Easy Chili Mac Soup

Easy Chili Mac Soup ~ This family favorite is easy to make and if you have leftover macaroni & cheese already made up ~ it's a great way to clean out the fridge, too.  :)

Grandma Bunni used to LOVE eating Chili Mac Soup.  It was one of her favorite soups to make & as she got older, one of her favorites to order when she went out for dinner.  Since I had sooo much left over Macaroni & Cheese from a recent meal I made (read the post on that meal here), I decided to make a big ol' pot of Chili Mac Soup with the leftovers.  J was VERY enthusiastic when I made this & he declared it his very favorite soup of all-time!  Grandma Bunni would have been so pleased ~ I can see the apple didn't fall far from the tree on that one.   :)  Enjoy!

Easy Chili Mac Soup ~ a favorite soup of Grandma Bunni :)
makes a big ol' pot

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean hamburger, cooked, drained & crumbled
• 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes, with juice
• 1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes, with juice
• 1 can chili beans, with/in sauce
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix
• 4 cups precooked elbow macaroni (or leftover macaroni & cheese, like from this recipe)
• salt & pepper, to taste

Directions

Place first 8 ingredients in a large pot, stir well & bring to a boil.  Reduce heat & simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the onion & green pepper are tender.  Add a little extra water if it gets too thick.

Add the precooked elbow macaroni & gently stir to combine.  Simmer all together for an additional 5 minutes.  Add salt & pepper, as desired. 

Serve as-is or with your favorite toppings and/or sides.  Some of our favorite extras are ~ shredded cheese; crushed tortilla chips; sour cream; crackers; corn bread.