Creamy, Dreamy Chili Mac & Cheese Casserole

I decided since I was off work today, and it was a long & grueling week due to our fiscal year-end crunch, some comfort food was definitely in order. I was thrilled and honored when I was asked by Ragú® earlier this week to create my own spin on their Chili Mac recipe, so I chose to add the ooey-gooey goodness of cheese, both Colby Jack and cream cheese, in addition to some sautéed chopped onions, to turn it into a hearty, creamy casserole masterpiece. This is serious comfort food at its best! If you’re a meat eater, and enjoy mac and cheese, you will truly love this dish!

Feel free to substitute cheddar if you’d prefer, and/or to turn up the heat on this dish, you can increase the chili powder to two tablespoons or add some red pepper flakes.

Were you aware that each jar of Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional Sauce is made with 11 juicy tomatoes making it its richest, thickest recipe. Ragú® has the Authentic Italian taste American family’s love and a variety of great tasting, quick and easy-to-make family favorite recipes. Visit Facebook.com/RaguSauce for additional quick, easy and delicious recipe ideas. Also visit www.RaguSweeps.com to enter the Ragú Better and Better Sweepstakes for a chance to win great Authentic Italian themed prizes and a grand prize trip to Venice for a family of four.

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked & drained
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 jar (1 lb. 8 oz.) Ragu® Old World Style® Traditional Pasta Sauce
• 1 1/2 tbsp. chili powder
• 2 oz. reduced fat cream cheese
• 2 1/2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, and cook onions for five minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add ground beef and cook until browned, stirring and breaking up into small pieces.
5. Stir in pasta sauce, chili powder, and salt and pepper, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes, covered.
6. Stir in cream cheese until blended, then add cooked pasta, and 1 cup of Colby Jack cheese, and mix until well incorporated.
7. Transfer mixture to a 9×13 baking dish, and cook in oven for 15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
8. Remove dish from oven, sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese, and place back in the oven for about 5 minutes, until cheese begins to melt.
9. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.
10. Enjoy!

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