Cozy Chili Mac! It’s classic beef chili that’s upgraded with macaroni pasta and rich cheese for a flavor mashup that doesn’t disappoint! It’s all cooked in one pot and a breeze to make.
One Pot Chili Mac
This is the perfect sweater weather recipe! It’s hearty, homemade comfort food that’s brimming with flavor and it’s just the dinner friends and family of all ages will love on a cold day.
One thing I think you’ll really appreciate about this recipe is that many of the ingredients are things you may likely already have on hand, especially if you keep a pack or two of ground beef stashed away in the freezer.
And just like regular chili it’s so versatile so you can swap in other ingredients you have on hand for those you don’t (see ideas below for substitutes). I’ve added carrots to chili before so really just about anything goes.
Then top it as you’d like with all your favorite toppings. You can’t go wrong with a sprinkle of green onions and more cheese!
Chili Mac Recipe Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Ground beef 93% lean
- Elbow macaroni pasta
- Vegetables: Yellow onion, red bell pepper, green onions, garlic
- Spices: Chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper
- Canned ingredients: Crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, green chilies, kidney beans
- Dairy: Half and half, sharp cheddar cheese
How to Make Chili Mac
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Saute veggies: Add onion and bell pepper and saute 5 minutes. Scoot to one far side.
- Brown beef: Crumble in beef in chunks, let sear about 3 minutes then break up and toss beef and peppers. Add in garlic and cook until beef is nearly cooked through, about 2 minutes.
- Bloom spices: Add chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika and cook 1 minute.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth and green chilies. Stir in macaroni and kidney beans. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer: Bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, about 12 to 15 minutes.
- Off heat stir in half and half and cheese. Thin with more chicken broth if desired. Serve with desired toppings.
Possible Substitutes and Variations
Beans: Black beans or pinto beans will work well instead of kidney beans.
Onions: Red or white onion will work in place of the yellow onion.
Pepper: Poblano pepper is a great option, or if you want is nice and spicy just use 2 or 3 jalapeños instead.
Pasta: You could use another type of pasta here such as ditalini or mini bowties.
Cheese: Monterrey jack cheese is a great substitute for cheddar.
Tomatoes: If you have a can of whole tomatoes you could blitz those up in the food processor in place of crushed.
Vegetarian/Vegan option: Use Impossible plant based burger or Beyond Beef, then replace chicken broth with vegetable broth. If making vegan also use a vegan cheddar and canned coconut milk for half and half.
Healthier option: For a healthier alternative use ground turkey in place of ground beef, omit the half and half, and use whole wheat pasta.
What to Serve with Chili Mac
- Cornbread
- One-Hour Dinner Rolls
- Tortilla Chips, Salsa and Guacamole
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Apple Crisp
More Delicious Chili Recipes to Try
- Slow Cooker Chili
- Turkey Chili
- Vegetarian Chili
- White Chicken Chili
5 from 6 votes Review Recipe
Chili Mac
Cozy Chili Mac! It’s classic beef chili that’s upgraded with macaroni pasta and rich cheese for a flavor mashup that doesn’t disappoint! It’s all cooked in one pot and a breeze to make.
Servings: 6
Prep15 minutesCook30 minutesReady in: 45 minutes
Ingredients1 Tbsp olive oil1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion1 cup chopped red bell pepper1 lb 93% lean ground beef1 Tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves)4 tsp chili powder2 tsp ground cumin1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes1 (15 oz) can low-sodium chicken broth, plus 1/2 cup more to thin if desired1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies (mild or hot depending on your preference)8 oz. dry elbow macaroni (2 cups)1 (15 oz) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsedSalt and black pepper1/2 cup half and half, or 1/3 cup heavy cream1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for serving if desiredSliced green onions, sour cream, diced tomatoes or cayenne pepper, (optional, for serving)
InstructionsHeat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.Add onion and bell pepper and saute 5 minutes. Scoot mixture to one far side.Crumble in beef in chunks, let sear about 3 minutes then break up and toss beef and peppers. Add in garlic and cook until beef is nearly cooked through, about 2 minutes.Add chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika and cook 1 minute.Pour in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth and green chilies. Stir in macaroni and kidney beans. Season with salt and pepper to taste.Bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, about 12 to 15 minutes.Off heat stir in half and half and cheese. Thin with more chicken broth if desired. Serve with desired toppings.
NotesRecipe makes about 10 cups.
Nutrition Facts Chili Mac
Amount Per Serving
Calories 558 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%Saturated Fat 9g56%Trans Fat 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat 2gMonounsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 82mg27%Sodium 737mg32%Potassium 1278mg37%Carbohydrates 60g20%Fiber 10g42%Sugar 13g14%Protein 37g74% Vitamin A 2103IU42%Vitamin C 52mg63%Calcium 352mg35%Iron 7mg39% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.
Course: Main CourseCuisine: AmericanKeyword: chili mac, chili mac recipe Author: Jaclyn
5 from 6 votes
Review Recipe
Nutrition Facts Chili Mac
Amount Per Serving
Calories 558 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%Saturated Fat 9g56%Trans Fat 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat 2gMonounsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 82mg27%Sodium 737mg32%Potassium 1278mg37%Carbohydrates 60g20%Fiber 10g42%Sugar 13g14%Protein 37g74% Vitamin A 2103IU42%Vitamin C 52mg63%Calcium 352mg35%Iron 7mg39% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.
Nutrition Facts
Chili Mac
Amount Per Serving
Calories 558 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Trans Fat 0.3g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 82mg27%
Sodium 737mg32%
Potassium 1278mg37%
Carbohydrates 60g20%
Fiber 10g42%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 37g74%
Vitamin A 2103IU42%
Vitamin C 52mg63%
Calcium 352mg35%
Iron 7mg39%
- Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main CourseCuisine: AmericanKeyword: chili mac, chili mac recipe
Author: Jaclyn
