An easy, delectable one-pot Chili Mac made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, tomatoes, and a perfect blend of spices, all covered with oodles of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Like homemade hamburger helper, this hearty meal is great for big appetites and is one of our go-to fall and winter comfort food recipes.
I love to serve this tasty dish with a simple garden salad and Cheese Garlic Bread. This is a meal that the kids love, made with all-natural ingredients, many of which you may already have on hand.
How to make Chili Mac
Start by browning your ground beef in a large pot or Dutch Oven over medium heat. About halfway through the browning process, add the onion. Continue cooking until the onion is soft and the beef is browned. Then reduce the heat and add the garlic, cooking for about 1 minute while stirring. Now, drain any excess grease from the pan.
Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, beef broth, chili powder, ground cumin, and ground cayenne pepper. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat and stir in the elbow macaroni. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the noodles are tender. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Finally, top with the cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack Cheese. Cover and let the cheese fully melt. Spoon into bowls and garnish with shredded cheddar, diced jalapeño, or pickled or spicy red bell pepper.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Purchase ground chuck is 80% lean and 20% fat for a richer, more juicy beef flavor than lean ground beef.
- Ground turkey or ground pork can be substituted for ground beef.
- Pro Tip – To remove the excess grease, tilt the pan and use a paper towel to absorb the grease. Works great every time.
- If you know you will save some of this for leftovers or freezing a portion, cook the pasta separately. Follow the instructions to cook it al dente since you will be reheating it.
- If spicy food is your thing, then consider adding more chili powder, more cayenne pepper, or a little crushed red pepper. You can also substitute 2 tablespoons of chili seasoning for the spices.
- Cook just until the pasta is tender. The residual heat will cook it a tad longer.
- Other cheeses to try include sharp cheddar, pepper jack, and Mexican cheese blend.
- Top individual servings with Fritos, green onions, jalapenos, spicey or pickled bell peppers, or a dollop of sour cream.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power,
- Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. For best results, cook the pasta separately and add right before serving.
More ground beef recipes you will love!
Chili Mac
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 15-ounce can dark red kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 2 ½ cup beef broth or chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large pot or Dutch Oven over medium heat. About halfway through the browning process, add the onion. Continue cooking until the onion is soft and the beef is browned.
- Reduce the heat and add the garlic, cooking for about 1 minute while stirring. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, beef broth, chili powder, ground cumin, and ground cayenne pepper. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat and stir in the elbow macaroni. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the noodles are tender.
- Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Top with the cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack Cheese. Cover and let the cheese fully melt. Garnish with shredded diced jalapeño or pickled or spicy bell pepper.
Notes
- Purchase ground chuck is 80% lean and 20% fat for a richer, more juicy beef flavor than lean ground beef.
- Ground turkey or ground pork can be substituted for ground beef.
- Pro Tip – To remove the excess grease, simply tilt the pan and use a paper towel to absorb the grease. Works great every time.
- If you know you are going to be saving some of this for leftovers or freezing a portion, then cook the pasta separately. Follow the instructions to cook it al dente since you will be reheating it.
- If spicy food is your thing, then consider adding more chili powder, more cayenne pepper, or a little crushed red pepper. You can also substitute 2 tablespoons of chili seasoning for the spices.
- Cook just until the pasta is tender. The residual heat will cook it a tad longer.
- Other cheeses to try include sharp cheddar, pepper jack, and Mexican cheese blend.
- Top individual servings with Fritos, green onions, jalapenos, spicey or pickled bell peppers, or a dollop of sour cream.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power,
- Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. For best results, cook the pasta separately and add right before serving.
Nutrition
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Dan Rey
This makes me hungry! Chili mac is one of my favorite food to eat.
Samantha Donnelly
This was easy, delicious and hearty. I added just a few tablespoons of butter to the finished dish and it was amazing. My whole family enjoyed it.
Talya Stone
YUM! What a nice twist on the usual mac….I bet this would make a great batch cook.
Elise Ho
That sounds delish and like something that would be very warming on a cold
Winter night.
Christiana
This is absolutely yummy 😋 I love macaroni anyday and anytime.
Beth Pierce
Me too Christiana!
Irena
OMG Such a tasty recipe. My whole family enjoyed this! So yummy!
Melanie Edjourian
That sounds different. I’ve never had a combo of mac cheese and chili before. I bet it is a really filling meal.
Elizabeth O
Oh goodness, this made me hungry. It’s truly fabulously delicious! Can I add some green pepper to it tho? I have a lot extra and I might as well add to this recipe
Beth Pierce
Yes you sure can! Enjoy!
Alita
This sounds like a taste of my favorite Chili but with the added cheesy goodness of Mac and Cheese. I would love to try this.
Tweenselmom
This was so delicious! My kids loved it. Thanks for the great recipe.
Cinny
OH, that just made me hungry. You somehow combined a few of our favorite things!
Heather
Yum! Chili mac is one of my favorites. I can’t wait to try this!
Betty
Made it for supper tonight, it was very good.
Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert
I know for sure this Italian Sausage Soup would be a huge hit in my house!
Sandra
This was a huge hit at my house!! My kids enjoyed it!
Amanda
Perfect meal for through the week. Kids loved it. Perfect for leftovers too!