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!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

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 many carbs are in chili mac? ›

Wise Company
Nutrition Facts
% Daily Value *
How much fat is in Chili Mac? Amount of fat in Chili Mac: Total Fat 1g-
How much sodium is in Chili Mac? Amount of sodium in Chili Mac: Sodium 610mg26%
How many carbs are in Chili Mac? Amount of carbs in Chili Mac: Carbohydrates 48g-
13 more rows

What fat to add to chili? ›

In a pot of chili, just a few strips of bacon add a smoky, meaty depth. And it's not just the bacon itself that adds flavor, it's the bacon fat, too. Before you start your recipe, cook 3 to 4 strips of thick-cut bacon until they're as crispy as you like.

What is chili mac made of? ›

Basic versions may be prepared using chopped meat, tomato, spices, and elbow macaroni. Another basic preparation method incorporates boxed, prepared macaroni and cheese and canned chili. Some recipes incorporate all of the ingredients together, while others are prepared with the ingredients separately layered.

Is Chili Mac a midwest thing? ›

Is chili mac a Midwest thing? Yes, it is…but it's popular in other regions of the United States as well.

Why do people put sugar in goulash? ›

The secret to this recipe is adding a little sugar. It's an important step because it mellows the acidity of the tomatoes.

Is chili full of carbs? ›

Chili with beans and meat, homemade (1 cup) contains 23.5g total carbs, 16.3g net carbs, 9.1g fat, 18.2g protein, and 242 calories.

How much is one serving of chili mac? ›

Portion Size: 1 cup (8 oz.)

Is chilli sauce high in carbs? ›

Hot sauces are low in carbohydrates and calories, making them a great way to add flavor and variety without compromising the goals of a keto diet. The capsaicin found in hot sauce is known to boost metabolism, suppress appetite, and increase fat burning capabilities, which can help with weight loss on a keto diet.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

What is the best liquid to use in chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

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.

How do you thicken chili on a Mac? ›

How to Thicken Chili
  1. Simmer down. ...
  2. Stir in some finely ground cornmeal or masa harina. ...
  3. Mix in a scoop of cornstarch, all-purpose flour, or oats. ...
  4. Pile on the vegetables. ...
  5. Try more tomato paste. ...
  6. Mash some beans. ...
  7. Crumble up some corn chips.
Oct 28, 2023

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.

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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