Chili Mac ‘n Cheese

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2 min read
Summary

Whether you’re looking for a recipe that will satisfy the whole family or would like a recipe that will last you throughout the week, Chili Mac ‘n Cheese should do the trick! The combination of chili and mac ‘n cheese makes this recipe tasty, hearty, and oh-so-satisfying. A long list of ingredients can sometimes be overwhelming, but each component of this recipe (the chili, the pasta, and the cheese sauce), is pretty straightforward. At the very least, plan to make the chili and the cheese sauce ahead of time to reduce kitchen time for this recipe and minimize stress.

Yields6 ServingsPrep Time20 minsCook Time40 minsTotal Time1 hr

Chili Mac 'n Cheese

Ingredients

 8 oz whole grain or legume elbow macaroni (dry)
5-minute Cheese Sauce
 1 cup raw cashews (soaked in hot water for 30 minutes, see Chef’s Notes)
 4 tbsp nutritional yeast
 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
 1 tsp garlic powder
 ¼ tsp salt (optional) +¼ tsp as needed
 ½ cup water (more as needed)
Chili
 1 ½ cups black beans (home-cooked or BPA-free canned)
 1 medium onion (chopped)
 1 large organic red bell pepper (seeded and chopped)
 1 ½ cups refried black beans (home-cooked or BPA-free canned)
 16 oz organic salsa (homemade or organic store-bought)
 1 tbsp ground chili powder
 1 tbsp ground cumin
 1 tsp smoked paprika or sweet paprika
 1 tsp garlic powder
Toppings
 ¼ cup green onions (sliced)
 2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)

Directions

1

Make the macaroni according to package instructions and set aside.

2

Meanwhile, make the 5-Minute Cheese Sauce: Add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

3

Depending on the consistency of the cheesy sauce you enjoy, add 1–2 more tablespoons of water as needed. It should be a creamy soup consistency. Set aside.

4

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

5

Mix the black beans, onion, pepper, refried beans, salsa, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder together in a large bowl.

6

Scoop into an 8–9” round baking dish (or similar size). Stir in the macaroni and cheesy sauce.

7

Bake for 30 minutes or until the center is hot.

8

Once finished cooking, let it set for 10 minutes before dividing between bowls.

9

Top with green onions and cilantro, if desired.

Chef's Notes

Substitutions
If you cannot find nutritional yeast, use 1 Tbsp of organic mellow white miso or chickpea miso in its place.

For the onion, use red, yellow, or white.

Substitute yellow or orange bell pepper for red bell pepper.

Substitute pinto or kidney beans for the black beans.

Flour-free
Use a whole grain in place of pasta such as organic cooked quinoa, farro, or brown rice. Or, use vegetables in place of pasta such as spiralized zucchini or squash.

Nut-free
Use raw sunflower seeds in place of cashews.

Add More Delicious Nutrition
Mix in your favorite leafy greens.

Sprinkle hemp or chia seeds on top.

Make it Spicy
Add 1–2 diced jalapeños to the chili before cooking.

Prep Ahead
Make the cheese sauce ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before making this recipe.

Stir the chili ingredients together ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before making this recipe.

Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 30 days.

Ingredients

 8 oz whole grain or legume elbow macaroni (dry)
5-minute Cheese Sauce
 1 cup raw cashews (soaked in hot water for 30 minutes, see Chef’s Notes)
 4 tbsp nutritional yeast
 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
 1 tsp garlic powder
 ¼ tsp salt (optional) +¼ tsp as needed
 ½ cup water (more as needed)
Chili
 1 ½ cups black beans (home-cooked or BPA-free canned)
 1 medium onion (chopped)
 1 large organic red bell pepper (seeded and chopped)
 1 ½ cups refried black beans (home-cooked or BPA-free canned)
 16 oz organic salsa (homemade or organic store-bought)
 1 tbsp ground chili powder
 1 tbsp ground cumin
 1 tsp smoked paprika or sweet paprika
 1 tsp garlic powder
Toppings
 ¼ cup green onions (sliced)
 2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)

Directions

1

Make the macaroni according to package instructions and set aside.

2

Meanwhile, make the 5-Minute Cheese Sauce: Add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

3

Depending on the consistency of the cheesy sauce you enjoy, add 1–2 more tablespoons of water as needed. It should be a creamy soup consistency. Set aside.

4

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

5

Mix the black beans, onion, pepper, refried beans, salsa, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder together in a large bowl.

6

Scoop into an 8–9” round baking dish (or similar size). Stir in the macaroni and cheesy sauce.

7

Bake for 30 minutes or until the center is hot.

8

Once finished cooking, let it set for 10 minutes before dividing between bowls.

9

Top with green onions and cilantro, if desired.

Notes

Chili Mac ‘n Cheese