Chipotle Chili Mac 🍝🌶️Smoky, cheesy, and full of hearty flavor, this one-pot wonder brings together the best of chili and mac & cheese. Perfect for cozy dinners, meal prep, or feeding a hungry crew!

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📝 Ingredients

For the Chili Mac:

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Toppings (optional but delicious):

• Sour cream
• Sliced green onions
• Diced avocado
• Jalapeño slices
• Crushed tortilla chips

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🍳 Instructions

1. Brown the Meat:
   In a large pot or deep skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
2. Spice It Up:
   Add the chipotle peppers, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the beef in smoky seasoning.
3. Add Beans & Tomatoes:
   Stir in the black beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer.
4. Cook the Pasta:
   Add the dry macaroni directly into the pot. Pour in about 1½ to 2 cups of water (just enough to cook the pasta) and stir well. Cover and cook on medium-low, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender (about 10–12 minutes). Add a splash more water if needed.
5. Cheese Time:
   Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and gooey.
6. Serve It Up:
   Spoon into bowls and top with sour cream and green onions—or go wild with extra toppings!