Hearty 5-Ingredient Hard Times Dinner
Ingredients
1 lb (450 g) ground beef
4–5 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 onion, chopped
1 can (10.5 oz / 300 g) cream of mushroom soup
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional but delicious)
Instructions
Cook the beef
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
Add onions
Stir in the chopped onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes until soft.
Add potatoes
Mix in the diced potatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add soup
Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and ½ cup of water. Mix well so everything is coated.
Simmer
Cover and cook on low heat for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender.
Add cheese (optional)
Sprinkle shredded cheddar on top, cover for 2–3 minutes until melted.
Tips
Add garlic, paprika, or black pepper for extra flavor.
You can swap ground beef for sausage or leftover meat.
Some people add frozen peas or corn to stretch the meal even further.
✅ Why people love it:
Cheap ingredients
One pan
Feeds a whole family
If you want, I can also show you 3 other “Great Depression” dinners that cost almost nothing but taste amazing. 🍲
