Feed your family for less with these three hearty, set-and-forget slow cooker meals. Designed to keep your grocery bill under control without sacrificing flavour, these recipes turn budget-friendly staples into comforting dinners.

Three Slow Cooker Family Dinners for Under $15 Each

This meal plan provides three distinct dinners, each serving four people. By using versatile ingredients like carrots, potatoes, and red onions across multiple meals, you can minimize waste and keep costs low. Total active prep time for all three meals is roughly 30 minutes.

1. Slow Cooker Chicken & Veggie Stew

A hearty, family-friendly meal that uses budget-friendly chicken drumsticks which become fall-off-the-bone tender.

1. Dice 500g of potatoes into chunks and slice 500g of carrots into rounds.
2. Finely dice one red onion.
3. Place the 1kg of chicken drumsticks into the slow cooker followed by the prepared vegetables and one 400g can of chopped tomatoes.
4. Add 1 cup of chicken stock and a generous pinch of dried thyme or rosemary, salt, and pepper.
5. Cover and cook on Low for 6–8 hours (or High for 4 hours) until the chicken is tender and pulling away from the bone.

Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 6-8 hours

2. Slow Cooker Sausage & Bean Casserole

This smoky, filling casserole is a hit with kids and uses precooked sausages for an easy weeknight win.

1. Slice 1kg of precooked sausages into bite-sized chunks.
2. Dice one red onion and slice 500g of carrots.
3. Drain and rinse the cannellini beans.
4. Combine the sausages, beans, carrots, onion, and a 400g can of chopped tomatoes in the slow cooker.
5. Stir in 1 tsp of minced garlic, 1 tsp of smoked paprika, 1 tsp of brown sugar, and 1 cup of beef stock.
6. Cover and cook on Low for 6 hours.

Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 6 hours

3. Slow Cooker Lentil & Vegetable Curry

The ultimate budget-friendly meal that is packed with protein and fiber, perfect for a meat-free night.

1. Rinse 500g of red lentils thoroughly under cold water.
2. Dice the remaining 500g of potatoes, 500g of carrots, and one red onion.
3. Place the lentils, diced vegetables, and the final 400g can of chopped tomatoes into the slow cooker.
4. Add 2 tablespoons of curry powder (or paste), 1 tsp of minced garlic, and 1 tsp of grated ginger.
5. Pour in 3 cups of water or vegetable stock.
6. Cover and cook on Low for 5–6 hours until the lentils are soft and have thickened into a creamy curry.

Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 5-6 hours

Shopping List

Proteins & Pantry
• 1kg Chicken Drumsticks
• 1kg Precooked Sausages
• 500g Red Lentils
• 3 cans (400g each) Chopped Tomatoes
• 1 can (410g) Cannellini Beans
• Chicken and Beef stock (liquid or cubes)
• Curry powder or paste
• Garlic and Ginger (fresh or jarred)
• Smoked paprika, Dried thyme, Brown sugar

Fresh Produce
• 1kg Potatoes (White washed)
• 1.5kg Carrots
• 3 Red Onions

Cooking Tips & Prep Hacks

• Bulk Prep: Spend 20 minutes on Sunday dicing all your onions and carrots at once. Store them in airtight containers so you can just dump them into the slow cooker on the morning you need them.
• Leftover Veggies: If you have leftover potatoes or carrots at the end of the week, roast them together with some oil and salt for an easy side dish.
• Texture Tip: For the chicken stew, you can remove the bones before serving if feeding young children; the meat should slide right off after 6 hours.
• Thicker Curry: If your lentil curry is too liquid at the end of cooking, leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes to allow it to thicken up.

Nutrition (per serving)

Chicken Stew: 380 kcal | 32g Protein | 14g Fat | 28g Carbs

Sausage Casserole: 450 kcal | 22g Protein | 28g Fat | 25g Carbs

Lentil Curry: 310 kcal | 18g Protein | 2g Fat | 52g Carbs