Best 6 Kid Friendly Cheesy Chili Mac Recipes

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Looking for a fun and easy dinner recipe that's sure to please the whole family? Look no further than Kid-Friendly Cheesy Chili Mac! This delicious dish combines the classic flavors of chili and mac and cheese into one irresistible meal. With its creamy texture, flavorful sauce, gooey cheese, and hearty pasta, this recipe promises to be a hit with kids and adults alike. Let's dive into the world of cheesy chili mac and explore the best recipe that will tantalize your taste buds and bring a smile to everyone's face.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ONE-POT CHEESY CHILI-MAC



One-Pot Cheesy Chili-Mac image

Hearty chili with creamy macaroni and cheese is an unbeatable comfort, and this 100-percent scratch version is the ultimate! Zesty Tex-Mex flavoring, cheddar cheese, green chiles and an extra boost of both chili and garlic powder give this dish deep savory flavor that's hard to resist. So, put it to the test and see what your family says. If you find it deserves a spot in your permanent dinner rotation, you'll be glad to know this recipe freezes beautifully!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 lb ground beef (at least 90% lean)
2 cups diced onions
1 cup diced red bell peppers
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ original taco seasoning mix
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 can (19 oz) Progresso™ red kidney beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ diced green chiles
1/2 lb uncooked elbow macaroni (1 3/4 cups)
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, if desired
Sliced green onions, if desired
Hot sauce, if desired

Steps:

  • In 5-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add beef, onions and bell peppers; cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is cooked through and onions are tender. Stir in taco seasoning mix, chili powder, garlic powder and salt. Stir 30 seconds.
  • Stir in water, tomatoes, beans and chiles. Stir in macaroni; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium; cook 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently, until macaroni is cooked through. Do not drain.
  • Stir in 1 cup of the Cheddar cheese. Serve with remaining cheese, cilantro, green onions and hot sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 470, Carbohydrate 51 g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 7 g, Protein 27 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, ServingSize 1 1/3 Cups, Sodium 1170 mg, Sugar 9 g, TransFat 0 g

KIDS CHILI MAC



Kids Chili Mac image

I grew up with this spaghetti recipe. It becomes chili when you add the chili beans My daycare kids loved it with or without the chili beans ***** I just served over cooked macaroni ( not as messy for kids), could use spaghetti

Provided by Candle Lover

Categories     < 4 Hours

Time 1h5m

Yield 1 big pot, 10-15 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb hamburger
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pepper
2 tablespoons fresh garlic
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 onion, diced
2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans tomato soup
2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans water
2 (15 ounce) cans mild chili beans

Steps:

  • Brown hamburger and drain grease.
  • Add all the seasonings , soup, water and chili beans.
  • Simmer at least 45 minutes to get the flavors blended well.
  • Need more sauce can use 1 more can soup and 1 more can water ( I have made with up to 3 cans with 1 pound of hamburger)
  • **Can omit the chili beans to have a mild spaghetti sauce.
  • Serve over spaghetti or cooked macaroni noodles.
  • ** or just serve as chili with crackers
  • makes a big pot full (guess on serving size).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 262.6, Fat 6, SaturatedFat 2.3, Cholesterol 30.4, Sodium 806.3, Carbohydrate 34.8, Fiber 5.7, Sugar 5.8, Protein 18.5

FAMILY FAVORITE CHILI MAC



Family Favorite Chili Mac image

This one-skillet chili mac is on the table in less than half an hour, and it's loaded with family favorite flavors.

Provided by RAGÚ®

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Ragu®

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces elbow macaroni
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (24 ounce) jar Ragu® Old World Style® Traditional Pasta Sauce
1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
Chopped green onions, for garnish

Steps:

  • Cook and drain the elbow noodles according to the package directions; set aside.
  • Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain excess grease. Stir in the Ragu® Sauce, chili powder, cumin, tomatoes and corn. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, cover,reduce to low and let simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in the cooked noodles and 1 cup of the cheese until melted and heated through. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese evenly over top, heat on low until melted. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 547.2 calories, Carbohydrate 56.8 g, Cholesterol 79.2 mg, Fat 22.7 g, Fiber 6.5 g, Protein 30.8 g, SaturatedFat 10.2 g, Sodium 1414.4 mg, Sugar 8.5 g

KIDS' FAVORITE CHILI



Kids' Favorite Chili image

This third-generation hearty chili is a family favorite. It's a sweet and easy chili that's sure to warm up the whole family on those chilly fall nights. -Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings (1-1/2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 pound ground turkey
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 can (15-3/4 ounces) pork and beans
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed tomato soup, undiluted
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, cook turkey and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until heated through, 15-20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 359 calories, Fat 10g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 908mg sodium, Carbohydrate 43g carbohydrate (20g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 30g protein.

MY BEST KID-FRIENDLY CHILI



My Best Kid-Friendly Chili image

The husband and I love chili, and love it spicy! But cooking for 3 little children requires me to tone it down for their taste buds. We like to add a few dashes of Sriracha® or fresh chopped jalapeno and onion to make up for the missing heat. The kids are partial to goldfish crackers on top! But as with any chili, feel free to top it with your favorites. If you are lucky enough to live near an Italian market, the salsiccia is best in our opinion. If not, then you can sub another kind of ground Italian sausage. It may be light on spice, but full of flavor!

Provided by kaylabneedham

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Chili Recipes     Beef Chili Recipes

Time 2h5m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 green bell pepper
1 pound ground beef sirloin
1 pound ground salsiccia sausage
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 onions, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 (15 ounce) cans chili beans, undrained
1 cup brewed coffee
1 (7 ounce) can diced green chiles
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup ground cumin
¼ cup chili powder
1 (28 ounce) can canned crushed tomatoes
1 cup water, or as needed
salt to taste

Steps:

  • Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Place green bell pepper on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Broil bell pepper in the oven, turning every 5 minutes, until skin is blackened and bubbling, about 20 minutes. Transfer roasted pepper to a resealable plastic bag; seal and set aside.
  • Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef and ground sausage in the hot Dutch oven until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease. Transfer ground meat to a bowl.
  • Heat olive oil in the same Dutch oven over medium-low heat; cook and stir onions and garlic in the hot oil until onions are translucent, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Carefully remove roasted pepper from the plastic bag and peel off the blackened layer; chop the pepper. Add chopped bell pepper, ground meat mixture, chili beans, coffee, green chiles, cocoa powder, cumin, and chili powder to the onion mixture; stir well. Simmer, stirring frequently, until warmed, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir crushed tomatoes and water into chili; season with salt. Bring to boil. Cover Dutch oven, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors have blended, at least 30 minutes. Remove cover and simmer until chili is thickened, about 30 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 354 calories, Carbohydrate 30.3 g, Cholesterol 46 mg, Fat 19.3 g, Fiber 8.3 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 6.3 g, Sodium 1169.5 mg, Sugar 7.9 g

CHILI MACARONI AND CHEESE



Chili Macaroni and Cheese image

What could be tastier on a cold winter day than chili or mac and cheese? Put them together and you have a terrific dish that warms you up and fills you up as well! -Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 5h25m

Yield 12 servings (4-1/2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 11

2-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 banana pepper, finely chopped
2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Optional: Sour cream and additional shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook beef, onion and peppers over medium-high heat until beef is no longer pink and vegetables are tender, breaking up beef into crumbles, 8-10 minutes; drain. Transfer to a 7-qt. slow cooker. Stir in tomatoes, beans, chili powder and cumin. Cook, covered, on low until flavors are blended, 5-6 hours., Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Add to slow cooker. Stir in cheese until melted. If desired, serve with sour cream and additional cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 447 calories, Fat 21g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 96mg cholesterol, Sodium 646mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 35g protein.

Tips:

  • Use a variety of cheeses: A blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese creates a rich and flavorful sauce.
  • Don't overcook the macaroni: Cook the macaroni al dente so that it retains a slight bite.
  • Add vegetables to boost nutrition: Chop up some carrots, celery, or bell peppers and add them to the chili. You can also add a can of corn or black beans.
  • Adjust the spice level to your liking: If you like a mild chili, use a mild chili powder. If you like a spicy chili, use a hot chili powder. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
  • Serve with your favorite toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, diced tomatoes, and sliced green onions are all great options.

Conclusion:

Cheesy chili mac is a quick and easy meal that is sure to please the whole family. It is a great way to use up leftover chili or macaroni and cheese. This dish is also a good source of protein, carbohydrates, and calcium. So next time you are looking for a hearty and comforting meal, give cheesy chili mac a try.

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