Feed the whole family without breaking the bank with these three comforting slow cooker meals. These recipes prove that budget-friendly ingredients like lentils and drumsticks can be transformed into filling, flavour-packed dinners with almost zero effort.

Three Hearty Slow Cooker Dinners Under $15

This plan provides three separate family-sized meals, each designed to feed four people. With a total prep commitment of about 15 minutes per meal, these are perfect for busy weeknights when you want to come home to a hot dinner.

Chicken Drumstick & Root Vegetable Casserole

A classic, comforting slow cooker meal using budget-friendly drumsticks and seasonal root vegetables that create their own rich gravy.

1. Place 1kg of chicken drumsticks into the slow cooker.
2. Roughly chop 500g carrots, 500g potatoes, and 1 brown onion into large chunks and add them to the pot.
3. Pour over 2 cups of chicken stock and add 1 teaspoon of dried thyme or rosemary.
4. Cover and cook on Low for 7-8 hours or High for 4 hours.
5. 30 minutes before serving, mix 2 tablespoons of flour with a little water to make a smooth paste. Stir this into the liquid to thicken it into a rich gravy.

Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 8 hours

Sausage & Lentil Stew

A protein-packed, filling stew that stretches a single pack of sausages by adding earthy, budget-friendly lentils.

1. Optional: Brown the sausages in a frying pan first for extra flavour, then slice into bite-sized rounds.
2. Add the sliced sausages, 1 drained can of brown lentils, 1 can of chopped tomatoes, 1 diced onion, and 1 cup of stock (beef or chicken) to the slow cooker.
3. Stir in 1-2 cloves of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of dried oregano.
4. Cook on Low for 6 hours or High for 3 hours.
5. Serve in deep bowls, perhaps with a slice of buttery toast for dipping.

Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 6 hours

Hearty Lentil & Vegetable Stew

A very low-cost vegetarian option that is surprisingly filling and packed with nutrients from root vegetables and plant-based protein.

1. Dice 500g carrots, 500g potatoes, and 1 onion into even cubes.
2. Place the vegetables into the slow cooker along with 1 can of drained brown lentils and 1 can of chopped tomatoes.
3. Add 2 cups of vegetable stock and 1 tablespoon of curry powder or cumin for warmth.
4. Cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4-5 hours until the vegetables are completely tender.

Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 8 hours

Shopping List

• Proteins
  • 1kg Chicken Drumsticks
  • 6-pack Sausages
• Produce
  • 2kg Carrots
  • 2kg White Washed Potatoes
  • 3 Brown Onions
  • Garlic (1 bulb or jarred minced)
• Pantry
  • 2 cans (400g) Brown Lentils in brine
  • 2 cans (400g) Chopped Tomatoes
  • Chicken, Beef, and Vegetable Stock
  • Flour
  • Dried herbs (Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano)
  • Spices (Curry powder or Cumin)
  • Salt and Pepper

Tips for Success

• The Flour Trick: Always mix flour with cold water before adding it to the slow cooker. Adding dry flour directly to the hot liquid will result in floury lumps that are impossible to stir out.
• Vegetable Sizing: Cut your root vegetables (potatoes and carrots) into similar-sized chunks to ensure they all cook at the same rate.
• Batch Prep: You can chop all the onions and carrots for the week at once on Sunday and store them in airtight containers to save time on busy mornings.
• Stretch it Further: If you have more mouths to feed, these stews are excellent served over a bed of rice or mashed potatoes.

Nutrition (Estimated per serve)

Chicken Casserole: 420 kcal | 28g Protein | 45g Carbs | 14g Fat

Sausage Stew: 480 kcal | 24g Protein | 38g Carbs | 22g Fat

Lentil Stew: 350 kcal | 12g Protein | 65g Carbs | 2g Fat