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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Budget-Friendly Crockpot Meals for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 27, 2025, updated March 13, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding time to cook during busy weeknights can be a challenge, but with a crockpot, you can prepare delicious meals with minimal effort. These 23 budget-friendly recipes are perfect for busy families, allowing you to set it and forget it while you tackle your day. From hearty stews to flavorful casseroles, these meals will keep everyone satisfied without breaking the bank.

    Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

    Chicken thighs and pineapple sauce in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken is a simple dish that combines sweet and spicy flavors. With just four ingredients, this budget-friendly recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Tangy Apple Slaw

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Tangy Apple Slaw.
    Photo Credit: Killing Thyme.

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is packed with delicious flavors like smoky, sweet, and a hint of spice. Serve it on a bun with crunchy apple slaw for a fantastic sandwich.

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    Crockpot Whole Chicken

    Crockpot Whole Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This slow-cooked chicken is incredibly tender and simple to make. It's perfect for quick weeknight dinners and tastes just like rotisserie chicken.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Dizzy Cook.

    BBQ chicken thighs are simple to prepare, as everything goes into the slow cooker. You can serve them whole or shred them for delicious BBQ chicken sandwiches, making this a great option for weeknight dinners.

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    Hearty Italian White Bean Soup with Pasta

    Hearty Italian White Bean Soup with Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This Italian white bean soup is perfect for a cozy meal. Made in the crockpot, it features a creamy coconut milk and sun-dried tomato base, along with pasta, white cannellini beans, and fresh spinach for a healthy dinner that's great for busy weeknights.

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    Slow Cooker American Goulash

    Slow Cooker Goulash.
    Photo Credit: Cincy Shopper.

    Slow Cooker American Goulash is a hearty dish packed with beef and vegetables. This simple recipe is perfect for a satisfying dinner.

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    Cowboy Stew

    Cowboy Stew
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons.

    Cowboy Stew is a great choice when you need an easy meal for a crowd. With ground beef, smoked sausage, potatoes, beans, and veggies, it’s a filling dish that everyone will enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

    Easy Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This slow cooker minestrone soup is a filling vegetarian meal packed with pasta, beans, and zucchini. It's a simple and tasty dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy!

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    Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken

    Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Peasant's Daughter.

    Creamy tomato basil chicken is full of flavor and made with basic ingredients. It's slow-cooked to bring out the best taste while keeping things easy.

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    Slow Cooker Camp Stew

    Slow Cooker Camp Stew.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Camp Stew is a classic comfort food that brings together tender chicken and tasty vegetables with a touch of smokiness. This dish is perfect for family dinners or when you're out camping.

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    Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Hamburger hash in the crockpot combines soft potatoes, beef, and corn in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with melted cheese right before serving. This hearty meal is perfect for busy nights and is sure to become a favorite.

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    Slow Cooker Enchilada Chicken

    Slow Cooker Enchilada Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Swirls of Flavor.

    Chicken becomes tender while simmering in enchilada sauce in your crock pot. Layer in corn tortillas, cheese, and olives for a delicious casserole dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches

    Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches are a simple and satisfying meal. You'll love coming home to this delicious dish waiting for you.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodles Soup.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    This soup is warm and comforting, perfect for a cozy meal. It combines tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and hearty egg noodles in a flavorful broth, all ready with just 10 minutes of prep while the slow cooker handles the rest.

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    Slow Cooker Vegetable Alphabet Soup

    Slow Cooker Vegetable Alphabet Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    This hearty alphabet soup is packed with vegetables and is both healthy and satisfying. Everyone in the family will love this tasty vegetarian meal!

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    Slow Cooker Taco Soup

    Slow Cooker Taco Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This soup is simple to make in the slow cooker and packed with flavor. It features fire roasted corn, fresh salsa, and whole black olives.

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    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili

    Buffalo Chicken Chili (Slow Cooker)
    Photo Credit: The Nessy Kitchen.

    This slow cooker buffalo chicken chili is a simple dish that fits perfectly into busy weekdays or game days. Combining classic chili flavors with a spicy buffalo twist, it’s sure to become a favorite.

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    Crockpot Enchiladas

    Crockpot Enchiladas.
    Photo Credit: An Edible Mosaic.

    Crockpot enchiladas are a simple mix of ground beef, veggies, enchilada sauce, corn tortillas, and cheese, all cooked together in the slow cooker. This dish is great for weeknight family dinners or for preparing meals ahead of time.

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    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    With only 5 minutes of prep, what's not to love about this cozy, rich, meal! It is pure comfort food!

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos.
    Photo Credit: Killing Thyme.

    These Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos feature tender shredded chicken in a flavorful sauce. Just add some cheese and broil them for a delicious meal.

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    Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken

    Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Jamaican Jerk Chicken recipe gives chicken thighs a flavorful kick with a simple homemade seasoning. It's a great way to enjoy a tasty meal without spending too much time or money.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Burritos

    Slow Cooker One Pot Chicken Burrito Filling.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This chicken burrito filling combines fresh veggies, salsa, Tex-Mex spices, and quick-cooking rice. It's simple to prepare and is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Chicken cacciatore is simple to prepare in a slow cooker. The rich sauce combines diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bell peppers, onion, and Italian spices.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Nashville hot chicken sandwich.
      25 Flavorful Crockpot Recipes for Stress-Free Evenings
    • Bacon potato casserole.
      21 Cheap Casseroles That Are Perfect for Feeding a Crowd
    • A plate with mashed potatoes and salisbury steak.
      21 Grandma Approved Ground Beef Recipes That Will Make You Feel Right at Home
    • French onion pasta.
      22 Quick and Delicious Pasta Recipes for Lazy Summer Nights

    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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