Chili Mac Casserole
Chili Mac Casserole is a baked comfort food classic made with seasoned ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, kidney beans, tomato sauce, heavy cream, and melted cheddar cheese for a rich, hearty meal.
Ingredients
- 8 oz to 10 oz Elbow Macaroni
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 2 cup Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Onion chopped
- 3 to 4 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 - 14.5 oz canned Diced Tomatoes
- 1 - 8 oz canned Tomato Sauce
- 1 - 15 oz Kidney Beans drained and rinse
- 2 tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Sazon Completa
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ cup Heavy Cream
- 2 tablespoon chopped Green Onion
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F, 190°C. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until fully browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, sazon completa, and black pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to toast the spices.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and kidney beans to the skillet. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the chili mixture. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until everything is creamy and evenly coated.
- Transfer the chili mac mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired and enjoy warm.
Video
Recipe Tips
For extra flavor, let the chili mixture simmer a few extra minutes before adding the pasta. This helps the spices fully bloom and creates a deeper, richer base for the casserole.
