Chili 3-Way
My three loves: pasta, saucy stuff, and cheese
Saucy stuff is my favorite. You can put it on any carb: pasta, rice, baked potatoes, french fries, toast. But in my opinion, there is no better saucy-stuff-on-carbs combo than chili 3-way.
I know we probably all have a go-to chili recipe, but I wanted to share mine because I think it tastes just like a chili ought to— savory and beefy, with just the right amount of acidity and sweetness. I like a spicy chili, but you’ll see that this one is totally mild— I add the heat in the form of jalapenos or sriracha on the side, especially now that Noah is eating it.
The best part is that a whole pot of chili + pasta makes several servings, so you’ll be able to get plenty of meals out of this recipe. And if you run out of pasta, as we sometimes do, you can serve the rest over fries or baked potatoes.
Chili 3-Way
Cook time = 40 minutes
Serves: 8-10
For Dietary Restrictions
Gluten free: Use gluten-free pasta
Dairy free: Use dairy-free cheese
Kids Can Help
Open canned beans & tomatoes; wash peppers
Ingredients
2 lb ground beef
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 green bell peppers
1 white or yellow onion
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt plus 1 tsp for the pasta water
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 28-oz cans diced tomatoes
4 cans kidney beans (about 6 c)
2 lb pasta (spaghetti, macaroni, rotini, or mini shells work well)
2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
Directions
Step 1
In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot, add ground beef and brown, slowly breaking up the beef into smaller pieces as it cooks.
Step 2
Wash and chop peppers into small pieces; dice onion. Add to the pan with the beef. Sprinkle with salt, chili powder, and garlic powder and continue to cook until onion and green pepper have softened, about 5 minutes.
Step 3
Put a large pot of water on to boil for the pasta; add 1 tsp of salt.
Step 4
Open and drain diced tomatoes; open canned beans but do not drain. Add all to the pan and mix well.
Step 5
Bring back to a simmer and then add tomato paste; stir to combine. Cover and allow to simmer while you cook the pasta.
Step 6
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and serve immediately topped with chili and shredded cheese.