When dinner needs to simmer while I handle everything else, I look for affordable ingredients that earn their place in the pot. These eight Dollar General picks each cost under $10 and help build a filling slow-cooker meal.
1. Clover Valley Fresh Ground Beef 80/20, 1 lb – $6.50-$7.25
One refrigerated pound of 80/20 ground beef gives chili, sloppy joes, taco soup, or meat sauce a substantial base. At $6.50-$7.25, it is the priciest pick here but still keeps the main protein under $10.
Parting Thoughts: Stretch it with beans or tomatoes, and that single pound can anchor a family dinner.
2. Eckrich Cheddar Smoked Sausage, 28 oz Mega Pack, 12 ct – $3.95
At $3.95, this refrigerated 12-link smoked sausage pack is ready to slice into slow-cooker potatoes, beans, or jambalaya. Getting 28 oz of fully cooked pork-and-chicken sausage for less than $4 makes it an unusually strong protein buy.
Parting Thoughts: This is my value pick when dinner needs plenty of meat for very little money.
3. Clover Valley Beef Broth, 32 oz – $1.95
A 32 oz carton of beef broth supplies the liquid base for pot roast, stew, gravy, or beef noodle soup. For $1.95, it covers a full slow-cooker recipe more economically than buying several smaller cans.
Parting Thoughts: Keep one around for turning inexpensive meat and vegetables into a complete meal.
4. Clover Valley Extra Wide Egg Noodles, 12 oz – $1.65
For $1.65, these 12 oz extra-wide egg noodles can bulk up stroganoff, soup, or a beef-and-noodle dinner. They are a low-cost way to stretch a smaller amount of protein across more servings.
Parting Thoughts: Add them late so this bargain stays useful instead of turning mushy.
5. Clover Valley Canned Sliced Potatoes, 15 oz – $1.00
No peeling is required with this 15 oz can of sliced potatoes, making sausage dinners, soups, and stews easier to assemble. At $1.00, it buys both a filling ingredient and a meaningful shortcut.
Parting Thoughts: A dollar is well spent when it saves prep and makes the pot more substantial.
6. Clover Valley Broccoli Cheese Condensed Soup, 10.5 oz – $1.00
Creamy condensed soup with broccoli chunks gives slow-cooker chicken, rice, or vegetable casseroles their sauce in one step. The $1.00 can replaces a longer list of separate sauce ingredients, which is where the real savings show up.
Parting Thoughts: Reach for it when convenience matters as much as the low shelf price.
7. Van Camp’s Pork And Beans In Tomato Sauce, 5g Protein Per Serving, Canned Beans, 15 oz. Can – $1.15
When chili or a sausage dinner needs more staying power, this 15 oz can adds pork and beans in seasoned tomato sauce. At $1.15, it is an inexpensive way to add bulk and 5 grams of protein per serving.
Parting Thoughts: Budget cooks will get the most from it by using one can to stretch a meat-based recipe.
8. Clover Valley Diced Tomatoes, 14.5 oz – $1.00
My basic slow-cooker stash always includes a 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes for chili, soup, stew, and sauce. At approximately $1.00, it delivers a versatile tomato base while leaving plenty of the dinner budget for protein.
Parting Thoughts: Few dollar ingredients can cover as many weeknight recipes as this one.
