Mexi Ground Beef Chili Macaroni Casserole

"Sausage meat can be used in place of the ground beef, and any small pasta can be substituted for the macaroni. If you like more chili flavor then add in a couple tablespoons of chili powder. I have even added in some red kidney beans and sliced green olives to this casserole, but that is optional. This casserole can be completely prepared up to 24 hours in advance, cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap, then refrigerate until ready to bake, increase the cooking time slightly. For taco seasoning see recipe #76616."
 
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photo by Wildflour photo by Wildflour
photo by Wildflour
photo by Tinkerbell photo by Tinkerbell
photo by Redsie photo by Redsie
photo by children from A to Z photo by children from A to Z
photo by Wildflour photo by Wildflour
Ready In:
1hr 43mins
Ingredients:
15
Serves:
8
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ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 -2 teaspoon dried chili pepper flakes (optional or to taste, add in if you like spicy!)
  • 2 (1 ounce) packages taco seasoning mix (you can use 1 package if desired, or use a single or double recipe of my Kittencal's Taco Seasoning Mix)
  • 13 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 8 slices bacon (cooked till very crisp and chopped)
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 2 (10 ounce) cans tomato soup
  • 1 -2 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
  • seasoning salt (can use white salt)
  • pepper
  • 3 cups cooked macaroni (can use less, cook the macaroni to JUST firm-tender)
  • 4 cups shredded tex-mex cheese, divided (or to taste or cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese)
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directions

  • In a large skillet brown the beef with dried chili flakes, onion, garlic and the green pepper until the beef is no longer pink (about 10-12 minutes, make sure the beef is well browned) drain any fat.
  • Add in taco seasoning mix with Parmesan cheese; mix to combine and cook 1 minute.
  • Add in the cooked chopped bacon, tomato sauce, 2 cans tomato soup and brown sugar (if using); simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Season with seasoning salt and pepper and mix in 2 cups shredded Tex-Mex or cheddar cheese.
  • Add in the cooked macaroni pasta; mix to combine.
  • Set oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish (or larger).
  • Transfer the mixture to the casserole dish.
  • Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, then about 2 cups (or more)grated Tex-Mex or cheddar cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese has melted.
  • Delicious!

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Reviews

  1. Great tasty recipe! I threw in a small link of chirzo and used one packet of hot and spicy taco seasoning. Just the right zing. I did not add any pepper flakes. I didn't add the bacon and used penne whole wheat noodles. We really enjoyed this one!
     
  2. Absolutly amazing. We used a tablespoon of red pepper flakes, and used about 5 tablespoons of Siracha, the macaroni absorbed the siracha, and my dad and I ate the whole thing together. Best food I've had in a while.
     
  3. Another great one from you! I did only use 1 package of taco seasoning but all the chili flakes.and made it a few hours before and husband threw it in the oven. I did not put any extra cheese on top. Everyone loved it. My husband ate it for two more days. Thank you very much for sharing. I wil def be making this again, maybe in two smaller trays and freeze one.
     
  4. I gave this recipe 4 stars my hubby says 5..... I only used one pkg. of taco seasoning and it was plenty spicy for us...I also thru in a can of fiesta corn...
     
  5. This was a great change for me! I had a pound of ground beef and the urge to try something different. This appealed to me immediately! I added some beef chorizo to the hamburger, added about 1-1/2 cups of frozen corn and a can of black beans (rinsed) with the sauce. Instead of 2 cans of tomato soup, I used only one can and subbed a can of Rotel (diced tomatoes with chili peppers). It turned out great!!! My hubby said he loved it and I should make it again! Thanks for posting this wonderful recipe, Kittenscalskitchen!!!!
     
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Tweaks

  1. SO GREAT! I had no soup or tomato sauce so I used a can of tomatoes and green chilies and a can of diced tomatoes and black beans drained instead. I had no time to simmer for 30 minutes so I just put it all in the oven asap and it was great. Everyone raved! I also doubled the hamburger and used a lb of pasta.
     
  2. This was a great change for me! I had a pound of ground beef and the urge to try something different. This appealed to me immediately! I added some beef chorizo to the hamburger, added about 1-1/2 cups of frozen corn and a can of black beans (rinsed) with the sauce. Instead of 2 cans of tomato soup, I used only one can and subbed a can of Rotel (diced tomatoes with chili peppers). It turned out great!!! My hubby said he loved it and I should make it again! Thanks for posting this wonderful recipe, Kittenscalskitchen!!!!
     
  3. I was skeptial to try this one. Even tho Kitten's recipes are always great, never had a bad one. The ingredients in this just seemed strange. Looking for something different I decided to give it a try. We loved it! Great change from baked ziti type recipes. I did make a few changes. Instead of the ground beef I used some beef enchilada mix I had leftover in the freezer. Basically the same thing, but with black beans and ground beef. Added the remaining ingredients as written, but tossed in a drained can of Rotel tomatoes. Great recipe, made a ton, which is great since I can have leftovers for lunch today. Another yummy winner, thank you!
     
  4. Kittencal always makes me look good. This recipe is no exception and I screwed up plenty getting this ready for last week's potluck at work. Bought tomato paste instead of sauce so used stewed tomatoes instead. My salt shaker blew it's lid while I had it tipped over the pan. I scraped a lot out but I still worried. The oven at work I found out doesn't work very well so it wasn't all that hot when I had to serve it. I put it under the broiler though and that helped a lot. The great reviews didn't stop coming and even on Friday, my co-workers were still eating it. I don't normally like spicy but I did taste this and it was great. Might add kidney beans next time but I like to do it exactly as the chef says the first time. Thanks Kitten. As always...
     
  5. I never was a big chili fan, but now ,!!! I think it may have been the beans I loathed so much and I was glad this recipe did not call for them and delighted to see it added a touch of sweetness as well. I followed the recipe almost directly with the exception of using cubed cooked potatoes instead of the pasta...Hormel has a chili and spuds ready made meal that gave me the idea. It turned out great. My husband who was skeptical at first only put a little on his plate but finished it in no time and went back for seconds but filled his plate to capacity!!! Thanks for another great one Kittencal!!
     

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