Description
Cheesy Chili Mac Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish featuring tender elbow macaroni combined with flavorful ground beef and a zesty chili tomato sauce, all topped with melted cheddar cheese and baked to perfection. This one-dish meal is perfect for family dinners and feeds up to 10 people.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
Meat and Seasoning
- 2 lb lean ground beef
- 1 (1.75-oz) package chili seasoning mix
Tomato and Beans
- 1 (15-oz) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles (undrained)
- 1 (6-oz) can tomato paste
- 1 (16-oz) can chili beans (undrained)
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni following the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Cook Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is evenly browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain the excess fat from the skillet.
- Combine Ingredients: In the skillet or a large bowl, mix the cooked ground beef with chili seasoning mix, undrained diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes and green chiles, tomato paste, and chili beans. Stir in the cooked pasta until everything is well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the chili mac mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For extra spice, add a dash of hot sauce or chopped jalapeños.
- Use reduced-fat cheese to lower fat content.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure chili seasoning is gluten-free.
