Description
Spicy chili mac delivers a hearty comfort fusion of zesty chili and creamy pasta that satisfies comfort food cravings. Melted cheese, ground beef, and bold spices create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats:
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) diced tomatoes
Pantry Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (8 ounces / 227 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 packet chili seasoning mix (or homemade chili spices)
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream (optional for topping)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sizzle ground meat in a spacious pot over medium-high heat, crumbling and browning thoroughly while eliminating excess grease.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.
- Introduce kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili seasoning, and water into the mixture, allowing flavors to meld by simmering gently.
- Nestle macaroni directly into the saucy base, ensuring each pasta piece becomes coated with the rich, spicy liquid.
- Cover and let the pasta cook, stirring intermittently to prevent sticking, adjusting liquid as needed to achieve perfect pasta tenderness.
- Fold in sharp cheddar cheese until completely dissolved, creating a velvety, cohesive texture throughout the dish.
- Fine-tune seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
- Ladle into serving bowls, optionally embellishing with a generous swirl of sour cream and additional cheese sprinkled on top for luxurious presentation.
Notes
- Customize protein by swapping ground beef with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains the hearty texture.
- Reduce sodium content by using low-sodium tomato sauce and kidney beans, perfect for heart-conscious diners.
- Enhance flavor depth by adding a splash of dark beer or a teaspoon of smoked paprika during the simmering stage for a more complex taste profile.
- Make it gluten-free by substituting regular macaroni with chickpea or rice pasta, ensuring everyone can enjoy this comforting one-pot meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg