I shared in my last recipe hub how eating on a budget is a must for my family, and how eating quickly is also essential. in fact, as I sit here typing, my spouse is frantically trying to get dinner done in time to get our family to dance and hockey.

It is manditory that my family eat dinner together, but if dinner takes too long, we lose our kids to the world. If dining together is a priority to you, here are some more recipies that can help you out.

Check back often for more recipes. My next hub will feature side dishes, and the following one will feature desserts.

Here are the recipes:

Mexi‘Tot Casserole

• 1 lb. ground beef- (1.99)
• 1 packet of taco seasoning (.33)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 medium onion diced (.10)
• 1 can whole kernel corn, drained (.79)
• 1 jar salsa con queso (1.99) -or- 1 cup of salsa and 2 oz of processed cheese (1.99)
• 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 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.

Cowpoke Chile

The cowpoke isn’t necessary; it just makes the kids like it more =)

• 1 lb. hamburger (1.99)
• 1 1/2 picante sause (1.00)
• 1 can of kidney beans (.79)
• 1 can of black beans (.79)

Brown hamburger, drain. Add green chilies and beans all with their canned juices. Heat through. Serve with tortillas, or our favorite Jiffy's Cornbread Mix (0.33). If you like spice, throw on some Red Hot hot sauce or whatever you like. Lots of protein, and sweet enough for the kids to enjoy!

Swedish Meat Balls

• 1 pound of hamburger (1.99)
• 1 medium onion (.49)
• 4 pieces of toast (make into bread crumbs) (.05)
• 1 egg (.10)
• 1 tsp of old bay (or Italian) seasoning
• 1 can of cream of mushroom soup {.59}
• 2 cans of water (soup can filled with water)
• 1 cup of milk (.30

Mix hamburger with egg, seasoning, and bread crumbs. Make into meatballs. Just like you would for spaghetti. Fry them in a skillet until brown on all sides. While meatballs are cooking get a cooker and add mushroom soup, water, and milk and let it come to a boil. Wants it starts to boil put it down to a simmer. Put in meatballs and all drippings from pan. Let it simmer for about 45 min. It is really good and very low cost.