I’ve got the warmest, coziest dinner recipe to share with you tonight – Skillet Chili Mac & Cheese.
With the 50s and lower set firmly in our sights for the next 5 months (or longer – SOB!) I thought now would be the perfect time to post a hearty supper recipe featuring ground beef, tomatoes, kidney beans, zesty spices, and elbow macaroni cooked together in one skillet. Quick, comforting, and, most important – easy to clean up!
Somewhere between spaghetti, macaroni & cheese, and chili, this dish is a total crowd pleaser.
Start the Skillet Chili Mac & Cheese by browning 1lb ground beef in a huge skillet – we’re talkin’ the biggest one you own – with 1/2 chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and a little salt & pepper. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, then drain and return everything to the skillet.
Next add 1-15oz can petite diced tomatoes that’s been slightly drained of its juices, and 6oz tomato paste, followed by 4 cups beef broth and 1 can kidney beans that has been drained & rinsed.
The tomato juices and broth will cook the pasta right in the skillet, instead of having to use a separate one to cook it in. Yet another reason why I absolutely adore these 1-skillet dishes!
Finally, add zee spices: 1 Tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon each paprika and dried cilantro, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and dried oregano.
Bring the liquid to a boil, then stir in 2 cups large elbow macaroni.
Place a lid on top of the skillet then simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the pasta is just barely al dente. It’s ok if it still has a little bite, as it will continue to cook a bit in the piping hot liquid.
Finally, stir in 2 cups shredded 2% milk reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, which is about 7oz, until smooth. I was hesitant to try this low-fat cheese, but it melted like a dream. I would have never known it wasn’t full-fat!
Let the skillet sit and thicken for 10 minutes, then scoop and serve with extra shredded cheese, if desired (I did,) crushed tortilla chips, or chopped green onions for a fresh bite.
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Skillet Chili Mac & Cheese
Description
Skillet Chili Mac & Cheese is cheesy, spicy, and comforting! It's the best of both worlds and it comes together in just one skillet!
Ingredients
- 1lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- salt & pepper
- 1-15oz can petite diced tomatoes, slightly drained
- 1-6oz can tomato paste
- 1–15oz can kidney beans, drained & rinsed
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano flakes
- 2 cups large elbow macaroni, dry
- 2 cups shredded 2% milk reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
- Toppings; shredded cheese, green onions, parsley, crushed tortilla chips, hot sauce
Directions
- Add ground beef, onion, and garlic to a very large skillet over medium-high heat. Season with salt & pepper then cook beef until no longer pink. Drain then return to the skillet.
- Add petite diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans, beef broth, and spices to the skillet. Bring to a boil then add macaroni noodles and place a lid on top. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until noodles are just barely al dente (do not overcook,) stirring once. Add cheese then stir until smooth. Let dish sit off the heat and thicken for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Adapted from Babble.com
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Skillet Chili Mac & Cheese is PURE comfort food! I loved topping my bowlful with extra shredded cheese and chopped green onions, but a few crushed tortilla chips would have been divine on here too.
FYI – this recipe feeds an ARMY, so halve it if you’re only feeding a small crowd. :)
Have a great night!
Skillet Chili Mac & Cheese | Good Stuff Only 05.16.2013
[…] For more details please visit this link were you will find instructions : iowagirleats.com […]
jo 05.11.2013
hi, this looks crazy good, but i’m not big on spicy food, but i love mild chili. is this spicy?
Iowa Girl Eats 05.13.2013
Nope, it’s not too spicy at all!
Val 03.17.2013
Found your recipe through Google. I was hankering for a comfort meal on this cold and rainy day. I changed a few things to use what I had on hand:
* 16oz tomato puree in place of the diced tomatoes and tomato puree
* I omitted the beef. We are eating less meat these days so I didn’t have any here. Thought about throwing in some chopped up leftover meatballs, though.
* penne and rotini in place of macaroni (open boxes with just enough left)
* marble cheddar in place of sharp
* topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, and crushed tortilla chips
Chum 02.07.2013
Just wanted to let u know I found this recipe on pintrest and have been making it ever since! My family loves it INCLUDING my picky father! :)
Sherry Hopkins 02.06.2013
Made this tonight…husband loved it! Thanks so much!
Family Approved: Skillet Mac & Cheese | OAMC from Once A Month Mom 01.11.2013
[…] Author/Source: Adapted from Iowa Girl Eats […]
Meredith 12.30.2012
What a great meal on a snowy day :) Thanks for the recipe! Loved how easy this was to put together!
Stefanie 11.07.2012
This looks delicious and I would love to make this for friends! Do you think it could be adapted to suit vegetarians by using quorn mince and veg stock??
Thank you!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.08.2012
I’ve never used quorn, but I’m sure it’d be just fine! :)
Lisa 11.06.2012
Made this tonight and it was SOOOOOO yummy!
I used lean ground turkey, half the macaroni and half the broth (wanted it more meat & beans than pasta), the same amount of all other ingredients, and I was liberal with the spices.
My husband loved it and wants it every night. I usually cook more “unmanly” food, so it was a big hit.
Thank you!
Stacey 11.05.2012
This sounds amazing, and I’m not a big mac and cheese person. You sold me when you combined chili with it ;-) Definitely going to make this soon.
I have a niece named Evie as well (Evelyn, but Evie for short!). She’s a pretty feisty almost-five year old princess-loving kid!
I was going to post tonight… « A Pretty Penny 11.05.2012
[…] I was going to post tonight… {image via Iowa Girl Eats} […]
The Many Thoughts of a Reader 11.05.2012
Can’t wait to make this tomorrow!
Menu Plan Monday – November 5 | Welcome To Parenthood 11.05.2012
[…] – Skillet Chili Mac and Cheese, salad, parmesan herb garlic […]
Tiffany Winner 11.04.2012
just finished eating a bowl of this, good stuff, and my picky little one agrees so this recipe is a keeper :) Thanks! I wanted whole wheat macaroni but couldn’t find any so I subbed whole wheat mini shells instead
Indoor Workout-Part 2 | My Own Balance 10.31.2012
[…] other news, hurricane dinner last night was an awesome recipe from Iowa Girl Eats. Â Her Skillet Chili Mac and Cheese was to.die.for! Â The only thing was that I made in my Dutch oven not my skillet. Â Still came out […]
Trista 10.31.2012
I made this for dinner tonight. Mine didn’t look nearly as pretty as yours, but it was quite tasty. :) Thanks for the recipe!
Carrie @ Season It Already! 10.30.2012
That pooch is a-dog-able!
Emily 10.30.2012
Wow, this looks SO good and perfect for fall. I can’t wait to try this soon!
Linda W 10.30.2012
I just have to ask if the Papusa lady was at the Farmer’s Market Saturday? Since they had cancelled a few weeks ago due to the cold, we wimped out and stayed home figuring they wouldn’t be there again and we wouldn’t be able to get our papusa fix for the last time of the season. My husband LOVES the spinach and cheese papusas!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.08.2012
She was, but we weren’t hungry enough for one. So sad! ’til next year!
Jenny 10.30.2012
Your brother is so.tall.
Also, have you quit your job and you’re just blogging/freelancing full time now? Did I miss this post somehow?
Iowa Girl Eats 10.30.2012
Tell me about it! ;) I write the blog full time, and freelance write and develop recipes for several other companies!