Taco Soup

1 can black beans- drained

1 can Kidney beans

1 can navy beans

1 can corn

1 can green chilies

1 32oz can diced tomatoes

1 pkg taco seasoning

1 pkg ranch dressing

1 lb ground beef- brown and drain

Only drain the black beans. Just dump everything in, heat and enjoy! It tastes best if you let it simmer for 40-ish minutes and let the beans break down a bit. If you want to make it even healthier and easier, use veggie/soy "ground meat" instead of the ground beef. Then you can just dump it in . . . no need to brown it first. Your kiddos definitely wouldn't notice the difference, but DH might a little (just the texture).

Sometimes I cook some whole grain macaroni noodles and serve it over that . . . it seems to go down easier for my kids.

It's absolutely best topped with freshly grated colby-jack cheese. Other good toppings are sour cream and chopped avocado.

Potato-Ham Bake

1 lb potatoes, sliced

1 8oz tub light cream cheese with chives and onion

¾ cup milk

¼ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

1 Tbsp snipped fresh tarragon or ½ tsp dried tarragon, crushed

8 oz cooked boneless ham, cut in bit-size slices *

1 lb fresh asparagus spears, trimmed, cut in 2 to 3 inch pieces

1. Preheat oven to 400. Cook potatoes, covered, in small amount of salted boiling water for 5-7 min, just until tender. Drain and set aside.
2. For sauce, combine cream cheese, milk, 2 Tbsp Parmesan, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Heat and whisk until smooth and cheese is melted. Remove from heat and stir in tarragon.
3. Layer potatoes, ham, asparagus, and sauce in 1 ½ qt baking dish. Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Bake 10-12 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Tope with black pepper and, if desired, fresh tarragon.

*I think the recipe could use more than this! I buy a small ham and just keep cutting it up until it looks like enough. We usually eat it with a salad. Enjoy!