The chili I grew up with was quite different than the chili I learned to make here is Texas. While I DO love me some Texas chili I ultimately go back to the Midwestern (or Michigan) style when I need comfort food.
Well, the Midwestern style chili is more tomato-y and has a thinner sauce, more like a broth. The chili is less pronounced and the flavors are fresher; bell peppers, onions, tomatoes… Each spoonful is full of vegetables and macaroni, beef and kidney beans for a hearty meal that is somewhere between a soup and a stew.
The Restless Chipotle Channel
It’s simple, quick to put together and perfect for a crock pot meal. You really don’t need much else on the table when you serve this; maybe a loaf of sour dough to soak up the broth. It freezes well so you might as well make the biggest batch of it that you can. You can also adjust the amounts of the ingredients to make it stretch further, or use less meat and more beans, or whatever you like. This, my friends, is what I like to come home to.
My mom made a tradition of making this on the first cold day of the autumn season. Even when I was married and in my own home she’d call me up to tell me that she had a big pot of chili on the stove and I should bring the kids over. She’s been gone for years but now I call MY daughter up on the first cool day of the year and invite her over for chili — even though I can’t make it nearly as well as my mom did.
That’s one of the hardest things about losing someone who cooked for you. You all of a sudden realize that no matter what you do you’ll never taste that dish again. Oh, you may replicate it but it’s never going to taste exactly the way your mom, grandma, or aunt made it. I don’t know if you’ve experienced that but there are times when it leaves me with a deep longing that I just have to work through.
This? It’s my go to comfort food. So, you can argue that this isn’t real chili if you want but while you do? I will be finishing off your bowl. Remember the Applejacks commercial?
I eat what I like! Oh, and please try this with my homemade chili powder recipe!
Midwestern Style Chili
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef, , browned
- 4 cups cooked red kidney beans
- 2 cups chopped onion
- 2 chopped bell peppers
- 1/2 cup sliced celery, , optional
- 1 quart tomato juice or V-8
- 3 14- ounce cans stewed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chili powder, , or to taste
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except macaroni to a crock pot and simmer for 8 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving cook the pasta, drain it, and add it to the simmering chili.
- Allow flavors to blend another 30 minutes or so.
If you liked this Midwestern Style Chili you may also like…
Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup
Three Bean Chili Spicy Southern Kitchen
Slow Cooker Chili with Black Beans and Corn Chew Out Loud
I have never had chili with pasta, but I am partial to anything with pasta in it, must give this a try.
It’s different but very very comforting!
I’m originally from Wisconsin and I thought only my mom made soup like this. Brings back such wonderful memories!
🙂 Nope my mom made it too. 🙂
Chili is definitely one of my go-to meals once the weather turns, and I love finding new recipes! Can’t wait to try yours!
Let me know what you think!
Dear Marye, This chili sounds wonderful! So comforting for this time of year. xo, Catherine
Thank you!
Can I cut this recipe in half for a smaller amount? I live by myself and would like to make this, but it is much more than I can handle.
Sure! You can freeze it if you leave the macaroni out. 🙂
This may not be considered real chili but I am from lower Michigan and can remember this taste well. Thanks for recipe it will bring back some old memories
🙂 It is serious comfort food for me. Thanks for stopping by!
My mom made something similar but we called it goulash…and she served this over mashed potatoes! Talk about comforting! Yum!
We make goulash with a similar method but no beans. 🙂
Chili in crockpot now!!
🙂
Wouldn’t really consider this chili, being accustomed to Texas style chili, but it is delicious none the less.
I am from Texas but my mom was from the Midwest. I like to keep an open mind. 🙂
Tried 10 times to Print. Don`t know what it is but can not PRINT This even sent it to myself , did not work
Bill, did you get my email?
Your Print still does work !!!!!!!!!!!!!
It works for me. Did you click on the red print button in the upper right corner of the recipe? I am sending a copy to your email. Sorry that you had difficulty.
I just emailed it to the address you provided when you made the comment. If you didn’t get it check your spam box. If it isn’t there let me know. Thanks.
* pages of nothing 8 NO RECIPE PUT a print recipe only box
Sorry. I forgot that one was still in the old format. I have turned off the right click disabler so you can print it.
This is definitely different from what I consider to be chili but the debate is always out there isn’t it. The beans make it for me.
It is, Valli. I just like ANY kind of chili, myself!
I grew up in the midwest – never considered this chili.
So long as I don’t have to eat it and there is a pot full of
chili without the macaroni as a second choice I’d be happy. lol
That’s o.k., J I’ll have your portion!
My mom used to make something quite like this when I was a kid! I always loved, too-with lots of Saltines in it. I miss those days sometimes, and this takes me right back to being a kid. Thanks for sharing, Marye!
Sure Elle, I just love this stuff… 🙂