Description
A comforting and hearty Chili Mac and Cheese recipe combining tender elbow macaroni, spiced ground beef, kidney beans, and melted cheddar cheese, perfect for a filling family dinner with a flavorful southwestern twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Sauté Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Meat and Spices
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra spice)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Additional Ingredients
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté onion: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent and softened, creating a flavorful base.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, ensuring it doesn’t burn.
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook it until browned throughout, breaking it up with a spoon to create crumbly pieces. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish lean.
- Season the meat: Add chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices and deepen the flavor.
- Add tomatoes and beans: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the drained kidney beans. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 5-7 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Combine pasta with chili mixture: Add the cooked macaroni to the skillet, stirring everything thoroughly so the pasta is evenly coated with the spicy beef and bean sauce.
- Melt cheese: Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet and cook until the cheese melts completely, about 3-5 minutes.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the lid and sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro on top if desired. Serve hot and enjoy this delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper amount to control the heat level to your taste.
- For a creamier texture, stir in a splash of milk or cream with the cheese melting step.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef to lighten the dish.
- Kidney beans can be swapped with black beans or pinto beans for variety.
