Please share a recipe for making a beef-based dinner for 2 people on a budget of less than $15 using foods you can buy at Walmart.

I asked AI.

Google Gemini Answer

One-Pan Cheesy Beef and Rice Skillet (Yields 2 servings, Budget-friendly under $15)

This recipe is a one-pan wonder, meaning minimal cleanup and easy preparation. It uses affordable ingredients readily available at Walmart and is easily customizable based on what you have on hand.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (can be substituted with ground turkey or chicken)
• ½ cup brown rice (uncooked)
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes (undrained)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles (undrained)
• ½ cup water
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup chopped onion (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish.
2. Brown the ground beef in the skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon, and drain any excess fat.
3. If using, add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
4. Stir in the uncooked brown rice, diced tomatoes with and without green chiles, water, and taco seasoning mix. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and bake for 20 minutes.
6. Remove from oven, sprinkle shredded cheese on top, and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Let cool slightly before serving.

Tips:

• If you don’t have brown rice, you can use white rice and cook it according to package instructions before adding it to the skillet.
• Feel free to add other vegetables you have on hand, such as chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or corn.
• For extra flavor, add a can of black beans or kidney beans when adding the diced tomatoes.
• You can adjust the amount of taco seasoning to your desired level of spiciness.

Estimated cost at Walmart:

• Ground beef (1 lb): $4-$6
• Brown rice (1/2 cup): $1-$2
• Canned tomatoes (2 cans): $1-$2
• Taco seasoning mix (1 packet): $0.50-$1
• Shredded cheese (1/2 cup): $1-$2
• Onion (optional): $0.50-$1

Total estimated cost: $8-$14

This recipe should easily fall within your $15 budget, and you might even have some leftover ingredients for future meals. Enjoy!