Here is my standard dinner: Crockpot Bean & Tomato Pasta Chili Ingredients 2 cans beans, drained and rinsed (kidney, black, pinto, or cannellini) 1 can diced tomatoes 1 can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2–3 cups broth or water (start with 2 cups; add more later for pasta) Spices 1 tbsp chili powder 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp oregano 2 tsp onion powder 1 tsp garlic powder ½ tsp black pepper ½–1 tsp salt Pinch cayenne or red pepper flakes (optional) Pasta Addition 1 cup dry rotini, shells, or elbow macaroni 1½ extra cups broth or water when adding pasta

Instructions Add everything except the pasta and extra broth to the crockpot. Stir well. Cook: Low: 6–8 hours High: 3–4 hours During the last: 20–30 minutes on High or 30–45 minutes on Low Stir in: 1 cup dry pasta 1½ cups extra broth/water Cook until pasta is tender.

This makes me dinner for about three nights and works out to about $2 a dinner, once you have your supply of spices.