Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey for a lighter option)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) chili beans (or kidney beans for a lighter choice)
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup elbow macaroni (or your favorite pasta shape)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a cheese blend)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for sautéing
Instructions
- Start by Cooking the Ground Beef:
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Once hot, add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until browned and fully cooked.
- If there’s excess grease, drain it, but leave a little bit for flavor.
- Sauté the Veggies:
- Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the pot with the beef. Stir occasionally, cooking until the veggies soften, about 5 minutes. This will give the dish a nice base of flavor.
- Add the Spices:
- Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let the spices toast for about a minute to bring out their full flavor.
- Incorporate the Tomatoes and Beans:
- Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, and chili beans. Stir everything together and bring it to a simmer. Let this mixture cook for about 10-15 minutes, until everything is well combined, and the flavors meld together.
- Cook the Pasta:
- While the chili is simmering, cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Make sure to salt the water for extra flavor. Drain the pasta, but don’t rinse it—you want the starch to help thicken the sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Chili:
- Add the cooked macaroni to the chili mixture and stir it all together. If it’s looking a little thick, you can add some beef broth (or water) to get your desired consistency.
- Add the Cheese:
- Once everything is mixed together, add in the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce becomes creamy and cheesy. It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for—the cheesy, gooey goodness!
- Taste and Adjust:
- Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. You might want to add a little more salt or chili powder for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600