Poor Man’s Chili Mac

Ingredients

• 2 lb ground beef (broken up well while cooking)
• 3 oz tomato paste
• 1 onion (medium-sized, chopped)
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 0.5 tbsp cumin
• ground red pepper (to taste)
• smoked paprika (to taste)
• 3.5 cup water (clear sink water)
• 14.5 oz canned tomatoes (chili style)
• salt (for pasta water and to taste for sauce)
• 12 oz jumbo elbow noodles
• habanero sauce (optional splash for serving)
• shredded cheese (to taste, mixed in at the end)

Steps

1. 1

   In a large pan or skillet, add two pounds of ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking it up thoroughly as it browns.

2. 2

   Add 3 ounces of tomato paste to the beef. Mix the paste in well and let it cook with the ground beef for a few minutes to develop flavor.

3. 3

   Add one chopped medium-sized onion, 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1/2 tablespoon of cumin, ground red pepper, and smoked paprika.

4. 4

   Pour in 3.5 cups of water and add the 14.5 ounce can of chili-style tomatoes.

5. 5

   Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer.

6. 6

   Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer for 30 minutes.

7. 7

   While the sauce simmers, bring a separate pot of water to a boil and add salt.

8. 8

   Add 12 ounces of jumbo elbow noodles to the boiling water and cook for 6 to 7 minutes.

9. 9

   Taste the simmering sauce and add salt to your preference.

10. 10

    Drain the noodles and add them to the pan with the sauce.

11. 11

    Turn off the heat and stir the noodles until they are well coated in the sauce.

12. 12

    Add a splash of habanero sauce and a handful of cheese, mixing until the cheese is melted and incorporated.

Notes

The author suggests this dish is excellent served as a 'fold-over sandwich' (on bread). The water temperature mentioned (117 degrees) is a specific detail from the transcript but standard tap water is sufficient.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• chili mac
• comfort food
• cheap meals
• pasta
• ground beef
• one-pot meal