Beef Recipes

"Mommy" Helper Recipe
4 packages beef flavored Ramen Noodles
1 can corn (or an even better option--1 cup leftover veges)
4 cups water
1 pound bround beef
1/2 cup chopped onion

In saucepan, brown the ground beef and onion until done and drain. Add sauce packet from the Ramen Noodles (I usually only use 2 to reduce the salt content) and the water. Break up the noodles and add to above with the drained veges. Cook about 5 mins until the noodles are done and most of the water is absorbed.

This is a very quick meal that feeds 4 (one of which is a growing 16 year old boy!) That maximum cost I would pay for this meal is: ground beef $1.50, noodles.20 each, canned veges .50 for a total cost of $2.80. My usual cost is usually: ground beef 1.00, noodles .15 each, and leftover or homegrown veges for a total cost of $1.60.

This meal can easily be changed by using Chicken flavor Ramen noodles, and chicken.

Submitted by: Kimberly


Crockpot Roast
2 lb. chuck roast ($1.98)
1 Tbsp. oil (too small to calculate)
1 lb. potatoes, quartered ($0.20)
4 carrots, in 1" slices ($0.30)
1 onion, chopped ($0.15)
2 tsp. beef bouillon ($0.10)
2 cups hot water
1 Tbsp. crushed thyme ($0.20)
1 clove garlic ($0.05)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce - optional, gives it zing! ($0.05)

Place ingredients in crock pot in this order: potatoes, carrots, onion; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Brown roast on all sides in oil; place on top of vegetables and sprinkle with more salt and pepper. Mix bouillon, water, thyme and garlic; pour over roast. Sprinkle with hot pepper sauce. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.

Total cost = $3.03. I fix this before 10:00 a.m. on a busy day and when I get home it's ready! It makes two dinners for my CARNIVORE husband and I, probably two for a family of four if your husband can get by with less meat than mine (our only child is 7 months old - doesn't eat roast yet!). I use the leftovers to make Yankee Pot Pie - just make pie crust and fill. Enjoy!

Submitted by: Dana Wintroub


Pot Roast with Au Juis
My family of four loves this and we get at least three hearty meals out of it.

$3.5-4.5 beef roast (I prefer bottom round, usually purchased on sale at $1.60 lb, total about $6.40)
1 tablespoon vegtable oil (.05)
1/2 cup soy sauce (.50)
2 cups leftover coffee, regular or decaf (.10)
4 bay leaves (bulk or dollar store, .15)
2 minced garlic cloves (from huge jar from costco, .15)
1 teaspoon oregano (.10)
2 large onions, sliced (.40)

Night before I heat fry pan, add oil, and brown roast. In a crockpot I mix half onions and rest of ingredients. Add roast and top with rest of onions. Start on low setting. In morning I then open and baste top of onions and roast well. Close and continue cooking until dinner. Serve with hard rolls (usually purchased from the day old rack at a grocery store for $1.00) and pan juices for dipping. Add salad or vegtable dish. Beef will be falling apart.

After dinner I set aside some beef and juice for leftover sandwiches or to add to a soup. Since my children seem to mind to the texture of onions but not the taste I put the rest of the pan juice and onions in a blender and liquidify the onions. Then refridgerate everything. Generally two days later I then get out two medium pots. In one I boil 3 large potatoes for mashed potatoes (no need for this if you have mashed potato leftovers). In the other pot I boil about 3-4 cups of whatever vegtables we have around (carrots, potatoes, celery, peas, corn, etc., about 1.00) with some garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper), I just boil until softening but not done since they will cook more later. When done mix drained vegtables with leftover beef (broken up) and moisten/season with the leftover pan juice/onion blend.

Put half of mixture in low casserole dish and half in pie dish lined with pie crust. Top low casserole dish with carefully spread mashed potatoes (about .50) and pie with second pie crust (if store bought on sale, about 1.00). Now I have a shepherd's pie and a beef potpie. Choose one for dinner and wrap the other well and freeze for later (great homemade 'convience' meal).

Cook either pie at 300 for 40-45 minutes. Later, cook frozen one at 400 for about an hour. May need put shepherd's pie under broiler for a minute of two to get nice brown flecks on the mashed potatoes.
Works out to about $12.35 for three meals or $4.12 per meal (for 4), generally with nice leftovers for 2-3 servings for lunch per meal. So, about .69 per serving total (4.12 divided by 6). Usually I also have a couple cups of leftover pan juice/onion blend freeze as start for a soup later.

Submitted by: Cherie Draper, WA


Bean & Beef Dish
This is a dish that my family absolutely loves.

Ingredients:

1# ground beef (1.68 per pound)
1 can beans with MOLASSES (about 1.19)
1 cup ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
2 small biscuit tubes ( I buy the ones that are 3 for 88 cents, they
contain 5 biscuits each)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese ( about 99 cents)

Brown ground beef. Drain and place in ungreased, round 1 1/2 qt casserole dish. Stir in beans, ketchup and brown sugar. Mix well. Take biscuits and cut in half so that one side is flat. Place in two rows around the casserole dish. ( LEAVE the middle open or the biscuits will not cook right). Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake at 350 until the biscuits are done. ( about 20 minutes)

This feeds my husband ( BIG appetite), myself, and three boys ages 7, 6 and 21 months and provides us with leftovers. (at least one lunch serving)

Submitted by: Anna Benneta


BBQ Cups
We have this about once a week. My 20 month old daughter loves them. This goes well with french fries and corn on the cob.

3/4 lb. hamburger meat (I buy the lean - $1.75)
1/2 cup BBQ sauce ($.30 - if even that)
2 tlbs. brown sugar (pennies)
1 tlbs. minced onions (pennies)
1 can Pillsbury biscuits ($.75)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Brown beef, drain. Add bbq sauce, brown sugar and onion. Place individual biscuits into muffin pan - ungreased, press them out all around each muffin pocket. Put meat mixture into the biscuits and topwith cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes

Submitted by: Stephanie Schafer


Grandma's Pot Roast
1 3-5 lb. roast (cheapest beef cut, under $1.99/lb-I usually wait for a
sale of $1.19/lb)
1 package store brand onion soup mix ($.50)
1 small onion cut any way you like ($.50)
2 Tbsp. Worstershire sauce
1 can cream of mushroom soup ($.50)

Put in a crock pot on low in the morning and eat for dinner. It does help to turn the roast every couple of hours but I've been away all day without and it was fine. We serve this to guests and everybody raves. The meat will make it's own gravy. You can add a few carrots too, if you wish. I usually serve with homemade mashed potatoes. About 8 servings depending on size of roast. Just over $5 total for a great dinner and leftovers.

Submitted by: Charissa McCarver


Another Sloppy Joe
1 lb ground hamburger meat .99 cents on sale
a capful of apple cider vinegar (pennies)
3-4 tbspn brown sugar depending on your taste (pennies)
1 onion (.10 cents in a bag)
ketchup any kind on sale .99 cents or so

Brown meat and onion and drain, add 1 cup of ketchup, the brown sugar and vinegar, stir and heat. It usually makes about 7-8 for our family and including the buns, costs under $3.00.

Submitted by: Bobbi Miller


Best Ever BBQ Beef
I am a stay home mother of 2. My husband works 10 hr days and when he gets home he is HUNGRY. Here is an easy way to make bbq beef and it is pretty inexpensive being you get about 3-4 meals from it. It also freezes well. Also, most of the ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

2 1/2-3lb boneless roast ($3-4 or wait and buy it on sale)
1 cup strawberry preserves($2 for whole jar)
1 small onion chopped ($1 at most)
1 green or red bellpepper chopped
2 tblsp prepared mustard (reg or dijon)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup bbq sauce(whatever flavor you like)

Spray crockpot with non-stick cooking spray. Mix all ingredients except the roast in a bowl. Place roast in crockpot and then pour mixture on top. Cook on low 6-7 hours. Remove roast and slice thinly. Place back in crockpot for about 20 minutes. Serve on store brand hamburger buns or whatever bread you like. VERY good!

Submitted by: Vickie Madrigal


Italian Mac Recipe
Very inexpensive, makes a large batch, freezes well and takes hardly any time to make! For my family of 3 we eat one meal, leftover lunch for husband, and still have half a pan to freeze for another meal!

