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A delicious and hearty combination of homemade chili and creamy mac and cheese, topped with melted cheddar. This dish is perfect for cozy family dinners or game days, and it pairs wonderfully with cornbread!

Homemade Creamy Chili Mac Recipe

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  • Author: Hannah
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 servings (around 12 cups) 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking, Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex

Description

A delicious and hearty combination of homemade chili and creamy mac and cheese, topped with melted cheddar. This dish is perfect for cozy family dinners or game days, and it pairs wonderfully with cornbread!


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Chili:

  • 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.25 oz packet chili seasoning mix (see notes for homemade seasoning)
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (or beef broth)
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained

For the Mac and Cheese:

  • 2 cups macaroni, uncooked
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 tsp mustard powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp each: salt and pepper
  • 1/2 tsp hot sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

For Baking:

  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Make the Chili:

  1. Cook and crumble the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the diced onions and cook for 5 minutes, until the beef is browned and onions are softened. Drain excess grease.
  2. Add the bell peppers and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for about 4 minutes, until peppers are softened.
  3. Stir in the chili seasoning and tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute.
  4. Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with juices), and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
  5. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, partially cover, and let the chili cook while you prepare the macaroni and cheese. Add the kidney beans in the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Make the Mac and Cheese:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Boil salted water for the macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  3. Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once it starts to foam, whisk in the flour and cook, stirring continuously, for 2 minutes.
  4. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream, followed by the milk, stirring constantly.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir in the mustard powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
  6. Gradually stir in 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  7. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.

Combine the Chili and Macaroni:

  1. Add the chili to the macaroni and cheese. Gently stir to combine. Adjust the ratio of chili to mac and cheese according to your preference.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish if not using an oven-safe pot.

Bake:

  1. Top with 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese and bake uncovered for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
  2. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve.

Notes

  • Cheese Tip: Shred the cheese from a block for the best melting and flavor. I use Cracker Barrel Sharp Yellow Cheese, but Monterey Jack also makes a great addition.
  • Beans: You can omit the beans or substitute kidney beans with black beans if preferred.
  • Hot Sauce: The hot sauce adds depth of flavor, but you won’t taste the heat. Texas Pete or Frank’s Hot Sauce are great options.
  • Serving Suggestion: Cornbread is an excellent side dish for this meal!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 440kcal
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 680mg
  • Fat: 26g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 29g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 23g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg