Description
A hearty and comforting one-pot dish that blends the flavors of classic chili with creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups meat or vegetable broth
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
- Add diced onions and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Mix in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to develop flavor.
- Add diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, broth, kidney beans, and seasonings (chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, onion powder, salt, and pepper). Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in cream cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
- Add in shredded cheddar cheese and stir until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in the cooked macaroni and stir to coat evenly.
- Let simmer for another 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a leaner version.
- Add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce for extra heat.
- Mix in black beans or corn for added texture and flavor.
- Top with sour cream, green onions, or crushed tortilla chips for a loaded finish.
- Make it vegetarian by skipping the meat and adding more beans and veggies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg