Okay, real talk: groceries are trying to rob us blind right now. Eggs cost more than a cocktail and ground beef thinks it’s filet mignon. So I did what any sane person does—I married my slow cooker and never looked back. These 25 crockpot meals are legit under $3 a serving (most closer to $1.50–$2), taste like you spent all day in the kitchen, and basically cook themselves while you doom-scroll or nap. Ready to reclaim your wallet and your weeknights? Let’s go.
1. Crack Chicken Ranch Bacon Dip (But It’s Dinner Now)
This stuff is stupid addictive. Creamy, cheesy, bacon-y crack chicken that you’ll spoon straight over rice or noodles.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts (buy the frozen bag, it’s cheaper)
- 2 blocks cream cheese (store brand, duh)
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (or bacon bits, no judgment)
- ½ cup chicken broth
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Throw chicken, cream cheese, ranch packet, and broth in the crockpot.
- Cook on low 6–7 hours or high 3–4 hours.
- Shred the chicken with two forks (it falls apart like it owes you money).
- Stir in cheese and bacon. Serve over rice, egg noodles, or baked potatoes.
Why You’ll Love It
My kid calls this “crack crack chicken” because it disappears in 10 minutes flat. One batch feeds a family of five with leftovers for lunches.
2. Stupid-Easy Chili (That Wins Cook-Offs)
Zero browning. Zero shame. Tastes like you simmered it for three days.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (don’t pre-cook it, just break it up raw)
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 2 cans beans (whatever’s on sale—kidney, black, pinto)
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 packet chili seasoning or 2 tbsp homemade
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Dump everything in. Yes, raw beef. Trust me.
- Cook low 6–8 hours.
- Stir and break up the beef—it cooks perfectly.
- Top with cheese and sour cream if you’re fancy.
Why You’ll Love It
I’ve won two church chili cook-offs with this lazy version. No one needs to know.
3. Mississippi Pot Roast (The Internet Was Right)
Four ingredients. Zero effort. Beef so tender it offends forks.
Ingredients
- 3 lb chuck roast (cheapest cut, always)
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 packet au jus gravy mix
- ½ jar pepperoncini peppers + ¼ cup juice
- 1 stick butter (yes, really)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place roast in crockpot.
- Sprinkle packets, dump peppers and juice, plop butter on top.
- Cook low 8 hours. Shred and cry happy tears.
Why You’ll Love It
Serve with mashed potatoes or hoard it in sandwiches all week.
4. Salsa Chicken (Two Ingredients, Infinite Uses)
The Swiss Army knife of cheap meals.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 jar salsa (whatever’s under $2)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Chicken + salsa. Low 6 hours.
- Shred. Use in tacos, bowls, quesadillas, nachos—live your best life.
Why You’ll Love It
One batch = 4 different dinners. You’re welcome.
5. Creamy Potato Soup That Tastes Like Baked Potato Heaven
Cheaper than Panera, better than your ex.
Ingredients
- 5 lbs russet potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 block cream cheese
- 1 cup milk, 1 cup cheddar, bacon bits
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Potatoes, onion, broth—low 7 hours.
- Mash some potatoes right in the pot for thickness.
- Add cream cheese, milk, cheddar. Stir till melty.
Why You’ll Love It
Top with extra bacon and green onions if you’re feeling bougie.
6. Root Beer BBQ Pulled Pork (Yes, Soda. Don’t @ Me)
People lose their minds when they find out the secret ingredient is a $0.79 can of root beer.
Ingredients (feeds 8–10)
- 4–5 lb pork butt/shoulder (usually $1.29–$1.79/lb on sale)
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 can root beer (off-brand is perfect)
- 1 bottle cheap BBQ sauce ($1–$1.50)
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Plop the pork in the crockpot, fat side up. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder.
- Throw onion slices on top, pour the whole can of root beer over it.
- Low for 8–10 hours (or high 5–6). It will literally fall apart when you look at it.
- Remove pork, shred with forks, dump out most liquid, return pork to pot.
- Mix in the entire bottle of BBQ sauce. Let it warm through 15–20 mins.
Why You’ll Love It
Serve on $0.25 hamburger buns with coleslaw (made from the half-bag of slaw mix in your fridge). My brother-in-law proposed to this sandwich.
