Cheap Dump and Go Crockpot Meals
Cooking on a budget doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor or comfort. With the magic of the crockpot, you can create delicious, frugal meals that feed a crowd without breaking the bank. These recipes use simple, affordable ingredients like frozen mixed veggies, canned beans, and pre-packaged powder mixes to keep costs down while delivering tasty meals. Here are some easy, budget-friendly crockpot meals to try!
➡ Cheap Beef and Bean Stew Recipe
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef (or turkey for a leaner option)
2 cans (15 oz each) of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 bag (16 oz) frozen mixed veggies
1 packet of chili seasoning mix
2 cups beef broth
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet, drain excess fat, and add it to the crockpot.
2. Add the kidney beans, diced tomatoes, frozen mixed veggies, chili seasoning mix, beef broth, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
4. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed before serving.
➡ Chicken and Rice Recipe
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can (15 oz) cream of chicken soup
1 packet of ranch seasoning mix
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups frozen mixed veggies
1 ½ cups instant rice (or regular rice if you want it to cook longer)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot.
2. In a bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup, ranch seasoning mix, chicken broth, frozen mixed veggies, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the mixture over the chicken, cover, and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
4. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the instant rice. Let it cook and absorb the liquid.
5. Shred the chicken and mix everything together before serving.
➡ Vegetarian Bean Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cans (15 oz each) mixed beans (like pinto, kidney, and black beans), drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 bag (16 oz) frozen mixed veggies
1 onion, chopped
1 packet of taco seasoning mix
4 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Add the mixed beans, diced tomatoes, frozen mixed veggies, onion, taco seasoning mix, vegetable broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the crockpot.
2. Stir to combine, cover, and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed before serving. You can top with sour cream or shredded cheese if you like!
➡ Pork and Potato Casserole Recipe
Ingredients:
2 lbs pork shoulder or pork stew meat
1 bag (16 oz) frozen mixed veggies
4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
1 packet of onion soup mix
1 can (10 oz) cream of mushroom soup
2 cups chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Add the pork, frozen mixed veggies, diced potatoes, onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, salt, and pepper to the crockpot.
2. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
3. Shred the pork before serving and mix everything together.
➡ Bean and Sausage Chili Recipe
Ingredients:
1 lb sausage (bulk or in casing, cut into pieces)
2 cans (15 oz each) mixed beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 bag (16 oz) frozen mixed veggies
1 packet chili seasoning mix
2 cups chicken broth
1 onion, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Brown the sausage in a skillet, then drain and add it to the crockpot.
2. Add the mixed beans, diced tomatoes, frozen mixed veggies, chili seasoning mix, chicken broth, onion, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
4. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.
➡ Cabbage and Sausage Stew Recipe
Ingredients:
1 lb sausage (bulk or in casing, cut into pieces)
1 small head of cabbage, chopped
2 bags (16 oz each) frozen mixed veggies
4 cups chicken broth
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Brown the sausage in a skillet, then drain and add it to the crockpot.
2. Add the chopped cabbage, frozen mixed veggies, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
4. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed before serving.
Tips and Swap Ideas
Meat Substitutes: Swap the sausage for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. You can also go meatless and use more beans or lentils for protein.
Vegetable Swaps: If you don’t have frozen mixed veggies, use canned veggies or whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand, like carrots, celery, or bell peppers.
Rice Swap: For a heartier meal, swap the instant rice for regular rice or even quinoa. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Spice It Up: If you like a little heat, toss in a chopped jalapeño or some hot sauce. You can also experiment with other seasoning mixes like Italian or Cajun for different flavor profiles.
