Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 5 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dry oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Liquids and Canned Goods
- 2 3/4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 15 ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
Pasta and Toppings
- 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its fragrance.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the pot, stir continuously, breaking it up until fully cooked and crumbly. Drain excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily. Season the beef with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add Tomato and Spices: Stir in tomato sauce, drained kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika. Mix well to combine all flavors thoroughly.
- Simmer Pasta: Pour in chicken broth and add uncooked elbow macaroni noodles. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot with a lid and reduce heat to a simmer. Let cook for 12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in grated cheddar cheese until melted and well combined. Finally, add chopped fresh cilantro for a burst of fresh flavor. Serve hot as a satisfying main dish.
Notes
- For a leaner version, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef.
- If you prefer a spicier chili mac, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
