8 Cheap Crockpot Recipes That Feed a Crowd
Cooking for a large group of people can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding recipes that are budget-friendly and can feed everyone. One great solution is to use a crockpot, which allows you to cook delicious and hearty meals with minimal effort. In this article, we will explore eight cheap crockpot recipes that are perfect for feeding a crowd. These recipes are easy to make, affordable, and can be prepared in advance, making them ideal for busy families, parties, or other large gatherings.
From classic comfort foods like potato soup and chili to hearty stews like pinto beans and vegetable soup, we have a wide range of recipes to suit every taste and preference. We will also cover recipes like chicken and rice, sloppy joes, ham and beans, and macaroni and beef, which are all easy to make and can be prepared in under a few hours. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a beginner, these recipes are perfect for anyone looking to feed a crowd without breaking the bank.
Potato Soup
This creamy potato soup is a comforting and delicious recipe that is perfect for a chilly day. It is made with diced potatoes, onions, garlic, and broth, and is topped with a sprinkle of cheese and a dollop of sour cream. This recipe is easy to make and can be prepared in under 4 hours, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner. The potatoes are tender and flavorful, and the broth is rich and creamy, making this soup a hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 3-4 large potatoes, diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 cup of shredded cheese
- Sour cream, for serving
Instructions
To make this recipe, simply add the diced potatoes, onion, and garlic to the crockpot, along with the chicken broth and milk. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the potatoes are tender. Stir in the shredded cheese until melted, then serve hot, topped with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese.
Pinto Beans
This hearty pinto bean recipe is a classic comfort food that is perfect for a crowd. It is made with dried pinto beans, onion, garlic, and broth, and is seasoned with a blend of spices. This recipe is easy to make and can be prepared in under 6 hours, making it a great option for a weekend meal. The beans are tender and flavorful, and the broth is rich and savory, making this recipe a hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of dried pinto beans, soaked overnight
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
To make this recipe, simply add the soaked pinto beans, onion, and garlic to the crockpot, along with the chicken broth and spices. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or until the beans are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs.
Vegetable Soup
This healthy and flavorful vegetable soup is a great way to get your daily dose of veggies. It is made with a variety of vegetables, including carrots, potatoes, and zucchini, and is seasoned with a blend of herbs. This recipe is easy to make and can be prepared in under 4 hours, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner. The vegetables are tender and flavorful, and the broth is rich and savory, making this soup a hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
Instructions
To make this recipe, simply add the diced vegetables, onion, and garlic to the crockpot, along with the vegetable broth and herbs. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs.
Chicken & Rice
This classic chicken and rice recipe is a comforting and delicious meal that is perfect for a crowd. It is made with chicken breast, white rice, and a blend of spices, and is cooked in a rich and savory broth. This recipe is easy to make and can be prepared in under 4 hours, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner. The chicken is tender and flavorful, and the rice is cooked to perfection, making this recipe a hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup of uncooked white rice
- 2 cups of chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
To make this recipe, simply add the chicken breast, rice, and broth to the crockpot, along with the spices. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs.
Sloppy Joes
This classic sloppy joe recipe is a fun and easy meal that is perfect for a crowd. It is made with ground beef, tomato sauce, and a blend of spices, and is served on a bun. This recipe is easy to make and can be prepared in under 4 hours, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner. The beef is tender and flavorful, and the tomato sauce is rich and tangy, making this recipe a hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 cup of tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Hamburger buns, for serving
Instructions
To make this recipe, simply add the ground beef, tomato sauce, brown sugar, chili powder, and cumin to the crockpot. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot on a hamburger bun.
Chili
This hearty chili recipe is a classic comfort food that is perfect for a crowd. It is made with ground beef, beans, and a blend of spices, and is cooked in a rich and savory broth. This recipe is easy to make and can be prepared in under 6 hours, making it a great option for a weekend meal. The beef is tender and flavorful, and the broth is rich and tangy, making this recipe a hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 can of kidney beans
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
To make this recipe, simply add the ground beef, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, and oregano to the crockpot. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or until the beef is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs.
Ham & Beans
This classic ham and bean recipe is a comforting and delicious meal that is perfect for a crowd. It is made with dried beans, ham hocks, and a blend of spices, and is cooked in a rich and savory broth. This recipe is easy to make and can be prepared in under 6 hours, making it a great option for a weekend meal. The beans are tender and flavorful, and the ham is salty and savory, making this recipe a hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of dried navy beans, soaked overnight
- 2 ham hocks
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
Instructions
To make this recipe, simply add the soaked navy beans, ham hocks, onion, and garlic to the crockpot, along with the chicken broth and spices. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or until the beans are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs.
Macaroni & Beef
This classic macaroni and beef recipe is a comforting and delicious meal that is perfect for a crowd. It is made with ground beef, macaroni, and a blend of spices, and is cooked in a rich and savory broth. This recipe is easy to make and can be prepared in under 4 hours, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner. The beef is tender and flavorful, and the macaroni is cooked to perfection, making this recipe a hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 cup of macaroni
- 2 cups of beef broth
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
To make this recipe, simply add the ground beef, macaroni, beef broth, tomato paste, basil, and oregano to the crockpot. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is cooked through and the macaroni is tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs.
