Description
Classic chili mac combines hearty pasta with spicy ground beef for a comforting one-pot meal. Cheese-topped and quick to prepare, this dish delivers robust flavors you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef, turkey, or plant-based ground meat
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups beef, chicken, or vegetable broth
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or vegan cheese)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (red, green, or yellow)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil for sauteing
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional Toppings: Sliced green onions, sour cream, chopped cilantro, jalapenos
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium-high heat, gently sautéing onions, garlic, and bell peppers until they become translucent and aromatic, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate ground protein and cook thoroughly, breaking into crumbly pieces until achieving a deep brown color and eliminating any excess grease.
- Cascade diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, and signature spice blend into the pot, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for 2-3 minutes while stirring continuously.
- Pour broth and macaroni into the mixture, raising temperature until liquid reaches a robust boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, covering and simmering for 10-12 minutes until pasta reaches al dente texture and liquid is nearly completely absorbed.
- Remove from heat and fold shredded cheddar cheese into the chili mac, stirring until cheese completely melts and creates a luxurious, creamy consistency.
- Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with optional toppings like fresh cilantro, green onions, or additional cheese for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with plant-based alternatives like lentils or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains protein richness.
- Select short pasta shapes like shells or rotini to hold sauce better and create more delicious bites.
- Control spice levels by adjusting chili powder and adding cayenne pepper gradually for personalized heat intensity.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and reduce overall kitchen time, making this a quick weeknight meal solution.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg