Taco Soup

Cook together then drain the following:

1 lb hamburger (or beans) ($.50)
1 small onion, chopped ($.50)

Add:

2 1/2 cups mild salsa (even Mango Salsa is good - I just tried it!) (free, but can be $1.50)
1 large can tomatoes (free, but can be $1)
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans (undrained) ($.50)
1 can niblets corn (undrained) (free, but can be $.50)
1/2 tsp chili powder ($.01)
1/2 tsp garlic salt ($.01)
1 TBSP taco seasoning ($.10)

Mix all together and heat through.

Serve with grated cheddar cheese sprinkled on top, sour cream, and corn chips (sliced olives, optional)

MEATLESS VERSION:

I substitute beans for the hamburger - I've used black, kidney, pinto, garbanzo, and many white beans - they are all great. Cook it with the onion and then add the rest (including more beans - the more the merrier)

**Another substitution: I ran out of canned corn but have an ample supply of zucchini and squash, so I just added some chopped yellow squash and nobody complained at all, especially when they could douse all the food in cheese and sour cream.

TOTAL COST: $1.62 8/31/10, but up to $4.62 or even $6 with meat