Casserole/Baked Recipes

Turkey Pot Pie
I'm not very good at making pie shells, but my family and I love pot pies. So I came up with this recipe to make a good pot pie without all the fuss (and it tastes pretty yummy too!). This is also a good way to use up those Thanksgiving and Christmas leftovers.

2 c. cooked turkey, cubed (pennies if using leftovers)
1 can cream of chicken soup ($.60 on sale)
1 can Veg-all brand mixed veggies, drained ($.50)
1 can biscuits ($.50 on sale)

In a 2 quart casserole dish combine turkey, soup and veggies; mix well. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until heated through. Remove from oven. Place biscuits on top of casserole. Increase oven heat to 400 and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Total cost of this dish is around $2.00 for 6 servings. That averages out to about $.30 per serving.

Submitted by: Brandy, Columbia SC

Tamale Pie
This is a wonderful Mexican meal that I serve my family often. Chock full of ingredients that my family loves, its a bargain.

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef (.99 per lb.)
1 jar salsa (1.50)
1 can green chilies (.50)
2 c. pepper jack cheese (or any other cheese you like) (1.50)
2 boxes jiffy cornbread mix (.25 per box)
1 can refried beans (.50)
1 can whole kernel corn (drained) (.33)

In a bowl, prepare cornbread mix as package directs adding 1/2 can corn, set aside. In a skillet brown ground beef, drain. In a large bowl combine beef, salsa, chilies, remaining corn and 1 cup cheese. Spread refried beans in the bottom of a well greased 13 x 9 x 2in glass pan. Top with meat mixture and remaining cheese. Top with cornbread mix. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until heated through and cornbread topping is well cooked. Yield: approximately 8 servings. Total price per serving: $.73

Submitted by: Brandy White

Mother's Macaroni Bake
My mother used to make this casserole often when I was a child. Now I make it for my family and my two young boys love it. It's inexpensive and easy to make. Add a salad and some rolls and you have a hearty meal.

2 cups dry elbow macaroni, cooked and drained ($.99 for entire box, so at most $.50)
1 small onion, diced (pennies)
1 small green bell pepper, diced (free from my garden, or about $.35 from local Farmer's market)
1/2 stick of margarine (pennies)
1 can tomato soup ($.33 on sale)
2 slices of American cheese singles, cut in half diagonally (whole package of 16 singles, store brand, on sale for $.99, so pennies)
Grated parmesan cheese (optional, as topping)

Cook and drain macaroni, set aside. Sautee onions and peppers in margarine until tender. Add vegetables to macaroni and mix lightly. Stir in soup. Pour mixture into a lightly Pamed casserole dish and arrange cheese singles over top. Bake in 350 degree oven until heated through and cheese is melted (about 15 mintues). Sprinkle with parmesan cheese before serving. Serves 4. Approximate cost, $1.50 for the whole casserole.

Submitted by: Stephanie Martin

Bean & Beef Dish
This is a dish that my family absolutely loves.

Ingredients:

1# ground beef (1.68 per pound)
1 can beans with MOLASSES (about 1.19)
1 cup ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
2 small biscuit tubes ( I buy the ones that are 3 for 88 cents, they
contain 5 biscuits each)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese ( about 99 cents)

Brown ground beef. Drain and place in ungreased, round 1 1/2 qt casserole dish. Stir in beans, ketchup and brown sugar. Mix well. Take biscuits and cut in half so that one side is flat. Place in two rows around the casserole dish. ( LEAVE the middle open or the biscuits will not cook right). Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake at 350 until the biscuits are done. ( about 20 minutes)

This feeds my husband ( BIG appetite), myself, and three boys ages 7, 6 and 21 months and provides us with leftovers. (at least one lunch serving)

Submitted by: Anna Benneta

Grandma's Casserole
This is a casserole that my grandmother passed down to my mother who then passed it on to me. I have 2 very picky little girls who turn their nose up at most foods (it's the age you know) but eat this with no complaints. This recipe serves 6 and costs only $.39 per serving. Serve with green beans and you have a complete meal.

1lb. ground sausage (wal-mart brand @ $.99)
2 five oz. packs of saffron yellow rice (bella brand @ wal-mart is $.50 per pack)
1 pk. dry onion soup (wal-mart brand is $.77 per box of 2)
water

Brown sausage well and drain. In a 2qt. casserole dish combine rice, soup, and water according to both packs of rice (aprox. 3 cups). Stir well. Add sausage but do not stir. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until rice is tender. The sausage will all be on top of the dish, add some chopped green onions and this is a dish you can serve to guests.

Submitted by: Brandy White

Shepherd's Pie
1 lb ground turkey ($.85)
1 8 oz can tomato sauce ($.30)
1 or 2 cans drained green beans (up to $1.00)
2 or 3 cups mashed potatoes, from instant ($.30)

Brown turkey in a greased skillet, add tomato sauce and green beans, season to taste. Dump into 9" casserole dish. Drop spoonfuls of prepared mashed potatoes onto mixture. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned, about 25 minutes. This serves 4 very hungry people -- can be stretched by putting in larger dish and adding more mashed potatoes.

Submitted by: Leigh Carpenter

Easy Taco Casserole
1 # ground beef .88 on sale
1 can store brand mushroom soup .59
1 can store brand rotel tomatoes .50
1 store brand taco kit 1.00
1 block cheese, shredded .99 on sale

Brown ground beef and drain. Add mushroom soup, rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning and taco sauce from kit. Heat together. Take taco shells and heat according to package directions in oven. (Will not work if heated in microwave.) Crumble half of heated taco shells and line bottom of square pyrex dish. Add beef mixture, then crumble other half of shells over beef mixture. Layer shredded cheese over shells. Cover with foil and heat in oven for 25 - 30 minutes on 350 degrees. This makes six servings and each serving costs .66!!! This is very easy and my kids love it!!!

Submitted by: Kim Harveston

Enchilada Casserole
This is a tasty dish that I make often for my family. At only $1.12 per serving how can you lose.

1lb. ground beef (on sale $.99)
1 pack flour tortillas 10 count ($1.89)
1 large jar salsa ($2.29)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese ($1.50 on sale)
2 tsp. chili powder (pennies)
2 tsp. garlic salt (pennies)
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (pennies)
1/4 c. water

In a large skillet brown ground beef, drain well. Add spices and water, boil for about 5 min until water is almost completely absorbed. Add 1/2 jar salsa and 1 cup cheese to beef, mix well. Fill each tortilla with 2 tbs. of meat mixture rolling as you go. Place filled tortillas seam side down in a 9x13 glass baking pan. Top enchiladas with remaining salsa and cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 for 20-25 min. Serves 6 at $1.12/serving

Submitted by: Brandy White

Pôt de Chinois
Here is a family favorite that has been enjoyed for at least 5 generations! It is a quick and easy French-Canadian casserole that tastes even better the next day.Sauté 1 lb. of ground beef (sale price: . 99/lb.) along with 1 medium onion, chopped (sale price: 3 lbs/99 =.15)

Drain any fat, season with salt and pepper to taste (negligible) and place in the bottom of a casserole dish.

Boil 2 lbs. potatoes (sale price: 20/lb =.40) until tender. (If serving a larger crowd, cook more)

Drain and mash along with 2 Tbsp. margarine (Sale price: 19/lb. =.01),1/2 cup milk(mixed storebrand, reconstituted instant milk ($8.99 for the economy size box)along with storebrand whole milk@$2.69/gal)= .07), salt, pepper and onion powder to taste (=.05)

Spread mashed potatoes over the top of the ground beef mixture.

