Cheesy Baked Chili Mac Delight
This Cheesy Baked Chili Mac Delight will take you back to your school days while adding a modern twist that's sure to please the whole family. Combining the hearty flavors of ground meat, zesty spices, and creamy cheese with the comforting texture of elbow macaroni, this dish is not just a meal, but a warm, cozy hug in a casserole dish. Perfect as a pantry challenge recipe, it uses pantry staples and can easily be adapted to accommodate what's in your kitchen. This flavorful dish is a delightful way to enjoy the classic Chili Mac with a cheesy topping that melts beautifully, making it a crowd-pleaser for lunch or dinner. Serve it up with a dollop of sour cream and some fresh veggies on the side for a complete meal that’s both satisfying and nourishing.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup (cooked according to package directions)
ground chicken or ground turkey
1 lb (browned in a pan)
chopped yellow onion
1 cup (sautéed with meat)
minced garlic
1 tablespoon (about 4 cloves, sautéed with meat)
chopped peeled tomatoes
1 (14-15 ounce) can (added to the mixture)
tomato paste
1 (6 ounce) can (added to the mixture)
chopped mild green chilies
1 (7 ounce) can (added to the mixture)
black beans or black soybeans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained and added to the mixture)
chili powder
1 teaspoon (added to the mixture)
dried ancho chile powder
1 teaspoon (added to the mixture)
dried oregano
2 teaspoons (added to the mixture)
ground cumin
1 teaspoon (added to the mixture)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (added to the mixture)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (added to the mixture)
Tabasco sauce
to taste (added to the mixture)
shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups (sprinkled on top before baking)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the uncooked elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente — about 6 to 7 minutes for regular macaroni or 15 minutes for lower-carb versions. Drain and set aside.
3
In a large sauté pan over medium heat, cook the ground meat (chicken or turkey) along with the chopped onion and minced garlic. Stir occasionally until the meat is browned and the onion is translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. If necessary, drain any excess fat from the pan.
4
Stir in the chopped peeled tomatoes (with juice), tomato paste, mild green chiles (with liquid), drained black beans, chili powder, ancho chili powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, black pepper, salt, and Tabasco sauce to taste. Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
5
Fold in the cooked macaroni, mixing well to ensure even distribution of the meat and sauce throughout the pasta.
6
Transfer the mixture to a large, lightly greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden in color.
8
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Top individual portions with a dollop of sour cream and serve alongside fresh veggies for a delightful meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Baked Chili Mac Delight?
It is a comforting casserole dish that combines ground meat, zesty spices, elbow macaroni, and creamy cheese, offering a modern twist on a classic school-day favorite.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking the casserole.
Which types of ground meat are recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of ground chicken or ground turkey.
How long should I cook the elbow macaroni?
Cook the macaroni until al dente, which is about 6 to 7 minutes for regular macaroni or 15 minutes for lower-carb versions.
What aromatics are used in the base of the chili mac?
The dish uses one cup of chopped yellow onion and one tablespoon of minced garlic (about 4 cloves).
What size cans of tomato products are needed?
You will need one 14-15 ounce can of chopped peeled tomatoes and one 6 ounce can of tomato paste.
Should I drain the green chiles before adding them?
No, the recipe specifies adding the chopped mild green chiles with their liquid.
What kind of beans are used in this chili mac?
You can use one 15 ounce can of drained black beans or black soybeans.
What spices provide the chili flavor?
The flavor comes from a combination of chili powder, dried ancho chile powder, and ground cumin.
Are there any dried herbs in the recipe?
Yes, two teaspoons of dried oregano are added to the meat and sauce mixture.
How much cheese is required for the topping?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese to be sprinkled over the top.
How long does the sauce mixture need to simmer?
Let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
How long does the casserole bake in the oven?
Bake the casserole for 20 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
It is best served with a dollop of sour cream on top and fresh vegetables on the side.
Is this recipe suitable for a pantry challenge?
Yes, it is specifically designed as a pantry challenge recipe because it uses common pantry staples.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
Yes, you can add Tabasco sauce to taste to increase the heat level.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, the mixture should be transferred to a large, lightly greased casserole dish.
What should the texture of the cheese be after baking?
The cheese should be melted, bubbly, and golden in color.
Should the meat be drained after browning?
If necessary, you should drain any excess fat from the pan after cooking the meat, onion, and garlic.
How much salt and pepper are used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
Is it necessary to let the dish cool before serving?
The recipe recommends letting the dish cool slightly before serving individual portions.
Can I use low-carb pasta in this recipe?
Yes, lower-carb elbow macaroni can be used, though it may require a longer boiling time of about 15 minutes.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 16 total ingredients including the pasta, meat, vegetables, beans, and spices.
What type of onion is recommended?
One cup of chopped yellow onion is recommended for the best flavor profile.
How much uncooked macaroni do I start with?
The recipe starts with 1 cup of uncooked elbow macaroni.
What is the primary vegetable added to the sauce?
The primary vegetables in the sauce are chopped peeled tomatoes and chopped mild green chilies.
Is the dish considered comfort food?
Yes, it is described as a warm, cozy hug in a casserole dish and categorized under comfort food tags.
Can this be served as a lunch meal?
Yes, it is described as a crowd-pleaser that is perfect for both lunch and dinner.
What color should the onions be when the meat is browned?
The onions should be translucent by the time the meat is browned, usually after 5 to 7 minutes of cooking.
What gives the dish its 'ancho' flavor?
The dish specifically uses one teaspoon of dried ancho chile powder to provide a distinct smoky chili flavor.