Chili Mac and Cheese
Chili Mac and Cheese packs 40g protein and 574 calories per serving—a high-protein carb-and-protein combo that works post-workout when you need to refuel. Makes 6 servings quickly on the stovetop, doubling as your starch and protein in one dish. Built for days when you're eating at maintenance and prioritizing muscle recovery over deficit.
Ingredients
- •Olive oil(15g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Yellow Onion
- •Ground Turkey, 99% Lean(454g)
- •JalapeñO Pepper
- •Chili powder(15g)
- •Cumin, Ground(10g)
- •Coriander, Ground(10g)
- •Garlic powder(4g)
- •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- •Low Sodium Chicken Broth(480g)
- •Beans, Black, Canned, Drained
- •Beans, Kidney, Canned, Drained
- •Tomato Sauce
- •Rotel, Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, Original
- •Pasta, Macaroni (Elbow), Whole Wheat, Dry(480g)
- •Cheddar Cheese(240g)
- •Green Onion (Scallion)
Instructions
- 1Heat the olive oil in a large, deep Dutch oven or pot over medium-high. Once hot, add the onion and sauté until beginning to soften; about 4 minutes.
- 2Add the turkey, jalapeño, chili powder, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, breaking apart the turkey until the meat is crumbled and cooked through, about 3 minutes.
- 3Stir in the chicken stock, black beans, kidney beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes in their juices, and pasta. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Once simmering, cover the pot and cook until the noodles are al dente, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- 4Stir in the cheese until melted and creamy. Serve warm, topped with additional shredded cheese and green onions.
Nutrition — Per Serving
574
calories
40g
protein
21g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 64g
- Saturated fat
- 8.7g
- Sodium
- 484 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 9.2g
6 servings per batch · ~285g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Chili Mac and Cheese have per serving?
Each serving contains 40g of protein and 574 calories with 21g fat and 64g carbs. The carbohydrate content is notably high relative to protein, so this works better as a post-workout meal than a primary protein source.
How long does Chili Mac and Cheese take to prep?
This is a quick prep recipe that batches 6 servings at once on the stovetop. You can have all your meals ready in under 30 minutes, making it efficient for Sunday meal prep sessions.
Is Chili Mac and Cheese good for muscle gain?
At 40g protein per 574 calories, this leans toward the calorie-surplus side needed for muscle gain phases. The 64g carbs per serving make it particularly useful for fueling workouts and replenishing glycogen on training days.
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