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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Easy Crockpot Meals That Won't Break the Bank

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 6, 2025, updated March 13, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking on a budget doesn't mean you have to sacrifice flavor or variety. With a slow cooker, you can whip up 23 easy meals that are both affordable and satisfying. From hearty stews to simple casseroles, these recipes will help you save time and money while enjoying delicious home-cooked meals.

    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Drumsticks

    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This is a simple dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time or money.

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    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup

    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This hearty soup is packed with pizza flavors and bow-tie pasta, making it a hit with the whole family. Plus, it's easy to freeze, so you can save it for later.

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    Slow Cooker Ritz Chicken

    SLOW COOKER RITZ CHICKEN.
    Photo credit: The Cookin Chicks.

    Tender chicken breasts are cooked slowly in a creamy sauce, topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust. This easy dish is great served over rice or noodles.

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    Salsa Chicken

    A bowl of salsa chicken.
    Photo credit: Belle of the Kitchen.

    Crockpot Salsa Chicken is a simple dish that helps you put dinner on the table quickly, even on busy days. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, this meal is bound to become a family favorite.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

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

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are seasoned well and cooked until they're nice and tender. This is a simple main dish that your family will love, and you can serve it with any sides you like.

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    Slow Cooker Taco Meat Loaf Stuffed Peppers

    Slow Cooker Taco Meat Loaf Stuffed Peppers.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Taco Meat Loaf Stuffed Peppers offer a tasty twist on the usual stuffed peppers. This dish is a great option for busy nights when you want something easy and satisfying.

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    Slow Cooker Salsa Meatloaf

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

    Salsa Meatloaf gives a fun twist to the classic dish by using salsa instead of ketchup. This easy recipe is perfect for dinner and can be prepared with minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Corn chowder is a comforting dish that brings the flavors of summer to your table, whether you use fresh or frozen corn. It's a creamy soup that you can enhance with toppings like bacon, green onions, and cheddar cheese.

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    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This soup is perfect for anyone who enjoys stuffed peppers. It's a filling meal, especially when served with cheese and breadsticks.

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    Slow Cooker Taco Beef Ramen

    Slow Cooker Taco Beef Ramen.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Taco Ramen is a simple and satisfying meal. Ground beef cooks with taco seasoning, tomatoes, and corn, while ramen noodles simmer right in the pot, creating a delicious one-pot dish.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is a hearty and tasty dish that's super simple to prepare. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it work its magic.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup is a healthy option that's free from gluten and dairy. It's easy to make in the crockpot with poblano peppers and a flavorful Southwest broth.

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    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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    Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: One Pot Only.

    This creamy chicken and corn soup is a filling and tasty dish that everyone can enjoy. It's simple to prepare and works well any time of the year, whether you use fresh or frozen corn.

    Get the Recipe

    Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta

    Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta features tender chicken, tasty spices, and a creamy sauce that everyone will enjoy. It's a simple dinner option that elevates your pasta experience.

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    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This crock pot lasagna is a great meal you can prepare ahead of time. It uses simple ingredients, including uncooked lasagna noodles, and the crock pot handles the cooking for you.

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    Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

    Slow Cooker Greek Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Greek Chicken is a simple and tasty dinner option for busy weeknights. With tender chicken, baby potatoes, and a zesty lemon sauce, this dish is packed with flavor from kalamata olives and feta cheese, all made effortlessly in your slow cooker.

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    Butternut Cauliflower Soup

    A bowl of soup topped with cheese and bacon.
    Photo credit: Peas and Crayons.

    This soup is simple to make in your slow cooker or pressure cooker. The Instant Pot Butternut Cauliflower Soup is full of flavor and needs very little prep, making it a great choice for busy weeknights.

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    Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

    Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs.
    Photo Credit: Simple Everyday Recipes.

    These meatballs are full of flavor and are really comforting. With the crockpot doing all the work, you’ll end up with tender, juicy meatballs in a tasty tomato sauce.

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    Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

    Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This stew is made from scratch with ground beef for a very hearty meal that requires minimal effort and money.

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    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Stuffed peppers filled with beef and rice are cooked in a tasty marinara sauce. This dish is simple to prepare in the slow cooker and is perfect for a cozy family dinner.

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    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker chicken fajitas are a simple way to prepare a big batch of this Tex Mex favorite. With just three ingredients and minimal prep, dinner will be ready in no time!

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

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

    This meal is simple to prepare and cooks on its own in the crockpot. With tender chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and Indian spices, it’s a tasty option that’s gluten and dairy free.

    Get the Recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chicken noodle soup.
      19 Grandma Approved Pasta Dinners You Can Just Dump, Cook and Enjoy
    • Taco soup.
      24 Deliciously Lazy Beef Dinners Made for Your Spring Menu
    • Ground beef hot pot.
      16 Easy Ground Beef Recipes to Make Mom's Day Special
    • Coq au vin.
      28 Delicious Crockpot Summer Meals That Simmer While You Play

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, 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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