Description
This Chili Mac and Cheese is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal that’s perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner. It combines the classic flavors of chili with cheesy macaroni for a truly delicious and easy-to-make dish.
Ingredients
Units
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- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound extra lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (26 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or beef broth)
- 10 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Brown Beef and Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. If using a higher fat content ground beef, drain any excess grease. Stir in onion and garlic; cook until softened.
- Add Spices and Beans: Stir in cayenne pepper, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add black beans, kidney beans, and diced tomatoes.
- Simmer with Pasta: Pour in chicken (or beef) broth and add the elbow macaroni. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 9-12 minutes, or until macaroni is cooked through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Cheese: Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese until melted. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and cover the pot for about 1 minute to allow the cheese to melt completely.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Fat: Drain excess fat if using a higher fat content ground beef.
- Pasta: Cook macaroni until tender but not mushy.
- Spice Level: Add diced jalapeños or chipotles for extra heat.
- Pasta Options: Use any pasta shape you prefer.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 400kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 40mg