This post is sponsored by Amish Country Cheese. All comments and opinions are my own.
Some things just go better together, and that’s especially true of our favorite comfort foods. I’m thinking classic combinations like chocolate and peanut butter, or cookies ’n cream ice cream. And it’s just not true of desserts and sweets. Take this awesome Chili Mac recipe. Savory, spicy chili mixed with rich, creamy mac ’n cheese… It’s the perfect combination that’s oh-so hearty and incredibly satisfying!
One of the things I love about this recipe, besides the fact that it’s a consistent hit with my guys, is that it’s practically tailor-made for back to school season. The last thing anyone wants to do is spend hours standing in the kitchen after a long day at school or work. So whenever we want a cheesy, beefy blend that’s guaranteed to please, this Chili Mac recipe is the one I turn to most often.
The ingredient list is pretty simple and includes some pantry staples, a pound of ground beef and some tasty Amish Country Cheese! In less than 30 minutes, you have a family-friendly meal that is sure to please!
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 small bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 14.5 oz can of chopped tomatoes
- 10 oz can of diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 2 cups beef broth
- 8 oz macaroni noodles
- 14 oz can of kidney beans, drained
- 8 oz Amish Country Colby Jack, shredded
- chopped cilantro, for garnish
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat.
- Add the onion and bell pepper and cook for 3 – 4 minutes until onion is translucent and veggies have softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for one minute, until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, stirring often and breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir in the chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper and stir to coat the meat.
- Mix in the tomatoes, beef broth, macaroni noodles and kidney beans.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover and cook for 12 – 14 minutes, until the pasta is cooked.
- Stir in half of the cheese then sprinkle the rest over the top, cover and allow to sit for 3 – 5 minutes, or until cheese has melted.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve warm.
You can really use any of the Amish Country Cheeses that you prefer, but my favorite for this recipe is their Colby Jack Cheese. It’s a semi-soft half moon cheese that has excellent melting properties, making it ideal for this Chili Mac, as well as other recipes like casseroles and nachos.
When you need a meal in a flash, you gotta put this on your menu. Feel free to get creative and use any Amish Country Cheese that you love in this and all your favorite recipes.
Amish Country Colby Jack – This delicious cheese is a mixture of Colby and Monterey Jack cheese. Our blend is semi-soft and exhibits a unique eye-appealing marbled white and orange exterior that makes it a fun snack to eat on-the-go. It groups well with deli meat, sandwiches, soups, sauces, burgers, dark breads like pumpernickel and rye, omelets, casseroles, steamed vegetables, baked potatoes and fruits like apples and pears. Also, due to its good melting capabilities, it is the perfect choice for casseroles and nachos. This cheese is very popular with Mexican dishes.
Amish Country Colby – Colby is bit softer than Cheddar with more of an open texture with higher moisture content. Colby and Cheddar are made the same way except the curds are kept separate with cold water preventing knitting. The texture of Colby is more elastic than Cheddar. The mild flavor of Colby makes it perfect for cheeseburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Amish Country Swiss – The mild and sweet flavor with a touch of nut is the perfect cheese to be eaten with fruits such as apples, pears, and grapes. This cheese also pairs nicely with thinly sliced prosciutto, ham, and salami. Not to mention Swiss cheese compliments the following beverages: Fruity white wine, aged red wine, cran-raspberry juice, tomato, or vegetable juices.
Amish Country’s Cream Havarti – Havarti is a deliciously mild, very creamy, natural, semi-soft cheese. This interior-ripened cheese is aged for around three months. The cheese has tiny holes throughout the paste with cream to yellow in colour. Cream Havarti is a table cheese which can be sliced or grilled.
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