Top with 1-2 15 oz. cans of cream corn(sale price: .33/per can) (use 2 cans if serving more than 4 or if you want 2 nights worth)

If desired, top with small dots of margarine to help to make a golden crust. (about a tablespoon's worth=.005)

Bake @350 F for 30 minutes. Serves 4-6

For $2.00, I can easily serve a family with leftovers for the next day. Traditionally, this has been served with a coleslaw of shredded green cabbage(4 cups=.20), a chopped, red apple (.15), 1/2 cup raisins (.15), tossed along with a few tablespoons of mayonnaise (.10)

It just wouldn't be the same without the coleslaw. This can be even cheaper if using garden produce, more vegetables and less meat. Depending on time and prices, instant potatoes may work out better for you.

Submitted by: Carol Coderre-Marx

Comment by a reader:

I just can't help but comment on this recipe. Being a French-Canadian from Montréal, Québec, it really made me chuckle! Although I'm sure that it tastes very good as is, please let me just mention the following. It is called Pâté chinois, not Pôt de Chinois. Pôt de chinois means a chinese pot and not pâté. But that is just the title... The traditional order in which the ingredients are put in the pan is essential to the enjoyment of this time-tested recipe. First the meat, then the creamed corn, and then lastly, the potatoes. By putting little dollops of butter and sprinkle paprika on the potatoes, you get a lovely golden crust. And that, Miserly Moms, is the right way to make pâté chinois. Doing it upside down is a little bit like putting the cherry under the sundae !

In any case, I really enjoy Miserly Moms and get wonderful tips from your website. It helps me not lose sight of how, as a single mom with two teenage boys (My gosh, do they all eat that much ??!!!), I need to do things in order to stay afloat.

Have a great weekend!!
Isabelle, Mtl, Québec

Italian Mac Recipe
Very inexpensive, makes a large batch, freezes well and takes hardly any time to make! For my family of 3 we eat one meal, leftover lunch for husband, and still have half a pan to freeze for another meal!

2 boxes Mac & Cheese (store brand [email protected])
1lb hamburger (on sale @ .89/lb)
1 small onion diced (unsure of price)
1/2 green pepper diced (unsure of price)
1 16oz can spaghetti sauce (store brand meat flavor @ .89)
1 package (2 cups) mozzarella ( store brand 1.50 on sale)

Make mac&cheese according to package directions. Brown hamburger, onion, and pepper. Drain and add spaghetti sauce. In a 9x13 baking dish layer hamburger mixture, then mac &cheese, then mozzarella. (I use a 1 cup measuring cup and spread it out evenly). End layers with a cheese layer. Everything is already cooked
so bake at 350 until cheese is as melted or browned as your family prefers. Serve with Salad (or we do green beans). Approx - $5.00 for entire pan.

Submitted by: Kim Bailey

Tuna Slop
This recipe is so fast, easy and cheap. I've been making it since I was 15. My family has affectionately titled it "Tuna Slop."

1 can Tuna Fish (0.89)
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup ($1.00)
Milk (1soup can full) (pennies)
1 package wide egg noodles ($1.00)
1/4 lb. cheese (any kind works) (0.50)
Soy Sauce approx. 5-6 dashes (to taste) (pennies)
Salt & Pepper to taste

While the water is coming to a boil for the noodles, I combine all of the other ingredients (except the cheese) in another saucepan and start heating that through. By then, it's time to add the noodles to the water. While the noodles are cooking, I cut up whatever cheese I have in the fridge into chunks and add to the tuna mixture. Drain the noodles when done, combine with the tuna mixture and serve.

Submitted by: Sandy Miller

Sausage Rice Casserole
I serve this as a meal sometimes I might serve it with another vegetable.

1 lb sausage - on sale .99
8 oz sour cream -- use fat free to help cut down the fat - 1.19
1 can cream of mushroom soup - .49
1 can of corn -- .39
2 cups of rice (raw) -- 1.00 (if that much)
water
(I buy in bulk and at discount grocery stores)

Brown sausage and drain well. Drain and save liquid from corn. Using the liquid from the corn and adding water to make 4.25 cups cook the rice. Mix all ingredients into casserole dish; cover; heat at 350 for 15 minutes or until heated through out.

