Cheesy Chili Mac

Although I don't have the exact calorie count, this is a very healthy dinner!  Simple and fresh ingredients make is very tasty, and you would think it has a lot of cheese and milk when in reality there isn't much of either! 

You'll need to cut up one medium onion, and mince three cloves of garlic.  The spices you'll be using are chili powder, ground cumin and a little salt.

Set a medium skillet over medium heat and add the oil.  Heat until simmering, then add the onion, chili powder, cumin and a pinch of salt.  Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion has softened.  

Add the garlic, brown sugar and cook until fragrant.  Add the ground turkey and cook until it is no longer pink.

Stir in the water into the ground turkey mixture.

Then add the tomato sauce.  

Finally, add the pasta and stir to combine.  Cover the pan and increase the heat to medium high.  Cook until the pasta is al dente, stirring frequently.  The sauce will be thick by the time the pasta has finished.

Turn off the heat and add a cup of cheese.  I used low fat Colby jack cheese to keep this dish healthy.  Stir to melt the cheese and then add salt and pepper to taste.

Depending on how cheesy you want it, you can add cheese on top and let stand for a couple minutes to melt and then serve.  You can make this dish as spicy as you want by adding or subtracting chili powder.  I added a little extra and really enjoyed the extra kick.  The spices work great together, and the turkey and whole wheat pasta mixed in tasted amazing.

Cheesy Chili Mac

Serves 6 *I cut in half

Adapted from Skillet Suppers

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 medium onion, minced

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 pound ground turkey

2 cups water

1 15oz can tomato sauce

8oz (around 2 cups) whole wheat elbow pasta

1 1/2 cups shredded cheese

In a medium skillet over medium heat add the oil.

Heat until simmer, then add the onion, chili powder, cumin, and a pinch of salt.

Cook, stirring frequently until the onion has softened.

Add the garlic and brown sugar and cook until fragrant.

Add the ground turkey and cook until it's no longer pink.

Stir in the water and tomato sauce, then add the pasta and stir to combine.

Cover the pan and increase the heat to medium high.

Cook until pasta is al dente, stirring frequently.

Turn off the heat under the pan and add about one cup of cheese.

Stir to melt the cheese and season with salt and pepper.  

Sprinkle some cheese on top of the dish and serve.