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Chili Mac Recipe featuring gooey cheese, hearty chili, and macaroni in a comforting one-pot dinner.
Chef Name

Chili Mac Recipe: Easy, Comforting One-Pot Dinner

This Chili Mac is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal combining savory chili and creamy mac and cheese, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that satisfies the whole family.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lbs. ground beef, 80% lean
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • ½ cup bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, diced
  • 1.25 oz. 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 (for mac and cheese)
  • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded (for baking)
  • Fresh Parsley, to garnish

Method
 

  1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). 2. In a large pot or deep skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain excess fat. 3. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. 4. Stir in chili seasoning mix and tomato paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes. 5. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with juice, and chicken broth; bring to a simmer. 6. Stir in kidney beans and let the chili mixture cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 7. Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package instructions but reduce cooking time by 2 minutes to keep it slightly firm; drain and set aside. 8. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. 9. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. 10. Slowly whisk in heavy cream and milk, stirring constantly until sauce thickens. 11. Add mustard powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. 12. Remove from heat and stir in 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. 13. Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and then mix into the chili in the large pot. 14. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. 15. Sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese evenly on top. 16. Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. 17. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For a homemade chili seasoning, combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for longer storage. Customize the heat by adjusting the hot sauce or adding chopped jalapeños.