Queso Chili

What makes chili better, being topped with some shredded cheese, of course. Or at least that is my opinion, but anytime I have chili I always top it with some cheese. This chili takes the concept of adding cheese to the next level, by adding homemade queso right into the chili. Talk about a delicious way to enjoy a nice bowl of chili.

Queso Chili

Ingredients:

Chili

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• black pepper, to taste
• 32 ounces unsalted beef broth
• 2- 15 ounce cans low sodium pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
• 10 ounce can condensed tomato soup
• 4 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cups dry rotini pasta

Queso

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded

Optional Toppings

• corn chips
• sour cream
• chopped green onions

Directions:

1. In a large pot, add in the ground turkey, diced onion and desired amount of black pepper. Cook, over medium-high heat, crumbling the turkey until it is completely cooked.
2. Add in the beef broth, pinto beans, diced tomatoes, tomato soup, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano and pasta. Bring the mixture just to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is cooked, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter.
4. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute or until flour is lightly golden.
5. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is thick and bubbly, about 3-5 minutes.
6. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cheese a handful at a time. Continue adding the cheese and stirring until all of the cheese has been added and the sauce is smooth. 
7. Once the pasta is cooked, stir the queso into the chili. If the chili is not thick enough cook for 5-10 minutes. The chili will thicken a bit more once it is remove from the heat and sits.
8. Serve the chili with any desired toppings.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 566
Total Fat		24.2g
Saturated Fat		13g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat		1.0g
Cholesterol		115mg
Sodium		841.9mg
Total Carbohydrates		54.9g
Dietary Fiber		9.8g
Sugars		12.4g
Protein		38.4g
Calcium		38.4%
Iron		6.3%
Potassium		215.3mg
Vitamin A		24.6%
Vitamin C		25.5%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Real Mom Kitchen.