Description
This Chili Mac Recipe is a quick and easy weeknight meal that’s perfect for the whole family. It’s made with pantry staples like boxed mac and cheese, ground beef, and canned goods, and it comes together in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the macaroni noodles (from the box of deluxe mac & cheese) according to package instructions. Save the foil pack of cheese sauce for later. Once done, drain the pasta but do not rinse it. Set aside for later.
- Brown Beef and Onions: Cook and crumble the ground beef and onion in a large skillet pan over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain the excess grease.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta, chili beans, Rotel, and chili seasoning. Stir to combine and let cook for about 5-8 minutes.
- Add Cheese Sauce: Add the cheese sauce from the foil packet into the pan and stir well to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately! Top with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and thinly sliced green onions, if desired.
Notes
- Ground Meat Chopper: A ground meat chopper is helpful for breaking up the ground beef into small pieces.
- Mild Chili Seasoning: Use a mild packet of chili seasoning mix for the best flavor.
- Rotel: Even the mild version of Rotel has a slight spice to it. You can also use medium or hot Rotel if you prefer a spicier dish.
- Chili Beans: Use canned pinto beans in a mild chili sauce.
- Use a Larger Pot: Make sure you are cooking the ground beef in a pot or pan big enough to hold all of the ingredients.
- Spice Level: This version of chili mac is slightly spicy because of the mild Rotel tomatoes.
- To Make It Spicier: Use medium or hot Rotel tomatoes, use a packet of hot or regular chili seasoning, add cayenne pepper, chili powder, or red pepper flakes to the mixture, or garnish with sliced jalapeรฑos and/or shredded Pepper Jack cheese.
- To Make It Milder: Use a can of petite diced tomatoes instead of mild Rotel, or use a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Try using a sweeter Vidalia onion. You can also try using a can of regular pinto beans that have been drained and rinsed.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 400kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
