Butternut Squash Chili

It's always risky experimenting with recipes when you have guests over for dinner. But it's also good...in that you get great feedback. Good or bad. And this chili...only good feedback. :) We had our family join us for dinner last weekend and this is what I made. I can't not purchase butternut squash at the store each week because theyare so inexpensive. So easy to cook with. And so delicious. Chili is usually inexpensive and is a wonderful meal to serve to a crowd when you're on a tight groceru budget. I was able to cook up a big pot of chili for my family without having to go to the store! Love it when I can make that happen!

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs ground beef
• 1  onion, diced
• 1  small  butternut squash, diced
• 1  lb  baby carrots, halved
• 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans (red and pinto beans would be great too!)
• 3  tablespoons chili powder
• 1  teaspoon garlic powder
•  salt, to taste
•  pepper, to taste
•  homemade  bread or   roll

Directions

1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef with the diced onion. Once browned, drain and then return to the pot. Add the squash, baby carrots, diced tomatoes with juices, black beans with juices and about 4 cups of water. (Add more or less depending on how soup-y you want it!) Stir in the chili powder and garlic powder.
2. Bring to a bubbling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 more minutes, or until the squash cubes are soft. (Cooking time will vary depending on thickness of the squash cubes.).
3. Season with salt and pepper. And some crushed pepper, if you want some extra heat!
4. Prepare bread.
5. Serve Butternut Squash Chili with side of bread.