Skillet Chili Mac

I made this the other night and it was delicious. I love a meal that can come together quickly like this and yet taste great. I think it could have used more pasta, so next time I would probably add another 1/4-1/2 cup water and 1/4-1/2 cup more pasta. Also, I only used half the cheese (and stirred it in according to directions). I thought that was plenty of cheese (I used half shredded parmesan and half cheddar) so if you are trying to cut calories, this is a great way. I also think the oil could be eliminated from the first step-and my kids were not huge fans of the green chiles-but that's a matter of personal taste. Enjoy!

Skillet Chili Mac
Source: Mimi's Fit Foods

1 T. oil

1 lb. ground beef

1 onion, minced

3/4 T. chili powder

1/2 T. cumin

1/2 tsp. salt

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 tsp. brown sugar

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

1 cup water

4 oz. (1 cup) penne pasta (whole wheat pasta boosts the healthy factor!)

1 can diced green chiles, drained (optional)

1 cup shredded cheese (any kind-reduced fat if you are watching calories), divided

Heat oil in skillet, add ground beef, onion, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Cook until ground beef is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Add garlic and brown sugar and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomato sauce, water and pasta. Cover and simmer until pasta is done, about 12-15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and stir in half of cheese and chiles until cheese is melted and chiles are warmed through. Serve with additional cheese sprinkled on top.

Serves 4.

8 pts plus

Spaghetti Casserole

8 oz. spaghetti noodles, cooked according to package directions
1 egg (or 1/4 cup egg beaters)
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 of 10 0z. pkg frozen cut spinach, thawed
1/3 cup onion
3/4 lb. ground beef or turkey
any other vegs. chopped very fine (bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini) optional
4 cups spaghetti sauce
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Spray 8x8 baking pan.

Toss cooked spaghetti noodles with egg and shredded parmesan. Put in baking dish.

Drain thawed spinach, pressing out any additional liquid, but putting in a colander and pressing out with back of spoon. Spray large skillet.

Cook ground beef or turkey with onion, and any other vegetables you desire (not spinach yet) unti browned, breaking up meat. Drain off any fat. Add spinach and spaghetti sauce and heat through. Add to baking dish on top of noodles.

Top with mozzarella cheese, cover with foil and bake 40-45 minutes or until bubbling. Let sit 10 minutes, cut in squares and serve.

Serves 6. Can be doubled, and half frozen for another time.