Chili Mac And Cheese (Printable)
Hearty beef and pasta dish with melted cheddar, beans, and spices in a rich, creamy sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef
→ Pasta
02 - 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 medium bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
07 - 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
→ Dairy
08 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
10 - 1/2 cup milk
→ Pantry & Spices
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 2 tsp chili powder
13 - 1 tsp ground cumin
14 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
16 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
17 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
18 - 2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
19 - 1 tbsp olive oil
# How To Make:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper to the pot. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until the spices are fragrant and well combined with the meat mixture.
04 - Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in the diced tomatoes and drained kidney beans until evenly incorporated.
05 - Pour in the broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
06 - Remove from heat and stir in the butter and milk. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with extra shredded cheese or chopped green onions if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It solves the weeknight dinner problem in under an hour with barely any cleanup.
- The cheese sauce soaks right into the chili seasoned pasta and every bite tastes like comfort designed by a hungry person.
02 -
- Do not skip draining the fat from the beef or the cheese sauce will separate and feel greasy.
- Stir the pasta every few minutes while simmering or it will stick to the bottom and scorch.
03 -
- Let the pot sit off heat for two minutes before adding cheese so it melts smoothly instead of turning grainy.
- A handful of chopped green onions on top adds freshness that cuts through the richness perfectly.