Makes about 6-8 serving at the low cost of .68-.51 each.

Submitted by: Lori Brandt

Easy Lasagna Recipe
This is a simple, delicious, and less expensive way to make lasagna. My family likes it better than "real" lasagna. Total cost $7.00 for at least 9 servings. Leftovers reheat very well. You can substitute low fat ingredients with good results, too.

12 oz. bag egg noodles (.49)
1 lb. ground beef (about $2.00 on sale for extra lean)
1 - 28 oz. jar spaghetti sauce ($1.29)
24 oz. cottage cheese ($1.59)
16 oz. sour cream (.99)
4 oz. shredded mozzarella (.64 on sale)

Brown ground beef and drain if necessary. Cook egg noodles until just done; drain. Mix noodles, cottage cheese, sour cream and ground beef. In a 9 x 13 pan, spread a layer of spaghetti sauce. Spread a layer of beef/noodle mixture.

Alternate until all ingredients are used, ending with sauce layer. Top with shredded cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350 until heated through, about 45 min. to 1 hr. I usually uncover the last 10 minutes.

Submitted by: Melanie Ditzel

Tater Tot Casserole
1 pound hamburger meat
1 bag tater tots ( 16 oz)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can of milk

Brown the hamburger in a skillet. I normally put my tater tots in theoven and begin letting them brown, I use a baking pan for this. When my hamburger is done I drain off the excess grease. When the meat has drained, I then sprinkle it over the tater tots. I then mix my can of cream of mushroom soup and a can of milk. I pour this over the tater tots and hamburger. I put the pan in the oven at 350 for 20 minutes. I serve it with homemade biscuits or a salad.

I have found a cheap grocery store that sells off brand items (Sav-a-lot). I can buy basic soups for 39cents. The soups actually remind me of Campbells. I buy tater tots for 99 cents. And I normally skimp on the pound of hamburger meat which averages $1 a pound. We don't use a lot of milk in my household so this is a good way to avoid throwing it out. I figure about 30 cents worth of milk. The dish isn't costing more than $2.75.

Submitted by: Carol


Frugal Lasagna
8 lasagna noodles
1lb of hamburger
1 can spaghetti sauce
1 packages of Mexican cheese
1 10 oz cottage cheese

Box of Lasagna noodles cost .96$ and I usually get 2 or 3 lasagna's out of them. So I figure let than .50$ in noodles. 5 lbs. of hamburger at our grocery is about 5.00$ so $1 dollar for hamburger. Spaghetti Sauce is $1. Mexican Cheese at our grocery is 1.79. Sometimes you can catch it on sale and is it buy one get one free. And cottage cheese is .69$. So total for this dish is for under $5. And I feed 7 or more people with this dish and still have leftovers for days for lunch. Not to mention my kids love inviting their friends over to dinner because this is one of their favorite dishes.

Brown meat, add spaghetti sauce. Lay 4 (uncooked) noodles in bottom of glass casserole dish. Layer one layer of spaghetti sauce, meat mixture using 1/2. Then 1/2 package of Mexican cheese. Top with half of container of cottage cheese. Add second layer of uncooked noodles. Layer of spaghetti sauce, meat mixture (using last of mixture). Remainder of Mexican cheese and cottage cheese. Top with aluminum foil. Cook at 350 for 1 hour when you remove foil do so carefully some of cheese will be stuck. Allow to cool about 10 minutes and serve is good with garlic bread but not necessary.

I have 5 kids and 2 adults in my household. I have to find ways to make our grocery dollars stretch. Last month I spent 122.00 for the month at the grocery store. This is a normal grocery bill for us.

