Granted, I eat chili all year round, but fall chili is really something special. There’s something about eating spicy chili with a cool cheese and sour cream topping while the air is a bit cooler that just screams football, changing leaves, and the start of school.
Since I wanted to do something a bit different for my first fall chili, I decided to make a household favorite: Chili Mac. Adam’s been begging for it for a while now, so I figured that on his first day of school (his graduate classes started today!) I’d make him a favorite dinner.
The recipe is simple, as many of mine are, and it’s perfect to make on a Monday to pack for lunches the rest of the week.
Chili Mac
Ingredients
1 lb. extra-lean ground beef or turkey (this recipe is also great meatless)
2 small onions, diced
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 large (32 oz.) can light red kidney beans
1 large can dark red kidney beans
1 large can crushed tomatoes
1 small can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
3 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 box whole wheat pasta
water as needed
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot, and add the onions. Cook until lightly browned and then add the ground beef. Cook until browned and then add the beans, crushed tomatoes, chili and garlic powders. Simmer a few minutes, then add the pasta. Add enough water to just cover the pasta, stir well, and simmer until the pasta is done. Serve with a topping of cheese and sour cream.
This was nice and spicy, and after the aggravating grocery shopping trip I had today (where I got all the way finished only to find out the store didn’t take credit cards, only debit. Ended up at a different, more expensive store.) I needed the comfort food. I topped my serving with some Trader Joes soy cheese, and some fat free sour cream.
The whole pot looked so pretty cooking away:
Love you girlie!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
oh my, you may have created the pilot’s dream meal
have a wonderful night <3
YUMMY! That looks so good! Adam is a lucky guy. BTW, your blog looks great. Congrats!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Easy No-Bake Fruit Tart =-.
That looks delicious, Mara! Thanks for sharing the recipe =)
.-= Marisa (Trim The Fat)´s last blog ..Twenty-Four Seven =-.
love it! thanks for sharing!
hope school is going well!
xo
.-= Shannon (The Daily Balance)´s last blog ..Daily Delish – ‘Tis the Season! =-.
I just said the same thing this weekend!
I was like “MMMM – Mike – it’s chili time!” 
I LOVE the addition of whole wheat pasta right into it – BRILLIANT!
.-= allijag´s last blog ..Calling all New Yorkers! =-.
mm…LOVE chili
that frozen yogurt looks good – I hope it’s tasty! the peach flavor sounds awesome.
.-= brandi´s last blog ..Sleep-In September =-.
I’ve been seeing lots of different chili recipes around lately- I guess it’s fall! I think the hub would love your version!
It’s still hot hot hot here, which is fine with me
.-= Emily´s last blog ..Work in progress =-.
Chili definitely = fall/winter in this household! Football games for me was all about the walking taco though. Fritos bag and a scoop of chili
I can’t wait to hear about that scoopable fro! It sounds yummy!
.-= K´s last blog ..Another Brick in the Wall =-.
I don’t like winter one bit (give me over 100 and humid instead of under 50 and anything), but at least I can console myself with a bunch of awesome soups and chilis. This recipe SO goes on the list. Thanks!
.-= Quix´s last blog ..Happy Monday? =-.
Ooooooh my goodness. That is the cutest thing ever!! Thank you girly!
.-= Rose´s last blog ..Birthday Weekend =-.
I agree with you on chili! If it’s chilly outside, there must be chili inside.
I eat so much of it during the colder months that I burn out on it eventually, but after a couple months of summer I’m ready to go again! Chili is on my menu for tomorrow night. 
.-= Diana (Soap & Chocolate)´s last blog ..Macromanaging =-.
I’m not a huge chili person, but this is completely calling to me. I’m thinking a version with black beans would be excellent
.-= Marianne´s last blog ..Ready & Waiting =-.