Skillet Chili Mac

By RoketJSquerl

Build the dish in a large skillet in multiple steps. Brown the beef before sautéing the onions, bell peppers, and garlic. After that, the sauce can be assembled in the pan. The pasta can be cooked in the sauce. Include the juices from the canned tomatoes when making the sauce so that there is enough liquid to effectively hydrate the pasta. Blend canned diced tomatoes and tomato puree for a deep-flavored sauce with a minimum of cooking. Add a lot of garlic, chili powder, and cumin for a rich-flavored casserole. Most recipes skimp on the spices and, consequently, taste bland.

Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
• 1 Pound Ground Beef, 85%
• 1 Onion, chopped medium
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped medium
• Table, salt
• 4 Cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
• 8 Ounces Macaroni (2 cups)
• 1 14.5 Oz Can Diced Tomatoes
• 1 Can Tomato Puree (15-ounce)
• 1 Can Kidney Beans (16 oz) (OPTIONAL)
• 1 Cup Water
• 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
• Ground, black pepper
• 8 Ounces Colby Cheese, shredded (2 cups)

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the beef and cook, breaking up the pieces with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain the beef through a fine-mesh strainer, discarding the fat. 2. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet and return to medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, and cumin and cook until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Stir in the macaroni, tomatoes with their juice, tomato puree, water, brown sugar, and drained beef. Cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, about 20 minutes. 4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle the Colby evenly over the top, cover, and let sit off the heat until the cheese melts, about 3 minutes.