One of our quick easy favorites on a busy night is:

one pound lean hamburger
1 medium onion - chopped up
1 package of frozen vegetables
1 package mashed potatoes

Brown the meat with the onions, cook the vegies as instructed
mix together in a bowl, and serve over mashed potatoes.

I never have any leftovers from this!

My mom used to fall back on those as well? One creative solution to high meat prices and a big family? She used to mix white rice in with the ground beef (about half and half) and would then just double the seasoning. It made the meal go a lot farther and did little to the taste. We never complained!

I like to make what I call chilli potatoes.  Make a "baked" potatoe for each person in the microwave and then top with your favorite canned chilli (that has been heated up already), shreded cheese, sour cream and sliced green onions.  I love them.

I couldn't agree more. Raised old-fashioned with 5 sisters and 6 brothers breakfast was always served but it was special at dinner time.  Great idea and with a whole isle of boxed-healthy-cereal now to choose from ,  once a week in my house is great on you and your budget. We don't need meat and potatoes every night for dinner and I think people sleep better when their not so full.

Any cooked ground,  cubed,  or shredded fully cooked meat is a must when on a budget.  Brown meat when 3/4 cooked add your spices  [  mexican, italian, indian, asian, russian,  german,  etc]  then water and tapitio hot sauce or soy sauce or chicken stock  or worcestershire sauce or barbeque sauce [the options are there].  [go with your theme] then add your vegetables,  rice,  potatoes,  or whatever you want.  The point is to add a starch and enough liquid to make a gravy or sauce then pour over noodles,  rice,  or make thick and roll up in tortillas tightly then fry in a little oil and make chimichangas,  the dish is endless just depends on what theme you want.  Note:  if using shredded meat cook in crock pot the night before and its a snap to prepare.  You don't need all the expensive condiments that are filled with sodium to prepare great dishes.

It's getting even harder now with today's prices.  I grew up on "Picadillo".  It's a  combination of ground beef,onions,potatoes,canned tomato sauce and water, also salt,galic powder added to meat for flavor and a couple of bay leaves for rounding it all out.  We ate it with spanish rice and beans. The good thing is now when I'm feeding my family I take what ever is left over the next day (drain out the liquid)and make tacos. That way I can serve the family something "new",instead of left overs the next day. Maybe sneeky but it works well for everyone including our budget.

shepherd pie made right in the casserole dish w/ ground beef then add graded onion, carrots , celery a little garlic , and one package brown gravy mix. can corn grated cheese and top w/ instant potatoes..takes about 20 min to bake.

I am a mother of four very picky eaters. So when I am cooking a meal for my brood that is quick, easy and doesn't cost much I break out the hillbilly tuna helper. I used to make it all the time when I was the neighborhood babysitter (when I was younger) and they could not get enough of it. It is very simple. There are only three ingredients to the recipe. Take one box of macaroni and cheese and prepare as suggested. Take one regular can of tuna-drained,  and add to the macaroni and cheese. Then you need to add about one to one and a half cups of mayo and stir until well blended. You can add as much mayo as you feel it needs to get the desired taste. Then I usually serve with salad. The kids and my husband luv it and it only costs about two dollars to make.

That is sort of what we do.  We call it "hamburger casserole".  Take 1 pound of ground beef, cook and drain, add to Kraft's Deluxe mac and cheese along with a can of tomato sauce and a can of whole kernal corn (drained)....salt and pepper.  Bake in oven for approx.. 20-30 minutes (long enough to pull it together).  Serve with a fresh salad.  Makes great leftovers as well.   

I usally use 1/2 Jalapeno Pepper,1 can corn,1 onion,chadder cheese,mexican cheese blend

Try this one and let me know what you think.

2 large boxes of chicken rice o ronieI

1 large can of cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup

2 large can of chicken or you can use real chicken ( boiled and deboned)

1 can of mushrooms

Just cook and mix all together, sorry about the spelling. My e-mail is **********************. I am looking for a easy meatloaf recipe.

I use 2 boxes of Oriental riceroni with almonds and add 1 large can of chicken or approximately 1 lb. cooked hamburger plus some halved black olives,  sliced water chestnuts,  and green onions.  It turns out great, but stir it for it has a tendency to stick to the skillet. If anyone figures out why or how to fix that, please tell me.

I have also came up with a quick, cheap, and filling meal for a group. I get these packages of chicken at walmart for around three bucks for five or six chicken breasts. I get a large piece of aluminum foil, lay it out line up the chicken breasts then put whatever seasonings you like. I prefer some minced onions, oregano, garlic powder, and pepper. Then you fold over the foil and make a sort of pocket with the chicken inside. Put it in the oven at 375 and then get out a box of a pasta of your choice. Those usually will run you about a buck fifty. Boil the pasta and then take out whatever kind of veggie you like. I use tomatoes and chilis. You can get a can of tomatoes and chilis for about a dollar or so for two cans. Mix pasta and veggies with a bit of salt, pepper, and butter take out chicken and serve!! It's delicious and cheap. It will cost you at a maximum ten bucks! And you can add the pilsbury biscuits with some butter or you could just use regular bread. I hope this helps!!