Description

Chili Mac is the ultimate comfort food, marrying the bold flavors of hearty chili with creamy macaroni and cheese. This dish is a family favorite, perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a potluck gathering. The combination of seasoned ground beef, vibrant vegetables, and melty cheese creates an irresistible meal that’s both satisfying and simple to prepare. In under an hour, you can serve up a delicious and filling dish that everyone will love!

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
1 small onion (diced)
½ cup bell pepper (diced)
3 cloves garlic (diced)
1.25 oz chili seasoning mix
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)

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Instructions

Dice the onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
In a large pot over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked.
Add the diced vegetables and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
Stir in the chili seasoning mix, tomato sauce, and kidney beans; let simmer for 20 minutes.
Cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente.
In another saucepan, prepare the cheese sauce by melting butter, whisking in flour, then adding heavy cream and milk until thickened. Stir in spices and cheese until melted.
Combine drained macaroni with the chili mixture and pour cheese sauce over it; stir to combine.
Serve warm with fresh parsley on top.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
Calories: 480
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 46g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 70mg