My grandfather showed me this clever Depression-era trick for making meals go further during tight times like tax season. With just three simple ingredients, you can create a warm, comforting dish that’s easy on the budget.

Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Hot Dog Macaroni This slow cooker hot dog macaroni is a simple, nostalgic dish that turns a few pantry staples into a sweet-and-savory comfort meal. As the dry elbow macaroni cooks alongside sliced hot dogs and ketchup, it absorbs moisture released from the hot dogs along with the tangy-sweet base of the sauce. The end result is tender pasta coated in a glossy, flavorful glaze—making it a quick, kid-friendly option for busy weeknights. Ingredients 8 hot dogs, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds 8 oz elbow macaroni (dry) 1 1/4 cups ketchup Instructions Step 1: Combine IngredientsLightly grease a…