Description
A hearty and flavorful Chili Mac recipe combining the creamy comfort of Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese with savory ground beef, chili beans, and Rotel for a deliciously easy one-pan meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 box (24 oz) Family Size Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 (16 oz) can chili beans (do not drain)
- 1 (10 oz) can mild Rotel (do not drain)
- 1 packet mild chili seasoning
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream, to taste
- Shredded cheddar cheese, to taste
- Thinly sliced green onions, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the macaroni noodles from the Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese box according to the package instructions. Remember to save the foil packet of cheese sauce for later. Once cooked, drain the pasta but do not rinse it; set it aside for use in the next steps.
- Brown Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef along with the finely diced yellow onion until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are softened. Drain off any excess grease to keep the dish leaner.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked macaroni pasta, the entire can of chili beans (including liquid), the can of mild Rotel (including liquid), and the mild chili seasoning packet to the skillet with the browned beef and onions. Stir everything until well combined, then let the mixture cook for about 5 to 8 minutes to blend the flavors and heat through thoroughly.
- Add Cheese Sauce: Pour in the cheese sauce from the saved foil packet and stir well to incorporate it evenly throughout the chili mac mixture, creating a creamy texture.
- Serve: Serve the chili mac hot immediately. Optionally, top each serving with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and thinly sliced green onions to add extra flavor and garnish.
Notes
- You can adjust the spice level by using mild, medium, or hot Rotel and chili seasoning according to your preference.
- For a leaner option, use extra-lean ground beef or ground turkey.
- Do not rinse the cooked pasta to help the cheese sauce adhere better.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
