Chasta (Chili and Pasta Dish)

Brittta's Note:

My son Zack named this recipe. It's my chili recipe with tiny pasta thrown in. All of the ingredients are to your preference for spiciness, beans and veggie amounts. This is how I make it for us, though. You may need to add more chicken stock the next day if you prefer some liquid with your pasta and bean bowl.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Serves: 12-14

Yield: 1.0 cup ser ...

• 1 lb ground turkey or 1 lb beef , browned
• 1 (16 ounce) can chicken (optional) or 1 (16 ounce) can cubed cooked chicken breasts (optional)
• 1 lb acini di pepe pasta, no. 70 organic whole wheat pasta, cooked or 1 lb other tiny pasta , cooked
• 1 red onion , diced
• 1 green pepper , diced
• 1 -2 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes , undrained
• 1 (30 ounce) can black beans , rinsed (or bean of your choice)
• 1 (15 ounce) can white corn kernels , drained
• 1 (6 ounce) can enchilada sauce (or less, depending on taste preference)
• 1 (1 ¼ ounce) package old el paso mild taco seasoning
• 1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing , dry
• 1 (32 ounce) container of progresso chicken broth
• salt , to taste
• pepper , to taste
• cayenne pepper , to taste (approx 1-2 tsp for medium heat)

Directions:

1. Put pasta into a pot large enough to hold the rest of the ingredients when everything is combined. Boil according to package directions, drain and return to pot. We use whole wheat pasta, but really anything TINY (like balls) will do.
2. While pasta is cooking, brown the ground turkey or beef with the green pepper and onions in a large pan, using salt, pepper and cayenne to taste.
3. Add chicken, garlic and packets of taco seasoning and ranch seasoning, cook for two minutes while stirring.
4. Stir in UNDRAINED diced tomatoes, enchilada sauce and tomato paste, cooking until liquid reduces a little.
5. Put entire meat mixture into the pot containing the drained, cooked pasta and stir.
6. Add drained corn, beans and chicken soup and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally for up to 1 hour. You may add more chicken broth if you like more liquid with your chili.

Reviews

[nkoprince08]

First of all I love the name of this dish, my husband is always putting words together to make new ones so this recipe reminded me of him!! This was a very simple recipe and it had a great taste...it wasn't quite like chili, but very similar. I will say that this recipe makes A LOT I have 2 more meals worth in the freezer. I also had to cook it in my slow cooker as I didn't have a pot big enough to hold all the ingredients!! I fried up the beef and then let everything besides the pasta cook in the slow cooker for about 3 to 4 hours on low. I boiled the pasta up as directed on the box and added it pretty much right before serving. I really liked having both beef and chicken in this for some reason that is what stuck out to me when I ate it!! All the ingredients went well together giving this a great taste...thanks for posting :)