Every frugal cook needs a list of cheap meals. Some of my family’s favorites are Mexican dishes. There are a lot of Mexican meals you can make for only a few dollars such as those listed below.
Enchilada-Style Burritos
Give regular burritos some flavor by cooking them like enchiladas. Fill flour tortillas with whatever you like in a burrito: beans, ground beef, cheese, green chiles, etc. Roll up tightly and place close together in a casserole dish. Cover burritos with enchilada sauce and grated cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-20 minutes, or until filling is hot. Serve topped with sour cream.
Note: If you heat the beans or meat up ahead of time, this meal takes even less time.
Tostadas
Being from Arizona, it took me most of my life to realize that a lot of people don’t know what tostadas are, unless they’ve gotten one at Taco Bell. A tostada is simply a fried, flat, corn tortilla shell topped with a layer of refried beans and cheese. Other toppings can include salsa, tomatoes, lettuce, or sour cream. All of these ingredients are inexpensive.
To make, fry corn tortillas on both sides in 1-2 inches of hot oil, until crispy. Drain on paper towels. Lay tostada shells individually on a cookie sheet. Spread refried beans to cover and top with grated cheese. Broil for 2-5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and serve with toppings described above.
Tacos
Everyone knows how to make tacos, but did you realize that they can be a really inexpensive meal? Buy the ground beef when it is on sale, and season it with your own spices: chile powder, cumin, garlic, salt, and oregano. In addition, fry your own taco shells. Drop corn tortilla into 1-2 inches of hot oil for a few of seconds, or until edges just start to get firm. Then use tongs to fold and shape the tortilla in half until crispy. Drain upside-down on paper towels. Top taco shells with meat, grated cheese, salsa, lettuce, sour cream, and tomatoes.