BBQ Chili Mac
This dish reminds us of warmth and comfort, and it also adds heartiness to the menu. Being served BBQ chili mac basically means a big “welcome to the Neely home.” Cavatappi are great noodles for this dish, because they’re shaped like corkscrews, so you can grab all the good stuff and get the full flavor. If you can’t find cavatappi, elbow macaroni comes in a distant second.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 8 to 10
Ingredients
NEELY’S BBQ SAUCE
Preparation
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once it’s boiling, add the pasta and cook until it’s al dente. Drain well in a colander, toss in olive oil, and reserve.
Step 2
Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until it is just lightly crisp and its fat has rendered. Toss in the onion, jalapeño, and garlic, and sauté until tender. Add the beef to the veggies to brown, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Plop the tomato paste into the pan, and stir until incorporated. Stir in the BBQ sauce, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and beans, and simmer for 20 minutes, to allow the flavors to marry. Taste for seasoning, and add hot sauce and salt and pepper if desired. Add the pasta to the meat mixture, and stir well to combine.
Step 3
Serve in bowls, garnished with green onions, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.
NEELY’S BBQ SAUCE
Step 4
In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, and reduce heat to simmer. Cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 hour 15 minutes.
