What's for Dinner, Mama? |Recipe & Product Review|

             Do you ever hear this, look up at the clock and say to yourself, I have no idea!  It happens to me often! I have to admit the Super Woman Mama Power of having every meal pre-planned for the week hasn't come out of me, Yet!..High Five to all the Mamas who can!

But if you do need a last minute dinner option, this Skillet Chili Mac can be the solution to your problem!

| This is my Vegetarian Version of A Lovin' Forkful's, Skillet Chili Mac Recipe, found on Foodista. It’s a simple recipe with minimal prepping time (you only need to chop onions & garlic).  Plus there's no massive accumulation of dishes!  Wohoo for Skillet Chili Mac!

Skillet Chili Mac
Submitted to Foodista by a lovin' forkful

1 1/2 t. canola oil
1 lb. lean ground beef sub with 1 bag "Beyond Meat"
1 onion, chopped fine
1 T. chili powder
2 t. ground cumin
1/8 - 1/4 t. cayenne pepper (to taste, I used 1/8 t.)
salt & pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 T. brown sugar
1 (15 oz. can of tomato sauce)
2 c. water
8 oz. whole grain macaroni
2 c. Shredded Cheddar Cheese sub with "The Original Almond" Cheddar Style

Heat the oil in a large (12 inch) nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onion, chili powder, cumin, cayenne and 1/2 t. salt. Cook, breaking up meat into small pieces, until it looses all the pink color, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds or so. (For the vegan meat use the cooking instructions on the bag.)

Add brown sugar, tomato sauce, water and macaroni. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook, stirring often and adjusting the heat so that it maintains a lively simmer (somewhere between medium/medium-high heat), until the macaroni is tender, about 10 minutes or so. Season with salt & pepper if needed.

Off heat, stir in half the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

For the vegetarian version substite the beef for “Beyond Meat-Beef-Free Crumble".  Use the cooking directions on the bag along with the seasoning method of the original recipe.  "The Original Almond" is a Dairy Free cheese used to substitute the shredded Cheddar Cheese. 

 Have you tried these Vegetarian products?  What recipes do you cook with them? Here is my review of both products:

"Beyond Meat":

• Excellent Flavor:  Seasoning is not necessary!
• Maintains its Structure:  I find that some meat alternative products get mushy after cooking, therefore losing its visual appeal of  'ground meat'. Especially when used in a meal where you simmer the food.  I found this one maintanes its 'crumbly' look  
• Pricy but Worth the Extra $$:  However, I stay on the hunt for coupons & if we catch it on sale we purchase 2-3 bags!
• Soy Free & Gluten Free:  That's a plus!

• Great Flavor: This product taste really good!  Our family first used it in scrambled eggs and it was delicious.  I can say the same for the Skillet Chili Mac, it had a wonderful flavor and got nice and gooye as it melted in the skillet.  Which brings me to the next point, it Melts!
• Cheese Melts:  Again this is for eye & texture appeal! There's something that is visually enticing about cheese melting like it's dairy counterpart!  For example, on a grilled cheese sandwich its expected that the cheese look a certain way and have a certain texture when you bite into it! Right?

     

If your looking for a last minute dinner that is simple, quick, and fulfilling  the Skillet Chili Mac is sure to be a hit! This recipe has many little perks that Mama will enjoy including  light clean up and a Winning Dish! The little ones will enjoy the macaroni noodles and Baba will love the mouth watering flavor of this meal.  

 Testing products in your own home is sometimes necessary.  My goal is to help your family get to the yummy ones quicker!  To alter the recipe for a Vegetarian and Non-Dairy meal I recommend using "Beyond Beef" and "The Original Almond" Cheese.

Let us know if you try this Vegetarian Version of the recipe!

Peace & Much Appreciation!

Lecretia        

*We have no association with or compensation for the companies mentioned in this article.  All opinions are genuine and are based on products our family consumes.