Creamy Chili Mac Dinner (Printable Version)
A comforting blend of seasoned chili and creamy macaroni cheese, ideal for satisfying family dinners.
# Ingredients:
→ Chili
01 -
450 g ground beef
02 -
1 medium onion, diced
03 -
1 green bell pepper, diced
04 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
05 -
15 g tomato paste
06 -
400 g canned diced tomatoes, undrained
07 -
240 ml chicken broth
08 -
240 g kidney beans, rinsed and drained
09 -
1 tsp chili powder
10 -
1 tsp ground cumin
11 -
Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Macaroni and Cheese
12 -
220 g elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
13 -
30 g unsalted butter
14 -
30 g all-purpose flour
15 -
480 ml whole milk
16 -
120 ml heavy cream
17 -
1 tsp hot sauce
18 -
200 g sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
→ Garnish
19 -
Fresh parsley, chopped
# Steps:
01 -
Cook and crumble ground beef with diced onions in a Dutch oven over medium heat until fully browned. Drain excess grease. Add diced bell pepper and minced garlic and sauté until softened.
02 -
Incorporate tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture. Stir to combine, then add canned diced tomatoes with juice and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
03 -
About 10 minutes before serving, stir kidney beans into the chili and continue simmering gently to meld flavors.
04 -
In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes without browning.
05 -
Gradually whisk in whole milk and heavy cream in small increments, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Bring sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce to low heat.
06 -
Add hot sauce and shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
07 -
Fold drained cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring even coating.
08 -
Add the prepared chili to the macaroni and cheese mixture and stir until fully combined.
09 -
Transfer to an oven-safe dish, top with additional cheddar cheese, and bake at 200°C for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly golden. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
# Notes:
01 -
Use freshly shredded cheese for optimal melt and flavor. The recipe can be prepared ahead and reheated gently to avoid overcooked pasta.