Description
Chili Mac and Cheese is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal that combines tender elbow pasta with seasoned extra lean ground beef, black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and a perfect blend of spices. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh parsley, this dish is a flavorful and satisfying dinner option that comes together in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (extra lean)
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin (ground)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (ground)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 26 ounces diced tomatoes (1 can)
- 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium, or beef broth)
- 10 ounces elbow pasta (uncooked)
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink. If using extra lean ground beef, there’s no need to drain the fat, but if using beef with higher fat content, drain any excess fat.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 3 minutes or until the onion softens and becomes translucent while the garlic becomes aromatic.
- Add Spices and Beans: Mix in the cayenne pepper, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Then add the black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and uncooked elbow pasta. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Simmer the Mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook for about 9 to 12 minutes, or until the elbow pasta is tender and cooked through.
- Add Cheese: Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top of the pasta. Cover the pot again and let it sit for about 1 minute until the cheese melts.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish as a garnish and serve hot.
Notes
- Chili Mac and Cheese combines two comfort food favorites into one pot for an easy, hearty meal.
- The use of extra lean ground beef keeps the dish lower in fat without sacrificing flavor.
- This recipe can be adapted by using beef or chicken broth, depending on preference.
- For a spicier version, increase the cayenne pepper or add some chopped jalapeños.
- Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.
- Ready to serve in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for weeknight dinners.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 496 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 964 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 69 mg
