Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef $2.89 I used ground chuck you can find cheaper meat


1 can stewed tomato $0.93


I can tomato sauce $0.98


1 can corn with juice $0.87


1 cup black beans $0.24


1 cup pinto beans $0.17


1 package taco seasoning $1.28


½ cup chopped onion $0.34


Grated cheese $0.54


Sour cream $0.10

Brown ground beef in a large pot. Drain off fat. Cook onions into the meat. Once onions are done add stew tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, beans and the taco seasoning. Let simmer for 30 minutes.


Top bowls with grated cheese, sour cream, diced onions and tortilla chips.


Makes 6 to 8 servings depending on the size of the bowl


For us it is a 6 serving meal. Let’s remember that I have teenage boys.

Total cost: $8.34 Cost per serving of $1.39


For this meal I used previously cooked and frozen beans. I cook my beans in a crock pot and freeze in zip lock bags. (sandwich bags I double bag them) Do not drain your beans you will need a little juice in each bag. Each bag equals one cup.

My $5.00 Dinner Challenge

This week I put myself to the $5.00 dinner challenge and I have to say it was a challenge, because when I cook I make more than 4 servings at a time. Let me just say that I have two teenage boys, one that plays football and the other plays football and lacrosse. One serving for these very active boys just doesn’t cut it. So I have come to the conclusion this week, if I can make a family meal that cost me $1.25 a serving I am happy with that.

Meatball Sandwich

One package of Colombo Sandwich Rolls $1.88

24 Italian Meatballs 1 oz each 4 meatballs on each sandwich $2.64

I purchased the meatballs from Sam’s Club it was a 6 pound bag for $10.99 making the meatballs $0.11 each

Deal Monte Four Cheese Spaghetti Sauce $0.98

Parmesan Cheese or Grated Pizza Cheese $0.54


Total Cost: $6.04
Price per serving $1.01

Money Saving Meal Tip

When making a meal stretch or cutting the cost on one, I will add beans to the recipe. You can add beans to;


• Taco/Burrito Meat
• Enchiladas
• Salads
• Soups

Turkey Burritos with Black Beans

1 ½ lbs Ground Turkey Meat
2 cans Black Beans with juice
½ envelope of burrito seasoning
1 clove of garlic
¼ cup chopped yellow onion

Cook meat. Once meat is done add the chopped onion, minced garlic, beans with juice and the seasoning. Simmer on low for 20 minutes.

Burrito Garnishments


• Grated Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Shredded lettuce
• Salsa
• Red Onions

Total Cost: Under $10.00 for family of 5

To even save more make your own pot of beans and freeze in zip lock bags. You can buy a bag of beans for $0.88 to $1.29. Each bag of beans will make the equivalent of 4 cans of beans. When I cook my beans I use the crock pot. Wash beans add water so that it cover about one inch over the beans. Add minced garlic and onion. Depending on the beans it takes 3 to 8 hours to cook beans in the crock pot. When I cook them I cook a large batch and freeze them in individual zip lock sandwich bags and then place the small bags into a larger freezer bag.