Weekly Meal Deal: Cheesy Chili Mac

Are you guys ready for this??  A great weekly meal full of fabulous tips!  Of course you are!  I look over the Publix ad preview every week from Michelle over at I Heart Publix.  She usually has it up Monday after lunch.  I know, I have it down to a science.  I try to see what meat is cheap that week, and then ingredients, and go from there.  Sometimes it works out, sometimes I go back to the drawing board.

Here is my issue.  Shh…don’t tell anyone.  I usually buy my meat from Winn Dixie.  It is cheaper!  They have ground beef for $1.99 this week instead of $2.49 at Publix.  I also buy in bulk.  You think I am joking.  I was out of ground beef in my freezer, so I ran to Winn Dixie today and bought this.

Now, before you start judging me, wondering why I need so much.  I have a family of 5, and we never eat out!  Every meal is cooked right here in my trusty old kitchen.  Burgers are a super quick meal.  So, I usually take a couple pounds and pre-make patties and throw them in the freezer.  They defrost super quick in the microwave.  I also separate some into 1 lb bags for other beef dinners, and I will make some meatballs.  That takes care of all that meat.  This is probably 10 meals worth! Maybe a little more if I am careful.

I like to post the Weekly Meal Deal with the Publix sale because it would be too confusing if I told you to go to 4 different stores for items.  That is why I always disclose you can make this meal cheaper with items from another store, or your stockpile!  Stockpiling is the way to go.  Get an inexpensive shelf for your garage and keep extra canned goods out there.  You could save a ton!

This weeks Cheesy Chili Mac is so easy! So mouthwatering!  Did I mention you could make it ahead and freeze it?  Ok, that just gave it 5 stars in my book!  It also makes a ton!  We are talking 6 or more servings.  Make half for dinner one night and put the other half in the freezer if you have a small family.  You just made 2 meals at once! You will have leftovers, and you will love them!

Here ya go!

Cheesy Chili Mac

Cheesy Chili Mac Printable Version

• 1 box macaroni
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 1 Small can tomato sauce
• 1 can chili beans
• ½ cup diced onion
• ½ cup diced bell pepper ( or just by the frozen pepper onion mix)
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp. (+-) chili powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• Dash pepper
• Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions

Boil macaroni until al dente (about 5 min).  You want it to finish cooking in the chili!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In skillet cook and crumble ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic.  Until done.

Add seasonings, tomatoes, and chili beans.  Bring to a simmer.

In large casserole dish, layer macaroni and Chili.  It is easier to mix together this way.

(You could get it to this stage the night before.  Pop this in the fridge and then top with cheese and throw it in the oven for a quick dinner. OR Get it to this stage, but in one of those throw away casseroles from the dollar store and freeze!  When you are ready to cook get it out the night before to thaw, top with cheese and bake!)

Top with shredded cheddar cheese if desired.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes and serve!

Serves at least 6!

Meal Deal

These are the current prices for this week at Publix 2/25.  A big thanks goes to I Heart Publix for posting the sale and matchups.  If you would like to see this weeks full sale go here. You could make this meal cheaper with items from another store or your stockpile.  This is what it would cost if you went today with these coupons in hand.  Prices can vary by area.

Buy

• 2 Ronzoni Pasta $1.99
  • use -$1/2 Healthy Harvest PRINT (if included)
• 4 Del Monte Tomatoes, Assorted Varieties, 14.5 oz can, BOGO $1.39
  • Use -$1/4 PRINT
• 3 Kraft Chunk Cheese or Cracker Cuts, Assorted Varieties, 4.5 to 8 oz pkg, 3/$5
  • use-$2/3 Tearpad
  • and-$1/2 Kraft Natural Shredded Or Chunk Cheese, Any (Publix Coupon) – 01-03-10 SS
  • and-$1/1 Kraft Chunk Cheese Target Q PRINT
• 1 lb Ground Chuck, $2.49/lb.
• 1 Frozen Bag of Onions and Peppers $1.50
• 1 can of chili beans $1.00 estimate
  

Total Before Coupons $14.76

After Coupons Listed above $8.76

Divide by 6

$1.46 per person, plus 2 extra cheeses, an extra can of tomatoes, and an extra box of pasta!

Remember you can use 1 manufacturer and 1 store coupon per item.  That is how the Kraft Cheese works out so cheap!

These will be large servings.  I bet you could get 8, but I didn’t want to skimp on anybody!

**GLUTEN FREE DAIRY FREE**

For all my Gluten Free Dairy Free people.  You can use Gluten Free Macaroni!  Yes they make it.  No I have never tried it.  My son doesn’t like pasta.  I know…I swear I wonder if he is mine!

For Dairy free just leave out the cheese.  I did that on the small one for my daughter!  You might want to put some extra tomato sauce on top to keep it from drying out.

Tagged as: beans, cheese, Coupons, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, ground beef, Publix, recipes, tomato sauce, tomatoes, Weekly Meal Deal