7. Better-Than-Takeout Beef & Broccoli
Skip the $14 delivery. This is $1.87 per serving and tastes identical.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs cheap beef (chuck, round — whatever’s on sale) cut into strips
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water
- 1–2 lbs frozen broccoli florets (add at the end)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Throw beef, broth, soy, brown sugar, garlic in the pot. Low 6–7 hours.
- 30 minutes before eating, whisk cornstarch + water, stir it in to thicken sauce.
- Dump in frozen broccoli, stir, put lid back on. High for 20–30 mins until broccoli is hot.
Why You’ll Love It
Serve over 79-cent instant rice and pretend you’re fancy.
8. Taco Soup That People Beg Me For
One pot, 10 minutes of “work,” tastes like a taco hugged a soup.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (raw, straight in)
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 can black beans, rinsed
- 1 can kidney beans, rinsed
- 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 packet ranch seasoning (trust me)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Literally dump everything in. Stir once so you feel accomplished.
- Low 6–8 hours or high 4 hours. Stir and break up beef at the end.
Why You’ll Love It
Top with crushed tortilla chips you found in the pantry and shredded cheese. Tastes even better day two.
9. Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken
The sauce is so good I drink the leftovers (don’t judge).
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on are cheapest)
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger (ground is fine)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place chicken in crockpot.
- Whisk everything else, pour over chicken.
- Low 6 hours. Flip chicken halfway if you’re feeling extra.
- Optional: broil 3–4 mins at the end for crispy skin.
Why You’ll Love It
Rice soaks up that sauce like it’s its job.
10. Creamy White Chicken Chili
Not your average red chili. This one’s cozy-sweater-in-bowl form.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 2 cans white beans, drained
- 2 cans diced green chiles
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano
- 8 oz cream cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Everything except cream cheese → crockpot. Low 6–7 hours.
- Shred chicken, add cubed cream cheese, stir until melted.
Why You’ll Love It
Top with avocado if you’re rich this week. Or just more cheese.
11. Smoked Sausage & Cabbage (The One That Surprises Everyone)
Sounds boring. Tastes like a German festival.
Ingredients
- 1 rope smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 head cabbage, chopped
- 1 onion, sliced
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sausage + onion + cabbage in the pot.
- Mix vinegar, sugar, salt/pepper — pour over.
- Low 6 hours. Stir once halfway if you remember.
Why You’ll Love It
My Irish friend said it’s better than her grandma’s. I’ll take that win.
12. Coconut Red Lentil Curry (Vegetarian & Under $1/Serving)
Meatless Monday just got sexy.
Ingredients
- 2 cups red lentils
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp curry powder, 1 tsp turmeric
- 4 cups veggie broth
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Dump it all in. Stir. Low 6 hours.
- It thickens magically. Add spinach at the end if you want green points.
Why You’ll Love It
Serve with naan or over rice. Freezes like a dream.
13. Homemade Hamburger Helper (But It Doesn’t Taste Like Regret)
Cheesy, beefy nostalgia — but you control the salt.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (raw)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 2 cups pasta (elbows, shells, whatever)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- Seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Beef + broth + sauce + dry pasta + seasonings. Low 4 hours (or high 2).
- Stir halfway so pasta doesn’t clump.
- Add cheese at the end, let it melt.
Why You’ll Love It
My kids think I’m a wizard.
14. 15-Bean & Ham Soup
Buy the $1.50 bag of bean soup mix and feel like a Depression-era queen.
Ingredients
- 1 bag 15-bean mix (discard flavor packet)
- 1 ham hock or leftover ham bone
- 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 8 cups water or broth
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Soak beans overnight (or don’t — they’ll just take longer).
- Everything in the pot. Low 8–10 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
Makes a gallon. Freeze half and thank me in January.
15. 5-Ingredient Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken
Sweet, sticky, and your kids will actually eat it.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 1 bottle teriyaki sauce (cheap kind)
- 1 can pineapple chunks with juice
- 3 cloves garlic
- Green onions for garnish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Chicken + everything else. Low 6 hours.
- Shred or serve whole.
Why You’ll Love It
Rice + steamed broccoli = complete meal.
