Description
This comforting Chili Mac recipe combines two classic dishes into one delicious and satisfying meal. Hearty chili loaded with ground beef, beans, and spices is mixed with creamy macaroni and cheese, then baked until bubbly and topped with melted cheddar. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or potluck gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
For the 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 sub beef broth)
- 1 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained
For the Mac 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 each: salt/pepper
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- Make the Chili – Cook and crumble the ground beef. Add onions, bell peppers, garlic, seasoning, and tomato paste. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and broth. Simmer. Add kidney beans.
- Make the Mac and Cheese – Boil pasta, prepare cheese sauce. Combine butter, flour, cream, milk, seasonings, and cheese. Add cooked macaroni.
- Combine the Chili & Macaroni – Mix chili with macaroni.
- Bake – Top with cheese and bake until melted. Garnish with parsley.
Notes
- You can customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili seasoning and hot sauce.
- Feel free to add additional toppings such as sour cream, diced avocado, or jalapenos.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Chili Mac, Macaroni and Cheese, Comfort Food, Casserole, Baked Pasta
