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Chili Mac

Chili Mac
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Indulge in the warm and comforting flavors of Chili Mac, a delightful blend of homemade chili and creamy macaroni and cheese. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or game day gatherings, this dish brings together the rich taste of seasoned ground beef, savory spices, and gooey cheese. Easy to prepare and kid-friendly, it makes a satisfying meal that everyone will love. Customize it with your favorite toppings or sides to elevate your dining experience.

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
  • 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 salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
  • Fresh parsley (to garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a large pot over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook until softened.
  2. Stir in chili seasoning, tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and kidney beans; simmer for about 10 minutes.
  3. Cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente; drain.
  4. In a separate pan, make the cheese sauce by melting butter and stirring in flour to create a roux. Gradually whisk in heavy cream and milk until smooth; add mustard powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and hot sauce; stir until well mixed. Add shredded cheese until melted.
  5. Combine cooked macaroni with the chili mixture and cheese sauce; stir well to combine.
  6. Serve garnished with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Keywords: For extra flavor, consider using homemade chili seasoning. Feel free to customize by adding vegetables like corn or zucchini. Experiment with different cheeses such as Monterey Jack for varied taste.

Find it online: https://fluffyrecipes.com/chili-mac/