12 Cheap Crockpot Dinners

When grocery prices keep climbing, finding ways to feed your family without breaking the bank becomes a daily challenge. These cheap crockpot dinners use affordable ingredients and pantry staples to create satisfying meals that won’t strain your budget.

You’ll find hearty stews, comforting casseroles, and creative twists on family favorites that make the most of budget-friendly proteins and simple ingredients. Plus, the generous servings these recipes provide mean you’ll often have plenty of leftovers to stretch your grocery dollars even further.

1. Crockpot Mississippi Meatballs

Frozen meatballs become surprisingly affordable when you catch them on sale, and this recipe transforms them with tangy pepperoncini juice and rich au jus gravy.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mississippi Meatballs

2. Crockpot Lasagna Soup

Italian sausage ranks as one of the most economical proteins you can buy, and this soup shows why it’s worth keeping on your shopping list. All those familiar lasagna flavors come together in a hearty broth for a satisfying dinner.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Lasagna Soup

3. Crockpot Chicken and Rice

Here’s why chicken thighs deserve a spot in your meal rotation: they cost way less than chicken breasts while staying incredibly juicy when slow-cooked. Paired with rice, one of the cheapest pantry staples, this creates a satisfying dinner that won’t break the bank.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken and Rice

4. Crockpot Beef Stew

Beef stew meat is one of the most affordable cuts in the meat department, and this recipe turns it fork-tender with slow cooking. Make a big batch and you’ll have dinner tonight, plus leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Beef Stew

5. Crockpot Potatoes and Sausage

Sausage and potatoes are filling and won’t empty your wallet. The smoky paprika and tomatoes add so much flavor to this recipe.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Potatoes and Sausage

6. Crockpot Chili Mac

This hearty one-pot dish combines all the comfort of chili with cheesy macaroni in your slow cooker for the ultimate weeknight dinner. The pasta cooks right in the crockpot along with everything else, making it incredibly easy to make.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili Mac

7. Crockpot Pizza

Cheap protein sources like pepperoni and sausage create this family-friendly dinner for much less than ordering pizza out. Rotini pasta takes the place of pizza dough while still delivering all those tasty pizza flavors everyone craves.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Pizza

8. Crockpot Lemon Rosemary Chicken

A whole chicken becomes something delicious when you cook it low and slow with fresh rosemary, garlic bulbs, and lemon slices. Whole chicken is often cheaper per pound, and as an added bonus, you can use the bones to make homemade chicken broth for another meal.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Lemon Rosemary Chicken

9. Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie Stew

This recipe stretches just four chicken breasts into six servings with the help of vegetables and a creamy soup base. It’s a smart way to make chicken go further while still delivering all that comfort food goodness.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie Stew

10. Crockpot Creamy Ranch Pork Chops

Five simple ingredients create enough food for eight people, making this recipe great for large families or meal prep. The ranch flavor will appeal to even the pickiest eaters, and the generous portions mean plenty of leftovers.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Creamy Ranch Pork Chops

11. Crockpot Salisbury Steak

Ground beef shows its versatility here, getting dressed up with mushrooms and gravy that tastes way fancier than the price tag suggests. Pantry basics like breadcrumbs and seasonings work together to create something that feels like a restaurant meal at home.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Salisbury Steak

12. Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Skipping the meat makes this chili incredibly budget-friendly while still delivering all the hearty satisfaction you crave.

Kitchen staples like canned beans, diced tomatoes, and frozen corn come together with simple spices to create a filling meal the entire family will enjoy.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili