Chili Mac and Cheese

Chili Mac and Cheese :-There are many food mash ups out there. It seems like there is a pizza-everything: soup, pie, cakes, tacos, casseroles, and dips.
I’m not against mash ups. It’s not just to be “cool” or “out there” that I do them. I do them when mixing two recipes does something new for the dish. I’m past the point where I play with food just to be cool; I just want it to taste good!
Okay, Chili Mac and Cheese it is. In one pot, this dish is a mix of chili and mac and cheese. The sauce tastes like meat Chilli Con Carne, but it has macaroni and cheese in it as well as on top of it.

Chili Mac and Cheese

Ingredients :

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 onion , finely chopped
• 1 red capsicum / bell pepper , chopped
• 500g / 1 lb ground beef (mince) , I use lean
• 800g / 28 oz crushed canned tomato
• 420g / 14 oz can red kidney beans , drained
• 2 1/2 cups (625 ml) beef broth (chicken broth also ok)
• 250g / 8 oz elbow macaroni pasta (elbow pasta), uncooked
• 2 cups (200g) shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, tasty cheese)
• 1/4 cup coriander / cilantro finely chopped, for garnish

SPICES (HOMEMADE CHILI POWDER)

• 1 tsp cayenne pepper or pure chilli powder (adjust spiciness to taste) (Note 1)
• 2 tsp paprika powder
• 2 tsp cumin powder
• 1 1/2 tsp onion powder (can sub garlic powder)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions :

• In a big pot, heat the oil over high heat. Put in the onion and garlic. Cook for one minute. After that, add the capsicum and cook until the onion is clear.
• When you add the beef, break it up as you cook it.
• When the beef goes brown from red, add the rest of the ingredients except the cheese. Slowly stir the mixture until it starts to boil. Then lower the heat to medium.
• Put the lid on top and cook for 12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente, which means it’s just cooked but still a little firm. See video for more on this. It should be saucy but not too wet.
• Leave the pot on the stove even though you turn off the stove. Half of the cheese should be mixed in; it should be a little saucy. Add more salt and pepper if you like.
• Add the rest of the cheese on top, then put the lid back on and wait about two minutes for the cheese to melt. During this time, the sauce will soak up even more.
• If you want, you can sprinkle with coriander and serve right away.

Recipe Notes: