Description
Comfort meets excitement in this hearty chili mac, blending spicy southwestern flavors with creamy pasta perfection. Cheesy, meaty, and boldly seasoned, you’ll savor each satisfying bite of this crowd-pleasing one-pot wonder that brings warmth to any dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Optional: green onions or jalapenos for topping
Pantry and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounces) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 ½ cups beef broth (or water)
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sear the ground beef in a spacious pot over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbly bits until perfectly browned and caramelized.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until the aromatics release their fragrant essence and become translucent.
- Pour in tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and beef broth, creating a robust foundation with a symphony of spices including chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and cracked black pepper.
- Introduce uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the simmering liquid, allowing it to absorb the rich, spicy flavors while gently cooking until pasta reaches an al dente texture.
- Remove the pot from heat and fold in sharp cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts into a luxurious, creamy coating that envelops the entire dish.
- Garnish with optional toppings like sliced green onions, additional cheese, or fiery jalapeño slices to elevate the visual and flavor profile of this hearty one-pot meal.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier dish.
- Drain the meat thoroughly after browning to prevent a greasy final result.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili powder and adding fresh chopped jalapeños.
- Make it vegetarian by swapping ground beef with plant-based crumbles or additional beans like black beans or pinto beans.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free macaroni or replace pasta with cauliflower rice.
- Enhance the flavor by using smoked cheddar cheese instead of regular cheddar for a deeper smoky taste.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and reduce overall cooking time.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, reheating with a splash of broth to maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg