Tacos

You may or may not remember, that tacos was on our menu plan this week. Actually, tacos or something similar is on our menu plan most weeks. Is it because I find tacos to be a delicacy?

No, quite the opposite.

We eat them because:
1. My kids love adore tacos.
2. It is easy. Very easy.
3. It is quick. Very quick.
4. I can stretch the meat far. Very far.

Gone are the days where one pound of meat feeds our family. Last spring, I was starting to need almost 2 pounds of meat for our family when we made tacos. I am sure that number will go quite higher as the boys grow.

So, I decided to get creative to stretch our meat and decrease the cost.

When making tacos:

• I use only 1 1/4 pound to 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef. Obviously, if your family is smaller than mine you can decrease this amount. If 1 pound usually satisfies your crew, trying using only 3/4 pound of beef next time.
• I add beans. (typically I use pinto or black). You can add a can or I use 1-2 cups dried beans (dried beans are MUCH cheaper, healthier and they are easy to make. Again a future post:)
• I add rice. I throw in some brown rice. Again, cheap and healthy.
• I add corn. I throw in a cup or 2 of frozen corn.
• I often only use a 1/2 package of taco seasoning. Aldi has taco seasoning for only $.35 so even using a whole package is not too bad for cost. If you want more flavor, throw in some salsa with the meat. Or I make my own taco seasoning. Again, very easy and cheap. And once again a future post:).
• Cilantro. You have to throw in cilantro. It isn't really that cheap, but it is super yummy.

I do make the tacos slightly different each time. This week I just used a taco pack, 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef , pinto beans and corn because that is what I had ready to go.

One thing that stays the same each time, my family eats them all up.