Living on a tight budget allows for creative dishes.  Experimenting one day, I found a family favorite that only took about an hour to prepare.  The kids will love it. 

2 lbs of ground beef

2 Boxes of Augratin Potatoes

2 pkg of Taco Seasoning

1/2 c of chopped onion

1 can of Kidney Beans drained

2 c of shredded cheese

2 c of crushed taco chips

Any other taco topping you like on tacos–lettuce, sour cream, tomato, taco sauce

Brown and drain the ground beef.  In a greased 4 qt dish, prepare the boxed potatoes, add the beef, onions, taco seasoning, and beans.  Mix well. Bake according to potato directions. Once the dish is baked, add the cheese and crushed taco chips to the top.  Serve with Spanish rice or eat alone.  Make sure to add other taco toppings.  

If you do not want to heat the house up with the oven, throw the ingredients into the crock pot for 4-6 hours.  Make sure to brown the meat first.

Enjoy