Description
This hearty and flavorful Chili Mac recipe combines creamy mac and cheese with savory ground beef, chili beans, and a mild Rotel tomato mixture, all enhanced with chili seasoning for a comforting one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 box (24 oz) Family Size Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 (16 oz) can chili beans (do not drain)
- 1 (10 oz) can mild Rotel (do not drain)
- 1 packet mild chili seasoning
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream, for serving
- Shredded cheddar cheese, for serving
- Thinly sliced green onions, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Prepare the macaroni noodles from the Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese box according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta but do not rinse it. Reserve the cheese sauce packet for later use.
- Brown the Beef and Onion: In a large skillet pan over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef along with the finely diced yellow onion until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is softened. Drain off any excess grease from the pan.
- Add Chili Ingredients: Stir in the cooked macaroni, chili beans with their liquid, the mild Rotel tomatoes with their juice, and the packet of mild chili seasoning. Combine everything thoroughly and let the mixture cook together for about 5 to 8 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Incorporate Cheese Sauce: Add the reserved cheese sauce from the foil packet into the skillet. Stir well to fully combine the cheese sauce with the chili mac mixture, ensuring a creamy texture throughout.
- Serve: Serve the chili mac immediately. For added flavor and texture, top each serving with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and thinly sliced green onions as desired.
Notes
- Do not rinse the macaroni after cooking to help the sauce adhere better.
- Drain the excess grease after browning the beef to keep the dish from being too oily.
- Use the mild Rotel and chili seasoning for a gentle spice level; adjust to taste if you prefer it spicier.
- Optional toppings like sour cream and cheese add extra richness and tang.
- This recipe can easily be scaled up or down depending on serving needs.
