Chili Mac (Cooking Light)

"Another chili mac recipe - this one is from Cooking Light's Best of 10 Years. It was an instant hit with everyone in my family."
 
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photo by Ashley Cuoco photo by Ashley Cuoco
photo by Ashley Cuoco
photo by Redsie photo by Redsie
photo by Redsie photo by Redsie
photo by karen photo by karen
photo by Engrossed photo by Engrossed
Ready In:
35mins
Ingredients:
16
Serves:
8
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ingredients

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directions

  • Cook first 4 ingredients in a dutch oven over medium high heat till meat is browned, stirring until meat crumbles.
  • Drain well and wipe drippings from pan with a paper towel (if your beef is lean enough, you won't really need to do this).
  • Return beef to dutch oven; add macaroni and next 10 ingredients.
  • stir well.
  • Bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat.
  • Simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Spoon into individual serving bowls.
  • Sprinkle 2 T cheese over each serving.

Questions & Replies

  1. Not really a question, but just wanted to point out that the recipe is wrong. It tells you to add 14 ingredients, cook, then sprinkle with cheese. However, there are 15 ingredients that need to be added, if you only add the 14 called for, you won't be using the tomato paste, which I think you'd need in this recipe. Really wish they'd get these recipes CORRECT!
     
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Reviews

  1. I was so glad to see this posted here! I believe this recipe was originally published in Cooking Light in an article on healthier school cafeteria food, which grabbed ny attention since if it's kid-friendly, it's probably DH friendly. Quick and easy, and a favorite with us. Add some cornbread and a green salad and dinner is done! The original recipe called for no-salt added tomatoes, corn, tomato paste, tomato sauce, as well as ground round and reduced-fat sharp cheddar. With those changes, this dish is even healthier than shown on the nutrition facts to the left: 7.2 g fat and 420 mg sodium. Thanks for sharing the recipe!!
     
  2. Just made this right now! super easy! and tasty...and more nutritious than other recipes for Chili Mac I saw out there. I added 2 green peppers, and a whole onion. Also, we have so many tomatoes in the garden now, so threw a bunch in the blender and added dried basil for that 'stewed tomato' taste. Overall just great! thanks, eva
     
  3. This was very easy to make. The recipe came out dry, I would say it’s just ok. It definitely makes a lot so it’s good if you have a big family and it’s filling.
     
  4. It sounded great and I followed the recipe to a T. So bland and tomatoey. Then I started tweaking and added more garlic, chili powder, more cumin....just didn't like it much.
     
  5. Very good dish! Be sure the macaroni is cooked al dente, or they will come out too soft in the end. I used some of the pasta water for the water called for, doubled the chili powder, and used Rotel for the canned tomatoes. This is one I'll be making again. Thank you for sharing!
     
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Tweaks

  1. This was really good!! The whole family enjoyed it. The only thing I did different was instead of just chopped tomatoes I used rotels tomatoes and green chilies. Exellent!! Thanks
     

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