Almost Chili Mac Soup
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Chili Mac combines with a few classic minestrone ingredients for this “Almost Chili Mac Soup.” Mr. Patient and I tried to come up with a creative name for this delicious soup. With characteristics of chili mac, beef vegetable, and minestrone, we landed on “Almost Chili Mac Soup.” Check out this video on Heritage Ways membership where we discussed the name options after I demonstrated how to make it.
Equipment Needed
- Dutch oven ~ My go-to for most soups is the enamel-lined cast iron Dutch oven by Lodge. No cast-iron cookware seasoning is involved when using enamel-lined cast-iron cookware. Cook food easily and clean up with no problem.
- meat masher ~ I use this tool all. the. time! It just does the job to break-up the meat well and stir it around in the pot.
- bench scraper ~ This tool is like having a third hand in the kitchen. I use it to scoop up chopped foods. I use it to collect shredded cheese under a box grater. It helps clean flour off the counters after making bread dough.
Primary Ingredients for Almost Chili Mac Soup
- ground beef ~ The quality of the final product depends on the quality of ingredients. When cooking any dish, use the highest quality of protein that your budget allows.
- chicken broth ~ Make your own or purchase the best quality of chicken broth your budget allows.
- red kidney beans ~ Light or dark red kidney beans may be used. I prefer light.
- white kidney beans ~ These are also called cannellini beans. If you cannot locate these, navy beans or white beans may be substituted.
- macaroni ~ Many companies use a teflon process to cut pasta, leaving traces of the poisonous material on the pasta. Look for “bronze cut” on packages to avoid the teflon.
- seasonings ~ The usual suspects are at play here: fresh ground black pepper and healthy salt. Onions and garlic are included, too. Chili powder and Italian seasonings complete the mix. My Heritage Ways Italian seasoning blend recipe has no preservatives or fillers.
Using Leftovers
Here is a tip for ya…. I use leftovers in soooo many ways. I just hate to throw away food. Some of our family’s favorite recipes were created by using leftover foods in creative ways. Very often I will add leftover macaroni and cheese to soups. Try adding it to tomato soup, or chicken soup, or simple chicken broth and a bag of frozen vegetables. In this Heritage Ways members’ exclusive video tutorial, I demonstrate how I used leftover macaroni and cheese to make Almost Chili Mac Soup.
Almost Chili Mac Soup recipe
Ingredients
Method
- In Dutch oven, over medium heat, add oil. When oil glides easily in pan, it is hot enough to cook. Add ground beef and cook until no pink remains. Lightly season the meat with salt and pepper while it cooks.
- Add dried garlic and onion, broth, water, milk and tomatoes. Allow to simmer about 15 minutes for the garlic and onion to rehydrate.
- Add remaining ingredients except cheese and parsley. Stir well. Soup should reach boiling then reduce to high simmer until the pasta is cooked.
- Add cheese and, if using dried parsley, add the parsley. If using fresh parsley, add it as a garnish when serving. Stir to allow the cheese to melt.
- Serve bowls of warming soup. Remember to count your blessings.
Family Favorite Recipes
Years ago my Mr. Patient and children encouraged me to write down many of their favorite recipes in one book. My first cookbook, From Katie’s Kitchen, Vol. One, includes 205 of the recipes that they requested. This book has become a fan favorite with Heritage Ways homemakers world-wide. Get your copy HERE and start cooking our many of the recipes that our family has been cooking for generations.
The Heritage Ways Diligent Homemaker’s Commitment
As Diligent Homemakers, we do the best we can with the resources we have at the time. These resources include our time, physical health and energy, money and possessions. We commit to using these God-given resources to the best of our abilities and give ourselves grace in the process.
Lazy hands make for poverty but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 10:4 of The Holy Bible, NIV
Count your blessings and know you are loved,
Mrs. Katie of Heritage Ways
