6.29.2009

Busy Day Chili Mac Casserole



We had a very full afternoon and I had to throw something quick and easy together for dinner. This fit the bill perfectly.



This is what we were busy doing. It was the perfect day for a little fun at the park. We also hiked down to the river with our Lab and she got to play with some of the other doggies. Wouldn't you know it, I had left my camera in the car and didn't get any pictures of that part of our day. The sculpture my son is laying on has been in the park for decades and I have overheard parents telling their children how they played on the sculpture when they were little.


Here is the recipe:
  • 1 cup elbow macaroni
  • 3/4 lb of lean ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1-2 cloves chopped garlic
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper
  • 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
  • 1 15 oz can of vegetarian chili or 1 can of kidney bean, drained
  • 1 cup of crushed tortilla chips
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar or jack cheese


Cook macaroni until al dente. Heat the olive oil and add the garlic. Cook for a minute and then add the ground beef. As the beef is browning add the chili powder oregano, salt and pepper. Next, add the tomato sauce and can of chili or beans. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes. Pour into a baking dish and top with chips and cheese.


Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. This has a nice crisp crust on top and gooey goodness inside. Garnish with sour cream. hot sauce and fresh cilantro. I actually mixed up a little of that pink sauce I mentioned a couple of days ago and put it on top of mine in place of the sour cream.



Nothing fancy here, just a hearty dish for a busy day. My daughter loves this casserole. My son doesn't love much of anything so he actually ate a PB and Honey Sandwich.

I hope you all are having a summer full of fun!

Print recipe

~Enjoy~

24 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh, very nice. About a month or 2 ago i did a post on chilli mac. I love that stuff. I really like your take on it. Looks delish.

♥peachkins♥ said...

looks like you had fun!! That Chili mac casserole looks so delicious..

debra@dustjacket said...

That is so cool about the sculpture .. cute kids :)

Donna-FFW said...

Love quick meals like this. I am in need of them right now. Ill have to give this a whirl. Looks fantastic!

Heather S-G said...

Chili Mac is one of my favorite dishes...and I haven't made it in forever! Thank you for giving me a shove, it looks delicious :) And what a fun day!

Cathy said...

Yum, yum, what a tasty dish. This is a perfect meal after a busy day at the park. Isn't this weather great!

Randi Troxell said...

my MIL makes this recipe... and it is fabulous!

Creative Classroom Core said...

Every mom needs these quick meal ideas! Thanks for sharing :)

Anonymous said...

A perfect meal for a busy day. My daughter would love this!

Rhiannon Bosse said...

This sounds really good Kim. I love anything Mac and anything Baked. so I would this :) Thanks for the post!

Mary Bergfeld said...

This really looks like a great family meal. Your children are adorable.

Jenn said...

Sounds like a fun afternoon an definitely a perfect meal to end the day. Casseroles are always fun to make. Yum!

The Blonde Duck said...

Oh. Sweet. Wounded. Wuffles.

pam said...

What a fun day!

I love chili mac casseroles!

Julie said...

Oh yum! Mouthwatering good...I'm making chili tonight, think I'll cook up some macaroni to go with it now :)

nanny said...

Looks great! I haven't put the chips on mine but I will next time. I love Chili Mac with a big piece of hot buttered corn bread!!!

A Cooking Bookworm said...

Mmmmm...this is the ultimate comfort food!! I've never thought to top it with sour cream (or your "pink" sauce)...but, yum! That would be extra delicious!

Found you through SITS...and, following you! :-)

Reeni said...

This looks hearty and comforting! Nourishing after a day of being outside!

Ryan Ashley Scott said...

I think I want this right now - and it's almost eleven o'clock at night. I need gluten.

Denise said...

good family meal for the end of a busy day

Sweta (My Indian Dietitian) said...

Such adorable kids :)
Guess I'll give this a try with the ground turkey!

Krista said...

Yummy casserole!

That was our day yesterday. It was beautiful and with rain in the forecast, I blew off my to-do list and went hiking with the kiddos and played in the creek. Totally worth it!

3 Bay B Chicks said...

I'm not sure that the meal gets much better than this after a busy day.

Yum!

-Francesca

Niki Jolene said...

This looks awesome!

:)

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