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–+ servings
Chili Mac

Chili Mac

Indulge, in the comfort food experience with our mouthwatering Chili Mac. It offers a blend of flavors combining the richness and boldness of chili with the cheesy goodness of macaroni and cheese. Imagine tender ground beef mingling with spices, vibrant vegetables and kidney beans all enveloped in a tomato-based sauce. Then picture this hearty chili infusion embracing cooked macaroni to create a balance of textures and tastes. This dish brings warmth to the soul evoking memories of gatherings and satisfying family meals. With a touch of cheddar cheese, for an added layer of allure, our Chili Mac promises a dining experience that is both familiar and wonderfully unique. Prepare yourself to relish every comforting bite of this heartwarming fusion dish.
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Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chili Mac
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 18 CUPS

Ingredients

For the Chili:

  • 1 pound of ground beef 80% lean
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1/2 c of diced bell pepper
  • 3 cloves of diced garlic
  • 1.25- ounce packet of chili seasoning mix
  • 1 tbsp of tomato paste
  • 8 ounces of tomato sauce
  • 14.4 ounces of diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1/2 c of chicken broth can be substituted with beef broth
  • 1 15- ounce can of kidney beans drained

For the Mac and Cheese:

  • 2 c of uncooked macaroni
  • 2 tbsp of butter
  • 2 tbsp of all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 c of heavy cream
  • 1 c of milk
  • 1/2 tsp of mustard powder
  • 1/4 tsp of onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper
  • 1/2 tsp of hot sauce
  • 1 1/2 c of shredded cheddar cheese

For Baking:

  • 1 1/2 c of shredded cheddar cheese
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Let's make some Chili:

  • First you'll want to brown the ground beef in a pot. Once it's cooked add in the onions, bell peppers and garlic.
  • Next stir in the chili seasoning, tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Let it simmer for 15 minutes. Don't forget to add the kidney beans during the 10 minutes!

Now let's move on to making the Mac and Cheese:

  • Start by boiling the macaroni until it's al dente. Once cooked drain it well.
  • In a pot melt some butter and whisk in flour until smooth.
  • Gradually add cream, milk, mustard powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and hot sauce while stirring continuously.
  • Now comes the cheesy part! Stir in cheddar cheese into your mixture until everything is nice and smooth.

It's time to bring everything together:

  • Combine your cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce you prepared earlier. Mix them gently but thoroughly.

To make things more delicious looking:

  • Sprinkle some cheddar cheese on top of your mixture.

Now comes baking time:

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 5 minutes or until you see that melty cheesiness!
  • Out of the oven. Garnish, with parsley, for that extra touch of greenery.
  • Your homemade Chili Mac is now ready!
  • Serve it hot and enjoy!

Notes

To make a gluten-free variation of our Chili Mac just swap out the regular macaroni with your preferred gluten-free pasta and cook it perfectly. Instead of using all-purpose flour, for the cheese sauce opt for a gluten-free alternative like rice flour or a blend specifically made for those avoiding gluten. Also double check that your chili seasoning mix and hot sauce are free, from any trace of gluten. By making these substitutions you can enjoy the comforting taste and texture without worrying about gluten-related issues.