Gramma's Old-Fashioned Chili Mac
A comforting and nostalgic dish that blends hearty ingredients like elbow macaroni, ground beef, and vegetables, making it a perfect meal for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup elbow macaroni Cooked until tender.
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 0.5 large green bell pepper, chopped Can substitute with other bell peppers.
- 1 pound ground beef Can be replaced with ground turkey or chicken if desired.
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes Include juice.
- 2 10.75 ounce cans condensed tomato soup
- 1 15 ounce can kidney beans, drained
- 0.125 cup brown sugar To enhance the flavor.
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Begin by bringing a medium pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add elbow macaroni and cook until tender (about 8 to 10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- In a separate saucepan, cover the chopped celery and green bell pepper with water and simmer until tender (about 5 minutes). Drain and set aside.
Cooking
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until nicely browned, breaking it up as it cooks for even texture.
- Add the chopped onion to the browned beef and continue cooking until soft. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
- Stir in the cooked celery, bell pepper, diced tomatoes with juice, condensed tomato soup, kidney beans, and brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper.
- Gently fold in the cooked elbow macaroni. Allow the dish to heat through, blending the flavors on low heat for about 5 minutes.
Serving
- Remove the skillet from heat and serve. Top with fresh parsley and shredded cheese if desired. Serve in generous bowls with warm bread or cornbread.
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Notes
This dish not only fills your home with a comforting aroma but can also be easily customized based on available ingredients. Consider adding your favorite vegetables or spices to personalize your chili mac.