Description

Chili Mac is the ultimate comfort food, merging the robust flavors of hearty chili with creamy macaroni and cheese. This one-pot dish is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or game days, offering a satisfying meal that appeals to all ages. With its rich taste and easy preparation, you’ll find yourself making this Chili Mac a regular in your dinner rotation. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to use up leftovers or meal prep for busy weeknights!

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
1 small onion (diced)
½ cup bell pepper (diced)
3 cloves garlic (diced)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
8 oz tomato sauce
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (undrained)
½ cup chicken broth
1 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained
2 cups macaroni (uncooked)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
½ cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
½ teaspoon mustard powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon each: salt/pepper
½ teaspoon hot sauce
1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
Fresh Parsley (to garnish)

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Add onions, bell peppers, and garlic; sauté until softened.
Stir in tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and kidney beans. Simmer for about 15 minutes.
In a separate pot, cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente; drain.
For the cheese sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth; gradually add heavy cream and milk while stirring until thickened. Mix in mustard powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and hot sauce before folding in shredded cheddar.
Combine cooked macaroni with chili mixture then pour cheese sauce over; stir well to combine.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: For added flavor variations, consider incorporating different beans or vegetables like corn or zucchini. If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the amount of hot sauce or chili seasoning.