Description

This Chili Mac Casserole combines flavorful ground beef, melty cheese, and zesty spices for a comforting dish. Easy to prepare, it serves up perfectly as a quick dinner or family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds lean ground beef or chicken or turkey
1 medium onion diced or minced
4 cloves garlic minced
28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
6 ounce can tomato paste
4 ounce can diced green chilis
15.5 ounce can kidney beans drained
1 teaspoon better than bouillon beef
¼ – ½ cup water rinse the tomato container with it
2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
2-4 cups shredded cheddar cheese i like colby-jack and sharp cheddar
2 tablespoons chili powder reduce by half if you don’t like it spicy
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt you can adjust later
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ – ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
⅕ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional depending on how spicy you like it

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Instructions

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190° C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large skillet or pot, brown the ground meat and onions over medium heat. Add the minced garlic towards the end and drain excess fat if necessary.
Sprinkle the spices over the meat mixture, stirring and cooking for 1 minute to bloom them.
Blend in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, diced green chilis, Better than Bouillon, and kidney beans. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, adding some water if needed, and adjust the seasonings to taste.
Fold the cooked macaroni and 1-2 cups of shredded cheese into the chili base.
Transfer to the greased casserole dish, top with the remaining cheese, cover with oil-sprayed foil, and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the level of spiciness by modifying the chili powder and optional peppers.
You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Add your favorite toppings like sour cream or green onions when serving.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 400
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 80mg