Description
Creamy and comforting, chili mac delivers hearty southwestern flavors in one skillet wonder. Melted cheese, spicy ground beef, and tender pasta blend into a crowd-pleasing meal that satisfies hungry families with bold, zesty goodness you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) chili beans, drained and rinsed
Pantry and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 can (8 ounces / 227 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 8 ounces (227 grams) elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare pasta in boiling water until perfectly tender, following package instructions. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature. Sauté onions until translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook briefly. Introduce ground beef, browning completely while breaking into small fragments. Eliminate excess grease.
- Incorporate spices into meat mixture: chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne. Blend tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chili beans. Pour broth and allow mixture to simmer for 10-12 minutes, developing rich flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Create cheese sauce in separate pan by melting butter. Whisk flour and cook momentarily. Gradually introduce milk and cream, stirring continuously until sauce thickens and becomes smooth. Incorporate cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until completely melted.
- Combine cooked pasta with chili mixture, ensuring even distribution. Pour cheese sauce over top, gently stirring to coat thoroughly. Warm on low heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer to serving dishes. Embellish with optional garnishes like sour cream, chopped green onions, or additional cheese as desired.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for plant-based crumbles to create a vegetarian version that’s equally hearty and delicious.
- Dial down the cayenne pepper for a milder flavor, perfect for those who prefer less heat in their dishes.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding diced bell peppers or zucchini directly into the chili for extra vegetables and texture.
- Use gluten-free pasta and replace flour with cornstarch in the cheese sauce to make this recipe completely gluten-free without sacrificing taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 635
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg