Mama's Bean & Bacon Chili Bake ($1.27 per serving)

There's an epic combination out there that is hard not to love. When put together in a dish they provide a hearty rib-sticking meal that makes you feel all warm and bloated inside - in the best possible way. I'm referring to the 3 B's... Beans, Beef and BACON! There are many flavors you can use to bring each one of these 3 ingredients together in perfect harmony. This one is my favorite way. It's a little tangy and a little smokey, a little sweet and a little savory. The flavors are just plain awesome. It's definitely a more expensive recipe if you go out and purchase all of the ingredients specifically for this recipe. It's frugal to me because it includes items that I almost always have on hand on any given day. This recipe is definitely like a chili so if you'd rather just let it simmer on the stovetop rather than bake it in the oven then that'd probably work out okay! If you don't like the tanginess effect of the cider vinegar you could leave this out as well.

You'll need:

1 1/2 lbs ground beef (approx. $4.48)
1 tbsp onion powder ($.08)
1 tsp salt (negligible)
2 cans pork & beans ($1 on sale)
1 can Rotel (Mild, Regular or Hot... I like Mild for our family), drained ($.98)
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, drained ($.63)
9 oz of your favorite BBQ sauce (about half of a standard bottle) ($.50 on sale)
1/2 cup ketchup ($.15)
4 Tbsp brown sugar ($.25)
2 Tbsp mustard ($.05)
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce ($.05)
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar ($.03)
12 oz package of bacon ($1.99 on sale)

Brown the ground beef with onion powder and salt, In a separate pan cook the bacon then set aside. Drain off fat from the ground beef but then add back in about 2 Tbsp of the bacon grease. This sounds counterintuitive but it adds a yumminess factor! Once the beef is browned all all remaining ingredients, except for the bacon, and simmer for 10 minutes covered.
Pour all into a greased (why not use bacon grease?!) 9x13 baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes covered and then another 10 minutes or so. Let it sit about 5 or 10 minutes before eating because it will be super duper hot.
Serve with cornbread or put it on top of some cornbread waffles! Makes 8 servings for $10.19!

Cornbread waffles you say? Why yes, they are a fantastic pairing! I go simple and use a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix. Add 2 Tbsp melted shortening, 1 egg and 1/2 cup milk and cook on a waffle iron! One box makes about 2 big 'ol belgian waffle size waffles which works well for a family of four. Just throw this chili bake right on top of that bad boy and enjoy!