Chili Macaroni Casserole

Name: Chili Macaroni Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 1 cup uncooked wagon wheel pasta; 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean); 1/2 cup chopped onion; 1/2 cup chopped green pepper; 1 can (15 ounces) turkey chili with beans; 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, undrained; 1 cup crushed baked tortilla chip scoops; 1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided; 1/4 cup uncooked instant rice; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper

With wagon wheel pasta and popular Tex-Mex ingredients, this beefy main dish from Janet Kanzler of Yakima, Washington is a sure family-pleaser. Simply add a mixed green salad with any light dressing you like for a complete dinner.

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked wagon wheel pasta
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 can (15 ounces) turkey chili with beans
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 cup crushed baked tortilla chip scoops
1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 cup uncooked instant rice
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, cook the beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the chili, tomatoes, chips, 1/2 cup cheese, rice, chili powder, salt and pepper. Drain pasta; add to beef mixture.
Transfer to a 2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 358 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 847mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 4g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable.

Originally published as Chili Mac Casserole in Quick Cooking September/October 2004

Reviews

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slaklein1

Jan 17, 2011

I have a 2 year old so I omitted the chili powder. I also did not use the tortilla chips so I doubled the amount of pasta and cheese. This family loves cheese! The 2 year old ate it up so I will be making it again. VERY IMPORTANT, make sure you use instant rice, not regular. Regular will not cook through.
kar52

Jan 10, 2011

I do not understand why they put rice in it,I like rice but there is pasta in it ,do all pasta or do all rice.I used to make something like this years ago but I layered the chips in it.But after all that I am going to try this the way it is written,altho Ihave home chili so will use it.
Henry-Pat

Jan 10, 2011

In all honesty, I did not make this recipe because I would never use canned chili....way tooo much fat. Also, in all honesty, I live in Texas and we would never use canned chili in any recipe.
Brenda D

Oct 12, 2010

I tripled this recipe over the weekend for an early Halloween party. I called it spider web casserole (the wagon wheel pasta kinda looks like spiderwebs) and the kids all loved it plus it was super filling so they didn't eat quite as many sweets. I will definitely keep this recipe around to feed my crew on a week night because it goes together quickly.
asnunez

Oct 9, 2010

Made this lastnight and it was really good. Switched the can of turkey chili for a can of chili beans, though. Perfect.
Allspice_Mo

May 26, 2009

These sound really good and a little different that I have made so I will be trying it soon