Chili Mac Recipe - Belly Full (2024)

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5 from 1 Rating

Published: April 23, 2015Updated: January 3, 2022Author: Amy

Two favorite comfort foods come together in this super easy One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese the whole family will go crazy for!

We like to serve this with homemade garlic bread and a simple side salad for a complete meal.

Chili Mac Recipe - Belly Full (1)

One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

What’s better than macaroni and cheese and chili? When you combine them! Put them together to make Chili Mac and you have one killer mash-up.

Not only does it taste great, but it only requires one pot and pantry staples. One of my favorite trifectas in cooking! Bonus, it comes together in 30 minutes for a satisfying meal. Leftovers are great the next day, too.

Chili Mac Recipe - Belly Full (2)

Chili Mac Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this chili mac recipe.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

  • Ground beef – Lean ground beef 80/20, so there’s not excess fat.
  • Onion and Garlic – For aromatics and flavor.
  • Elbow macaroni pasta – Dry macaroni is used for mac n cheese, so that’s what we use here, but Ditalini would work, too.
  • Chicken broth – We prefer low-sodium to control the saltiness of the dish.
  • Pasta sauce – Use either traditional or marinara
  • Rotel – This is canned diced tomatoes with mild green chilis. Choose from mild, medium, or hot depending on your preference.
  • Chili beans – Canned chili beans. Do NOT rinse and drain them before adding them.
  • Cheddar cheese – Freshly shredded for optimal flavor.
  • Seasonings – Chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley
  • Olive oil – Used to sauté the vegetables.
Chili Mac Recipe - Belly Full (3)

What Goes with Chili Mac

With ground beef, pasta, and tomatoes, and beans, this dish is very filling on its own. But we usually enjoy it with a side salad and either homemade garlic bread, 7 Up Biscuits, or Dutch oven bread to round out the meal.

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve got leftovers, allow them to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The noodles will absorb a lot of the liquid and tend to get mushy once defrosted, so freezing leftovers is not our preference, but you can. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.

More One Pot Meals:

  • Rice and Beans
  • Pasta e Ceci
  • Easy Jambalaya
  • Minestrone Soup
  • Mexican Rice Skillet
  • Broccoli and Bacon Pasta

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onTikTok,Facebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!

Chili Mac Recipe - Belly Full (4)

Chili Mac

5 from 1 Rating

Two favorite comfort foods come together in this super easy, one-pot Chili Mac dish that the whole family will go crazy for!

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 medium sweet onion , diced small
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups Traditional or Marinara pasta sauce
  • 10 ounce can mild diced tomatoes with mild green chilis
  • 16 ounce can mild chili beans (do not drain or rinse)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni pasta
  • 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high. Add onion, garlic, and beef; cook until browned, breaking up into crumbles, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drain excess fat.

  • Stir in chicken broth, pasta sauce, diced tomatoes with mild green chilis, beans, chili powder, and cumin. Season with a bit more salt and pepper, to taste.

  • Bring to a boil and stir in pasta; cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until pasta is al dente, about 14 minutes, stirring a couple times near the end to prevent sticking.

  • Remove from heat. Stir in the cheese and parsley.

  • Serve immediately, garnished with additional cheese and parsley, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 415kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 1156mg | Potassium: 1199mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 869IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 186mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

Other Notes

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chili Mac, Chili Mac Recipe

Did you make this recipe?Snap a picture and mention @bellyfullblog!

Chili Mac Recipe - Belly Full (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between goulash and chili mac? ›

What's the Difference Between Chili Mac and Goulash? Chili mac is very similar to American goulash — a one-pot meal made with ground beef, pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese. American goulash, however, doesn't call for evaporated milk, and also isn't made with beans.

How does Martha Stewart make chili? ›

Add chili powder, cocoa, and tomato paste; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes, broth, and cooked beef. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until thickened slightly, 25 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; serve with sour cream and chives.

Is Chili Mac a midwest thing? ›

It is a common dish in the cuisine of the Midwestern United States, and is also popular in other areas of the United States. Several variations of the dish exist, and prepared canned and boxed versions also exist.

What is another name for a Chili Mac? ›

American Chop Suey (Macaroni, Beef, and Cheese Skillet Casserole) Recipe. Beefaroni, chili mac, Johnny Marzetti: whatever you call it, this stuff is delicious.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

Why do people put baking soda in chili? ›

According to the magazine's food experimenters, the baking soda treatment will definitely keep the meat tender and juicy when cooked.

What is the best ingredient to thicken chili? ›

The good news is there are lots of easy ways to thicken up your chili with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry— flour, cornmeal, pureed beans, cornstarch, or even crushed tortilla chips will help do the job, along with some good old extra simmering time.

What exactly is goulash? ›

Goulash (Hungarian: gulyás) is a soup or stew of meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika and other spices. Originating in Hungary, goulash is a common meal predominantly eaten in Central Europe but also in other parts of Europe. It is one of the national dishes of Hungary and a symbol of the country.

What is goulash called in the south? ›

American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, American Chop Suey, or even Beef-a-Roni, is an American comfort-food dish popular in the Midwest and South. Besides the name, there is no real connection to Hungarian goulash in terms of the flavor or ingredients.

Why is American Goulash different? ›

American goulash is a one-pot dish of ground beef, pasta (often elbow macaroni), tomatoes and cheese. Sometimes it includes paprika, like its Hungarian counterpart. Since American goulash calls for ground beef, it cooks much faster than Hungarian goulash which relies on low-and-slow cooking to render the beef tender.

What is true goulash made of? ›

The classic “kettle goulash” is prepared by frying cubes of beef or mutton with onions in lard. Garlic, caraway seeds, tomatoes, green peppers, and potatoes complete the stew. Székely gulyás, another Hungarian specialty, is a stew of pork and sauerkraut flavoured with tomatoes, onions, caraway seeds, and sour cream.

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