Chili Mac Recipe
A comfort food classic, Chili Mac combines two beloved dishes – hearty chili and creamy mac and cheese – into one delicious and satisfying meal. Perfect for a cozy night in or to feed a crowd, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
- Author: Rita
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Chili:
- 1 lbs. ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- ½ cup bell pepper (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (diced)
- 1.25 oz. packet chili seasoning mix (see notes for homemade seasoning)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 8 oz. tomato sauce
- 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- ½ cup chicken broth (can sub beef broth)
- 1 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained
For the Mac and Cheese:
- 2 cups macaroni (uncooked)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon each: salt/pepper
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
For Garnish:
- Fresh Parsley (to garnish)
- Make the Chili – Cook and crumble the ground beef, onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Add seasonings, tomato paste, and liquids. Simmer.
- Make the Mac and Cheese – Boil pasta, prepare cheese sauce, combine with pasta.
- Combine the Chili & Macaroni – Mix chili into macaroni and cheese sauce.
- Bake – Top with cheese and bake until melted. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
- You can customize the level of heat in the chili by adjusting the amount of hot sauce or using a spicier chili seasoning mix.
- Feel free to add your favorite toppings such as sour cream, sliced jalapenos, or diced avocado before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 970mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: Chili Mac, Mac and Cheese, Comfort Food, Dinner Recipe