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Mapo Chili Mac: 1 Unbelievable One-Pot Comfort

Mapo Chili Mac
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Mapo chili mac is a fusion comfort food. It combines spicy Sichuan mapo tofu with cheesy American chili mac. This one-pot dinner is boldly flavored and soothingly familiar.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 pound ground pork or beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon doubanjiang (Sichuan broad bean paste)
  • 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, ground
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  • Green onions, sliced, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground pork or beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
  2. Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in minced garlic, grated ginger, doubanjiang, ground Sichuan peppercorns, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in diced tomatoes, beef broth, water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Add elbow macaroni to the pot. Stir well to ensure the macaroni is submerged.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until macaroni is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  7. Remove from heat. Stir in milk, cheddar cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese until melted and creamy.
  8. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  9. Garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of doubanjiang and red pepper flakes for your desired level of spice.
  • For a vegetarian version, use firm tofu instead of meat and vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
  • If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more milk or broth until it reaches your desired consistency.

Find it online: https://flavorvista.com/mapo-chili-mac/