"Classic" Chili Mac -- Stove Top OR Slow Crock Pot

By mikeimmell

This is a very good basic chili mac recipe. It can be prepared on the stove in just a few minutes or if you want to use your slow cooker and prepare it in the morning before work so it's ready when you get home you can also do it that way. :) Serve with a mixed green dinner salad and dinner is a done deal :)

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. ground beef (use 93/7 ground beef and you won't have to drain it)
• 1/3 c. onion, diced
• 1 1/2 lbs. macaroni
• 1 large can (29-32 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 large can (29 oz) tomato puree
• 2-3 tsp. chili powder
• 2-3 tsp. paprika
• 2-3 tsp. cumin powder
• 2-3 tsp. garlic powder or 1 minced garlic clove
• 1-2 tsp. onion powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 small can peeled whole green chiles (will contain 2-3 chiles), finely diced OR 1 small can of diced / chopped green chiles
• 1 Can of corn "optional"
• 1 can of pinto beans "optional"
• GARNISHES: Chopped Flat Leaf Parsley, Sour Cream, Sharp Shredded Cheddar Cheese or Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese, crushed corn chips

Preparation

Step 1

STOVE TOP DIRECTIONS: Cook macaroni according to directions. While the macaroni is cooking, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until beef is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat. (If you used 93/7 or leaner ground beef, you will not have to do this.) Add the diced tomatoes and mix. Stir in tomato puree. Add spices, garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper, adjusting to your taste. Add chiles. Allow to simmer slowly, or remove from heat entirely until the macaroni is done (average about 13 minutes for macaroni to cook al dente). Drain the macaroni. If you allowed the chili mixture to simmer while the macaroni was cooking, be sure to rinse the macaroni well before adding it in, otherwise the macaroni will drink up all the liquid and the chili mac will be too dry. Mix the macaroni in gently until completely covered with the chili mixture and enjoy!


CROCK POT DIRECTIONS: Cook macaroni according to directions. Drain and put in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you get home. While the macaroni is cooking, cook the ground beef until its fully cooked and then add the diced onion and cook until it starts to turn translucent. You don't have to fully cook the onion because it will continue cooking in the crock pot. Drain off fat. Generously spray your crock pot with cooking spray. Now add all of the remaining ingredients to your crock pot, **everything except the cooked macaroni. Cook on Low setting for 4 hours. After you get home, simply take the macaroni from the fridge, sprinkle with a little bit of water and heat for a minute or 2 in your microwave and then add the cooked macaroni to the meat mixture in your crock pot. Gently stir through the meat mixture and heat for a few minutes before serving. :) Enjoy !!


Serve with the optional garnishes listed above ....