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High Protein Chili Mac Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 149 reviews

A hearty and protein-packed chili mac combining tender macaroni noodles with seasoned ground beef, kidney beans, and a creamy cottage cheese sauce, all topped with melted cheddar cheese and baked to perfection. This comforting dish is perfect for a satisfying and flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 oz macaroni noodles

Meat and Seasonings

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper powder (optional)
  • ¼ tsp smoked paprika

Tomatoes and Beans

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 15 oz fire roasted petite diced tomatoes (1 can, do not drain liquid)
  • 15 oz red kidney beans (1 can, drained and rinsed)

Dairy

  • 2 cups cottage cheese
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
  2. Brown the Beef: While the pasta cooks, heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked through.
  3. Season the Meat: Season the browned beef with chili powder, ground cumin, salt, dried oregano, cayenne pepper powder (if using), and smoked paprika. Stir well to evenly coat the meat with the spices.
  4. Add Tomato and Beans: Stir in the tomato paste, fire roasted diced tomatoes (with their liquid), and the drained kidney beans. Mix everything thoroughly and allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to marry the flavors.
  5. Prepare Cottage Cheese Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese and milk. Blend until smooth and creamy, creating a sauce-like consistency.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Pour the cooked macaroni noodles and the cottage cheese mixture into the skillet with the beef and tomato mixture. Toss everything together evenly to coat the pasta with the sauce and incorporate all ingredients well. Turn off the heat.
  7. Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the mixture. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is thoroughly melted and bubbly.

Notes

  • For a spicier dish, feel free to increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • This recipe can be made with ground turkey or chicken as a leaner protein alternative.
  • The cottage cheese and milk blend helps add creaminess without using heavy cream, keeping it relatively lower in fat.
  • If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the mixture to a baking dish before adding the cheese and baking.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days and reheated in the microwave or oven.

Keywords: High Protein Chili Mac, Chili Macaroni, Beef Chili Mac, Baked Pasta, Comfort Food, Protein-Packed Dinner

Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/high-protein-chili-mac-recipe/