2 boxes Mac & Cheese (store brand [email protected])
1lb hamburger (on sale @ .89/lb)
1 small onion diced (unsure of price)
1/2 green pepper diced (unsure of price)
1 16oz can spaghetti sauce (store brand meat flavor @ .89)
1 package (2 cups) mozzarella ( store brand 1.50 on sale)

Make mac&cheese according to package directions. Brown hamburger, onion, and pepper. Drain and add spaghetti sauce. In a 9x13 baking dish layer hamburger mixture, then mac &cheese, then mozzarella. (I use a 1 cup measuring cup and spread it out evenly). End layers with a cheese layer. Everything is already cooked
so bake at 350 until cheese is as melted or browned as your family prefers. Serve with Salad (or we do green beans). Approx - $5.00 for entire pan.

Submitted by: Kim Bailey


Hamburger Helper Olé
I made this last night and it was great! It was cheap and took very little time to make.

One box Velveeta Shells and Cheese (.38/serving)
One cup salsa (.25/serving)
One lb. hamburger meat (.50/serving on sale)

Cook and drain the meat (I also rinse it off with hot water to get rid of more of the grease); cook and drain the noodles - add cheese as usual. Mix in meat and salsa, and you're done! I recommend using Tostino's Restaurant Style Salsa- medium. Serves 4

Submitted by: Grace


Hamburger Over Toast Or Rice
1lb burger in the sale section of supermarket, 15%, $1.29lb (cost $1.29)
4 bouillon cubes $3.98 a bottle 4 cubes (cost maybe 15 cents)
4 tlbs flour $6.00 for 25lbs (cost maybe 2 cents)
1 med onion bought from produce market 15 cents (cost 15 cents)
2 small cloves of garlic cost 59cents a lb. (cost maybe 5 cents)
3 cups rice or 1-2 pieces of toast for each person. rice is $7.98 for 25 lbs (cost maybe 50 cents for rice or 65 cents for bread bought at a bread store cheaper if you use white fluffy bread, I use whole grain Branola)

Brown burger, onion and garlic in large fry pan till onion is tender. When done sprinkle flour over all the meat and mix well. Add 3 1/2 cups of water and bouillon cubes and mix well again. turn heat down to simmer and cook for 10 minutes, mix well again. Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve over cooked rice or toast, with a vegetable or salad.

Buy 1 bag of mixed veggies or other veggies at $1.29 a bag. (cost $1.29) or serve with a salad, Romaine $1.29 a head use 1/2 at 65 cents, 1/4 head purple cabbage 39 cents a lb. 80 cents, 1 shredded carrot 59 cents a bag 10 cents. Dressing is 50 cents a bottle on sale or with coupon 3 tlbs for whole salad mix well cost maybe 15 cents

Total cost- $3.66 with veggies or $4.01 with salad for a family of 5-6 We have 3 adults and 3 younger children 17,9 and 6.

We use onions and veggies out of our small garden and save even more money. We grow all of our salad greens, onions, chards and radishes in our front yard. We take all of our flower beds and fill with veggies and line with flowers so neighbors think it is cute instead of tacky.

Submitted by: Pamala


Sloppy Joes
Saute 1 large onion, chopped and 2 green peppers, chopped in 3 TB oil. Add 1 1/2 cups boiling water; 1 tsp. salt; 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce; 1 TB soy sauce; 1-2 TB chili powder; 1 TB mustard; a pinch of pepper; 1 TB sugar; and 1 1/2 cups dry TVP. Simmer together for 20 minutes.

Serve over bread or buns.

The onion I bought in a bag for 1.98 (so less than 20 cents)
2 green peppers (on sale 3 for $1.00)
Tomato sauce (On sale 3 cans for $.99)
soy sauce ($.99 bottle)
TVP (1 lb bag for 1.49; and you only use 1 cup); so this recipe is very cheap and very vegetarian!!

Submitted by: Stephanie


Noodle Junk
My mom made this when we were little kids and we really ate it up! It's like homemade Hamburger Helper before they invented Hamburger Helper.