Submitted by: TPZDEER

Taco Casserole
This is a taco casserole my mom makes - very filling and very good

1lb ground beef
1 large can refried beans
1 pkg. taco seasoning
cheese (about 1 cup depending on tasted)
2 pkg. corn bread mix

Toppings - lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream (pretty much whatever is on sale)

Make corn bread batter according to pkg. directions.Brown ground beef; drain fat. In 9 x 13 pan spread the beans along the bottom; then layer the ground beef and the cheese pour corn bread batter over the top. Bake at 425 for about 10 - 15 minutes (until cornbread is done) yummy! It will easily feed 4-6 people and costs around $5 depending on sales

Submitted by: Megan at [email protected]

Hamburger Rice Casserole
1/2 to 1 lb. Hamburger
1/2 Chopped Onion
2 Cups Cooked Rice
1 Can Condensed Tomato Soup
1 Small Can Tomato Sauce
A Few Dashes of Worcestershire Sauce
Seasoning Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder
Shredded Cheese (optional)

Brown hamburger with onion and seasonings (drain). Add to rice and tomato soup and sauce. Cover and bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Add shredded cheese and bake 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted.

Submitted by: Julia

Fiesta casserole
This is a big family favorite and easy to prepare. I use a 13x9 inch casserole dish. It's under 5.00 to make and virtually free if you use up leftovers instead of starting from scratch.

4 cups cooked rice
2 cups cooked pinto beans-including a small amount of the liquid
2 bunches diced green onions
1 diced tomato
1 can of kernel corn
1 batch of biscuit or cornbread batter (or sprinkle some cheese on top)

Layer in order given, adding any seasonings you like. Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes. Serve with salsa and sour cream.

Submitted by: Lisa


Baked Omelet Casserole
When it comes to dinner my husband is a die hard meat and potatoes man. I on the other hand like breakfast for dinner or a vegetarian meal once in a while. This meal is inexpensive and even he will eat it. It is also extremely versatile so I can whip it up with whatever I have on hand in the fridge or ripe in the garden most times. I hope you like it as well as we do. Serves 4 @ .43 per servings

8 pieces of bread from the Day old Bread Store, crust cut off and diced into 1 1/2"-2" cubes .15
8 eggs .60
1 cup of milk .25
2 cups of diced assorted omelet type fixings you have handy in your fridge. .75

Here is a list of fixings I've used:
Mushrooms
Cheese
Onions
Pepper
Deli meats
Left over ham, bacon or sausage
Asparagus
Broccoli
Sliced tomato

2 tablespoons seasoning salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9" casserole dish. Place bread cubes in the casserole dish. Beat milk into eggs, toss in omelet fixings and pour over bread cubes. Using your hand mix all ingredients together. Bake 30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Best served with a tossed salad or sliced fresh fruit.

Taco Tater Tot Casserole
1 lb. ground beef- $1 (only buy when on sale for $1/ lb. or less)
1 pkg taco seasoning--33 cents
1/4 cup water-free
1/2 medium onion diced-- about 8 cents
1 can whole kernel corn, drained- 33 cents
1 jar salsa con queso $2.99-at BI-Lo (but I usually get them 50 cents a jar at our grocery outlet)
1/2 package (1 lb) tater tots 60 cents ($1.19/ 2 lb package)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground beef and onion together in skillet. Drain. Add taco seasoning and water and simmer according to package directions. In a 13x9 casserole dish spread taco meat on bottom of pan. Layer the corn on top of it. Then place tater tots in a single layer on top of corn. Spread the salsa con queso on top of everything. Cook in preheated oven for about one hour. We usually spread sour cream to taste on each serving. At 99 cents for a large container that adds about 30 to 40 cents to the total cost.

Normally I pay $3.29 for the whole dish--$5.78 if I have to buy full price salsa, but that's still a bargain.
This feeds my family of 6 with seconds for my husband and leftovers for my husband's lunch the next day.


Pasta Bake (serves 6 generously)
One 16 oz bag chunky dry pasta (rigatoni, penne, etc). ($.50-1.00)
One 28 oz jar pasta sauce of your choice (sale, typically $1.00-1.50)
Water
1/2 lb package Brown and Serve sausage, crumbled by hand ($1.25 on sale)
2 cups shredded mozzarella (whole milk works best) ($1.00)

In a 13 x 9 inch baking pan mix the pasta, sauce, one sauce jar full of water and the sausage.
Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake in a 425 degree oven for 30 minutes. Stir well, recover
and bake 10 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with cheese and bake until cheese melts.

Great for getting rid of assorted leftovers. You can add whatever you like to this and it works
great.

Submitted by: Lucinda


Sausage and Cheese Casserole
This is a family favorite and I get asked for it over and over. It is easy and you can make it so cheap

1lb. Breakfast sausage ( walmart sells their brand for .88 cents or watch for sales...i usually pay no more than 1.59 for jimmy dean when on sale)
12 ozs. Of macaroni...My family likes this with shell shape or spiral macaroni but you can use any kind. (dollar general sells elbow
macaroni and the spiral..$1.00 for 2 1lb. Bags
1 can cheddar cheese soup (campbell's is .99 cents to 1.09 depending on where you shop)
1/2 soup can of milk (price depends on if you use dry instant milk or the regular. I use regular...so about .25)
1/8 tsp black pepper or to taste (we like a little more pepper..cents on price)
1/4 tsp. Dry ground mustard (same here..I use a tiny bit more...cents on price...dollar general sells their spices 2 for $1.00)
1 medium onion, chopped (cost about ..40 cents)
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper or whatever color you have (green bell pepper will cost you about .30 in this red, yellow or orange bell pepper will cost you more...about .75 cents)
1/2-3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese (depending on how much you like cheese walmart brand will cost you .50 -.75 cents if already grated..grate your own and cut the price more)

Cook noodles according to package directions and drain. Crumble sausage and cook in frying pan until done...drain off grease.. You want it to be like crumbled hamburger meat. In large bowl, dump hot noodles, soup, spices, milk, onion, peppers and cooked sausage. Mix together well and then add your grated cheese. Put into a casserole dish and cook uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes, depending on how brown you want the top to be. this will serve 4-6 very generous servings. Enjoy!

Submitted by: True, pottsboro, texas


Tuna Casserole
This casserole is very tasty and very frugal. I couldn't believe how good
it turned out to be and easy to prepare when you have nothing else on hand.
You can add any leftover veggies you have on hand to stretch a little
further.

1 regular can of tuna (approximately .75 cents)
1 can of mixed vegetables (.34 cents at United Dollar)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (.50 at United Dollar)
½ bag of egg noodles ($1.00 at United Dollar)
chopped onion to your liking and 2 gloves minced garlic (pennies)
Parmesan cheese (pennies)

I started by boiling ½ bag of egg noodles per directions and drained. In
saucepan, I sautéed chopped onion and garlic, then added all other
ingredients except Parmesan cheese and heated through. When noodles are
finished, fold all ingredients into casserole dish and sprinkle with
Parmesan cheese at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Very tasty and only
around .45 per serving for six servings.

Submitted by: Marylea


Easy Chicken Casserole
3-4 cups cooked chicken (whole chicken 5.80)
2 cans generic brand whole kernel corn (.66)
1 can generic brand cream of chicken soup (.50)
1/3 cup chicken broth (free)
1 small container generic brand sour cream (.89)
1 sleeve ritz crackers (.75 3.00 per box, 4 sleeves per box -- Using regular saltine crackers would lessen cost even further but the buttery taste of ritz really makes this dish in my opinion)
2 Tbsp. generic brand butter or margarine (.10)

Cut and boil chicken until cooked through. Dice chicken to make 3-4 cups. Place in 9 in casserole dish. Drain corn and pour over chicken. Mix soup, sour cream and 1/3 cup chicken broth (from when you boiled the chicken) in small sauce pan and heat through stirring constantly (be careful, this mixture will splatter considerably when it begins to heat up). Pour soup mixture over corn. Crumble 1 sleeve Ritz crackers over soup mixture. Pour 1 tbsp. melted butter over Ritz crackers. Sprinkle with pepper (no extra salt needed). Bake in oven at 400 for 15 - 20 minutes or until crackers are brown and soup is bubbly around the sides of the dish. This is my husband's favorite meal. Feeds my family of 4 for dinner and we always have leftovers for lunch the next day. Total cost is $8.70 or $2.20 per person for dinner and lunch. I use any leftover chicken for chicken salad or chicken burritos.

Submitted by: Lori, Warrior, Alabama


Chicken Enchilada Bake
This recipe is a favorite of my family. You can whip it up in a snap, and it feeds 6 people or more. Leftovers thrown into the oven the next day taste awesome. Cheap recipe with lots of flavor!!

1 onion chopped (pennies)
1/4 c margarine (.10 cents or less)
4 c shredded cooked chicken (great to use chicken thighs if you don't mind dark meat). ($2.00) (about a pound of chicken)
1 cup hot water
1 chicken bouillion cube (pennies)
1 can cream of chicken soup (.50 cents)
1 can chili beans ($1.00)
1 can corn (.50 cents)
1 small can chopped tomatoes (.50)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
1-2 cups grated cheese (I usually use mexican cheese) ($1.50)
5 flour tortillas (.50 cents) (tear into pieces)
TOTAL COST : $6.60

Saute onion in butter until onions are softened. Add chicken (Generally I cook the chicken with the onions). Dissolve boullion cube in hot water, add to chicken. Add cream of chicken soup, beans, pepper and chili powder. Stir to combine. In a 13x9 inch pan, place a layer of torn tortillas to cover bottom of baking dish. Add a layer of chicken mixture and cover with half of the cheese. Add another layer of torn tortillas. Follow with another layer of chicken. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.


Easy Mexican Casserole
I have a large family and am always finding ways to use less meat which is expensive, without taking away from nutrition. I always use store brand.

1lb ground beef or chicken $2.50
1 jar salsa $1.29
1 onion chopped .05
1 bag plain tortilla chips (or another 1/2 bag for more of a quantity) $.99
1 16oz container sour cream $.99
2 cans chicken broth $.59 each
handful of flour
2-4 cups shredded cheddar cheese $2.50
mexican seasonings like cumin, chili powder, coriander powder, garlic powder (or buy a packet of taco spice mix $.59) ( I never buy spice mixes, as they are a waist of money and not natural. Buy spices and you can always use them and mix them yourself!
This makes a huge casserole large enough for 2 meals easily

Brown the ground beef
Add in your spices, as much as you like
In a seperate bowl, put chicken broth and flour and mix and pur into ground beef and simmer for about 10 minutes. This will take away the flour taste and also thicken the mixture a bit. Turn off and add the sourcream. stir until melted.
Take a large casserole dish, the largest that you have.
Crush all your chips and put a layer on the bottom of the dish. spoon some groundbeef mixture, sprinkle some chopped onion and cheese and spoon on blobs of salsa. Layer until finished and top with cheese, onions and salsa. Bake at 350 until cheese is melted. approx. 30 minutes


Tortilla Chili Bake
1 can chili beans (less than $.40 in WI)
¼ cup cheese – cheddar, jack, Mexican cheese - whatever your family likes
1 onion – a few pennies
6 corn tortilla shells
chili spices/ salt/pepper to taste
1 can tomatoes or use fresh from the graden

Brown onion in pan. Add tomatoes and cook together for a few minutes
Still in spices a little at a time until it reaches your families taste
Add can of chili beans
Cook over stove on low heat for about 5-10 minutes
Layer tortillas 2-3 in bottom of a baking pan, cover with chili bean mix and alternate with tortillas like a lasagna.
Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 350 20-30 minutes.

I usually make this the night before and pop it in the oven the next night. It costs me less than $1.50 to make this recipe and it can be stretched easily with extra veggies or ground turkey ($.50 lb when purchased in a tube).

Tastes great w/ corn muffins and a salad

Submitted by: Aleisha

Back to Recipe List