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Chili Mac with Cheddar Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 107 reviews

This Chili Mac recipe combines hearty chili with creamy macaroni and cheese to create a comforting, flavorful one-pot meal. Ground beef, kidney beans, and a robust chili seasoning meld perfectly with smooth cheese sauce and tender macaroni, topped with melted cheddar and fresh parsley for garnish. Perfect for a cozy dinner or meal prepping.

Ingredients

Scale

Chili

  • 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 (see notes for homemade seasoning)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 8 oz. tomato sauce
  • 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • ½ cup chicken broth (can substitute beef broth)
  • 1 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained

Macaroni and Cheese

  • 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 Topping and Garnish

  • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Make the Chili: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef for about 2 minutes. Add diced onions and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the beef is browned and onions softened. Drain excess grease.
  2. Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Add diced bell peppers and garlic; cook about 4 minutes until peppers soften. Stir in chili seasoning mix and tomato paste; cook for 1 minute to develop flavors.
  3. Add Liquid Ingredients and Simmer: Pour in tomato sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, partially covered. Let simmer to thicken and deepen flavors. In the last 10 minutes, add drained kidney beans.
  4. Start Macaroni and Cheese & Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Begin boiling salted water for macaroni.
  5. Cook Macaroni: When water is boiling, add macaroni and cook until just al dente following package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  6. Make Cheese Sauce: In a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat, melt butter until it foams slightly. Whisk in flour and stir continuously for 2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in heavy cream and milk, adding in splashes and stirring continuously.
  7. Simmer and Season Sauce: Bring mixture to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Stir in hot sauce, mustard powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low.
  8. Add Cheese to Sauce: Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until melted and smooth.
  9. Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated. For extra cheesiness, use slightly less macaroni as the noodles absorb the sauce over time.
  10. Combine Chili and Macaroni: Add the prepared chili to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Gently stir with a silicone spatula to combine, adding chili to your preferred ratio. Extra chili can be frozen for later use.
  11. Bake with Cheese Topping: Transfer the combined mixture to an oven-safe dish if not already in one. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
  12. Bake and Garnish: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese topping is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

  • For a homemade chili seasoning mix, combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  • Do not overcook macaroni; al dente texture ensures it mixes well and absorbs sauce properly.
  • The chili can be simmered longer to achieve thicker consistency and more concentrated flavor.
  • Leftover chili freezes well and can be used later with the macaroni or as a topping for other dishes.

Keywords: Chili Mac, Macaroni and Cheese, Chili with Pasta, Comfort Food, One-Pot Meal, Cheesy Pasta, Ground Beef Chili

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/chili-mac-with-cheddar-cheese-recipe/