Quick' N Easy Mexican Bean Soup

Directions

In a 3 quart saucepan, cook bacon until crisp. Remove with slotted spoon. Cook onion in drippings until tender but not brown. Return bacon to saucepan. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.

Variation: Brown 1 pound ground beef with the bacon. Also, add a 14½ ounce can whole tomatoes, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon chile powder and 3 small cloves garlic (crushed and sautéed with onion).