Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food mashup that combines the smoky, bold flavors of hearty beef chili with the creamy, decadent embrace of homemade macaroni and cheese. This satisfying one-pot meal is packed with savory spices, kidney beans, and a trio of melty cheeses, making it the perfect crowd-pleasing dinner for game days or chilly weeknights. It is a nostalgic, flavor-packed dish that streamlines your cooking routine while delivering big, bold, and reliable taste in every single bite.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
1 small onion, finely diced
1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1.25 oz chili seasoning mix
1 tablespoon tomato paste
8 oz tomato sauce
14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices
1/2 cup beef broth
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups dry macaroni noodles
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
In a large pot, brown the ground beef with onion and bell pepper over medium heat until the beef is fully cooked.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the chili seasoning, tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with juices, beef broth, and kidney beans; simmer for 10 minutes.
While the chili simmers, boil the macaroni in a separate pot of salted water until al dente; drain and set aside.
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, whisk in the flour, and cook for 1 minute.
Slowly whisk in the milk, heavy cream, and mustard powder, cooking until thickened.
Stir in the cheddar cheese until smooth, then combine the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni.
Fold the creamy macaroni into the beef chili mixture, stir well to combine, and serve warm.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often improve overnight. To reheat, add a splash of milk to maintain the creaminess of the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg