I put this together a year or two ago.

I got a package of good "instant" beef/vegetable soup (it came in a plastic bag and a couple cups of dehydrated vegies, beef, and little ring noodles and was about $4. I wish I knew the brand). Make the soup with much less water than it recommends, so it is a thick stew. Put instant mashed potatoes on top of the stew. Slice/shred some cheese on top of that.

Easy, delicious, filling. This fed three pretty big guys one night. I would make it again in a heartbeat.

Great idea! I'll have to give that one a try.