Inexpensive Crock-Pot Recipes That Feed a Crowd

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What's easier than putting together a recipe that basically cooks itself? We love these slow cooker recipes because they're perfect for anyone with a busy schedule -- just throw a bunch of stuff in, set it for a few hours, and forget it's ever even happened. Then when it's time for dinner, oh, right -- we don't have to worry about it. Dinner has been cooking literally all day basically like magic. That's useful for any weeknight, but it's even better when we have to cook for a crowd and probably don't have any time at all to do anything but run around playing hostess. This totally takes care of the hot food needed for any big gathering and won't set us back a whole ton, either. It works well for a casual get-together, having a bunch of kids over (and maybe their parents too!) -- really anywhere we have an electrical outlet.

The truth is, we're pretty obsessed with slow cookers for any night of the week and really any occasion -- they're always just so useful and easy to have on hand. Check out these healthy Crock-Pot meals the whole family will love, which really show the range of options for the kinds of food we can make in a slow cooker. These freezer-to-Crock-Pot meal ideas let us meal-prep a bunch of foods by making freezer packets in advance and just throw them into the slow cooker when necessary (and our spouses or older kids can handle these too)! Then there's Crock-Pot recipes with five ingredients (or less), which are simple dishes that can help teach kids who want to get into cooking. 

Try these elegant Christmas dinners, which really are pretty amazing and not-too-complicated (and they're delicious year-round, to be honest), and Crock-Pot dinners kids can serve themselves, ideal for families who have to keep different schedules. And finally, because we all deserve a treat, check out these decadent Crock-Pot desserts -- yummy and easy. 

• Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli

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  For anyone who loves Chinese food but doesn't love take-out prices, this Crock-Pot beef and broccoli recipe is a really good fit. It's much cheaper to make it at home -- just throw it in the slow cooker, and serve it over rice.

• Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

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  These slow cooker chicken enchiladas are so incredibly tasty, and they're also incredibly cheap. Even though this recipe calls for canned sauce, DIY some enchilada sauce and it'll be even cheaper (and frankly, taste even better). 

• Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs With Vegetables

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  Chicken, potatoes, corn, and carrots all come together in slow cooker chicken thighs with vegetables. It's flavored with lemon, thyme, and rosemary, and chicken thighs are significantly cheaper than chicken breasts, as well as having more flavor.

• Slow Cooker Potato, Corn and Jalapeño Soup

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  This slow cooker potato, corn and jalapeño soup is vegan, inexpensive, and absolutely delicious. Families who don't want to use almond milk because of allergies or because they just prefer dairy can use regular milk.

• Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana

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  This recipe for slow cooker Zuppa Toscana uses inexpensive but healthy ingredients such as potatoes and kale, as well as Italian sausage. Vegetarians or those watching their meat intake can easily replace the sausage with cannellini beans for less cost (but admittedly maybe less flavor). 

• Easy Slow Cooker Chili

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  This easy slow cooker chili is totally delicious and well-spiced, as well as being really inexpensive for a big crowd. Go healthier by choosing ground turkey instead of beef, and opt to freeze part of it for later -- it'll defrost just fine.

• Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese

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  This recipe for slow cooker spaghetti Bolognese is delicious, thick, and flavorful -- and costs very little to make. (It's definitely less than the equivalent from a can or a jar, and much, much better). It also freezes fantastically.

• Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

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  This Crock-Pot breakfast casserole is super inexpensive to make. Eggs are a cheap source of protein, and this one is filled with good veggies too -- although it's also OK to add broccoli or spinach (and sub out veggie sausage for the bacon).

• Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

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  Picky eaters are always appeased by this recipe for slow cooker honey garlic chicken. It's sweet and sticky but totally healthy -- and uses chicken thighs, which are much cheaper than chicken breasts.

• Smothered Crock Pot Pork Chops

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  These smothered Crock-Pot pork chops are absolutely delicious, use fresh mushrooms, and can go even farther when served over fresh pasta. (They're also tasty served over mashed potatoes too -- whichever the family prefers.) 

• Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Lentils

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  Lentils are a useful, inexpensive source of protein and fiber, and these slow cooker coconut curry lentils are super flavorful and healthy. Serve over rice or cauliflower rice for a delicious low-carb option. 

• Easy Slow Cooker Cuban Black Beans

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  These easy slow cooker Cuban black beans are an efficient way to feed a crowd for very little. They're also delicious and well-spiced, and they pair beautifully with rice -- and if there's room in the budget, some sausages. 

• Slow Cooker Pork Chops With Apples and Onions

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  These slow cooker pork chops with apples and onions are so tasty, filled with big fall flavors -- cinnamon and apples. That said, just because it's a fall recipe doesn't mean it should only be served in the fall. Pair it with a big side of roasted vegetables for extra nutrition.

• Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

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  These slow cooker beef short ribs are absolutely fantastic -- and short ribs are one of the cheapest cuts of beef. They're a wonderful way to save money while still serving a full beef dinner.

• Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

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  What could be better than chicken and dumplings made on the stove? The same dish made in a slow cooker. This recipe for slow cooker chicken and dumplings works for anyone who wants some comfort food without all the hassle and heat in the kitchen required for a standard recipe.

• Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

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  Slow cooker chicken Parmesan meatballs delivers super cheesy, gooey, yummy chicken Parmesan flavor. It's delicious served as an appetizer or over rolls as chicken Parmesan sub sandwiches. It's equally at home dished out on top of pasta or polenta. 

• Basic Crock Pot Black-Eyed Peas

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  This recipe for basic Crock-Pot black-eyed peas is a tasty whole protein dish that can serve lots of people for very little money -- and it's an absolute classic. It can stand on its own, but add bacon or ham for extra flavor.

• Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

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  This slow cooker mac and cheese is so much easier to make than the regular baked kind -- and it goes really far when serving a huge crowd. It's super easy and a huge crowd pleaser -- so make plenty. 

• Slow Cooker BBQ Chickpeas

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  We love these slow cooker BBQ chickpeas, which go way farther than beef or pork barbecue for a fraction of the price -- and taste just as good. Serve with rice, as this recipe suggests, or pour over quinoa for an added protein boost.

• Greek Boneless Leg of Lamb

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  This recipe for Greek boneless leg of lamb is delicious and extremely well-spiced. The alcohol in the red wine definitely cooks out, so it's a healthy and totally safe dish to serve kiddos. We're big fans of this for a big family dinner.
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