Perked up peppers are budget friendly

Family Features

Cooking a satisfying supper that won’t break the bank may seem like a stretch — especially considering rising food costs and a struggling economy — but with the right ingredients, affordable family meals are possible.

With a little planning, recipes like these delicious Southwestern Stuffed Peppers are as easy to make as they are on the wallet.

Pick the Peppers

Yellow, orange, red and green bell peppers — use your favorite or try a combination of different colors for a vibrant presentation.

Split lengthwise, the pepper halves are perfectly portioned for the simple southwestern stuffing.

Prep and Pack Peppers

A can of READ Southwestern Bean Salad saves a prep step.

Chili powder, lime and garlic, with a hint of heat, season this two-bean, corn and pepper blend.

Paired with a ground beef and onion stuffing mixture, it definitely takes traditional stuffed peppers to a new level.

A sprinkle of cheese and a dash of crushed tortilla chips add a cheesy-crunchy finish.

Heat and Eat

Just bake until the peppers are tender and serve.

For a real fiesta, offer sides of Mexican rice or heated corn tortillas, guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream.

This Tex-Mex version of stuffed peppers is perfect for casual Sunday night dinners.

For other great recipes made with READ salads, visit www.readsalads.com.