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.
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.”
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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! 🌶️
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.
Freeze leftovers in labeled quart bags—stacked flat like honeycomb—for quick thaw-and-serve nights! 🍯
(Makes roughly 20–25 servings total)
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
Shredded cheddar (16 oz) — $4
Shredded mozzarella (8 oz) — $3
Sour cream (16 oz) — $3
Butter (1 lb) — $4
Milk (1 gallon) — $3.50
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
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
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
$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. 🍯🐝