Monday (Budget) Meals: Chili Mac

The one thing that we all struggle with is providing a good, healthy meal on a small budget. Starting this week, the Cool Dads Crew will start providing recipes for good, healthy(ish)  meals and let you know exactly what it will cost to purchase the ingredients- as well as the cost per serving. Doug took the reins and came up with the first recipe.
 

So this week we'll be making homemade chili mac. This is a recipe my wife and I have made before and really enjoyed; except she was not a fan of how spicy it was, so I turned down the spices a little.
 

1 lb. ground meat (this can be done with hamburger, pork, or chicken)
1 onion chopped
1 can Ro-Tel diced tomatoes with chilies, drained
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cups elbow macaroni, or other fun shaped pasta
2 cans drained beans ( I used 1 can kidney, and 1 can pinto, but black beans would also be great)
2 cups water
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon oil

 

Instructions:
1. Heat oil in a large pot (I love using my Dutch Oven for this) on medium heat
2. Once the oil is heated, add ground meat and onion and cook uncovered until ground meat is no longer pink, stirring often. Drain grease out of the pan.
3. Stir in drained Ro-Tel, diced tomatoes, macaroni, beans and water
4. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low, and allow to simmer until beans and macaroni are tender: approx. 25 minutes
5. Spoon Chili Mac into bowl and top with shredded cheese.

Notes from the Test Kitchen:

1. Sautee minced garlic and / or green bell pepper along with the onion and ground meat
2. Use your normal "Chili" spices with this great recipe: Chili Powder, Chipotle Powder, or Tabasco sauce
3. Top with sour cream and / or chopped onions
 
Pricing Breakdown:

This recipe makes enough for at least 6. Here is the price to purchase the ingredients:

1 lb ground beef ($4.19)
1 Onion ($.61)
1 can Ro-tel ($1.00)
1 14 oz can diced Tomatoes ($1.00)
1 pk elbow Macaroni ($1.00)
2 cans beans ($1.00 x2=$2.00)
1 pk. shredded cheese ($1.99)
Total: $11.79

Cost Per Recipe: $10.30
Cost Per Serving: $1.72

You can feed your entire family for just $1.72 per person. You can get the cost down further by buying most of these items on sale: just check your local sales ads on Wednesday.

We hope you enjoy these new budget meals as much as we do!
Stay Cool,
The Cool Dads Crew