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Chili Mac and Cheese

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Chili Mac and Cheese is a delightful dish that marries creamy mac and cheese with hearty chili and ground turkey. It’s the perfect comfort food for any gathering or cozy night in.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 pound extra-lean ground turkey (or an additional can of beans for a vegetarian version)
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder plus 1 teaspoon additional chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilis, undrained
  • 2 cups uncooked whole wheat elbow macaroni noodles (about 8 ounces)
  • 1 cup freshly shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese (plus additional for serving)
  • Sliced green onions for serving

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • Sauté diced onion until softened, about 4 minutes.
  • Add ground turkey and jalapeño; cook until turkey is fully cooked, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir in chili powder, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Add chicken stock, black beans, kidney beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and macaroni; bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
  • Garnish with additional cheese and sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

For a uniform texture, ensure ground turkey is finely crumbled.
Adjust spice levels by omitting jalapeño if desired.
Experiment with different beans for variety.

  • Author: jesseca
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 6
  • Sodium: 700
  • Fat: 12
  • Saturated Fat: 4
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 55
  • Fiber: 10
  • Protein: 30
  • Cholesterol: 70