Description
Hearty and flavorful Chili Mac combines classic chili with creamy elbow macaroni in one easy, comforting dish. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, this recipe uses simple pantry staples and cooks in under 30 minutes, delivering a rich and savory meal that’s family-friendly and customizable to suit any taste or diet.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Liquids
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups beef broth or water
Chili Base
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 can beans, drained and rinsed
Cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Aromatics: Start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Add finely chopped onions and minced garlic once the meat begins to brown, cooking until soft and fragrant. This forms the flavorful base of your chili.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything evenly and let it simmer for a few minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld together into a savory chili sauce with a nice kick.
- Cook the Macaroni: Add elbow macaroni directly into the pan along with beef broth or water. Cover and simmer until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the flavors of the chili sauce, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Incorporate Cheese: Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat and sprinkle in shredded cheddar cheese. Stir gently until melted and combined, creating a creamy and cohesive dish that’s comforting and delicious.
Notes
- Use fresh chili powder for the best flavor.
- Do not overcook the macaroni to avoid mushiness.
- Adjust spice level by increasing chili powder or adding hot sauce.
- Mix cheddar with mozzarella or pepper jack for extra creaminess.
- Allow the dish to rest covered for a few minutes to deepen flavors before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg