Description
This hearty Chili Mac recipe combines tender macaroni, savory ground beef, and flavorful chili beans simmered with Rotel tomatoes and chili seasoning, all topped with creamy cheese sauce for a comforting and easy weeknight meal that serves 8.
Ingredients
Scale
Macaroni & Cheese
- 1 box (24 oz) Family Size Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
Chili Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz) can chili beans (do not drain)
- 1 (10 oz) can mild Rotel (do not drain)
- 1 packet mild chili seasoning
Toppings (optional)
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Thinly sliced green onions
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the macaroni noodles from the Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese box according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta but do not rinse it to keep the starchiness that helps bind the dish. Set aside and save the foil pouch with the cheese sauce for later use.
- Brown Beef and Onions: In a large skillet 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 onions are translucent. Drain any excess grease from the pan to reduce fat content.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked macaroni noodles, canned chili beans (with liquid), mild Rotel tomatoes (with liquid), and the mild chili seasoning packet to the skillet. Stir everything together thoroughly and cook over medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes to blend the flavors and heat the mixture through.
- Add Cheese Sauce: Pour the cheese sauce from the foil packet included with the Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese into the skillet. Stir well to incorporate the cheese sauce evenly throughout the chili mac mixture, creating a rich and creamy texture.
- Serve Immediately: Dish out the Chili Mac hot and, if desired, top with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and thinly sliced green onions for added flavor and a fresh garnish.
Notes
- Do not rinse pasta after cooking to help the sauce stick better.
- Using lean ground beef reduces excess grease and keeps the dish healthier.
- You can adjust the spiciness by choosing Rotel with different heat levels.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger gatherings.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
