Chili Mac and Cheese

Name: Chili Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 25 min
Yield: 12 servings (4-1/2 quarts)
Ingredients: 2-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean); 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 medium green pepper, chopped; 1 banana pepper, finely chopped; 2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained; 2 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained; 2-1/2 teaspoons chili powder; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni; 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese; Optional: Sour cream and additional shredded cheddar cheese

Total Time Prep: 25 min. Cook: 5 hours

Yield 12 servings (4-1/2 quarts)

Test Kitchen Approved

This chili mac and cheese combines hearty, spicy chili with mac and cheese. It's a comfort food mashup!

Ingredients

2-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 banana pepper, finely chopped
2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Optional: Sour cream and additional shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

In a Dutch oven, cook beef, onion and peppers over medium-high heat until beef is no longer pink and vegetables are tender, breaking up beef into crumbles, 8-10 minutes; drain. Transfer to a 7-qt. slow cooker. Stir in tomatoes, beans, chili powder and cumin. Cook, covered, on low until flavors are blended, 5-6 hours.
Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Add to slow cooker. Stir in cheese until melted. If desired, serve with sour cream and additional cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups: 447 calories, 21g fat (10g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 646mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 35g protein.

What could be tastier on a cold winter day than chili or mac and cheese? Put them together and you have a terrific dish that warms you up and fills you up as well! —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

Recipe Creator