When we were growing up, my Mother used to make this home-style supper for our family of 6. It was a quick and easy way for her to fill us all up. I continue to make this for my own family on occasion.
I made this just a few days ago, and to start will share my shopping list of ingredients…
The recipe consists of THREE main ingredients –
5 pounds of potatoes – $1.99 (on sale)
2 pounds ground burger – $1.49 per pound (on sale) = $2.98
2 – 10 oz cans of Campbell’s Vegetable soup – $1.49 each (regular price) = $2.98
Items we already had at home –
1/2 stick of margarine .15 cents
1/2 cup of Milk .09 cents
1/4 loaf of white bread .32 cents.
Salt and Pepper (as desired)
Directions
- Peel and cut up the potatoes. Boil in water for 25 – 30 minutes. Drain, then mash. Add Milk, Butter and Salt to taste.
- Fry the burger until browned. Then add both cans of vegetable soup (no need to add water). Let this simmer, stirring every so often, for about 10 – 15 minutes.
Serving
On each plate, put 1 -2 large scoops of potatoes, then top with the burger mixture. Serve with one or two slices of bread.
This meal provided generous portions to a family of five, including 3 hungry teenagers, with enough leftovers for seconds!
Total cost of this dinner – $8.51
NOTES
The Milk cost $2.89 for a gallon. ( 1 Gallon is equal to 16 cups, making the cost of one cup .18 cents.) Since I used 1/2 cup of milk in the recipe, the cost was .09 cents.
One package of margarine contains 4 sticks. The entire package cost $1.19, making the cost of one stick .30 cents. Since I used 1/2 a stick, the cost was .15 cents.
I paid $1.29 for a loaf of store brand white bread. 1/4 a loaf cost me .32 cents.
Mrs. White is a wife and homemaker living in an old 1800′s Colonial house in rural Vermont. She has five home-schooled children, ages 13, 15, 17, 21 and 22. She has been happily married for almost a quarter of a century. Her blog, The Legacy of Home, is designed to encourage housewives, build strong family relationships, and inspire readers to old-time, godly living. Mrs. White can also be found on Twitter.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I fix something similar, but put cheese on top then add a can of bisquits(instead of bread) and put in oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.It’s called shepard’s pie by some people…
Rhonda, that sounds great! I’ll have to try that next time!
Blessings
Mrs. White
Sounds delicious but I don’t use margarine (trans fat) or canned soup (sodium and preservatives) in my cooking.
Genessa, that’s a good thing to mention!! Alternatives can be used of course, like cooking fresh vegetables in their own broth, rather than canned soup. Potatoes can also be served without the margarine.
Blessings
Mrs. white
erin, could you put a “print this post” button on this? its so much easier than copy/pasting it.
thanks!
Brings back memories from my childhood! Mom would fix this dish quite often.
When I was a kid we made something similiar called Dressing, Take mashed potatoes, ground beef and stewed tomatoes in that order. Very filling meal and cheap. Thanks for the recipe.
Mrs. White – this is blessedly simple and hearty! Thank you for such a great ‘fill you up’ sort of meal
This meal sounds easy to prepare and very filling. There are six of us at home, and it can get boring just preparing the same lentil soup for winter nights. I’ll be giving this a try!
Thank you for this family favourite, Mrs. White!