1 lb lean ground beef, cooked and drained (1.79)
1 can tomato sauce (.25 to .33, depending)
1 lb wide noodles, boiled until al dente (.69 at Sav a Lot)
Spices (depends on whether you want it to be American, Italian or Mexican) Salt, pepper and paprika, or Italian seasoning, or Chili powder. You could probably come up with your own format, as well. Sav A Lot or Big Lots sells all kinds of spices really cheap!
Cheese (again, depends on the spices you use). My family loves the Italian and Mexican the best. I use American cheese on the American version, Mozzarella or Pizza cheese with some Parmesan stirred in on the Italian, and Colby Jack or white soft cheese on top of the Mexican. You CAN stir in either ricotta or cottage cheese into the mix instead of so much meat, if you prefer. (cost depends on the type of cheese you choose).

Stir the tomato sauce and spices into the cooked meat in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Fold in the cooked noodles. Cover the top with whatever cheese you chose and cover the skillet with the lid while it's hot, but turn the burner off. Let sit for at least 10 minutes to let the cheese melt in a little. It should chop into wedges much like lasagna. If you like it sloppier, you can add more tomato sauce. (Tomato soup works well, but it has more suger!) I serve this with left-over hamburger or hot dog buns that I butter and sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese on, then toast in the toaster over.


Porcupine Meatballs
This recipe only requires a few ingredients and is easy to prepare. My mom made it often and I make it now for my children.

1 package (6.8 ounces) beef-flavored rice mix
1 egg, beaten
1 pound ground beef
2-1/2 cups boiling water
Set contents of rice seasoning packet aside. In a bowl, combine the rice and beaten egg. Add beef and mix well. Shape into 1 inch balls. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the meatballs on all sides. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine the r=served seasoning packet and boiling water. Add to skillet; cover a=d simmer for 30 minutes or until the rice is tender. About 8 servings for around $4 for the entire recipe or 50 cents a serving.


Simple Goulash
This simple goulash recipe was a recipe my mom used to make when I was young. I loved it growing up. Now that I am a SAHM I realize not only how quick, simple it is to make, but it is cheap and kids love it! Makes 4-6 servings. Stores well in the refrigerator and makes excellent leftovers.

1 pound ground meat ($1.59)
4 cups cooked rice (approx. 2 cups uncooked) (approx. .25 if bought in bulk)
1 can tomato soup (.50 for store brand)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (.50-.75 for store brand)
4 slices of American cheese (.25)

In large skillet brown ground meat with salt and pepper to taste. Drain fat. Turn heat to med./low. Add cooked rice and both soups. Mix well and then smooth out in skillet. Top with slices of cheese and heat until cheese starts to slightly bubble.

Submitted by: Jinger Newsome


Pizza Macaroni Style
Here's a recipe that my college roommate used to cook for us all the time. It's delicious and makes a lot! Serve with a salad and bread and you've got a quick and easy meal.

1 8oz box macaroni
1/4 cup water
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1 1/2 tsp. basil
1 lb. ground beef
1 1/4 tsp. oregano
1/2 cup onion
pepperoni
6 oz. mozzarella cheese

Cook meat and onion until brown. (I do this in the microwave in a covered dish for 5 minutes.) Drain. Add spices and simmer. Cook macaroni and drain. Combine meat and macaroni in 9 X 13 Pyrex dish. Add water and 1/2 of tomato sauce. Place cheese and pepperoni on mixture. Add rest of tomato sauce and bake at 375 for 20 minutes.

Submitted by: D. Strom



Pizza Burgers
Here is my kids all time favorite recipe.

1 lb gr. beef ($1.49)
1 jar any kind pizza sauce (.89 cents)
1 pkg. mozzarella cheese ($1.89)
1 8 count hamburger buns (.69 cents)

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) Separate buns in half and place on baking pan, heat for 5 minutes.
3) Brown gr. beef and drain, add pizza sauce.
4) Spoon gr. beef onto buns, and top with mozzarella cheese.
5) Bake for 10 minute or until cheese is melted.

Makes 16 pizza burgers. This is a great last minute meal that the kids will love.

Submitted by: Doni, Muncie, IN

This is sooo quick and easy and all will eat it. It usually feeds a family of five with at least one and a half servings left over, depending on how hungry everyone is.


Beef and Noodles
1 onion (pennies)
2 carrots (pennies)
2 stalks of celery (pennies)
optional 1 tomatoe, sliced and seeded
4 cups water
salt and pepper to taste
1 envelope onion soup mix (on sale, .99 for box of two)
2 cups uncooked noodles (on sale, .25 each, need two)
1 lb ground beef (on sale, .99)

First brown beef with onion in large pot. Add water, salt, pepper, carrots, and celery. Cook until veges are tender, about 10-15 minutes. Add noodles and cook until done. Best if served with some biscuits, on sale of course.

Submitted by: Shanna Ripple


Potatoes, Onions and Eggs
Here is a hearty but inexpensive meal.

2 Large Onions, sliced thinly (.20)
3 Large Potatoes, chopped in chunks (.75)
6-8 Eggs (.75)
Sprinkle of Parmasan Cheese (.25)
2 Crunchy French bread loaves, toasted (1.00 ea)

Fry onions in oil until goldern brown Microwave potatoes until just before they get soft, or fry with onions If microwaving potatoes remove and cut up into chunks with skin on, add to onions Season with salt & pepper to taste Remove onions and potaotes to be added back Scramble eggs, season and cook Just before eggs are dry add back potatoes and onions Add parmasan cheese. Cut bread as if to make a sub and stuff with eggs.


Yummy Meat Pie
This is one of my husband's favorite dishes, is so easy to make and very tasty. One recipe will feed 8, or our family of four will eat it twice if I can keep my husband out of it!

1 lb. ground beef (.99 on sale)
1 cup cheese (your favorite) we use shredded mozzarella which costs about .90
1 small onion (pennies)
1 can tomato soup (Aldi brand .39)
1 can water (free)
2 cans cut green beans drained (.29 a can at Aldi)
leftover mashed potatoes (enough to cover dish, maybe .50)
Preheat oven to 350.
Brown ground beef with onion, drain. Spread evenly in a baking dish our casserole dish. Drain both cans of green beans and spread them evenly over beef. Sprinkle cheese evenly over green beans. Mix tomato soup with water, pour evenly over entire mixture. Spread mashed potatoes evenly on top. Bake at 350 for one hour. Serves 8 large helpings.
Cost is about $3.50 total or about .44 per serving! Very delicious! Enjoy!

Submitted by: Melissa, Muncy, PA


Beef Stroganoff
1 lb ground beef
8 oz. sour cream (you can buy store brand)
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 bag of egg noodles
milk (whatever soup can instructions call for)
salt and pepper to taste
Brown and drain ground beef. While you are doing this you can boil egg noodles. Drain noodles and add ground beef, sour cream, milk, salt, pepper, and soup. Mix. Cook until all mixture is heated.
I grew up on this recipe and use it with my family. Since my husband and I have five children we double this easily.

Submitted by: Christina


Salisbury Meat Balls
1 pound of hamburger {about 2 dollars}
1 medium onion {pennies}
4 pieces of toast (make into bread crumbs) {pennies}
1 egg [pennies}
1 tsp of old bay seasoning
1 can of cream of mushroom soup {about 50 cents}
2 cans of water (soup can filled with water) {free}
1 can of milk {pennies}

Mix hamburger with egg, seasoning, and bread crumbs. Make into meatballs. Just like you would for spaghetti. Fry them in a skillet until brown on all sides. While meatballs are cooking get a cooker and add mushroom soup, water, and milk and let it come to a boil. Wants it starts to boil put it down to a simmer. Put in meatballs and all drippings from pan. Let it simmer for about 45 min. It is really good and very low cost.

Submitted by: Teresa Hamilton, Teaberry, KY


Leftover Roast Hash
Take leftover roast and cut into cubes...Then take left over potatoes and cube. I use frozen French fries when the potatoes are all eaten with the roast. Chop up about half an onion.

In large skillet melt a stick or less of butter. Add the rest of the ingredients and fry like you do your fried potatoes. It is very easy and VERY yummmy...We top with ketchup to make it really good!!!! Enjoy!

Submitted by: Nancy, Berne Indiana


Taco Squares
This was always a favorite of mine growing up and now that I've got a family of my own, they ask for it every chance they get! It's simpler than it sounds and if you usually have Bisquick handy, cost very little to make.

Ingredients:
1-1.5 c Bisquick
1 lb ground beef
1 c sour cream
1/2 to 1 c mayo
shredded cheddar -amount variable, I use about 1 cup
ketchup
garlic and onion powder to taste

Preheat oven to 350
1. Mix Bisquick with water to the consistancy of chewed bubble gum.
2. Spread (with wet hands) over bottom and sides of a casserole dish. The size of dish is pretty flexable, usually something pretty deap.
3. Season meat with the garlic and onion powder, brown and drain.
4. Spread meat over bottom of dish.
5. Drizzle ketchup over meat (some people use chopped tomatoes instead)
6. Mix sour cream, mayo and a little shredded cheddar.
7. Spread over meat and cover generouly with shredded cheddar.
8. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes, or until crust is brown.
*Allow five minutes to cool before serving.

Submitted by: Jessica


Quick and Easy Ground Beef and Mac Dinner
1lb of ground beef (.99 a lb. on sale)
1/2 cup of elbow Macaroni(pennies, .89 a big box)
1/2 onion(pennies again)
1TBS Garlic Powder (A thing of garlic Powder less then 2.00 normally)
1 8oz. can of tomato sauce (.25 )
1 can diced tomatos (.25 to .30)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Boil the Macaroni as directed
Brown Hamburger with diced onion till juices run clear.
Add Garlic Powder and cook 3 more mins.
Then change to larger pan if you have to, add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and Macaroni.
Salt and pepper to taste, cook together on medium heat about 5 mins. or until hot.

It fed my family, me, my husband, My children, ages 5(who had two bowls), age 3, and age 1.

Submitted by: Red a.k.a. Natural Mom

Foil Dinners
I remembered this campfire favorite one evening when it was too hot to cook indoors.

1 lb hamburger ($1.89 for ground chuck)
4 potatoes-thinly sliced ($.30 or free if grow your own)
1 lb bag of baby carrots ($1.50 or homegrown)
1 large onion- thinly sliced ($.99 or homegrown)
Salt and pepper to taste (negligible)

Total cost of meal for four $4.68 or $1.17 per person at the most. True miserly moms can do it for much less! More potatoes and carrots can be added for those extra hungry people in the house with minimal expense.

Slice potatoes into thin slices, fan out on large (12" long) piece of aluminum foil. Place 1/4 bag of carrots on top of potatoes. Place 1/4 of hamburger on top of carrots. Season burger to taste. Place thinly sliced onion on top of hamburger. Fold aluminum foil together so that it is completely sealed. Place on grill or campfire for 20-40 minutes, depending on intensity of heat. Check often. Meal is done when meat is cooked through and potatoes are tender.

I have great memories of this meal as a kid around the campfire and I love cooking an entire meal on the grill.

Submitted by: Amy from Haslett, MI

Another Goulash
I saw that someone else had put a recipe for goulash, but thought I'd add mine for variety. I am a SAHM of a picky three year old little boy, and a husband who doesn't like different foods to touch each other, but he will eat this. This recipe is easy to make for 3 people, or 12...by simply adding more of the existing ingredients, or getting creative and adding a little of this, a little of that.

1 pound of hamburger or ground turkey (you can add another pound if you want it meatier, or have more people to feed)
1 box of elbow macaroni
1 can of whole kernel corn
1 can of ranch style beans
1 8 oz can of tomato sauce (you can add more or less, depending on your family's preference)

While waiting for the water to boil for the noodles, start browning your meat. When meat and noodles are finished cooking, add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well and serve. I usually serve w/ iced tea and a salad. Cornbread or dinner rolls are excellent w/ this dish. It also freezes well, and is thick enough to simply put in a large freezer bag.

Potato Hotdish
1 lb. hamburger (browned, drain fat)
6-8 med. potatoes (peeled and cut into bite-size pieces)
1 can tomato soup
1 can vegetarian vegetable soup ("ABC" vegetable will work if you can't find vegetarian)

Combine browned hamburger, cut potatoes and soups in a 2 qt. caserole dish. DO NOT ADD WATER - this will thin it out and make it very "soupy". Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until potatoes are tender.

Very quick and easy recipe that uses only a few things that most people always have on hand. This feeds my family of 5 for around $4, and that includes the buttered bread that I serve along with the dish.

Meatloaf
This is one of the most versatile recipe's I have ever found. Even my children make it. You can add as much or as little as you like. It has a good taste and only takes about 10 minutes to prepare and then throw in the oven.
1 lb. Ground beef (can use ground turkey or chicken)
2 slices of toast or a dozen saltine crackers shredded or crushed
2 eggs
tsp salt
tsp pepper
Optional: 1/2 tsp of onion powder, garlic powder- any favorite spice
Optional: 1/4-1/2 of any of the following-green bell peppers, onions, carrots peels, mushrooms
Optional: Ketchup or bar-b-que sauce

Select your ingredients and mix all together and kneed well. Place in greased bread loaf pan. Cover with ketchup or bar-b-que sauce if desired. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours.

Hope you enjoy this easy recipe as much as we do.

Submitted by: Tammy's and Karl's kitchen

Sloppy Joe's
A fast, easy and yummy version of the classic. They are delicious!

1 lb ground beef (less than $3 depending on fat grade)
1 can Vegetarian Vegetable soup (has to have the "pasta letters" in it)
About $1
1/2 can water
1/2 packet Sloppy Joe dry mix (less than $1)
Ketchup
Mustard
Buns ($1-$2 depending on size and brand)

Brown beef and drain fat. Put skillet back on stove and add the soup, the water, and the half packet of dry mix. Add ketchup and mustard for taste and color. Stir it all up and heat through.
Spoon onto buns! (The large "onion" buns are best...but if on a budget, any bun will do!)

Submitted by: Amanda, Colorado

Taco Salad
My cousin gave me this recipe, along with the ingredients, as a house warming gift, when my fiance and I moved into our first apartement. Everybody loves it, including my super-picky 3-year-old nephew. It's definately a favorite, and even better the next day!

2 lbs ground beef ($.89 lb on sale)
1 pkg. taco seasoning (store brand 3/$1)
1 can whole kernal corn, drained (store brand 2/$1)
1 can Ranch Style beans (2/$1 on sale)
1 can Ro-Tel diced tomatoes and chiles (3/$ on sale)
shredded cheese (2 8oz bags/ $4 on sale, or shred your own)
Tortilla chips(about $2 for a big bag on sale)
(total cost, less than $8.00)

Brown beef. Drain. Add taco seasoning. Add corn, beans and tomatoes. Serve hot topped with cheese, and eaten with chips. Serves 4-8 depending on how hungery everyone is, and if you want leftovers!

Submitted by: Ashley


Mexican Cornbread
1 pkg Mexican cornbread mixture
1 lb. ground beef
1 can corn, drained
1 can mushroom soup
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated

Mix Mexican cornbread according to directions (1 egg & 2/3 cup milk), pour into heated greased cast iron skillet. Brown ground beef, drain well. Add corn and soup, mix well. Pour on top of cornbread mixture, try to get just in center of pan so that side crust forms. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 30 min. Turn over onto plate. Looks like a regular pan of cornbread until you cut into wedges. Approx. .80 cents per serving.

Submitted by: Glory Atkins


Mom's Goulash
This is a family favorite of ours and so easy to make.

1 lb. of ground beef (.99 on sale)
1 lb. of elbow macaroni (.50, I buy in bulk)
1 can of stewed tomatoes (.25 scratch and dent sale)
1-2 cans of tomato sauce (about .12 a can)
1 onion chopped (.10, 5 1bs for a 1.00)
Salt and pepper to taste (pennies)

Brown ground beef and onion until done. Meanwhile boil the macaroni. Drain
the oil from the hamburger mixture, and drain the macaroni. Add the
hamburger to the macaroni. Chop up tomatoes and add to the meat and
macaroni. Add the tomato sauce and season to taste. Cook approx. 10minutes
on med heat.

This serves our family of seven with leftovers for lunches. I usually toss a
salad and make some garlic toast, and heat up a can of corn. Yum, Yum!!!

Oven/Slow Cooker Beef Stew
1 1/2 lbs. stew meat/hamburger meat/cheap cut up steak
1 can ginger ale---yes, this is not a misprint
1 envelope dry onion soup
1/2 bag or 1 small box frozen mixed vegetables
1 can diced tomatoes (optional)
1-3 peeled cubed potatoes

Preheat your oven to 400 degree. Mix all ingredients in a covered roaster and mix well. Wait for oven to get really hot!! Cook for 1 1/2 hours.

If you do the slow cooker version, combine all the ingredients and set on low-med before you get your day started. By the time you get settled for supper, you'll have a great stew that serves about 6-8 hungry people!!

Sometimes I leave out the potatoes and fix fresh rice to ladle the stew over. Other times I don't even add potatoes or fix rice and just eat it as is. This is a no mess up recipe and there are literally zillions of ways to mix and match ingredients. Hope you enjoy this as much as my daughter and I do. Have a great day!!!

Submitted by: Katherine

Beef Pie Recipe
1 9 inch pie shell with top (99 cents, store brand)
1 lb ground beef (3-4 $ a lb)
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (jarred or fresh) (1-2 $)
1 jar of beef gravy (or homemade) 1.00 at dollar store

place pie shell in pie pan... brown beef and drain, rinse... combine with beef gravy and mushrooms. pour into pan and spread evenly. add top crust and bake till heated thru and nicely browned. about 20-25... around 300 degrees.

Submitted by: Erin


Taco Cornbread Pizza
1 pkg. (8.5 ounces) corn muffin mix ($.28 Wal-Mart brand)
1 lb. ground beef ($.99 on sale)
1 pkg. ( 1 1/4 ounce) Taco seasoning mix ($.40 Wal-Mart brand)
1 pkg. (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided ($1.50 on sale or buy generic block and shred yourself)

1. Prepare corn muffin mix as directed on package. Spread batter into greased 12 inch pizza pan (or use parchment paper on a baking stone). Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly brown.
2. Brown meat; drain. Add Seasoning; prepare as directed on package. Sprinkle 1 cup cheese over baked crust. Top with meat mixture and remaining cheese.
3. Bake 4 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

It tastes great by itself, but if you want to dress it up, top it with favorite taco toppings like lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and salsa. Serves 8 at $.40 a serving!

Submitted by: Heather Myrick


Baked Chili
This is one of my favorites and if you have the meat already cooked, it only takes a minute to assemble and its on the table in 20. I use this recipe when we have tacos leftovers.

1/4 lb. ground meat (leftover taco meat.) (.50 or free)
1 can chili with beans (1.00 or less)
2-3 large tortilla (.25 or so)
1/2 bag of shredded cheese (1.00)
1/2 can refried beans (.75 or less)
2 cups cooked rice (.50 or less)
any extras you might want to add

Using an 8x8 pan, this makes three to four servings. Preheat oven to 375. Layer one tortilla on bottom of pan. Spread layer of refried beans. Top with meat, rice, and cheese. Layer until close to top of pan. Top with cheese. (I use velveeta chunks if I have some left over. I really recommend this. Yummy!) Cook until cheese is bubbly and starts to brown on top, around 15 minutes or so. Cost: 2.50 - 4.00 depending on the leftovers you have.

Other things to add in:
crumbled tortilla chips
corn
mushroom
sour cream for topping
onions
salsa or tomatoes

Mexican Tamale Pie
1 ½ lbs ground beef ($3.50 on sale)
2 cans of corn ($1.00)
1 ½ cups of salsa (50 cents)
Taco seasoning packet (.75 cents)
4 servings of mashed potatoes (.50 cents)
Handful of grated cheddar cheese (optional) (pennies)

Preheat oven to 350. Brown ground beef in pan over stove and add taco
seasoning per package directions. Drain any liquid out of pan and add to a
baking dish. Put an even layer of meat all on the bottom. Make 4 servings
of mashed potatoes according to directions on box or make and mash them
yourself. Pour the 2 cans of drained corn over meat. Then pour the cup and
a half of salsa evenly over meat. When potatoes are done spread them on the
top evenly and then sprinkle your cheddar cheese on top of the mashed
potatoes. Cook uncovered for approx. 30-45 minutes or until corners of
potatoes start to brown.


Meat and Potatoes
This recipe satisfies my meat and potatoes husband. I’ve served this to several families when I take them a meal and they always like it.

4 large potatoes ($1)
1 onion ($.25)
1 can kidney beans – do not drain ($.50)
1 lb hamburger ($2)
2 cans condensed tomato soup ($1.60)

Peel and slice potato and onion very thinly. Place in casserole dish. Top with beans and Hamburger. Spread soup on top.

Bake 375 degrees F for 1 hour till potatoes are done.

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