Description
Chili Mac is the ultimate comfort food that brings together the heartiness of chili and the creamy goodness of macaroni and cheese. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, offering a delightful blend of flavors that everyone will love. With tender ground beef, vibrant vegetables, and a rich cheese sauce, this baked Chili Mac is not only satisfying but also budget-friendly. You can easily customize it to suit your taste by adding your favorite spices or veggies. Serve it alongside fresh salads or garlic bread for a complete meal that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- ½ cup bell pepper (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (diced)
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 2 cups macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1.25 oz packet chili seasoning mix
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- Fresh parsley (to garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot, boil water and cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente; drain.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté until tender.
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and chili seasoning; simmer for about 10 minutes.
- In a separate saucepan, make the cheese sauce by melting butter and whisking in flour, then adding heavy cream and milk gradually until smooth. Mix in mustard powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
- Combine macaroni with meat mixture, pour cheese sauce over it, and stir gently.
- Transfer to a baking dish and top with extra cheese if desired. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg