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| Chili Mac and Cheese Casserole |
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups chunky salsa
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 lb elbow pasta
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese shredded (See Note 1)
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- reserved pasta water
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp butter melted
- 1/2 tsp dry oregano See Note 2
- chopped cilantro
- Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large stock pot over high heat add ground beef and brown, breaking up meat into large chunks, about 4 minutes. Add chili powder, salsa and cook another 2 minutes. Set aside.
- In a small bowl add the melted butter and toss with Panko breadcrumbs and dried oregano. Set aside.
- In the same stock pot bring 4 quarts of water and kosher salt to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until the pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water and set aside.
- In same stock pot add butter and melt over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir to cook a minute or two. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook on simmer until thickened. Add these cheeses and whisk until smooth. Add the dry mustard and pepper, stirring to combine.
- Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and thin if too thick with reserved pasta water.
- Fold in the beef salsa mixture with the cheese pasta and pour into greased 9x9” baking dish. Top with breadcrumb mixture and bake for 15 minutes and top is golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately with chopped cilantro as garnish.