😋🍴10 Kid Friendly crock pot meals~ With pricing and grocery list

Hey, busy bees! Between after-school chaos, chilly Colorado evenings, and that endless “what’s for dinner?” question, crock-pot meals are a lifesaver. Slow, simple, and stress-free — you toss everything in before school drop-off, and by dinner time, your home smells like a five-star kitchen (without the five-star price).

We’re keeping this extra family-friendly with 10 kid-approved crock-pot meals that are easy on time and your wallet — all using everyday grocery staples you can grab at Walmart, King Soopers, or Safeway.

🍯 1. Honey Garlic Chicken & Veggies

Ingredients:

• 2–3 chicken breasts
  3 cups baby carrots
  2 cups diced potatoes
  ½ cup honey
  ¼ cup soy sauce
  2 tbsp ketchup, 2 minced garlic cloves
  Cook: 6 hours on low
  Kid Tip: Serve with a side of rice or rolls for “sauce dipping fun.”
  
  

🧀 2. Creamy Mac & Cheese (Crock-Pot Style)

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow noodles (uncooked)
  3 cups milk
  3 cups shredded cheddar
  ½ stick butter, salt, and pepper
  Cook: 2 hours on low (stir halfway)
  Hack: Add diced ham or peas for bonus nutrition!
  
  

🌮 3. Taco Tater Tot Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey (browned)
  1 taco seasoning packet
  1 can corn, 1 can black beans, 1 can Rotel
  1 bag frozen tater tots
  Cook: 4–5 hours on low
  Top With: Cheese and a dollop of sour cream before serving.
  
  

🍗 4. BBQ Ranch Chicken Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 3–4 chicken breasts
  ½ bottle BBQ sauce + ½ ranch dressing
  Cook: 5 hours on low, shred, and serve on buns
  Budget Bonus: Use leftovers for wraps or quesadillas!
  
  

🥔 5. Loaded Potato Soup

Ingredients:

• 4 cups diced potatoes
  1 diced onion, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 cup milk
  1 cup shredded cheese, ½ cup sour cream
  Cook: 6 hours on low
  Serve With: Crumbled bacon or chopped chives on top!
  
  

🍝 6. Lazy Spaghetti

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (browned)
  1 jar spaghetti sauce
  ½ box dry noodles
  2 cups water
  Cook: 3–4 hours on low
  Tip: Sprinkle mozzarella near the end for cheesy perfection.
  
  

🧆 7. Swedish Meatballs & Noodles

Ingredients:

• 1 bag frozen meatballs
  1 can cream of mushroom soup
  ½ cup sour cream
  Cook: 4 hours on low
  Serve With: Egg noodles or rice — comfort food heaven!
  
  

🐮 8. 3-Ingredient Roast Beef

Ingredients:

• 1 chuck roast
  1 packet ranch dressing mix
  1 packet au jus mix
  ½ stick butter
  Cook: 8 hours on low
  Serve With: Mashed potatoes or on hoagie rolls for French dips.
  
  

🌽 9. Cowboy Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
  1 can corn, 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  1 cup shredded cheese
  1 bag frozen tater tots
  Cook: 4–5 hours on low
  Tip: Add a few green chiles for that Colorado kick! 🌶️
  
  

🧄 10. Crock-Pot Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients:

• 2–3 chicken breasts
  1 jar Alfredo sauce
  1 cup milk
  ½ box penne pasta
  Cook: 3–4 hours on low
  Serve With: Garlic bread and a side of broccoli.
  
  

💛 Bonus Bee Hack

Freeze leftovers in labeled quart bags—stacked flat like honeycomb—for quick thaw-and-serve nights! 🍯

🛒 Budget Grocery List (for all 10 meals)

(Makes roughly 20–25 servings total)

🐔 Proteins

• Chicken breasts (6–8) — $14
  
  

• Ground beef or turkey (2 lbs) — $8
  
  

• Chuck roast (3–4 lb) — $12
  
  

• Frozen meatballs (1 bag) — $6
  
  

• Bacon bits (optional, 1 pack) — $3
  
  

🧀 Dairy & Cold Items

• Shredded cheddar (16 oz) — $4
  
  

• Shredded mozzarella (8 oz) — $3
  
  

• Sour cream (16 oz) — $3
  
  

• Butter (1 lb) — $4
  
  

• Milk (1 gallon) — $3.50
  
  

🥕 Produce

• Potatoes (5 lb bag) — $4
  
  

• Onions (2 lb bag) — $2
  
  

• Carrots (2 lb bag) — $3
  
  

• Fresh garlic (1 bulb) — $1
  
  

• Broccoli (frozen or fresh, 1 bag) — $2.50
  
  

🥫 Canned & Jarred Goods

• Cream of mushroom soup (2 cans) — $3
  
  

• Rotel or diced tomatoes (2 cans) — $2.50
  
  

• Corn (2 cans) — $2
  
  

• Black beans (2 cans) — $2
  
  

• Alfredo sauce (1 jar) — $2.50
  
  

• BBQ sauce (1 bottle) — $3
  
  

• Ranch dressing (1 bottle) — $3
  
  

• Spaghetti sauce (1 jar) — $2.50
  
  

• Chicken broth (32 oz carton) — $2.50
  
  

• Honey (small bottle) — $4
  
  

🌾 Pantry Staples

• Elbow noodles (1 box) — $1.50
  
  

• Egg noodles (1 bag) — $2
  
  

• Rice (2 lb bag) — $3
  
  

• Tater tots (2 bags) — $6
  
  

• Taco seasoning packets (2) — $2
  
  

• Au jus mix + ranch seasoning packets — $3
  
  

💰 Approximate Total:

$116 – $125 for 10 full meals (that’s about $12 a meal, or $2–3 per person if you’ve got a hungry hive 🐝👨‍👩‍👧‍👦)

Dinner doesn’t have to mean chaos, cleanup, or constant takeout. These slow-cooked favorites make it easy to serve your family love by the ladle — warm, hearty, and full of comfort.

So plug in that crock-pot, pour yourself some cocoa, and let the Buzzy Bee remind you that dinner can be simple, sweet, and budget-smart. 🍯🐝