Description
This cheesy and hearty Chili Mac recipe combines creamy mac and cheese with robust homemade chili for the ultimate comfort food mashup. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or game day gatherings—this crowd-pleasing dish is baked to perfection and ready in just 1 hour!
Ingredients
For the Chili:
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1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
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1 small onion, diced
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1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1.25 oz chili seasoning mix (or homemade)
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1 tbsp tomato paste
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8 oz tomato sauce
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14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
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1/2 cup chicken broth (or beef broth)
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1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained
For the Mac and Cheese:
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2 cups uncooked macaroni
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2 tbsp butter
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2 tbsp flour
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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1 cup milk
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1/2 tsp mustard powder
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1/4 tsp onion powder
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1/4 tsp salt
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1/4 tsp black pepper
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1/2 tsp hot sauce
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1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
For Baking:
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1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (for topping)
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Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
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Make the Chili:
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In a large pot, cook ground beef over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add onion, cook 5 more minutes, then drain grease.
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Add bell pepper and garlic; cook 4 minutes. Stir in chili seasoning and tomato paste; cook for 1 minute.
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Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and broth. Simmer partially covered for 20+ minutes; add beans during the last 10 minutes.
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Prepare the Mac and Cheese:
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Boil water and cook macaroni until al dente; drain.
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In a large Dutch oven, melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly add cream and milk, bring to a simmer.
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Add seasonings and hot sauce. Stir in shredded cheese until smooth. Add drained macaroni and mix well.
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Combine and Bake:
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Mix desired amount of chili into the mac and cheese.
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Transfer to a baking dish or leave in Dutch oven. Top with remaining shredded cheese.
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Bake uncovered for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Garnish with parsley and serve.
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Notes
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You can adjust the mac-to-chili ratio based on preference.
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Extra chili can be frozen for later use.
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Great for leftovers—reheat with a splash of milk to revive the creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop & Baked
- Cuisine: American
