Feeding growing boys gets exhausting and expensive. Several years ago, I created a recipe for Taco Pie that cuts back on both of those. I have even modified it a little to be used in a crockpot if you want something to be ready when you get home.

Taco Pie

browned ground beef (around one 1lb or enough to fill a quart freezer bag) – thawed $3
1 jar salsa $2
1 bag shredded cheese $3
Two boxes cornbread muffin mix $1
2 eggs $.20
Buttermilk $.20
Shredded lettuce $1
1 container sour cream $1
1 casserole dish – covered with no-stick cooking spray

Crack one egg in a mixing container and then add one box of the muffin mix to that same container. Blend the two together. Add enough milk to make the mixture loose. Spread out the mixture on the bottom of the casserole dish and put in the oven at 350 degrees.

While that is cooking, crack another egg into the same mixing container and add the second box of muffin mix. Blend together and then add enough milk to make the mixture pourable (about cake mix consistency). Set this aside.

When the mixture in the oven is just about set, pull out of the oven. Now begin layering your ingredients on top of the muffin mix that is already set in the bottom of the casserole dish. Start with a thin layer of salsa, cover that with a layer of ground beef, add a layer of cheese, another layer of ground beef and cover with a final layer of salsa.

Take the muffin mixture that you set aside and pour into the casserole dish as the final layer of your taco pie. Put back into the oven and cook at 350 degrees until the muffin mix is completely set (or about 45 minutes).

Let cool slightly before serving. Have tomatoes, shredded lettuces and sour cream to top each serving and completing your Taco Pie.

It amazes my husband at the dishes that I can create from the pantry, but if I would do it more often then we could probably save about $3600 per year! Just writing that makes me want to tighten up the grocery budget.

Cheap Meals that Save Money

1. Chicken Ramen Casserole – this was going to be Ramen noodles but the middle son came in while I was cooking and announced that he didn’t LIKE Ramen noodles. So I mixed in a can of cheese with the noodles, covered the bottom of a casserole dish with Ritz crackers and poured the noodles and chicken over the crackers. I topped it all of with a cup of shredded cheese and then popped it into the over until the cheese melted. All the kids loved it, my husband loved it and I loved it as well. The whole casserole cost around $6.00.

2. Mini pizzas – (this can be a great way to use leftovers). Toast up some English muffins. Lay the muffins out and top each one with about a tablespoon of spaghetti sauce and a pinch of cheese on each one. Top the muffins with your favorite toppings. Ours cost around $5.00 for the whole meal.

3. Strudel – this is a family favorite. Roll out a couple of pieces of puff pastry. Cover each piece with a quarter cup of cheese and whatever meat or veggies you have in the frig. We do ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, and breakfast straddle with egg, bacon (or sausage) and cheese. Roll each piece of puff pastry up and then pinch the edges closed. Cook according to directions for the puff pastry. Total cost is around $6.00 – and you use up all of your leftovers!

The key to creating a casserole that saves money is to take several elements from your pantry or frig and just throw them together. A pasta with a meat and some cheese or sauce makes a great meal almost any night of the week.