Sizzling Chili Mac Recipe: Cozy Comfort in Every Spoonful

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouth-watering chili mac recipe that blends robust flavors and creamy textures into one incredible dish.

Pasta lovers will adore how classic mac and cheese meets spicy chili in a single skillet.

Tender macaroni absorbs the rich, smoky chili seasonings while melted cheese creates an irresistible coating.

Ground beef adds substantial protein and depth to this crowd-pleasing meal.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of zesty spices and cheesy goodness that satisfies serious hunger.

The one-pot wonder comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners.

Grab a spoon and prepare to savor every delicious, hearty spoonful.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 540 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes Into Chili Mac Recipe

• Ground Beef: Delivers hearty flavor and rich protein base, choose lean cuts for healthier option.
• Beef Broth: Enhances meaty depth and provides moisture for cooking sauce and pasta.

• Onion, Garlic: Create aromatic foundation with deep savory undertones, select fresh firm produce.
• Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes: Provide tangy base and moisture, opt for no-salt-added versions.
• Kidney Beans: Add creamy texture and plant-based protein, rinse thoroughly to reduce sodium.
• Chili Powder, Cumin, Smoked Paprika: Deliver complex spice profile, use fresh ground spices for maximum flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Balance and elevate overall seasoning, use kosher salt for better distribution.

• Elbow Macaroni: Creates classic comfort dish texture, choose high-quality pasta with ridged surface.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds sharp, creamy finish, grate fresh for best consistency.

Tools To Cook Chili Mac Without Fuss

• Large pot or deep skillet: Essential for cooking beef and building the entire dish.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for breaking up beef and stirring ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add spices like chili powder and cumin.
• Cheese grater: Useful if you're grating fresh cheddar cheese.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions and optional garnishes.
• Sharp knife: Required for dicing onions and slicing green onions or jalapenos.
• Colander: Helpful for draining excess grease from beef.

Steps To Make Hearty Chili Mac

• Brown the Meat

Heat a large pot and sizzle the ground beef until it’s nicely caramelized, breaking it into delicious crumbles. Ditch any extra fat for a cleaner dish.

• Awaken the Aromatics

Toss in chopped onions and minced garlic, letting them dance and release their mouth-watering fragrance for a few minutes.

• Create the Flavor Base

Pour in tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and beef broth. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything into a rich, robust mixture.

• Introduce the Pasta

Add uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the bubbling sauce. Let it simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes, gently stirring to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.

• Melt the Cheese

Remove from heat and fold in shredded cheddar until it transforms into a creamy, stringy blanket of deliciousness.

• Serve and Enjoy

Scoop into warm bowls and crown with optional toppings like extra cheese, chopped green onions, or spicy jalapeño slices.

Spicy Tips To Level Up Chili Mac Recipe

• Quick Meal Prep: Chop onions and measure spices before starting to streamline cooking process and reduce stress in the kitchen.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust chili powder and add diced jalapenos to customize heat intensity, making the dish mild or extra spicy according to preference.
• Protein Swap Suggestions: Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version that maintains delicious flavor profile.
• Leftover Magic: Store in airtight container for up to 4 days, and reheat with a splash of broth to prevent drying out – makes an excellent next-day lunch option.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free elbow macaroni and verify that broth is gluten-free to make this recipe safe for those with wheat sensitivities.

How To Serve Chili Mac With Style

• Fresh Topping Explosion: Sprinkle crispy tortilla chips or cornbread crumbles on top for a delightful crunch that adds exciting texture to the creamy chili mac.
• Hearty Side Companion: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, warm flavors of the main dish and add a refreshing contrast.
• Spice Level Adventure: Set out small bowls of diced jalapeños, hot sauce, and sour cream so everyone can customize their heat and cooling preferences at the table.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining chili mac into stuffed bell peppers by mixing with extra cheese and baking until golden, creating a whole new meal with minimal effort.

How To Keep Chili Mac Recipe Fresh

• Batch Cooking Magic: Whip up a double batch and freeze individual portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals. Perfect for busy families or solo diners seeking convenient dinner solutions.
• Refrigerator Freshness: Store leftovers in sealed containers for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making each reheated serving even more delicious than the last.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm chili mac in a skillet with a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Stir gently to maintain the creamy texture and prevent pasta from breaking apart.
• Ingredient Prep Hack: Chop onions and measure spices in advance to cut down cooking time. Store prepped ingredients in separate containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, making meal preparation a breeze.

Hearty Chili Mac Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Chili mac recipe brings hearty comfort to weeknight dinners with bold southwestern flavors. Spicy ground beef and cheesy pasta combine for a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 ½ cups beef broth (or water)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: green onions or jalapenos for topping

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Caramelize ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat, breaking into fine crumbles until richly browned and developed with deep flavor notes.
2. Aromatic Enhancement: Integrate finely chopped onions and garlic, sautéing until translucent and releasing their fragrant essence, creating a foundational flavor profile for the dish.
3. Liquid and Seasoning Fusion: Combine tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and beef broth into the pot, introducing a complex blend of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and cracked black pepper to develop a robust and multilayered taste experience.
4. Pasta Integration and Cooking: Delicately fold uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the simmering liquid, allowing the pasta to absorb the spicy, rich flavors while gently cooking to perfect al dente consistency, transforming the mixture into a cohesive, hearty one-pot marvel.
5. Cheese Incorporation and Finishing: Remove from heat and thoroughly fold sharp cheddar cheese into the mixture, stirring until completely melted and creating a luxurious, creamy texture that envelops every morsel of the dish.
6. Presentation and Garnish: Elevate the visual and flavor complexity by adorning with optional toppings such as sliced green onions, additional cheese sprinkles, or fiery jalapeño slices, adding a final layer of excitement to this comforting meal.

Notes

• Optimize Meat Browning: Ensure ground beef develops a deep, caramelized crust by avoiding overcrowding the pot and maintaining high heat for maximum flavor development.
• Control Liquid Absorption: Monitor pasta’s cooking liquid carefully to prevent a dry or overly soupy consistency, adjusting broth levels as needed during simmering.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Remove pot from direct heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, creamy texture without graininess.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust chili powder and jalapeños to suit personal heat preferences, allowing for a personalized spice experience that suits different palates.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg