Prep Time:
10 minutes (plus 1 hour to soak cashews)
Cook Time:
35 minutes
Total Time:
45 minutes (plus 1 hour to soak cashews)
Servings:
10
Game Day Chili Mac
Are you ready to elevate your game day experience with a dish that combines the heartiness of chili and the comfort of macaroni? Look no further than this Game Day Chili Mac recipe that's not only a crowd-pleaser but also easy to whip up for your next tail gate or watch party.
The ingredients are what makes this recipe irresistible. Starting off with the dairy-free cheese sauce that adds a rich and creamy touch to the Game Day Chili Mac. Also, you’ll add blended chipotle peppers with beef broth, which becomes the base for your hearty chili.
In a pot, brown lean ground beef and sauté onions and bell peppers until tender to release more flavors into the chili. More seasonings like garlic powder, cumin and chili powder are added to create layers of flavor. Fire-roasted diced tomatoes and kidney beans are added for protein, which are simmered in the pot until all the flavors meld together.
Next, cashews are blended with butternut squash, creating a luscious and velvety sauce. Then, season the sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper and a hint of nutmeg, bringing a rich and flavorful element to the dish. You can also add Dijon mustard to your liking for an extra zing.
Imagine the excitement of game day, surrounded by friends and family, indulging in a bowl of steaming hot chili mixed with tender elbow macaroni, topped with a tasty cheese sauce that adds a creamy and delightful finish to every bite.
Serve this Game Day Chili Mac at your next tail gate or Game Day watch party and impress your guests with this delicious and rich Game Day Chili Mac recipe.
Directions:
- For the chili: In a blender, combine chipotles and beef broth. Blend until smooth; reserve.
- In a medium pot, over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef.
- Add onions and bell peppers, sauté until tender, approximately 5 minutes. Add garlic powder, cumin and chili powder. Sauté for an additional 5 minutes.
- Stir in chipotle mixture, tomatoes and kidney beans. Season to taste with salt and pepper; simmer 20 minutes.
- For the dairy-free "cheese sauce": Place cashews in a medium bowl, fill bowl with hot water to cover. Cover bowl; soak cashews 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Combine soaked cashews and remaining ingredients in a blender; blend until smooth.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain. Pour desired amount of cheese sauce on top of noodles. Top with chili.
Recipe Courtesy of ALDI Test Kitchen