Meal in a Dish

This comforting chili macaroni casserole, packed with pasta, beef, beans and corn, then topped with oodles of melty cheese is sure to become a family favorite!

My sweet grandma passed away just after Christmas.  I was so glad that I happened to be visiting from out-of-state at the time and got to be at her bedside in the hospital to squeeze her hand and say my tearful goodbyes.

I have fond memories, growing up, of visiting her on Sundays.  She’d make our most-requested Raisin Buns or Raisin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and serve them up with a big bowl of ice cream.  We’d sit around the table and she’d tell us stories of her growing up days in a small mining town or relate to my mother about an old friend that she’d seen while out and about.  She made us laugh without even trying.She prided herself in her grasp of tough vocabulary and would often use big words in a sentence and then define them for us before continuing on with her story.  I’m pretty sure the dictionary was a common piece of literature to her. 🙂

How I miss her, but I’m so grateful to know that this life is not the end and that I’ll see her again.

My taste buds will never forget what an amazing cook she was, and I’m ever thankful that she passed these skills onto her daughter, my mother, who in turn taught me to love being in the kitchen.I also have her to thank for this phenomenal Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cake and Southern Pound Cake.

After the funeral services, back at my parent’s house, I was sitting, reminiscing with my mom about my Grandma.  I asked her what her favorite foods were that her mom had made for her and her five siblings, growing up.  I told her how I wanted to re-create them so I could always have them as a way to remember my grandma.

 Mom said that it was important to grandma to always have a warm, homemade meal on the table when her father got home from work.  She made a large batch of bread once a week and kneaded it by hand.  It took hours, but the results were irresistible.  She enjoyed baking goodies and taking them, with her children by her side, to those who were in need in their church.  Mom said she was often frustrated with this because she wanted to be the recipient of the treats rather than handing them off, but that she learned to appreciate what her mom had taught her with these simple, yet meaningful gestures.

Grandma often made what she referred to as “Meal in a Dish”, which I’m sharing with you today.  It incorporates veggies and protein, canned chili and pasta with a finishing touch of cheese for a hearty, completely satisfying, tasty dinner.This is the kind of meal you take to someone who’s just had a baby or who’s in need of a lift.  It feeds a crowd and is sure to cheer them up in a hurry!

{MEAL IN A DISH}
Makes one 9″x13″ pan

1 lb. hamburger
1 large onion, diced
1 tsp. garlic, minced (optional)
1/2 tsp. chili powder (optional)
1 can chili with beans (15 oz.), I like Hormel
1 can corn (15 oz.), drained
3 cans (8 oz. each) tomato sauce
2 c. elbow macaroni
1 green bell pepper, insides removed, diced
2 cups shredded Cheddar or Colby Jack cheese, divided

Cook macaroni according to package directions.  Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet over the stovetop, cook hamburger , crumbling, with onion, green pepper, and garlic, until no longer pink.  Drain grease.

Stir chili, corn, tomato sauce, macaroni, and 1 cup shredded cheese with the cooked hamburger mixture.  Pour into a lightly greased 9″x13″ casserole dish.  Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, covered with foil, for approximately 20 minutes.  Remove from oven, remove the foil, sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of cheese (or more), and return to the oven for 10 minutes, or until casserole is bubbly and hot.

**I’ve listed certain ingredients as optional.  These are the ones I added because I’m big on flavor, but the dish can certainly stand on its own without them.  You can always taste the mixture before pouring it into the casserole dish and judge whether you’d like to add the chili powder.  I didn’t add the chili powder but then my husband and I drizzled hot sauce over our portions before enjoying it and it was perfection!  Alternatively, you can sub in a can of hot chili with beans, if everyone is ok with a little heat.

While I made this, I couldn’t help but reflect on the wonderful life my grandmother lived and how grateful I am that she raised such an amazing lady to be my mother.I’ll be sharing another recipe soon in remembrance of my grandma and then I’ll finish off later with a collection of best-loved recipes from her kitchen that I’ve posted here on the blog.

I hope you enjoy this dish!  My family loved it and we inhaled the yummy leftovers for a few evenings afterwards, too.  Hooray for not having to cook every night of the week!