Ingredients:
- ½ Tablespoons canola or vegetable oil (I used one tablespoon.)
- 1 whole onion, chopped (I also grated one carrot for an extra boost of veggies.)
- 1 pound ground beef (I used half ground beef, half ground turkey.)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ pound pasta (Medium shells are best.)
- 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 14½-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies (I just used a regular can of petite diced tomatoes.)
- 15-ounce can kidney or black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1-½ Tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 3 dashes cayenne powder, optional
- ¼ cups water
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream, for topping
- 4 Tablespoons sliced green onions, for topping
Directions:
1. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees.2. Drizzle the oil into a large skillet on medium high heat. Add the onions (and carrots if you'd like!), season with a dash of s + p, and sauté for about 3 minutes. (I remove after cooked and set aside on plate.)
3. Add the ground meat and season with salt and pepper. Cook until no longer pink. Drain grease.
4. While the meat is cooking, cook your pasta in a separate stock pot according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain off the water and set pasta aside.
5. After meat is cooked, (add veggie mixture back into skillet if you removed), add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beans, chili powder, cumin, cayenne (if desired), and water. Give it a stir and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
6. Transfer the cooked pasta into the pot. Stir to combine.
7. Pour the chili pasta mixture into a 9×13 pan. Flatten it out with a spatula and sprinkle with cheese. Place in the oven for 30 minutes or until the edges are bubbling and the cheese has fully melted.
8. Spoon into serving dishes and top with sour cream and green onions.
(This is the perfect meal to make early in the day for an easy dinner. If you go that route, wait to add the shredded cheese until ready to bake.) If you're making for a friend, provide with baking directions with a side of shredded cheese, a container of sour cream, chopped green onions, and some yummy cornbread! My favorite is the Fleischmann's Simply Homemade Boxed Mix.