10 Cheap Crockpot Meals Perfect for Busy Weeknights

Need some cheap crockpot meals that are perfect for busy weeknights? We found you some easy slow cooker dinners you can make that are inexpensive and delicious.

Stretch every dollar by making these easy budget dinners like Frito pie, Swedish meatballs, and stuffed shells.

Crockpot Classic Stuffed Shells

If you’re trying to cut down on eating out at restaurants, these slow cooker classic stuffed shells taste gourmet and are much cheaper to make at home.

The pasta shells are stuffed with ground sausage (one of our favorite cheap proteins), cheese, and spinach.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Classic Stuffed Shells

Crockpot Chili

Made with canned beans, ground beef, and seasonings, this chili recipe makes 10 servings, which is perfect for having leftovers to enjoy the next day.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili

Crockpot Chicken Thighs and Potatoes

There is no need to make sides with your dinner; this slow cooker recipe is a complete meal. The carrots, garlic, onions, and potatoes are cooked in the crockpot with the chicken thighs, which results in a flavorful meal that everyone will enjoy.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken Thighs and Potatoes

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

You’ll never want to buy a rotisserie chicken again once you make this simple and flavorful chicken recipe.

Using a whole chicken is one of the most cost-effective options per pound compared to chicken breasts or other cuts. Plus, you can save the bones to make chicken broth, which will save you even more money.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs

This dinner is incredibly satisfying and made with cream of mushroom soup and frozen meatballs. The Swedish meatballs are delicious paired with egg noodles.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs

Crockpot Sausage and Potatoes

This smoked sausage, potato, and bell pepper recipe might use basic ingredients, but it tastes anything but basic. It takes only 10 minutes to prep and is entirely stress-free to make.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Sausage and Potatoes

Crockpot Seven Can Soup

Seven can soup is just how it sounds, you need just seven cans of beans, tomatoes, corn, and more to make this soup (plus Velvetta cheese). You might have many of these canned ingredients in your pantry already.

One money-saving tip with this recipe is always to have the canned ingredients on hand to make in a pinch. That way, when you need something easy for dinner, you won’t be tempted to grab fast food.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Seven Can Soup

Slow Cooker Pork Loin

Everyone will be so impressed by this tender pork loin dinner topped with a tasty gravy that’s made from all the pork juices and broth left over in the slow cooker after it’s done cooking.

Serve it with mashed potatoes or rice for a dinner you’ll want to make on repeat.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Loin

Crockpot Frito Pie

The entire family will beg you to make this delicious crockpot Frito pie made with pantry staples like beans, enchilada sauce, and Rotel.

Some recipes with ground beef require two packs, but this one uses just one, which is more cost-effective.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Frito Pie

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks

Drumsticks with the skin are one of our other favorite budget-friendly cuts of chicken. These chicken drumsticks are slow-cooked in buffalo wing sauce and have the perfect kick.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks