SingleWorkingMama

Now that Old Man Winter is showing us hints of gnarling his teeth, simple and (as always) cost-effective “comfort” dinners come to mind.

Busy parents aren’t often able to create culinary masterpieces from scratch, and I am proud to say that I’ve discovered a $5 chili recipe that is easy to make, and requires only 2 cans and some cooked hamburger!

I have always liked the concept of the The Cake Mix Doctor, which helps add zip to a box cake mix. The same idea can apply to main dishes, like chili!

Canned foods make my life easier, are inexpensive, and save time.

Here’s my $5 Chili recommendation:

1 can Bush’s Chili Magic = $1.20-ish, depending on sale or coupon
1 can Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes (They’re cute and teeny, and I like ‘em. Brand is irrelevant.) $1-ish
1 lb. Ground Beef (or turkey) = about $2
Onion

Additional compliments, if desired: Shredded cheese, chopped onion, sour cream, macaroni elbow noodles

To create:
Cook the beef with some chopped onion. (Or skip the onion, if you must)
Season it (if you want to)
Throw the Chili Magic, Petite diced tomatoes and beef into a crock pot or sauce pot.
Add cooked elbow noodles and additional garnishes as desired.

You now have a meal for a small, but mighty crew for about $5.

It is truly magical.

Tip:
Last time I bought two pounds of beef, I cooked one up just for chili. I threw it in a zip-loc bag and froze it. Today, when I thought “Hmm, what’s for dinner?” I threw the Chili Magic, tomatoes and frozen cooked beef into the crock and set it on low. Mmm, THAT was easy!