When our schedules are at their fullest, we tend to think it’s easier to dine out or order pizza for dinner. This always blows a hole into our budgets and our waistline. It is important to me, and I’m sure many of you, to have a wholesome, affordable meal on the table every night, even when I’m extra busy. That is why this Affordable Easy One Dish Chili Mac is perfect.

This recipe comes together in 30 minutes and in just one pot. If you double up on the recipe (or have a smaller family) the leftovers will be great the next day for lunch. Doubling up on it won’t increase the time it takes to cook either, which saves you time later on. I save myself even more time by prepping all my veggies for the week in advance. I chop up all that I will need for the meals I’m making that week on Sunday and store them in pre-measured containers. Then all I have to do is just drop the amount I need into the recipe and I have dinner on the table that much quicker.

My goals for feeding my family are simple – eat as high quality as we can while sticking to the budget and keeping things as simple as possible. This Chili Mac recipe meets all of those goals. By using products from Wild Oats Marketplace, I know I’m able to feed my family high-quality foods that are affordable and easy to find. I won’t have to travel to multiple stores to locate the organics I want to buy. I feel good when I can bring a wholesome, affordable meal to the table (in under 30 minutes) and I’m sure you will, too.

Chili Mac Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes  Cook Time: 30 minutes  Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

• 1-2 tablespoons Wild Oats Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 oz) can Wild Oats Organic Petite Diced Tomatoes
• 1 (14.5 oz) can Wild Oats Organic Tomato Sauce
• 1 teaspoon Wild Oats Organic Chili Powder
• 1 teaspoon Wild Oats Organic Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Wild Oats Organic Cumin
• 1 (16 0z) box Wild Oats Organic Elbow Macaroni
• 3 cups Wild Oats Organic Chicken Broth
• Garnish with shredded sharp cheddar cheese and sliced green onions, optional

Instructions

1. In a large stock pot, add olive oil and ground beef, brown slightly
2. Add diced onions and minced garlic, brown until ground beef is no longer pink and the onions are translucent
3. Drain if necessary
4. Add tomatoes, sauce, chili powder, garlic powder and cumin
5. Bring to a soft boil over medium low heat and cook for 5-8 minutes or until the mixture flavors are well blended
6. Add elbow macaroni and stir well
7. Add 1 cup of chicken broth at a time, stirring after each addition
8. Bring mixture to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes are until macaroni is soft and cooked thoroughly
9. Serve immediately, topped with shredded cheese and green onions
10. Store leftovers in refrigerator

Enjoy!