As a new parent, it can be stressful to plan meals, time consuming to make them, and seem expensive.  However, it doesnt have to be.  Cooking on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or creativity, especially when it comes to easy crockpot meals on a budget. Crockpots let you throw together simple ingredients for delicious, hearty dishes without breaking the bank or spending hours in the kitchen. Here are 10 easy crockpot meals to help you new parents out.

1) Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

This Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili is a warm hug in a bowl. It’s budget-friendly and packed with flavor, making it perfect for any night of the week. Just toss everything in your crockpot, and let it do the work for you!

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot and stir well.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
3. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

2) Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta

 

 

This creamy chicken and mushroom pasta is a perfect budget-friendly meal. It’s easy to make in your crockpot, allowing you to enjoy a delicious dinner without the fuss. Just set it and forget it!

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the sliced mushrooms and chicken broth, then cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
3. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream and uncooked fettuccine. Cover and cook until the pasta is tender. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

3) Zesty Taco Soup with Beans and Corn

This taco soup is a fun and easy meal that won’t break the bank. Packed with beans, corn, both really cheap options, along with spices, it brings a burst of flavor to your dinner table. Just toss everything in the crockpot and let it do the work. We love using beans (not too often!) as it is a cheap protein, but we prefer to soak them ahead of time as it helps with digesting them. Otherwise, you might be playing some music later if you know what I mean!

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes (with green chilies if you like it spicy)
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• Chips for serving

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot, stirring well.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
3. Serve hot, topped with cheese and chips for a crunchy finish.

4) Spicy Chickpea and Spinach Curry

While I dont love curry, this Spicy Chickpea and Spinach Curry is a perfect budget-friendly meal that’s easy to whip up in your crockpot. Packed with protein and flavor, it’s a dish that warms you up without breaking the bank. Chickpeas are another great cheap protein option, just try and buy organic to avoid glyphosate! Serve it over rice for a filling dinner that everyone will love!

Ingredients

• 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 4 cups fresh spinach
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked rice for serving

Instructions

1. Combine chickpeas, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, curry powder, cumin, and paprika in the crockpot. Stir well to mix.
2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the flavors meld together.
3. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the fresh spinach and season with salt and pepper. Serve over cooked rice.

Related: Check Out other money saving tips here

5) Vegetable Lentil Soup Packed with Flavor

This vegetable lentil soup is a warm hug in a bowl. It’s easy to make and perfect for anyone on a budget. Just toss in your favorite veggies and let the crockpot do the work, so simple!

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups spinach or kale, chopped

Instructions

1. Combine lentils, onion, carrots, celery, bell pepper, garlic, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, thyme, cumin, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until lentils are tender.
3. Stir in spinach or kale during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Serve warm and enjoy!

6) Savory Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

This beef stew is a cozy and budget-friendly meal that warms you up on chilly days. Packed with hearty root vegetables, it’s simple to throw together in your crockpot and lets the flavors meld beautifully. This is a hearty mans dinner for sure. Enjoy a delicious, filling dinner without breaking the bank!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 cups beef broth
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add beef cubes and brown on all sides, then transfer to the crockpot.
2. Add Ingredients: To the crockpot, add carrots, potatoes, onion, garlic, tomato paste, thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Pour in the beef broth.
3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender.
4. Serve: Remove the bay leaf and enjoy your hearty beef stew!

7) Herbed Chicken Thighs with Potatoes

Herbed chicken thighs with potatoes are a simple and tasty meal that won’t break the bank. Toss everything into your crockpot, and let it do the work while you relax. This dish is perfect for busy days and is sure to please the whole family!

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1 pound baby potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
2. Combine Ingredients: In the crockpot, add the baby potatoes and drizzle with olive oil. Place the seasoned chicken on top.
3. Add Broth: Pour the chicken broth over the chicken and potatoes.
4. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
5. Serve: Enjoy your delicious herbed chicken thighs with potatoes!

8) BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

BBQ pulled pork sandwiches are a tasty and budget-friendly meal that everyone loves. Just toss some pork shoulder in your crockpot with your favorite BBQ sauce, and let it cook low and slow. Serve it on buns with a side of coleslaw for a delicious dinner!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 hamburger buns
• Coleslaw (for serving)

Instructions

1. Place the sliced onion at the bottom of the crockpot. Season the pork shoulder with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, then place it on top of the onions.
2. Pour the BBQ sauce over the pork, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until the meat is tender.
3. Shred the pork with two forks and mix it with the sauce. Serve on hamburger buns with coleslaw on the side.

9) Coconut Curry Vegetable Stew

This Coconut Curry Vegetable Stew is a warm hug in a bowl! Packed with colorful veggies and rich coconut flavor, it’s perfect for a cozy night in. Plus, it’s budget-friendly and easy to make in your crockpot!

Ingredients

• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup diced sweet potatoes
• 1 cup chopped bell peppers
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients except cilantro in the crockpot. Stir well to mix everything together.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the vegetables are tender.
3. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro and enjoy!

10) Classic Beef and Bean Chili

This beef and bean chili is a classic cozy meal that never gets old. Just toss everything in your crockpot, and let it simmer while you go about your day. It’s hearty, filling, and perfect for any night of the week and smells so good! Pair it with some homemade cinamon rolls and your are good to go.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
• 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup beef broth
• Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions

Instructions

1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
2. Transfer the beef to the crockpot and add the kidney beans, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and beef broth.
3. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
4. Serve hot, topped with sour cream, cheese, and green onions if desired.

If you are needing a new crockpot, here are 3 options you can consider:

And dont foget to get some liners! THese will be very helpful for things like quesos:

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