Description
Make Chili Mac and Cheese for a comforting meal that combines two favorites. This recipe is easy to follow and delivers big flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 4 cups water
- 4 cups milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef with the chopped onion in a large pot over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove chili mixture and set aside.
- In the same pot, bring the water and milk to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
- Return the drained macaroni to the pot.
- In a separate small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly to make a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until the sauce is smooth. Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese until completely melted and smooth.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni. Stir to coat.
- Fold the reserved chili mixture into the cheesy macaroni. Heat gently until everything is warmed through. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You control the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili powder.
- For a richer cheese sauce, use freshly grated cheese.
- Feel free to substitute ground turkey for the beef.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Comfort Eats
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg