As the air is getting cooler for fall, it just makes sense that October is National Chili Month! A nice bowl of chili is comforting and nutritious. You can pack it full of protein like chicken, ground beef, all the beans or pork. You can have a bowl full of different veggies added to the chili. Chili can be packed full of fiber. And a bonus, the red pepper in chili is good to get your metabolism going, which helps with digestion, circulation and weight loss. So curl up with a bowl of chili and make your taste buds happy this month. Enjoy!

Quick Chili

Makes: 4 Servings

This simple chili uses basic ingredients to make a protein-packed main dish. Serve with bread or pour over rice or potatoes for a quick, easy meal!

Ingredients

1 cup low-sodium tomato sauce
1/2 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 can low-sodium kidney beans with liquid (about 15 oz)
1 tablespoon dried onion (or 1/4 cup chopped onion)
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook ground beef until browned.
2. Drain off any fat.
3. Stir in kidney beans with liquid, tomato sauce, onion, and chili powder.
4. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Increase your vegetable intake by adding your favorite veggies! Try mushrooms, spinach or kale, and corn. You can also increase your protein and fiber by adding in different beans like black beans, pintos or garbanzo beans. Make it colorful!
Thanks to NC EFNEP for this recipe.