Description
Summer Chili Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, perfectly blending creamy cheese with a spicy chili twist. This dish is ideal for summer gatherings, featuring elbow macaroni enveloped in savory chili sauce and topped with gooey melted cheddar. Quick to prepare, it’s sure to impress your guests and satisfy cravings at any barbecue or picnic.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) chili beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion and minced garlic until translucent (about 3–4 minutes).
- Add ground beef and cook until browned (about 5–7 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in chili beans, diced tomatoes (with juices), spices, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain without rinsing.
- Fold cooked pasta into the chili mixture until well combined. Gradually stir in milk over low heat until creamy.
- Top with grated cheddar cheese and cover for about 5 minutes until melted.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg