My Story in Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Blog Posts
  • My Story
  • Connect

Skillet Chili Mac

8/20/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Lunch box notes from a pre-latte, barely holding it together, stressed out parent:

        "I hit the snooze 7 times.  Enjoy the Pop Tarts." 
     "Ok, Ok.  I know that Isabel always has these amazing lunches and that you're tempted to trade your thermos of lentil soup and "gently aged" pear for her bente box of impeccably arranged sushi, veggies cut into flower shapes and homemade 100% fruit-juice sweetened cookies.  I guess what I'm trying to say is - go ahead."
        "That round thing is called a spoon.  Use it.   ... Also, sleeves are not napkins."  
        "If you toss this lunch and buy three puddings instead, I'll know." 
        "Enclosed is a butter knife - You cut the crusts off."
 
I borrowed these lunch box notes from an article in my Eating Well magazine.  They really do describe my parenting style pretty accurately.  I could see myself sending any one of these notes in my children's lunch box.

Trust me when I say that the presence or absence of a unique and creatively handwritten note tucked inside the lunch boxes of your little ones on a daily basis is not an accurate portrayal of the quality of our parenting.  Don't judge yourself too harshly if you're not a note writing kind of parent.  I usually started out the school year with big dreams of making homemade granola bars and my own fruit juice gummies but by the second week of school I couldn't even manage to refreeze the ice packs on a daily basis.    Somehow, my kids managed to survive on canned tuna and a sleeve of ritz crackers.  
Picture
We would all love to be "Isabel's" parent but let's face it - that doesn't always happen.  There were days when I would send my kids off to school with a Martha Stewart worthy lunch and then prepare a healthy, homemade dinner for my family.  But there were many MORE days that I would send my kids off to school with a cup of mandarin oranges and a peanut butter sandwich and still barely manage to scrape together a half-way healthy dinner for them to scarf down 30 minutes before baseball or soccer practice.  

Meals can be a struggle.  It's time we admitted it.  I'm here to make meal preparation just a little less painful for you AND your family.  If time and lack of cooking skills are your meal time obstacles, you need to give this Skillet Chili Mac a try.  It's ridiculously easy, it comes together in under 35 minutes and it's super delicious.  
Picture
Skillet Chili Mac
12 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 poblano pepper, diced
1 stalk celery, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
3 Tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
28 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 cup low sodium beef broth
15 ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Picture
Picture
Cook pasta 2 minutes less than directed.
Heat oil in skillet.  Add onion, pepper and celery and cook until softened.  
Picture
Picture
Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.  Add beef, chili powder and salt.  Cook through.
Add tomatoes with juice and broth and bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes. 
Picture
Picture
Reduce heat, add beans and pasta and cook 2 minutes.  
Remove from heat.  Stir in sour cream. 
Picture
Serve with cheddar and scallions. 
If you've got a child whose LOVE LANGUAGE is FOOD - this is the perfect gift.  My college daughter is always happy to get containers of food that she can "heat and eat."  FYI - chili mac freezes beautifully too.  

​Ciao!
Picture
Click here for a printable version of this recipe
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Like my page on facebook.

    Follow me on Instagram


    Follow Me on Pinterest

    Categories

    All
    30 Minute Meals
    30-minute-meals
    Big Green Egg Recipes
    Chocolate
    Christmas Classics
    Comfort Foods
    Crock Pot Meals
    Fall Favorites
    Healthy-choices
    Healthy-choices
    My Favorites
    Springtime Treats
    St Patrick's Day Goodies
    Summertime Specialties
    Thanksgiving Classics
    Valentine Treats
    Vegetarian
    Winter Warm Ups

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

  • Recipe Index
  • Blog Posts
  • My Story
  • Connect