Also, check out ebay or tag sales for cookbooks. I have several cookbooks that were published by a church/philanthropic/other club group that promise only THREE ingredients (except salt, pepper or sugar) for each dish. You really don't want to be bothered buying lots of spices and such, if you're in this to save money. A plus on these books is that NO WOMAN is going to submit a recipe with her name on it that isn't good!
One example I can think of off the top of my head is Cheater's Beef Stroganoff: beef cubes, mushroom soup, noodles (mushrooms optional).
Also, it's easy to make cookies from a cake mix:
Cake Mix Cookies:
1 box any flavor standard size cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil (can substitute applesauce)
Chocolate chips, nuts, crushed candies, flavoring (optional - experiment!)
-Add 1/2 cup oil and two eggs to one box of cake mix, mixing well. Add chips, nuts, and flavorings if desired.
-Drop by teaspoonfuls on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
(Excellent example: chocolate cake mix with crushed Whoppers!)
An online site I use is
Just A Pinch Kitchens. They're a bit more advanced, though, but you may get some ideas of what works and what doesn't. Pillsbury, Kraft, and almost any food manufacture has a website, too.
Have fun and keep us posted!
Hybrid Mode
