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Chili Mac

Chili Mac

Chili Mac is the ultimate comfort food, blending hearty homemade chili with creamy macaroni and cheese for an unforgettable dish. Perfect for gatherings, game days, or a cozy family dinner, this recipe is designed to please even the pickiest eaters. With its rich flavors and satisfying textures, Chili Mac is not only quick to prepare but also incredibly versatile—serve it as a main course or side dish! This easy-to-make meal can be prepped in advance, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 6

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
  • 1 small onion (diced)
  • ½ cup bell pepper (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (diced)
  • 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 each: salt/pepper
  • ½ teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
  • Fresh Parsley (to garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat.
  2. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté until soft.
  3. Stir in tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and kidney beans.
  4. In a separate pot, cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente; drain.
  5. For the cheese sauce, melt butter in another pan and whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually add heavy cream and milk until thickened; stir in seasonings.
  6. Combine cooked macaroni with beef mixture in the skillet and pour cheese sauce over it all. Mix well.
  7. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
  • Author: Juniper
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 300g)
  • Calories: 485
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 44g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: Customize your Chili Mac by adding favorite vegetables or adjusting spice levels to taste. For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef for lentils or mushrooms and use vegetable broth.