16. King Ranch Chicken Casserole (Crockpot Edition)
Texas comfort food, zero oven required.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken
- 1 can Rotel
- 1 can cream of mushroom
- 1 can cream of chicken
- 1 bag tortilla chips, crushed
- 2 cups cheddar
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook chicken + soups + Rotel on low 5 hours. Shred chicken.
- Layer crushed chips and cheese, stir gently. Let cheese melt 20 mins.
Why You’ll Love It
Tastes exactly like the baked version but you didn’t heat up the house.
17. Meatball Subs So Good You’ll Cry
Frozen meatballs were sent from heaven.
Ingredients
- 1 large bag frozen meatballs
- 1 jar marinara
- Hoagie rolls
- Provolone or mozzarella slices
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Meatballs + sauce. Low 4–6 hours.
- Scoop into rolls, top with cheese, broil 2 mins.
Why You’ll Love It
$1.50 per giant sandwich.
18. Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili (Vegan & Insanely Good)
Even meat eaters ask for seconds.
Ingredients
- 3 sweet potatoes, diced
- 2 cans black beans
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, 1 bell pepper
- Chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Everything in. Low 7–8 hours.
- Mash some sweet potato to thicken.
Why You’ll Love It
Top with avocado and lime if you’re extra.
19. Chicken & Dumplings My Grandma Would Approve Of
Uses canned biscuits because we’re not monsters.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken
- 2 cans cream of chicken
- 4 cups broth
- 1 can refrigerated biscuits, torn into pieces
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Chicken + soup + broth. Low 6 hours. Shred chicken.
- Add biscuit pieces last hour on high. They puff up perfectly.
Why You’ll Love It
Pure comfort in a bowl.
20. New Mexico Green Chile Pork
If you’ve never had hatch green chile, this will ruin you for all other pork.
Ingredients
- 3–4 lb pork shoulder
- 1 large jar 505 green chile sauce or Bueno
- 1 onion
- Garlic, cumin, oregano
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Pork + everything. Low 8–10 hours. Shred.
Why You’ll Love It
Tacos, burritos, nachos, straight with a spoon.
21. French Onion Soup (Yes, in a Crockpot)
Caramelized onions without standing over a stove for 47 years.
Ingredients
- 6 large onions, sliced thin
- ½ stick butter
- 8 cups beef broth
- ½ cup cheap red wine (optional but do it)
- Bread + gruyere or swiss for topping
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Onions + butter on high 8–10 hours (they caramelize themselves!).
- Add broth + wine, cook 2 more hours.
- Ladle into bowls, top with bread + cheese, broil.
Why You’ll Love It
Fancy on a budget.
22. Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
Game day in 4 hours flat.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 bottle Frank’s Red Hot
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 stick butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Chicken + Frank’s + ranch. Low 6 hours. Shred.
- Add butter last 20 mins.
Why You’ll Love It
Serve on buns with ranch or blue cheese.
23. Refried Bean Soup (Weird Name, Amazing Taste)
Tastes like a bean & cheese burrito had a baby with tortilla soup.
Ingredients
- 2 cans refried beans
- 1 jar salsa
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- Cumin, garlic powder
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Whisk beans + broth + salsa until smooth. Low 4 hours.
- Stir in cheese at the end.
Why You’ll Love It
Crush tortilla chips on top. Done.
24. Italian Beef (Chicago in Your Kitchen)
Juicy, spicy, perfect sandwiches.
Ingredients
- 3–4 lb chuck roast
- 1 jar pepperoncini + juice
- 1 packet Italian dressing mix
- Beef broth to cover
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Everything in. Low 8–10 hours. Shred.
Why You’ll Love It
Dip the whole sandwich in the juice (giardiniera if you’re fancy).
25. Poor Man’s Cassoulet (Fancy French Name, Pantry Ingredients)
Basically “clean out the fridge” stew that tastes like a million bucks.
Ingredients
- 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
- 3 cans white beans
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- Any sad veggies (carrots, celery, onion)
- Garlic, thyme, bay leaf
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown sausage if you want (I never do). Dump everything in.
- Low 6–8 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
Crusty bread + red wine = date night for $4 total.
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