Chili Macaroni

Hello Everyone,

Here is a recipe I have made so many times I could make it blindfolded! Ok so maybe not blindfolded, but I have made it many times and never the same way twice! You will find in different parts of the country that it’s called by different names. American Chop Suey, and goulash are the other two names people call it. I have always called it chili mac, because to me it’s a mixture of chili, with macaroni added. It is my favorite one pot dish! Many years ago when I worked in home health, we had a client that lived with us and this was his favorite dish! He would eat 3-4 plate fulls of it and then would complain his stomach was too full! I would think well duhh, you ate too much! Sometimes you can’t tell people what to do! Wow, that was a long time ago!!! So here is the recipe, I finally took the time to write it all down, instead of just throwing it all into the pot! 🙂

Chili Macaroni:

1-1/2 lbs. ground beef

1 large yellow onion, chopped

1 large green bell pepper, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce, low sodium

1 (14.5 oz.) can fire roasted tomatoes, chopped

1-1/2 cups low sodium beef broth

3 tbsp chili powder, more or less to your taste.

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

2 cups uncooked macaroni

Heat a large cooking pot, brown the beef in batches, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook just until brown. Add in the onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic, cook until the onion and celery are tender, on medium-low heat, about 10 minutes. Stirring the mixture every couple of minutes. Add in the tomato sauce, tomatoes, broth, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil on medium heat, then add the 2 cups uncooked macaroni. Turn heat to medium-low, and cook until macaroni is tender and some of the liquid is evaporated, I leave the lid off. Adjust seasoning’s to your taste. Sometimes I add a can or whole kernel corn, sharp cheddar cheese, canned beans and sliced black olives. Enjoy! 🙂

I know it’s been awhile since I have posted, I have been really sick. My last Dr appt she told me I am anemic, and had low vitamin D. I have been in so much pain, that all I have been able to do, is some laundry, dishes, and I try to do some sweeping. I can’t believe, how simple little chores can be very hard on me or I can’t do them at all. I can’t go on the floor on my knees, because it’s very painful and sometimes I have a really hard time getting back up. One of these days I’m afraid I will fall and break my leg, back, or my hip, then I’ll be up the creek without a paddle… My feet are completely numb, whenever I walk around the house I wear house slippers, because if I don’t I step on stuff and can’t feel it. That’s part of the reason I don’t drive much anymore. Hopefully someday I will get better, but it my future doesn’t look to good. I have thought about moving into an assisted living home at times. I feel like a burden on Ray and my family can’t help or don’t want to. I don’t hear from them too much, except for a few of them. I know they are all busy with their lives, and some are sick, so maybe that’s why I don’t hear from them.. Well sorry for sounding sad, I just needed to vent a little I guess..

Until next time, if there is a next time…

Amanda..

P.S. I do really love our new home! It’s really nice to have all this space!!!