For cheaper stuff, do you mean meatless? If so my only help would be to tell you you can do baked beans wonderfully in them. You do your soaking overnight, then while you have breakfast in the a.m. boil the beans in water with with bacon grease or whatever (no salt or seasonings yet) on the stove til they just start to get soft (maybe 1/2 hour to 40 minutes), then drain and put in the crock with your molasses, seasonings and however much fresh water your recipe calls for.

Ditto for pinto beans or try your own favorite dried bean recipe.

Another thing if you're not going completely meatless; CHILI! Night before sautee onions and ground beef or venison. Drain & refrigerate in a Ziploc bag or whatever. In the a.m. dump that in the crock with whatever goes in your favorite chili recipe (you may need to reduce the water somewhat though), let cook on low all day. Stir in drained canned beans when you get home, turn to high while you get the rest of dinner together, just long enough to heat up the beans.