Chili Mac and Cheese combines the best of two beloved dishes for a truly outstanding yet quick-to-make comfort food. Make this one-pot meal on a weeknight for an easy, filling meal in under 30 minutes!
I’m excited to share this easy and delicious Chili Mac recipe, perfect for any weeknight dinner!
Chili Mac and Cheese recently came up in conversation with an old friend from Wisconsin, where it’s a common comfort food Midwestern dish. She said how much she enjoys it but rarely has leftover chili. I shared the good news that you don’t need to make a separate pot of chili; instead, the entire dish can be made in under 30 minutes in one pot, minimizing cleanup. She called me that night to tell me how much she loved it and that she’ll be making it often from now on.
How to Chili Mac and Cheese
Part of the reason that making it from scratch is so simple is because you cook everything in one pan. Cook some onion and garlic in a pot or pan, brown the ground beef, add chili powder and cumin, then tomatoes, beans, and chicken stock. Bring it to a boil, add the pasta, and simmer it until the pasta is cooked. Top it with some cheese, allow a few minutes for it to melt, and serve.
It’s so simple and so filling, tasty, and comforting!
Can you freeze Chili Mac and Cheese?
Yes, you can! I’ll often double the recipe and freeze some in single-serving portions to have for lunch on busy work days. Use airtight containers and freeze it for up to 3 months. The texture is best if you let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, but it’s still good if you just can’t wait or have the time.
Keto Chili Mac No Beans Version
For low-carb or keto chili mac without beans, I make this version often as we try to eat as low carb as possible. It’s an easy swap, too: simply substitute the macaroni noodles for small bite-sized pieces of cauliflower with no beans added (I usually use one whole head of cauliflower in place of the pasta). The timing, as well as when you add it to the pot, is the same so it really is a simple substitute. I’ve even made a double batch, then divided it into two pans, adding pasta to one and cauliflower to the other. It’s a simple way to make a meal that pleases everyone in the house.
Chili Mac and Cheese Variations
- Use black beans and add a can of diced green chiles for a more Southwestern-style flavor.
- Add more vegetables, such as corn or chopped red bell pepper.
- Try serving it with sour cream and chopped green onion for toppings – it’s really good this way!
- Go 50/50 with a 1/2 cup cheddar and 1/2 Monterey jack cheese.
- Turn up the heat and add hot sauce or jalapeños or a 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper.
- Substitute the beef with with ground turkey or chicken, or a plant-based soy.
- Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth if you’re looking to make a strictly vegetarian dish.
- Increase the fiber with durum or whole wheat elbow macaroni noodles.
What can you serve with Chili Mac and Cheese?
I try to keep things pretty simple since you already have pasta and beef in the main dish. If I do serve this with sides, I usually opt for garlic bread and a vegetable, such as garlic snap peas or smashed brussels sprouts.
If you love beef and pasta together, try this Szechuan Gourmet Beef Pasta (it uses ground beef and comes together in just 25 minutes)!
Easy One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
Chili Mac and Cheese combines the best of two beloved dishes for a truly outstanding yet quick-to-make comfort food. Make this one-pot meal on a weeknight for an easy, filling meal in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 14.5-oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (can also use regular diced tomatoes)
- 1 15-oz can kidney beans
- 32 oz low-sodium chicken broth or stock (4 cups)
- 1 10-oz package elbow macaroni
- 1/2 tsp coarse salt (more to taste)
- 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or more!)
- 1 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the oil and, when it's shimmering, add the onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until it's starting to soften. Add the garlic and cook one minute more. Add the ground beef, breaking it up as much as possible, and cook until there's no pink remaining, about 5 minutes. Drain the fat from the pan.
- Add the chili powder and cumin to the pan and stir well to incorporate.
- Stir in the tomatoes, beans, and the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and stir in pasta. Cover the pan and simmer until the pasta is cooked through, about 12-15 minutes (reduce the heat if necessary; the mixture should remain at a very strong simmer or very gentle boil.
- Add the salt and pepper, then taste and add more if necessary.
- Turn the heat off and sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Add the cover back to the pan and allow the cheese to melt for a few minutes..
- Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 796Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 131mgSodium: 1166mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 10gSugar: 10gProtein: 58g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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