Crockpot (slow cooker) shines. With just a little prep in the morning, you can come home to a hot, hearty, affordable dinner that practically cooked itself.

This curated list of 15 cheap and easy Crockpot meals is designed for real people with real time and money constraints. Every recipe here uses affordable, pantry-friendly ingredients, requires minimal prep, and can be made in just one pot, making cleanup easy.

✅ All recipes were tested in a 6-quart Crockpot.

Why Use a Crockpot for Weeknight Dinners?

• Time-Saving: Dump the ingredients in and walk away.
• Budget-Friendly: Uses cheap cuts of meat and bulk staples.
• Family-Proven: Comfort food favorites that feed everyone.
• Low Cleanup: One pot = fewer dishes.

What Makes These Meals “Cheap and Easy”?

To qualify for this list, every recipe needed to meet three criteria:

• Under $2–$3 per serving
• Prep time of 15 minutes or less
• Easy-to-find ingredients—mostly pantry staples

Jump to a Recipe

👉 Click here to skip straight to the full recipe list

The Recipes (One Definitive, Complete List)

1. Slow Cooker Chicken & Rice

• 2 lbs chicken thighs
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker.
2. Stir gently and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3–4.
3. Fluff rice before serving.

2. Crockpot Chili

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ cup chopped onion

1. Brown meat (optional), then add all ingredients to slow cooker.
2. Stir and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours.
3. Add a splash of water if it’s too thick.

• To Make It Spicy: Stir in 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce or 1 tsp red pepper flakes.
• More Veggies: Add diced bell pepper, frozen corn, or shredded carrots for extra nutrients.
• To Thicken: Leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes or mash some beans to release natural starch.

3. Cheesy Potato & Ham Soup

• 3 cups diced potatoes
• 1 ½ cups cooked ham, diced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 cups broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• Salt and pepper

1. Add all ingredients except milk and cheese to Crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW for 7 hours or HIGH for 4.
3. Stir in milk and cheese, then heat another 10–15 minutes.

4. Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

• 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ cup broth or water

1. Add all ingredients to Crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4.
3. Shred chicken and mix well in sauce.

• Sweet & Smoky: Add 1 tbsp honey and 1 tsp liquid smoke.
• Make it Carolina-style: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar and a pinch of chili flakes.
• Leftover Remix: Use leftovers for sandwiches, quesadillas, baked potatoes, or pizza topping.

5. Crockpot Pasta Casserole

• 1 lb uncooked pasta
• 1 jar pasta sauce (24 oz)
• 3 cups water or broth
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

1. Add everything to slow cooker.
2. Cook on HIGH for 2–3 hours, stirring halfway.
3. Sprinkle cheese on top in final 20 minutes.

6. Slow Cooker Lentil Soup

• 1 ½ cups dry lentils
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 cups broth
• Salt and pepper

1. Add everything to Crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4–5.
3. Remove bay leaf. Blend part for creamier texture if desired.

7. Chicken Taco Filling

• 2 lbs chicken breasts
• 1 jar salsa
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• Optional: canned corn or beans

1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker.
2. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3.
3. Shred and serve in tacos, burritos, or bowls.

8. Crockpot Stuffed Peppers

• 4–6 bell peppers
• 1 lb ground meat
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• ½ cup shredded cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

1. Mix meat, rice, tomatoes, and seasoning.
2. Stuff peppers and place in slow cooker.
3. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3. Add cheese at end.

9. Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 ½ cups milk
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• ½ cup cream cheese
• Salt to taste

1. Add macaroni, milk, evaporated milk, mustard, and cream cheese.
2. Stir and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Add cheddar in final 20 minutes.

• Add Protein: Stir in canned tuna, shredded chicken, or steamed broccoli.
• Crispy Topping: After cooking, transfer to baking dish, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top, and broil 3–5 minutes.
• Customize Cheese: Use a blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan for extra richness.

10. Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili

• 2 sweet potatoes, diced
• 2 cans black beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder

1. Add all ingredients to Crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4.
3. Serve with rice or cornbread.

11. Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 onion, chopped
• ½ cup water

1. Brown beef (optional), then add all to slow cooker.
2. Cook on LOW 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2.
3. Serve on buns or over baked potatoes.

12. Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

• 2 lbs chicken thighs
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ginger
• ½ cup water

1. Add everything to slow cooker.
2. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3.
3. Shred and serve over rice or stir-fry veggies.

13. Cabbage & Sausage Stew

• ½ head cabbage
• 1 lb smoked sausage
• 3 potatoes
• 1 onion
• 3 cups broth
• Salt and pepper

1. Chop everything and add to Crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW for 7 hours or HIGH for 4.
3. Stir and serve warm.

14. Creamy Italian Chicken

• 2 lbs chicken breasts
• 1 packet Italian dressing mix
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• Optional: frozen spinach

1. Add chicken, seasoning, cream cheese, and soup to Crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW 6 hours or HIGH 3–4.
3. Stir and serve over rice or pasta.
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Expert Frugal Tip:
Use frozen greens to boost nutrients without upping your grocery bill.

15. Crockpot Baked Ziti

Ingredients:
• 1 lb uncooked ziti
• 1 jar pasta sauce
• 1 ½ cups mozzarella
• ½ cup ricotta or cottage cheese
• 3 cups broth or water
Instructions:
1. Layer pasta, sauce, water, and cheese in slow cooker.
2. Cook on HIGH for 2–3 hours.
3. Sprinkle more cheese on top before serving.
Expert Frugal Tip:
Swap ricotta for cottage cheese to cut cost and calories.

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Your Crockpot Meals

One of the best parts of slow cooking is how easy it is to batch-cook and save your leftovers. Here’s how to do it right:

Refrigerating:
Most meals will keep well in the fridge for 3–4 days in an airtight container. Chili, soups, and stews often taste even better on day two.
Freezing:
• ✅ Freeze-Friendly: Chili, taco fillings, lentil soup, BBQ chicken, and sausage stew freeze very well.
• ❌ Caution: Avoid freezing meals with cream cheese, milk, or pasta, as they may separate or get mushy after thawing.
How to Freeze Properly:
Let the food cool completely. Store in labeled, portioned freezer bags laid flat for easy stacking, or in freezer-safe containers with lids.
Reheating:
Thaw frozen meals in the fridge overnight. Then reheat:
• On the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• In the microwave in short intervals, covered with a damp paper towel.
• Or return to the slow cooker on LOW for 1–2 hours.

Crockpot Cooking FAQs

Can I put frozen chicken directly in the Crockpot?

It’s not recommended. USDA guidelines advise thawing meat first to ensure it reaches a safe temperature quickly enough to prevent bacteria growth.

Do I really need to brown ground beef before slow cooking?

Technically, no—you can toss it in raw. But browning it:

• Improves flavor
• Reduces grease
• Adds texture

If you have time, it’s worth it. Otherwise, it’s optional.

Can I leave my slow cooker on while I’m at work?

Yes! Most recipes are designed to cook on LOW for 6–8 hours, perfect for a standard workday. For longer days, consider a programmable slow cooker or outlet timer.

What size Crockpot should I use for these recipes?

All recipes were tested in a 6-quart slow cooker, ideal for most families. For smaller slow cookers (3–4 quart), halve the recipe quantities.

Final Thoughts / What Will You Make First?

With these 15 cheap and easy Crockpot meals, you’ll have dinner covered for weeks without overspending—or burning out. Slow cooking is one of the smartest ways to eat well on a budget.

👉 Which recipe are you excited to try first?
Let us know in the comments—or tag your plate with @thefrugalbite on Instagram and show us how you made it your own.