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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Simple Crockpot Recipes for Family Dinners on a Budget

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 22, 2025, updated April 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking for a family on a budget can be a challenge, but using a crockpot makes it easier and more enjoyable. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create hearty meals that everyone will love. Here are 18 simple crockpot recipes that are perfect for family dinners without breaking the bank.

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This soup combines all the great flavors of stuffed bell peppers, cooked slowly in your Crock Pot. It's a filling and simple meal that's perfect for a weeknight.

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    Cajun Chicken Alfredo

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a delicious and easy meal. With smoked sausage, Cajun spices, and a cheesy sauce, this dish is perfect for a satisfying dinner.

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    Crockpot Ranch Chicken Casserole

    Crockpot Ranch Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Budget Delicious.

    Crockpot Ranch Chicken Casserole is a simple slow cooker dish that’s perfect for dinner after a long day. It's budget-friendly, easy to prepare, and loved by the whole family, making it a great option for meal prep.

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    Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

    Baked potato soup in a slow cooker.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This soup is perfect for a simple meal that you can set up in the morning and enjoy by dinner time. With soft potatoes and veggies simmered in flavorful chicken broth, it's finished off with evaporated milk and cheese for a creamy touch.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

    Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    These fajitas are perfect for a quick family dinner with minimal effort. Juicy chicken breasts are cooked with peppers, onions, and tomatoes, creating a tasty filling to wrap in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

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    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: The Kitchen Girl.

    Slow cooker pulled pork is made with well-seasoned pork shoulder that cooks slowly for a tender result. This juicy dish is perfect for feeding a group without putting in a lot of work.

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    Copycat Wendy’s Chili

    Copycat Wendy’s Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This recipe lets you enjoy the flavors of Wendy’s chili right at home. With all the beans, veggies, and spices included, it’s a great way to whip up a delicious meal.

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    Slow Cooker Meatloaf

    Slow Cooker Meatloaf.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Forget the oven and whip up a tasty slow cooker meatloaf instead. With just a few simple ingredients, this easy crockpot dish is perfect for your holiday meals.

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    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Forget the store-bought options and whip up this tasty homemade sloppy joe recipe for a satisfying meal. It's simple to prepare and perfect for the whole family.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken ala King

    Slow Cooker Chicken ala King.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish combines tender chicken with a mix of vegetables and seasonings for a comforting meal that's easy to prepare. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time or money.

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    Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

    Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish features tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy buttermilk biscuit dumplings all simmered in a creamy broth. It's a simple and satisfying meal that won't take much time to put together.

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    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over,

    This dish features tender chicken along with bell peppers, onions, and zucchini all simmered in a tasty Italian sauce. It's a simple recipe that's great for a busy weeknight dinner.

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    The Best Vegetarian Chili

    Vegetarian chili and a wooden spoon.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This vegetarian chili is packed with flavor and can be made in a Crock Pot or on the stovetop. It's a hearty dish that you'll enjoy even without meat.

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    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    This Enchilada Bake is super-easy to prepare using pantry and freezer staples, and so tasty it's sure to become a long-time family favorite! No need to turn on your oven, this recipe uses the magic of your slow cooker.

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    Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken

    Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Korean BBQ Chicken is a simple and tasty dinner option that you can whip up using ingredients you probably already have at home. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit; Cheerful Cook.

    This dish features tender chicken, colorful bell peppers, and onions simmered with flavorful spices for a satisfying meal. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something easy and tasty.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken & Broccoli Over Rice

    Slow Cooker Chicken & Broccoli Over Rice.
    Photo Credit: The Quicker Kitchen,

    Slow cooker chicken and broccoli over rice is a simple dish that combines tender chicken and broccoli in a creamy sauce. This easy meal is perfect for families and requires very little cleanup.

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    Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole

    Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This casserole features tater tots, a southwestern twist, and plenty of cheese. It's a fun and easy dish that's perfect for a cozy meal.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Lemongrass grilled chicken.
      Memorial Day BBQ: 24 Recipes That Will Make You the Grill Master
    • Feta stuffed chicken.
      19 Simple Sunday Night Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love
    • John Wayne casserole.
      24 Dump-And-Cook Ground Beef Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook
    • Baked ratatouille.
      18 Memorial Day Casseroles That Are a Guaranteed Hit

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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