Ingredients

– Chili
– 1 lbs. ground beef 80% lean
– 1 small onion diced
– ½ cup bell pepper diced
– 3 cloves garlic diced
– 1.25 oz. packet chili seasoning mix see notes for homemade seasoning
– 1 tablespoon tomato paste
– 8 oz. tomato sauce
– 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes undrained
– ½ cup chicken broth can sub beef broth
– 1 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained
– Mac and Cheese
– 2 cups macaroni uncooked
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 2 tablespoons flour
– ½ cup heavy cream
– 1 cup milk
– ½ teaspoon mustard powder
– ¼ teaspoon onion powder
– ¼ teaspoon each: salt/pepper
– ½ teaspoon hot sauce
– 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded
– For Baking
– 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded
– Fresh Parsley to garnish

Instructions

1. Make the Chili
– Cook and crumble the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the onions and cook for 5 more minutes, or until the beef is brown and the onions are softened. Drain grease.
– Add the bell peppers and the garlic and cook until the peppers are softened, about 4 minutes. Add the seasoning and tomato paste and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
– Add the tomato sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce so that it’s bubbling gently. Cover partially and let it simmer while you prepare the macaroni and cheese. The longer it simmers, the thicker and more concentrated it will get. Add the drained kidney beans during the last 10 minutes or so.
2. Make the Mac and Cheese
– Preheat oven to 400° F.
– Begin boiling salted pasta water for the macaroni. Proceed with preparing the cheese sauce while it comes up to a boil. Once boiling, add the macaroni and cook according to package instructions, until just al dente. (Don’t overcook it.) Drain once cooked.
– Melt the butter in a 4 ½ quart Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium heat and wait for it to begin to foam slightly. Whisk in the flour and stir continuously for 2 minutes. Add the heavy cream in splashes, stirring continuously. Add the milk in the same manner.
– Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add the hot sauce and seasonings and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low.
– Gradually sprinkle in the shredded cheese, stirring continuously, until well-combined and smooth.
– Add the drained macaroni and stir to combine.
3. Combine the Chili & Macaroni
– Add the chili to the macaroni and use a silicone spatula to gently stir to combine. You may choose to add all of it, (as shown in the images), or some of it, the ratio of mac and cheese to chili is up to you! You can always freeze any excess chili.
4. Bake
– Once combined, top with 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese and bake uncovered for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve!

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 18 cups