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Chili Beef Pasta

Right after I got married, my aunt gave me her recipe for skillet spaghetti and told me it was a perfect weeknight meal. Over the years I’ve changed up the ingredients and played with the seasonings to make it a healthier dish, but my family still loves it.

—KRISTEN KILLIAN DEPEW, NY

START TO FINISH: 30 MIN. • MAKES: 6 SERVINGS

1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)

2 tablespoons dried minced onion

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 cups tomato juice

2 cups water

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

1 teaspoon sugar

8 ounces uncooked whole wheat spiral pasta

Chopped tomatoes and minced fresh oregano, optional

1. In a Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles; drain. Stir in seasonings.

2. Add tomato juice, water, tomato paste and sugar to pan; bring to a boil. Stir in pasta. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 20-22 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. If desired, top with tomatoes and oregano.

PER SERVING 1 1/3 cups equals 319 cal., 7 g fat (2 g sat. fat), 47 mg chol., 442 mg sodium, 41 g carb., 6 g fiber, 24 g pro. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable.