Description
Creamy chili mac blends hearty pasta with zesty ground beef in a comforting one-pot meal. Southern comfort cooking meets spicy Mexican-inspired flavors for a quick family dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) diced tomatoes
Pasta, Spices, and Cheese:
- 1.5 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium-high temperature, sizzle ground beef until fully cooked and uniformly browned, carefully draining any accumulated fat.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic into the meat, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Sprinkle aromatic spices including chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper, gently toasting for 60 seconds to intensify their robust flavors.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and rich beef broth, thoroughly mixing all components to create a harmonious sauce.
- Escalate heat to trigger a rolling boil, then introduce elbow macaroni directly into the bubbling liquid, reducing temperature immediately to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Allow pasta to cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles reach perfect al dente texture and absorb surrounding flavors.
- Extinguish flame and vigorously fold shredded cheddar cheese throughout the mixture, ensuring complete melting and creating a creamy, indulgent consistency.
- Transfer chili mac to serving dishes, optionally garnishing with additional cheese sprinkles or freshly chopped herbs for enhanced visual appeal and taste.
Notes
- Trim fat from ground beef to reduce overall dish calories and create a leaner meal.
- Use lean ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier protein alternative that maintains the recipe’s rich flavor profile.
- Skip draining fat completely for extra moisture if using very lean meat, preventing potential dryness in the final dish.
- Consider adding a splash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes for diners who enjoy more intense spice levels without changing the core recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 422 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg