Description
Chili Mac is a comforting fusion of savory chili and creamy macaroni and cheese that promises to warm your soul. This crowd-pleasing dish combines seasoned ground beef, kidney beans, and a medley of spices with smooth, melty cheese and tender pasta. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or game day gatherings, Chili Mac is not only easy to make but also customizable to suit your family’s preferences. With its hearty texture and robust flavors, this recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- ½ cup bell pepper (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1.25 oz chili seasoning mix
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (undrained)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 15 oz 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 (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, brown the ground beef using a wooden spoon. Add diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic; cook until softened.
- Stir in chili seasoning mix, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and kidney beans. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente; drain.
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to make a roux. Gradually add heavy cream and milk until smooth. Stir in mustard powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, hot sauce, and cheddar cheese until melted.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the chili mixture in the large pot. Pour in the cheese sauce and stir until well mixed.
- Serve warm garnished with fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg