44 Budget-Friendly Slow-Cooker Recipes

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44 Budget-Friendly Slow-Cooker Recipes2/44 Vegetarian Red Bean Chili 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Vegetarian Red Bean Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 hours 10 min Servings 6 servings (2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For a vegetarian red bean chili that meat lovers would like, this recipe is healthy and tastes great. It takes just a few minutes to prepare, then the chili simmers in the slow cooker leaving me free to do something else. I top bowls with shredded cheddar cheese.—Connie Barnett, Athens, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups (calculated without sour cream

and cheese): 201 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1035mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 9g fiber), 17g protein. 3/44 Buffalo Chicken Chili 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Buffalo Chicken Chili Recipe photo by Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home Total Time 5 hours 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This Buffalo chicken chili is rich in the best way. The cream cheese, blue cheese and tangy hot sauce join forces for a dinner recipe everyone will love. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 337 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated

Serve it as a weeknight family dinner or for

fat), 80mg cholesterol, 1586mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein. 4/44 Slow-Cooker Ranch Chicken 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Ranch Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 7 hours 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a fabulous slow-cooker ranch chicken recipe that we have passed around to all our friends, especially those who have young children. It’s wonderful for a cold winter night or a hot summer day when you don’t want to turn on the oven. Serve it as a weeknight family dinner or for

a large group

a large group. —Sonya Stark, West Jordan, Utah Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 267 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 776mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein. 5/44 Lipton Onion Soup Meat Loaf 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Onion Meat Loaf Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I really enjoy this delicious meat loaf made with onion soup mix. You only need five ingredients to assemble this easy entree before popping it in the slow cooker. —Rhonda

Simply brown the ground beef, then stir everything together to simmer all day

Cowden, Quincy, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 276 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 579mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. 6/44 Slow-Cooked Beef Vegetable Soup 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 8 hours 10 min Servings 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Convenient frozen veggies and hash browns make this meaty soup a snap to make. Simply brown the ground beef, then stir everything together to simmer all day. It’s wonderful served with bread and a salad. —Carol Calhoun, Sioux Falls, South

—Linda Ronk, Melbourne, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1

Dakota Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 139 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 766mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 11g protein. 7/44 Beef and Barley Test Kitchen Approved Beef and Barley Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to serve this to company. I’m not sure where the recipe originated for this country-style dish, but I have had it for years and rely on it when I’m hosting a meal for a group. —Linda Ronk, Melbourne, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1

It does a great job with this good-for-you dish

cup: 409 calories, 18g fat (9g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 990mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 7g fiber), 28g protein. 8/44 Slow-Cooker Stuffed Peppers 53 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Stuffed Peppers Recipe photo by Orly Catz for Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My favorite kitchen appliance is the slow cooker, and I use mine more than anyone else I know. It does a great job with this good-for-you dish. —Michelle Gurnsey, Lincoln, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed pepper: 317 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat),

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1 fat

30mg cholesterol, 565mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 8g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1 fat. 9/44 Poor Man’s Steak 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Amish Poor Man’s Steak Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 25 min Servings 9 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These flavorful “steaks” fit into everybody’s budget. A special friend shared the recipe, and I think of her each time I make it. – Susan Wright, Mineral Wells, West Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 292 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 68mg

cholesterol, 372mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein

cholesterol, 372mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein. For all your slow-cooker groceries, here’s what experts recommend about grocery shopping on a budget. 10/44 Soy Garlic Chicken 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 4 hours 10 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Because I’m a full-time mom and I help my husband on our ranch, I’m always looking for simple yet hearty meals for the slow cooker. My family really likes this one. —Colleen Faber, Buffalo, Montana Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken leg quarter: 246 calories, 8g fat (2g

Nothing is more convenient than walking in the door to dinner

saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 1022mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. 11/44 Slow-Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe photo by Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home Total Time 5 hours 10 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For a meal on busy days, I pop ready-made meatballs in the slow cooker to make this tantalizing Asian-style specialty. Nothing is more convenient than walking in the door to dinner. —Lisa Stepanski, Munnsville, New York Nutrition Facts: 8 meatballs: 794 calories, 29g fat (10g

saturated fat), 186mg cholesterol, 582mg sodium, 94g carbohydrate (63g sugars, 2g fiber), 39g protein. 12/44 California Tamale Pie 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved California Tamale Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 15 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I serve California Tamale Pie, I know I’ll see smiles on the faces of everyone at the table. With this recipe, you’ll enjoy the taste and texture of classic tamales, without the time and hassle. —Patricia Nieh, Portola Valley, California Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 455 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat),

I like making it because the prep time is very short

66mg cholesterol, 1112mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 27g protein. 13/44 Kielbasa and Sauerkraut 19 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Polish Kraut and Apples Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family loves this hearty meal on cold winter nights. The tender apples, kraut and smoked sausage give it a heartwarming old-world flavor. I like making it because the prep time is very short. —Caren Markee, Cary, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 546 calories, 31g fat (12g saturated

My vegetarian soup was the clear winner

fat), 81mg cholesterol, 1630mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (43g sugars, 4g fiber), 15g protein. 14/44 Cabbage Barley Soup 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cabbage Barley Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 30 min Servings 8 servings (3 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My neighbor had an abundance of cabbage, so a group of us had a contest to see who could come up with the best cabbage dish. My vegetarian soup was the clear winner. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 197 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 678mg

sodium, 39g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein

sodium, 39g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 1 lean meat. 15/44 Pork Tenderloin with Mushrooms 32 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pork Tenderloin with Mushrooms Recipe photo by Isabella Cassini Total Time 4 hours 5 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This juicy pork tenderloin in a savory gravy is the best you’ll ever taste. Prepared with canned soups, it couldn’t be easier. —Donna Hughes, Rochester, New Hampshire Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked pork with 2/3 cup sauce: 269 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 951mg sodium, 10g

carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein

carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein. 16/44 Chicken Cacciatore 36 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Cacciatore Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This chicken cacciatore recipe makes a good Sunday dinner, since the recipe is so simple to prepare. It’s inexpensive besides and loaded with lots of vegetables. —Barbara Roberts, Courtenay, British Columbia Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 517 calories, 25g fat (8g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 790mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 6g fiber), 39g protein. 17/44 Sweet Orange Chicken 6

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⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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