October 24, 2023
Review RecipeChili Mac
This yummy, cheesy one pot chili mac and cheese is the perfect hearty recipe for dinner!
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This simple, hearty chili mac and cheese is a regular on our family’s dinner menu that is made with pantry staples you’ll already have on hand. You’ll enjoy the flavor of the spices, cheese, and pasta blending together perfectly in just half an hour for a quick meal on busy nights.
For more easy meals that are hearty and simple to make on hectic weeknights, check out our beef and bean chili. This lasagna casserole is a family favorite too.
Chili Mac Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet chili seasoning
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel tomatoes
- 3 ounces tomato paste (½ of a small can)
- 2 cups water
- 1½ cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
MEAT: Any ground meat would work for this chili mac and cheese recipe including ground pork or ground turkey. You could also use Italian sausage if you prefer.
BEANS: You can also add one can of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed.
TOMATOES: The Rotel tomatoes add a little spice, but you can also use diced canned tomatoes.
VEGETARIAN: Make this recipe vegetarian by eliminating the meat and adding kidney beans and extra noodles in the recipe. You could also add black beans or other types of chili beans for more variety.
VEGETABLES: You could also add veggies into the mix such as bell peppers along with the onion.
CHEESE: You can experiment with any kind of shredded cheese you prefer in this great recipe such as Mexican cheese blend.
SPICE: Kick the heat up a notch by adding a green chile or two or a dash of cayenne pepper to this easy recipe.
How To Make This Chili Mac Recipe
STEP ONE: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion in the skillet until soft and translucent.
STEP TWO: Add ground beef and cook until the meat is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
If you use ground beef with a higher fat content, it’s a good idea to drain the excess fat after cooking the meat. The added fat will make the dish greasy.
STEP THREE: Add the chili seasoning and stir to distribute.
STEP FOUR: Add the Rotel tomatoes (including juice), tomato paste, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil.
STEP FIVE: Add the macaroni noodles, continuing to heat until everything is boiling. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover with a lid. Cook for 10 minutes until the pasta is cooked all the way through.
PRO TIP:
The noodles should be added to the mix uncooked.
STEP SIX: Remove from heat. Stir in ½ cup of the cheese to distribute evenly.
STEP SEVEN: Spread the remaining cheese over the top and place the lid back onto the pan and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese has all melted.
STEP EIGHT: Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
PRO TIP:
Top each bowl with more cheese and your favorite chili toppings including a dollop of sour cream once you serve it.
How To Serve
This beefy, cheesy perfection is an amazing one-pot meal for an easy weeknight dinner and tastes great when paired with bread. We’re all about the bread in our house, so homemade chili mac gets served with a sweet cornbread topped with lots of butter. We also love it with a simple side caesar salad.
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers of this chili macaroni in the fridge for three to four days.
IN THE FREEZER: Store leftover chili in the freezer for up to one month.
This cheesy chili mac is full of simple ingredients that create a satisfying meal that the whole family will gobble up. Ooey-gooey cheese, saucy beef, delicious veggies, and plenty of flavors will make this dish an instant favorite.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I make this in the slow cooker?
You could also make this easy chili mac in the slow cooker and let it simmer away on low heat on a busy day.
Can this homemade chili mac be frozen?
This would be a great recipe to whip up a big batch and store extras in the freezer for up to one month for an easy meal.
Can I make this recipe into a vegetarian recipe?
You sure can! Just leave out the meat and add beans and extra noodles for a hearty vegetarian version.
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- Meatloaf Recipe
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- Instant Pot Chili
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- Baked Mac and Cheese
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- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
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- Million Dollar Mac and Cheese
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- Crack Chicken Chili
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Chili Mac
This yummy, cheesy one pot chili mac and cheese is the perfect hearty recipe for dinner!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet chili seasoning
- 10 ounces Rotel tomatoes
- 3 ounces tomato paste (½ of a small can)
- 2 cups water
- 1½ cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions
- Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion in the skillet until soft and translucent.
- Add ground beef and cook until the meat is no longer pink.
- Drain any excess fat.
- Add chili seasoning and stir to distribute.
- Add the Rotel tomatoes (including juice), tomato paste, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add the macaroni noodles, continuing to heat until everything is boiling. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover with a lid. Cook for 10 minutes until the pasta is cooked all the way through.
- Remove from heat. Stir in ½ cup of the cheese to distribute evenly.
- Spread the remaining cheese over the top and place the lid back onto the pan and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese has all melted.
- Serve warm.
Video
Notes
- The Rotel tomatoes add a little spice, but you can also use diced canned tomatoes.
- If you use ground beef with higher fat content, it’s a good idea to drain the excess fat after cooking the meat. The added fat will make the dish greasy. You could also use a ground turkey or ground chicken in the recipe.
- Make sure to add the noodles to the mix uncooked.
- Top each bowl with more cheese and your favorite chili toppings once you serve it.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 408mg | Potassium: 575mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 731IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 3mg
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Comments
Hannah Griffin says
This recipe was seriously so delicious! My entire family loved it!
Tin says
Thanks for this recipe! my daughter really loves it!
Sean Peatry says
This site is absolutely fabulous!
Joy says
Years and years ago I made Chili Mac without a recipe. Recently I’ve tried to duplicate and make again, but it just didn’t taste the same. Wow, your recipe hit the jackpot. Now, I can enjoy it again.
Thanks.
Kippi says
Yum, I just pinned this recipe. I like a one pot meal since we are always busy. Also, this one could be frozen for a super fast meal. Happy New Year, Kippi
Treena says
Super simple to make and very filling!
Jackie says
I have not made chilli Mac in years! Wanted to make it but could not find my recipes. This recipe is on point and amazing. Seasonings we’re perfect. I made some adjustments in the amount of chilli powder due to my heat tolerance. Also I reduced the amount the amount of water from 5 cans to 3 cans. I all five stars.
Angie says
This looks amazing! I plan to make it…. I’m curious as to the role that the baking soda plays?
Layne Henderson says
It helps cut down on the acidity of the tomatoes!
Jennifer says
Trying this tonight, thanks to this cold snap that just moved in! Quick question….I’m adding uncooked noodles to the mixture, correct? If so, approximately how long will they need to cook to al dente?
Layne Kangas says
It should take about 15 minutes for the noodles to cook! Enjoy 🙂
Treena says
Tried this for dinner and paired it with caesar salad and garlic bread as recommended and it was so darn good. Can’t wait to make it again!
Joe says
Very tasty, I needed to add more pasta,it was a little soupy
Kristen says
How much water are you supposed to add?
Layne Kangas says
It’s 75 ounces total, I use the empty 15-ounce can from the tomato sauce and pour that in five times to make it easy. Enjoy!
Veronica Jones says
Just wondering what is the purpose of the baking soda?
Layne Kangas says
It cuts down on the acidity from the tomatoes! Enjoy 🙂
Charles Taylor says
Love this recipe! Thank you so very much.
Elizabeth says
I made this last night for supper and it is off-the-charts incredible. I didn’t even use all the cheese and it was ooey-gooey delicious! I love love love one pot suppers and this one was so quick and easy. Thank you!
Gloria says
This is an easy to make favorite in our house. Everyone loves it. Add extra cheese!!!
Jill says
A delish and easy meal!
Heather says
Can you freeze leftovers?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Heather – you can freeze the leftovers for up to a month. Enjoy!
Sonya Abercrombie says
My family love this chili Mac!
I made it with ground turkey/peppers and onions.
TBH it wasn’t enough! I made it extra cheesy
Leah says
We love this! So easy and delicious AND it freeze dries well too!