Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for “Cans Get you Cooking” as part of my participation in the Mom It Forward Blogger Network, however, as always, all opinions are my own. 

It’s no secret that I’m often short on time.

I try and avoid processed foods but I still need to be able to get a healthy dinner on the table without resorting to the drive through window. But I have little boys who can eat like grown men and they expect to be fed.

That’s why I really love having a pantry well stocked with canned foods that I can use to quickly throw together an easy weeknight meal.

According to a University of California, Davis study, many canned fruits and vegetables have the same nutrients as their fresh or frozen counterparts. That’s great news when I want to save some time or money by using canned ingredients.

I’ll admit to being a bit of a bargain shopper so I love stocking up on food when prices are low. The problem with stocking up on fresh ingredients though is they go bad so quickly.

You can freeze food, but I’ve wasted a lot of food due to freezer burn. I suppose you could can it yourself but to be honest, I don’t have time time for that and I don’t really trust myself not to give my family food poisoning.

By stocking up on canned ingredients so I limit my grocery trips or cut back on what I buy when produce is out of season and prices are higher.

I’m not just interested in saving money though. Canned food saves me on those weeks when I just don’t have time to go to the grocery store or when I need a really quick weeknight meal that I can throw together without a lot of prep work.

For more information about cooking with canned foods, check out the “Cans Get you Cooking” Facebook page, YouTube Channel, and Pinterest Page.

Simple Taco Soup

We all have crazy nights when dinner is the last thing you really have time for. But, you’ve got to eat. On nights like that I turn to this super easy taco soup recipe that I can throw together in a matter of minutes. It’s so easy that I usually put my kids to work opening cans and dumping them into the pot.

 Ingredients

• 1 pound of ground beef or turkey
• 1 package of taco seasoning
• 3 cans of pinto beans
• 3 cans of Mexican diced tomatoes
• 2 cans of corn
• 1 small can of diced jalopenos

Preparation

Brown your meat with the taco seasoning.

Once your meat is cooked, put it in a pot and add in all the remaining ingredients.

Cook on low for a few hours, stirring occasionally, until all the flavors combine.

Serve with sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, cheese, and tortilla chips.

Crockpot Preparation – This soup can also be made in a crockpot. Cook your meat, combine all ingredients in a crockpot, and cook on low for 4-6 hours.