Chili Mac Dinner (Printable Version)
Dig into beefy, cheesy chili goodness with pasta mixed right in. One pot means less clean up and loads of comfort.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chili Stuff
01 -
1 bell pepper, chopped
02 -
1 pound ground beef
03 -
1 medium onion, chopped up
04 -
1 can (14 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed off and drained
05 -
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
06 -
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
07 -
1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder, as much as you like
08 -
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 -
1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 -
3 cloves garlic, chopped
11 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Mac Parts
12 -
8 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked
13 -
1 cup beef broth
14 -
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, split
15 -
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, split
16 -
salt and pepper, whatever you like
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
Take the pot off the burner. Toss in half the cheddar and three-quarters of the mozzarella a bit at a time. Stir until it all melts together.
02 -
Dump in the kidney beans, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth. Give everything a good mix, then turn up to medium-high.
03 -
Let the chili heat up till it bubbles, sprinkle in the dry macaroni, and mix. Knock down the heat to medium. Let it bubble gently 10–12 minutes, stir once in a while, till the noodles are soft and the sauce is nice and thick.
04 -
Throw in the minced garlic and chopped bell pepper. Let that cook about 2 minutes—smells awesome when it’s ready.
05 -
Chuck the ground beef into the pot and smash it up with your spoon. Let it brown all the way, then toss in the chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Keep stirring for a minute or two.
06 -
Taste and see if you need more salt or pepper. Sprinkle what's left of the cheeses on top, slap on a lid, and let it chill for a couple minutes so the cheese melts. Spoon it up while it's hot.
07 -
Drizzle olive oil in a big pot, get it warm over medium. Add the diced onion and let it get soft for about 3 or 4 minutes.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Love it spicy? Splash in a bit of hot sauce or shake in some red pepper flakes. Swap beef for turkey or veggie crumbles if you want it lighter. Try out black beans or pinto beans if you feel like switching up the beans.