Using What You Have Meals: Tomato Vegetable Soup and Taco Casserole

Recently, we have taken to using what we have when cooking. Last night and tonight's meals are two examples.

Taco Casserole (pictured above)
1 lb Meat
1/2 an onion
Frozen Corn
Can of Black Bean Soup (about to expire)
Can of Tomato Paste
Water
Seasonings (chili seasoning, garlic powder)
Corn chips
Cheddar Cheese

Brown onion and meat. And frozen corn (to stretch meat). Add can of black bean soup. Add 1/2 can of tomato paste (and stir in as much water as needed to thin). Add seasonings.

Crush corn chips on top. Spread shredded cheese on top and cover till cheese melts. We only added a little cheese because of the girls and their intolerance. (Pictured is the meal in my cast iron - LOVE my cast iron. It is uncovered for the picture and because the cheese has melted). Serve with rice and refried beans.

Tomato Vegetable Soup
Bottle of Organic V-8 I had bought months ago
Frozen veggies
Butter

Use V-8 as base for the soup. Add frozen veggies. Cook till veggies cooked. Add pats of butter in individual servings if desired. This was REALLY good and had my daughters asking for thirds!