Chili Mac ‘n Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 T Extra virgin Olive Oil
• 1 C Onion, chopped (about 1 medium)
• 2 Cloves of garlic, minced (about 1 t)
• 2 t Ground Cumin
• 2 T Chili Powder
• 1 t Oregano
• 12 oz Boca Crumbles
• 4 oz Canned Green Chilis (or ¼ t cayenne pepper, to taste)
• 32 oz Canned Diced Tomatoes, undrained
• 3 T Tomato Paste
• 1 C Vegetable Broth (low sodium)
• Salt and Fresh Black Pepper, to taste
• 16 oz Macaroni, par-cooked (very al dente)
• 1 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 T Unsalted Butter
• 3 T Flour
• 2 ½ C Milk (2% or skim)
• 3 C Cheddar Cheese (divide as 2 C and 1 C)
• Salt and Fresh Black Pepper
• Crushed Corn Chips or Frito’s® (optional)
• Chopped Parsley

Instructions

1. 1 For The Chili: For the Chili:
2. 2 Heat The Oil In A Medium: Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat.
3. 3 Add The Cumin And Stir For: Add the cumin and stir for 3-5 seconds, until fragrant.
4. 4 Add The Onion And Sautee Until: Add the onion and sautee until no longer raw, about 1 minute.
5. 5 Add The Garlic And Sautee For: Add the garlic and sautee for about 30 seconds or until no longer raw.
6. 6 Add The Chili Powder, Oregano And: Add the chili powder, oregano and boca crumbles, sauteeing until the crumbles begin to brown
7. 7 Add The Green Chilis, Tomatoes And: Add the green chilis, tomatoes and tomato paste.
8. 8 Stir Well, Scraping Any Burnt Bits: Stir well, scraping any burnt bits off the bottom of the pan.
9. 9 Season With Salt And Pepper, To: Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
10. 10 Cover And Reduce Heat To Low: Cover and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, while making the Mac ‘n Cheese
11. 11 For The Mac ‘N Cheese: For the Mac ‘n Cheese:
12. 12 Heat The Butter And Oil In: Heat the butter and oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
13. 13 Add The Flour And Whisk For: Add the flour and whisk for about a minute.
14. 14 Slowly Whisk The Milk Into The: Slowly whisk the milk into the flour.
15. 15 Stirring Frequently, Bring The Mixture To: Stirring frequently, bring the mixture to a simmer and continue stirring until it begins to thicken.
16. 16 Remove From Heat And Stir In: Remove from heat and stir in 2 C of cheese, adding a little at a time. Season with Salt and Pepper.
17. 17 Chili Mac ‘N Cheese: Chili Mac ‘n Cheese:
18. 18 To The Mac ‘N Cheese, Fold: To the Mac ‘n Cheese, fold in 1 to 2 cups of the Chili.
19. 19 Place In A Large Greased Baking: Place in a large greased baking pan.
20. 20 Sprinkle With The Remaining Cup Of: Sprinkle with the remaining cup of cheese then top with the crushed chips.
21. 21 Broil Until The Cheese Bubbles: Broil until the cheese bubbles.
22. 22 Garnish With The Chopped Parsley: Garnish with the chopped parsley.