Go Back
–+ servings
Overhead view of a white dutch oven of chili mac with a wooden spoon on a blue napkin
Print Recipe
5 from 7 votes

Chili Mac

A mash up of beef chili and spicy macaroni and cheese!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chili Mac
Servings: 6
Calories: 797kcal
Author: Niki Medlin

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces ziti noodles
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 2 poblano peppers
  • 4 ounces monterey jack cheese grated
  • 4 ounces American cheese grated
  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese grated
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbspc chipotle peppers in adobo pureed
  • 3/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 small onion diced
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 14.5 ounces stewed tomatoes chopped
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions

For the Spicy Mac and Cheese

  • Cook noodles according to package directions, adding 1 tbsp salt to the water, drain and set aside
  • Place the poblano peppers on a baking sheet and broil until charred on all sides
  • Seal the peppers in a paper bag for 10 minutes
  • While the peppers are resting, to a saucepan add the cheese, the heavy cream, the pureed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, the garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp salt
  • Cook over low medium heat, stirring occasionally until the cheese is melted
  • Peel off the outer skin of the poblano peppers, remove the seeds, chop them into small pieces, and stir them into the cheese sauce
  • Stir the cooked and drained pasta into the cheese sauce and keep warm on low heat

For the Chili

  • In a skillet, brown 1 pound of ground beef with the diced onion. Add the chili powder, 1/2 tsp salt, chopped stewed tomatoes, and tomato sauce
  • Simmer over medium heat until heated through and thoroughly mixed together, about 10 minutes
  • Stir in the apple cider vinegar

Chili Mac

  • Add the macaroni and cheese to the chili and stir to combine
  • If the cheese thickens thats ok, the sauce from the chili will loosen it up

Notes

If the cheese sauce thickens, it's ok. The sauce from the chili will loosen it. You can always add more liquid such as heavy whipping cream, half and half, or even chicken broth, if necessary.
Add the contents of a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the puree to soups and sauces for a smoky kick!
 

Nutrition

Calories: 797kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Cholesterol: 184mg | Sodium: 2642mg | Potassium: 770mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2292IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 578mg | Iron: 4mg