CHILI MAC & CHEESE

CHILI MAC & CHEESE tastes just like your favorite chili, but with the additional cheesiness of Mac and Cheese! In just over 20 minutes, you can have a delicious ground beef dinner on the table — and it’s all done in one pot. It’s wonderfully delicious!

INGREDIENTS:

— 1 tbsp olive oil

— 2 garlic cloves, minced

— 1 onion, finely chopped

— 1 red capsicum / bell pepper, chopped

— 500g / 1 lb ground beef (mince), I use lean

— 800g / 28 oz crushed canned tomato

— 420g / 14 oz can red kidney beans, drained

— 2 1/2 cups (625 ml) beef broth (chicken broth also ok)

— 250g / 8 oz elbow macaroni pasta (elbow pasta), uncooked

— 2 cups (200g) shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, tasty cheese)

— 1/4 cup coriander / cilantro finely chopped, for garnish

SPICES (HOMEMADE CHILI POWDER)

— 1 tsp cayenne pepper or pure chili powder (adjust spiciness to taste)

— 2 tsp paprika powder

— 2 tsp cumin powder

— 1 1/2 tsp onion powder (can sub garlic powder)

— 1 tsp dried oregano

— 1/2 tsp black pepper

— 1 1/4 tsp salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat oil in a large pot over high heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 1 minute. Then add capsicum and cook until onion is translucent.

Add beef and cook, breaking it up as you go.

Once the beef turns from red to brown, add remaining ingredients except cheese. Stir, bring to simmer, then turn the heat down to medium.

Cover and cook for 12 minutes or until the macaroni is al dente, meaning just cooked, still a tiny bit on the firm side. It should be saucy, but not tons of liquid.

Turn the stove OFF but leave the pot on the stove. Stir through half the cheese – it should be a bit saucy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Top with remaining cheese, put the lid back on and leave until the cheese melts – about 2 minutes (sauce will absorb further during this period).

Sprinkle with coriander, if desired, and serve immediately.

Thanks heaps for reading, and don’t forget to share this recipe with family and friends.