This Blog Rules | Why go elsewhere?

Crockpots are the one tool that no kitchen should be without, and it turns out they’re not just great for tenderizing meat. If you’re in the mood for a meat-free feast and happen to have a slow cooker handy, we’ve found some great vegetarian crockpot recipes that can inspire to create something hearty and delicious.

There’s nothing like the ease of cooking in a crockpot. You put the ingredients in before you start your day and by the time dinner rolls around it’s all cooked and ready to go. People often mistake the crockpot for a meat lover’s best friend, but it turns out there are plenty of hearty and delicious vegetarian crockpot recipes you can try for your next meal.

#20: Veggie Minestrone

This famous Italian soup is a vegetarian’s dream come true, and it gets even better when you know that you can create it in your crockpot. Simply add a bunch of vegetables like peas, carrots, celery, canned tomatoes, and onion to get your base, then add pasta 10 minutes before it’s ready to serve. Shave some vegetarian parmesan on top and it’s ready to enjoy.

#19: Butternut Squash Soup

When you’re looking for the perfect winter feast, you can whip up this butternut squash soup with ease. A few key ingredients including squash, onion, apples, carrot, and stock, and mixed with coconut milk to make it vegan. Spice it up with cayenne, paprika, and cinnamon for a flavor sensation.

#18: Low Carb Lasagna

 If you want to enjoy the richness of lasagna without the heavy calories or long cooking time, why not turn to your crockpot? Simply replace the noodles with zucchini noodles and you’ll save yourself a lot of time and carbs in this healthier version. If you still want a few carbs, you can add a few sheets on instant lasagna to fill you up a little more.

#17: Chilli Macaroni

For those who have young mouths to feed, this is an exciting dish that they’ll be licking from their bowls. Think of a traditional chili con carne sans the meat, but with a whole lot of cheese and macaroni pasta added into the mix. Be sure not to add the pasta until right at the end though.

#16: Enchilada Quinoa

 This is one of the most filling dishes you can make in your crockpot, and it’s all thanks to the protein-rich quinoa and black beans that make up the base. Add some extras like roast tomatoes, enchilada sauce, cheese, cream cheese and corn, and you have a delicious and flavor-rich Mexican vegetarian dish. Dip into it with corn chips or tortillas to make it even better.

#15: Veggie Omelette

If you’ve never cooked an omelet in your slow cooker there’s a first time for everything! You can simply put everything together and leave it for a couple of hours to cook, and you have free reign over the ingredients. Think eggs, milk, cheese, herbs, tomatoes, and spinach, then add whatever you fancy on top. This is a healthy meal with plenty of protein and would go down perfectly with a nice green salad.

#14: Stuffed Peppers

This might sound like a complex meal but it couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is cook up some quinoa and then stuff it into peppers with their tops cut off and mix in other ingredients like black beans, refried beans, enchilada sauce, and more. Serve with heaps of fresh avocado and sour cream if you’re feeling decadent.

#13: Curried Vegetables and Chickpeas

There are plenty of tasty meatless curries out there but what better to cook than one that’s full of chickpeas? This is a simple meal that you can set up at the start of the day and the flavors will only get better as time progresses. Think chickpeas, curry powder, and a whole lot of vegetables of your choice. Serve with papadams and basmati rice.

#12: Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup

Tortellini in a soup? Yes, it somehow works. This vegetarian dish is serious comfort food for when you want a good serving of pasta with the heartiness of hot soup. Use store-bought tortellini shells stuffed with spinach and ricotta and add them to a creamy tomato soup base. Be careful, you probably won’t stop at just one plate.

#11: Cauliflower Bolognese

If there’s one thing vegetarians can attest to, it’s how hard it can be trying to find a substitute that can replicate that meaty feel that you get when eating Bolognese. Surprisingly enough, cauliflower happens to be that substitute. Cook it up with your usual Bolognese ingredients like canned tomatoes, herbs, carrot, celery, onion, and garlic, and surprise yourself with how scrumptious it ends up turning out.

#10: Mushroom Stroganoff

There’s no rule that claims stroganoff can only be made with beef, and we think it actually tastes better with some delicious mushrooms instead. Mushroom stroganoff can be served with rice or pasta, and there are only a few ingredients including sour cream , mushrooms, and stock, so it can be made with most things you have laying around

#9: Vegetable Soup

Sort of like the minestrone, but without the pasta, you can have free reign over what you put in your crockpot veggie soup. Carrots, celery, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and onion are just a few suggestions, but to make it truly great you should serve it up with some freshly buttered bread. The perfect food for a cold winter’s night.

#8: Barley Risotto

Most people hear the word ‘risotto’ and imagine slaving away constantly stirring a pot until it cooks to perfection. However, this crockpot risotto doesn’t require any effort at all and it tastes amazing. Rather than stirring until the stock absorbs the risotto, simply put all of the ingredients into the crockpot and it will do the rest for you. You’ll never cook risotto on the stovetop again!

#7: Veggie Fajitas

If you’re sensing a Mexican theme when it comes to slow cookers, you’re right. These handy devices are perfect for this type of cuisine, and they make amazing veggie fajitas. Add in your peppers, roasted tomatoes, onions and spices to the slow cooker and then dish it up into tortillas with cheese. Optional extras include avocado, sour cream, cilantro, or freshly squeezed lime.

#6:  Double Berry Cobbler

Some people go their whole lives without realizing you can make desserts in a crockpot, but we won’t let that happen to you! Make a double berry cobbler in this amazing appliance that’s so simple with soft biscuits, berry sauce, and coarse sugar. Serve up with cold vanilla ice cream and wow yourself with just how good it tastes.

#5: Chickpea and Sweet Potato Chilli

Chickpeas are a vegetarian’s best friend, and they can be found in most of the foods that we love. Why not make a chili that’s packed full of them then, and add some sweet potato in as well. You can experiment with flavors and make it as hot or mild as you wish, then let it cook for six hours. When it’s ready, serve with rice and enjoy how deep the flavors go.

#4: White Bean Stew

Beans are another great option for a meat alternative when you’re a vegetarian, and white beans can be especially tasty. Make up a white bean stew that includes the popular beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, stock, carrots, celery, and onion. Serve with rice or bread for a seriously hearty feast. This is a vegan-friendly meal as well, in case you have guests with extra special dietary requirements.

#3: Triple Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

One more decadent dessert to add to the list is this triple chocolate peanut butter cake. Bake the chocolate cake base in your slow cooker and then layer with biscuit, peanut butter pieces, and melting chocolate. To get really serious about your sweet tooth, you can even add a dollop of cream or vanilla ice cream to the mix.

#2: Spaghetti Squash Thai Noodle Bowl

It might sound like a mouthful but it’s seriously easy to make. Cook the squash in the slow cooker for eight hours to get it nice and soft, and then top with broccoli, noodles, and creamy Thai sauce. This is one of those meals that tastes even better the next day, so make sure you cook enough for leftovers.

#1: Crockpot Quinoa and Vegetables

When you can’t be bothered thinking of a lavish meal and need to get rid of the vegetables lying in the bottom of your crisper, this should be your go to. Put a bunch of vegetables, some stock and herbs, and uncooked quinoa into your slow cooker and let it work its magic on the flavors over the day.

Coming up with tasty meals for the family each night can be a chore, and so can spending hundreds of dollars each week on the ingredients. We’ve rounded up some cheap dinner ideas that will please both kids and adults, to give you a little inspiration in the kitchen.

Title: 20 Ultimately Cheap Dinner Ideas for Your Family

Meta: We give you some inspiration on how to feed your family delicious meals for cheap with these dinner ideas that won’t cost a fortune.

If it seems like your grocery shopping bill gets higher and higher each week, you’re probably not wrong. Food prices are skyrocketing and our inspiration for what to make each night starts to dwindle, so how do we keep everyone happy? We’ve found 20 cheap dinner ideas to inspire you in the kitchen, and best of all? They’re easy to make, easy to please, and barely cost a thing.

#20: Easy Chilli

Chilli is one of those great meals that gets even better when you reheat it and eat the leftovers. To make chilli is incredibly easy thanks to the ingredients within being thrown together in a crockpot. Best of all, it’s really affordable to make and will stretch a long way for those with big families. Just add beef mince, rice, canned tomatoes, peppers, and whatever level of spice you want and that’s it.

#19: Scrambled Eggs

This is the perfect lazy meal for those days when you can’t be bothered, or when you open up the fridge and all you see is a carton of eggs. Scrambled eggs can be mixed with just about anything to get different flavors so consider milk, cheese, chives, tomatoes, mushrooms, and bacon. Whatever you have on hand, you can scramble it.

#18: Pineapple and Ham Sub

There are no rules that say every night has to be a gourmet meal, and that’s the perfect time to make pineapple and ham subs for the family. Simply get your bread, top with deli ham, pineapple, sliced tomato, and cheese then put it under the grill for a few minutes. If you want to be extra fancy you can top with sliced avocado once it’s been cooked. Kids love these and they can even help you make them if they’re looking for something to do.

#17: Slow Cooker Smothered Chicken

The slow cooker is the perfect place to make cheap meals and it usually creates quite a bit. The slow cooker smothered chicken is served with pasta or rice, and all you need is chicken thigh, broth, bacon, cream cheese spread, and peas. Get the ingredients for around $10 and you’ll be surprised how much the whole family enjoys it.

#16:  Crispy Cheddar Chicken

When you don’t feel like being particularly healthy, this is some delicious soul food that will comfort you and make you feel good on the inside. To make crispy cheddar chicken you just dip the chicken cutlets in milk, then grated cheddar, and then breadcrumbs. Fry them up and serve them with vegetables or mashed potatoes, and you have yourself a tasty dinner for cheap.

