Crockpots were made for practical meals that don’t drain your time or your wallet. These recipes are built around simple ingredients and low effort, but still come out tasting like something you actually want to eat. They’re great for busy nights, slow weekends, and anyone trying to stretch a grocery trip just a little further. Each one is easy to prep and doesn’t leave you with a pile of dishes.

A bowl of tagliatelle pasta topped with a rich tomato and beef ragout, garnished with fresh herbs. A fork rests in the bowl, and the dish is set on a light-colored table. Another bowl of pasta can be seen in the background.
Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.
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Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken in a bowl served over rice.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This recipe nails that takeout-style flavor without the price tag. Chicken simmers in a sticky honey garlic sauce with pineapple until it’s fall-apart tender. It’s one of those meals you keep coming back to because it’s simple, budget-friendly, and hits every time.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Pulled Pork Sliders

Three pulled pork sliders topped with coleslaw on a white serving plate, with another plate of sliders blurred in the background. Each slider is held together with a bamboo skewer.
Pulled Pork Sliders. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Slow-cooked pulled pork piled on soft Hawaiian rolls with slaw is an easy win for parties, game day, or a casual dinner. You can feed a crowd without spending a ton, and it’s one of those no-fail meals that’s always worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Sliders

Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls

Mexican shredded beef bowls with plantains, rice and beans and peppers.
Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This shredded beef cooks low and slow until it’s perfect for loading into bowls with rice, beans, plantains, and peppers. It stretches across multiple meals, making it a smart option when you’re cooking on a budget but don’t want to eat the same thing every day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls

Slow Cooker Tri Tip

Slow cooker shredded tri tip in a white bowl over mashed potatoes.
Slow Cooker Tri Tip. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A few fresh herbs and pantry staples are all you need to turn a tri-tip roast into something worth putting on repeat. It’s tender, flavorful, and feeds the whole table without a ton of work—or money. Perfect for weekends or when you want leftovers to actually be good.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tri Tip

Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork

Slow cooker balsamic pulled pork over polenta with avocado crema in a white bowl.
Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This pork cooks down in a slightly sweet balsamic sauce that’s great over polenta or tucked into sandwiches. It’s rich, simple, and exactly the kind of affordable comfort food you’ll keep making over and over.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu

Slow cooker short rib ragu in a bowl over mashed sweet potatoes with a fork.
Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Short ribs break down into a hearty sauce that clings to pasta or mashed potatoes. It’s got that slow-cooked depth without a bunch of prep. This one’s great for cooler nights and feels a lot fancier than it is.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu

Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew

Summer beef stew topped with red onion and grated cheese.
Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This one skips the heavy winter ingredients and keeps things lighter with seasonal vegetables. It’s perfect for when you still want stew but don’t want to heat up the kitchen or spend a fortune on ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Peach Pulled Chicken

BBQ peach pulled chicken over rice with pita bread in a bowl.
Slow Cooker Peach Pulled Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Chicken cooks down in BBQ sauce with peaches for a sweet and tangy combo that works on sandwiches, rice, or salad. It’s low effort, easy on the wallet, and a great way to switch things up without doing much.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Peach Pulled Chicken

Easy Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

Easy Crockpot Chicken Fajitas. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Peppers, onions, and chicken simmer together until everything’s juicy and packed with flavor. Throw it in tortillas, rice bowls, or salads. This one’s perfect for weeknights when you need dinner to be cheap and reliable.
Get the Recipe: Easy Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti. Photo credit: Game Day Eats.

Chicken spaghetti with Rotel comes out creamy, cheesy, and way better than you’d expect for a crockpot meal. It’s the kind of comfort food that uses simple ingredients but always hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

Slow Cooker Meatball and Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Meatball and Potato Soup. Photo credit: Life Currents.

This soup keeps things hearty with potatoes, meatballs, and vegetables in a light broth. It’s budget-friendly, filling, and comes together without much work, making it a solid dinner on rotation.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Meatball and Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers

Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

These peppers come out tender without falling apart, and the filling is classic, easy, and hits all the right notes. They’re cheap to make and somehow even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers

Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables simmer together in a rich tomato base. It’s the kind of budget meal that doesn’t feel like one—and it keeps getting better the longer it cooks.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

All the flavors of chicken pot pie without the hassle. It’s thick, creamy, and packed with veggies. This one’s perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting but don’t want to stand over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Slow Cooker Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes

Slow Cooker Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Ham, green beans, and potatoes cook together into a simple but hearty meal that stretches well for leftovers. Great way to use up extra ham without spending more on groceries.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes

Delicious Slow Cooker Lemonade Chicken

Delicious Slow Cooker Lemonade Chicken. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Lemonade concentrate gives this chicken a tangy, sweet flavor that works great with rice or vegetables. It’s a budget dinner that’s just different enough to keep it interesting without complicating your night.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Slow Cooker Lemonade Chicken

Super Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Super Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Layered like a lasagna, this chicken enchilada casserole comes out melty, saucy, and loaded with flavor. It’s cheap, hands-off, and always gets cleaned out—definitely one worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Super Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Founder and Writer at  | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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