Description
Indulge in this comforting Chili Mac recipe, a delightful fusion of hearty chili and creamy macaroni and cheese. Perfect for family dinners, game day gatherings, or potlucks, this dish is designed to please everyone at the table. With a satisfying blend of ground beef, beans, and gooey cheddar cheese, it promises to be a hit among both kids and adults alike. Plus, it’s easy to prepare in just one pot, making cleanup a breeze. Enjoy a bowl of warmth and flavor that brings everyone together!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- ½ cup bell pepper (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (diced)
- 1 packet chili seasoning mix
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 can kidney beans (drained)
- 2 cups macaroni (uncooked)
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 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
- Fresh parsley (to garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked; drain excess fat.
- Add diced onions, bell pepper, and garlic to the pot and sauté until softened (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in chili seasoning, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and drained kidney beans; let simmer.
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente; drain well.
- In another pan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in flour to create a roux for about one minute.
- Gradually whisk in heavy cream and milk until smooth; add mustard powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
- Mix shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce until melted; combine with the chili base and cooked macaroni.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: One-pot cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (245g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg