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March 22, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Simple & Frugal Chili

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Click here to read my disclosure policy.

Dinner· Lunch· Recipes

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chili

I’ve got something I need to get off my chest.  I’m not the biggest chili fan out there.  Yep, I said it.  I love soups in most of their forms, but chili is something else.   It’s just not my kind of food.  And honestly, I don’t know why I don’t like it either.  I think it stems from not containing my favorite food groups: pasta, chicken and cheese.  But Hubs on the other hand loves chili.  He has a “take it or leave it” approach to soups, he’s always up for chili.  My aversion makes it that much harder for me to find a recipe that we can agree on.

Then a few years back, Hubs found a recipe that sounded pretty good.  Over time we’ve adapted it to our tastes, and what we’ve got in our pantry.  This chili has turned into something else.  This recipe is a whole different ball game.  Beans, ground beef, peppers and onion, and home grown tomatoes.  It is delicious!

But what I love about this meal is that it’s very simple, really frugal, and extremely hard to mess up.  I’m able to throw the meal together in a few steps and just go with it.  In fact, at any given time I have all the ingredients on hand.  It also makes a lot of food.  We’re not able to eat it all at once, so I freeze any leftovers in 1 cup servings for perfect single serve meals.

A meal that I’m able to make in one pot, in under three steps, makes a ton of leftovers, AND it’s friendly on my wallet?  What is not to love?

chili 1

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 can stewed tomatoes
  • 1 jar chili base*
  • 1.5 cups kidney beans, I use dry beans I prepped and froze, but in a pinch I use 1-16oz can
  • 1.5 cups cannellini beans, I use dry beans I prepped and froze, but in a pinch I use 1-16oz can
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream

*Note: I can chili base in the summer with our surplus of tomatoes.  When I run out of chili base, I use a packet of chili seasoning and a 16oz can of tomato sauce with the same results.

 

DIRECTIONS:

  1. In a Dutch oven, over medium heat, brown beef in olive oil with the onions and peppers.
  2. Add in remaining ingredients.  Bring to a simmer.
  3. Cook 10 minutes, or until desired thickness.  Serve with your choice of toppings.

Serves 8-10

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makingcentsmatter
Only you can determine what your financial goals a Only you can determine what your financial goals are. If that means you're adding money to your savings account, or contributing to your retirement, while you are paying off debt, then so be it!⁠
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The trick to meal planning is to make it predictab The trick to meal planning is to make it predictable. But predictable doesn't mean the same thing week to week. You could have a chicken meal, a soup meal, a pasta meal, a leftovers meal, a family favorite meal, and so on.⁠
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Total Paid in 2021: $8,258.84⁠
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Tracking our expenses - much like a budget review - is vital to sticking to your budget!⁠
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