#15: Spaghetti Bolognaise

This is a favourite in many households and one that doesn’t have to cost the earth to make. Most people have a go-to recipe they use for spaghetti Bolognese but if you don’t there are some default and affordable ingredients you can try. Beef mince, canned tomatoes, broth, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and a little bit of red wine, mix them all together in a pot and you’ve got a feast.

#14: Fish in Lemon and Butter Sauce

Take the opportunity and grab some fish when you see it reduced at the market, and you’ll be able to make this gourmet style meal that’s healthy and delicious. Take the fish fillets, add some sliced lemon, and a few tablespoons of butter, and cook them in the oven. Depending on how healthy you want to be you can serve with vegetables, or perhaps some air fried chips.

#13: Chorizo Pasta and Peppers

Chorizo is pretty cheap to buy and it packs a whole lot of flavour so you don’t even need to use much. This pasta sauce has a tomato base with peppers and gets most of its taste from the grilled chorizo that’s thrown in. serve with penne pasta and sprinkle with some cheese if you fancy, and watch the family dig right in.

#12: Grilled Cheese

Sure, you might not think of grilled cheese as a dinner meal, but they certainly can be. Most people have the ingredients for grilled cheese waiting in the fridge, and if not they’re cheap enough to buy. To make them a little more filling think of adding other toppings like ham, avocado, pickles, or tomato. Let everyone choose their own and you’ll be sure to make everyone happy.

#11: Potato Bacon Soup

You may not think that soup can be a meal on its own, but this one is guaranteed to keep you full. With a few simple ingredients like potato, bacon, garlic, and broth, you can whip up this tasty soup that will please everyone. Throw in some breadcrumbs or fresh rolls and it will be even more filling than you imagined.

#10: Beef Wellington

This is a delicious and hearty meal that’s cheaper than you think to create. A beef wellington features a piece of steak covered in puff pastry and stuffed with other things like onions and peppers. Get creative with the fillings you want and add or remove anything that your family doesn’t like.

#9: Fried Rice

There’s nothing like a steaming hot bowl of fried rice, and it’s even tastier when you realize how little it costs to make. Fried rice can be made with just about anything you can find in the fridge or freezer including corn kernels, frozen peas, spring onion, carrot, eggs, and bacon. It’s incredibly filling and more than enough to serve on its own.

#8: Jambalaya

This southern delicacy can be easily and cheaply recreated at home the next time you’re looking for some meal inspiration. Jambalaya is made with simple ingredients like rice, chicken breast, smoked sausage, and a whole bunch of herbs and spices. It will go quite far even in larger families and won’t take long to make, so it’s a win-win.

#7: Shakshuka

To spice things up a bit in the kitchen, you could try making this delicious middle eastern fare. Shakshuka is poached eggs with a difference – they’ve been poached in a base of tomato sauce, peppers, onions, and chilli. The flavour is intense and you’ll be guaranteed to get a lot of compliments from the family for this one.

#6: Tuna Mornay

This is a family favourite in many homes and one that costs not much at all to make. The basic ingredients are canned tuna, pasta, cheese, and breadcrumbs, so it won’t stretch your budget too far. You throw everything together and put it in the oven which means more time to relax after a long day.

#5: Penne Rosa

Pasta lovers will rejoice that there’s another of their favourite dishes on the menu tonight, with this affordable version of penne rosa sure to be a favourite. Using a tomato cream sauce, some spinach and peppers, and parmesan cheese, you can have a meat-free version that’s delicious, or throw in some chicken breast to make it even more filling.

#4: Chicken Lettuce Wraps

If you want something a little lighter on the wallet and the waistline, why not make some chicken wraps and use lettuce instead of bread? You can season the chicken mince any way you like, serve it up with ranch or ketchup, and never feel guilty about eating more than a few of them. This recipe also works with turkey mince, whichever you have on hand or is cheaper at the time.

#3: Red Beans and Rice

There will be some families that already have their own delicious recipe for red beans and rice, but for those who don’t, there’s no need to fear. This is a simple dish and one that’s incredibly cheap to create. Red beans and rice can be made with stewed tomatoes, chicken breast, chorizo, rice, and beans, so there’s really nothing to it.

#2: Enchilada Soup

Another great meal that can be made in the slow cooker is this affordable enchilada soup. Simply add all of your ingredients at the start of the day and then let it work its magic. Tomatoes, corn, peppers, broth, black beans, chilli, and anything else you want can go right in. Serve it on tacos, with tortillas, or just on its own as a soup.

#1: Sausage and Mash

This is a worldwide hit with families everywhere and you can make it on the cheap whenever you like, but it’s even better when you can wrangle up some gourmet sausages for a reduced price. Simply fry up some sausages, make a big pot of mashed potato, and steam some vegetables for a fuss-free but tasty feast.