An easy delectable one-pot Chili Mac made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, crushed 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.
Next, stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, beef broth, chili powder, ground cumin, and 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. Finally, top with the cheese and cover letting the cheese fully melt. Garnish with corn, shredded cheddar, or diced jalapeño.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- If available, purchase chili ground chuck. Ground chuck is 80% lean and 20% fat for a richer, more juicy beef flavor than lean ground beef. The chili grind is more coarse for a chunkier chili with a beefier taste.
- Ground turkey or ground pork can be substituted for ground beef.
- Pro Tip – don’t risk dropping the ground beef in the sink to drain the fat. 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.
- Cook just until the pasta is tender. The residual heat will cook it a tad longer.
- Top individual servings with Fritos, green onions, and 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.
What is chili grind beef?
Chili grind beef is also known as chili ground chuck. It is chuck that has been more coarsely ground than the standard ground beef. Ground chuck is important because it has more fat in it than leaner ground beef. Fat is what gives the beef flavor. The course grind gives the chili mac more texture with a heartier beef flavor. Ask your butcher about this beef, as it is usually available in the fall and winter months.
More ground beef recipes you will love!
Chili Mac
A super easy one-pot meal Chili Mac recipe with a perfect blend of spices, all topped with Cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: main meal beef
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs. Chili ground chuck (see notes)
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained (or diced tomatoes)
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 ounce) can dark red kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 2 1/2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½–¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large pot or Dutch Oven over medium heat. Halfway through the browning process, add the onion. Continue cooking until the onion is soft and the beef is browned. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, cooking for about 1 minute while stirring. Now drain any excess grease from the pot.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, beef broth, chili powder, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a low boil.
- Stir in the elbow macaroni. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the noodles are tender; approximately 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to very low. Top with the cheese and cover letting the cheese fully melt. For best results serve promptly.
Notes
- If available, purchase chili ground chuck. Ground chuck is 80% lean and 20% fat for a richer, more juicy beef flavor than lean ground beef. The chili grind is more coarse for a chunkier chili with a beefier taste.
- Ground turkey or ground pork can be substituted for ground beef.
- Pro Tip – don’t risk dropping the ground beef in the sink to drain the fat. 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.
- Cook just until the pasta is tender. The residual heat will cook it a tad longer.
- Top individual servings with Fritos, green onions, and 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.
Keywords: chili mac and cheese, chili pasta, chili with noodles
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Melissa Cushing
Ummm… YUM! This looks amazing and I have printed the recipe out already to make for my family. Comfort fod at its finest!o
★★★★★
Yeah Lifestyle
My family loves chilli and mac and cheese but we have not made chilli mac before. This looks absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to try making this next
★★★★★
Tammy
How absolutely delicious and comforting! The temps here have been up and down lately so today would be a perfect day something like this…comforting and hearty!
★★★★★
Risa Lopez
This was absolutely delicious. Thanks for the great recipe. Even my picky daughter loved it.
★★★★★
Mosaic Borders
This looks so so good! I can’t wait to make your recipe, I love chili mac…So excited.
briannemanzb
This is truly fabulously delicious! I love how the macaroni sucks up all the flavor as it cooks in the sauce. And the fact that there’s only one pot to clean up is certainly a big plus
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Brianne!
Laura
YUM! This sounds sooooo good. Pasta is a regular in our house – it is so quick and easy to make.
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!
★★★★★