Chili Mac and Cheese tastes like your favourite Chili – with the added cheesy goodness of Mac & Cheese! Sensational ground beef dinner recipe that’s on the table in just over 20 minutes – and it’s all made in one pot. It’s truly fabulously delicious!
On the table in just over 20 minutes, made with beef mince, pasta, beans, canned tomatoes, everyday spices, and some kind of cheese, it’s sinfully scrumptious!
Chili Mac and Cheese
There’s plenty of food mash ups in the world. Like pizza – it seems like there is a pizza-everything: tacos, casserole, dips, soup, pie, pasta, cake.
I’m not above doing mash ups. I’ll do them when combining two recipes brings something else to the dish, rather than doing them just for the sake of being “cool” or “out there”. I’m beyond the years of playing with food for the sake of being trendy, I just want it to be tasty!
So – Chili Mac and Cheese. A cross between Chili and Mac and Cheese, all made in one pot. The sauce flavour is like beef Chilli Con Carne, with the addition of macaroni and cheesy goodness stirred into it as well as on top.
SO GOOD!!!
Yes, you can freeze Chili Mac!
Cool, then freeze in airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in fridge then reheat in microwave until steamy, stir well. I like to sprinkle extra cheese on then pop it back in the microwave. This Chili Mac recipe freezes well because it’s a saucy, juicy version!
What goes in Chili Mac and Cheese
Here’s what you need. Nothing unusual here!
My Chili Mac is made with a homemade Chili Powder. What’s known as “Chili Powder” in the US is actually a spice mix, not just pure chili, and it varies from brand to brand. It’s not sold here in Australia, though I’ve always got a stash because I stock up when I travel to the States.
So I prefer to make my own – for consistency of flavour, no matter where you are in the world!
How to make it
Chili Mac and Cheese is completely made in one pot. Start the usual way – sautéing garlic and onion to create the flavour base – add the beef, the spices and everything else. The pasta will cook while the sauce thickens, and a mere 15 minutes later, you’ll have dinner on the table!
I love a cosy one-pot pasta like Chili Mac. It’s a firm favourite alongside Cheeseburger Casserole (Homemade Hamburger Helper!), One Pot Vegetable Pasta and One Pot Spaghetti Bolognese!
I love how the macaroni sucks up all the flavour as it cooks in the sauce. And the fact that there’s only one pot to clean up is certainly a big plus!! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 onion , finely chopped
- 1 red capsicum / bell pepper , chopped
- 500g / 1 lb ground beef (mince) , I use lean
- 800g / 28 oz crushed canned tomato
- 420g / 14 oz can red kidney beans , drained
- 2 1/2 cups (625 ml) beef broth (chicken broth also ok)
- 250g / 8 oz elbow macaroni pasta (elbow pasta), uncooked
- 2 cups (200g) shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, tasty cheese)
- 1/4 cup coriander / cilantro finely chopped, for garnish
Spices (Homemade Chili Powder):
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or pure chilli powder (adjust spiciness to taste) (Note 1)
- 2 tsp paprika powder
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 1/2 tsp onion powder (can sub garlic powder)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Heat oil in large pot over high heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 1 minute. Then add capsicum and cook until onion is translucent.
- Add beef and cook, breaking it up as you go.
- Once the beef turns from red to brown, add remaining ingredients except cheese. Stir, bring to simmer, then turn the heat down to medium.
- Cover and cook for 12 minutes or until the macaroni is al dente, meaning just cooked, still a tiny bit on the firm side. It should be saucy but not tons of liquid (see video).
- Turn the stove OFF but leave the pot on the stove. Stir through half the cheese – it should be a bit saucy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Top with remaining cheese, put the lid back on and leave until the cheese melts – about 2 minutes (sauce will absorb further during this period).
- Sprinkle with coriander, if desired, and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Chili Mac recipe originally published October 2017. Updated October 2019 with new photos, brand new video and spruced up the writing. No change to recipe – I wouldn’t dare!
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Life of Dozer
The other day, he spent the better part of the morning buried under the blanket like this. Whether he was cold, or trying to hide (I can’t see you, so you can’t see me….)?? 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
And Life of Dozer from the first time I published this recipe in 2017:
{I was in Fiji with friends at the time!} Usually when I travel, Dozer goes to stay with his “family” with a golden retriever boarder. He thunders around the house, rumbles with his friends, and generally completely forgets all about me.
Unfortunately, he’s a bit lame at the moment (nothing serious, just pulled a muscle from excessive beach craziness) so I left him with my mother for some quiet healing time.
Apparently, this is how he’s spending his day. 😢
Hi Debbie – I’m sorry to hear that, but can I just ask – did you definitely use UNCOOKED pasta?? Because if you did that then there definitely should not be too much liquid by the time it is cooked, as shown in the video??? N xx
Hi Nagi, yes definitely was uncooked pasta. Did the beef fajitas last night … amazing 😊
thanks so much for the amazing recipe, Nagi!! It came out great! Not enough cheese though for my taste 😉
is there any way to make this in a slow cooker? I want to make this tonight and bring it in to my office tomorrow but am not sure how I might reheat it at the office. Was hoping to bring it in my crock pot, but unsure if I should just transfer it in to reheat or if there was a way to make the entire thing in there! Thanks, love your recipes
Hi Jade, I’d make it all first then transfer to a crock pot to reheat – that’s the easiest option. I hope you love it!
Hi this looks amazing. I’m really surprised to see in the nutrition label, though, there there is trans fat. Which ingredient contains the trans fat? I’d like to figure out a substitution. Thanks!
Hi Amanda, I’d say the majority is in the cheese – N x
Heinz have brought Mac and Cheese in a can. Do you think the recipe could be adapted using Heinz?
I haven’t tried, I like to make everything from scratch as homemade far surpasses anything in a can! ❤️
I’m going to give this a go tomorrow night.. can I replace beef broth with chicken stock?
I find beef has more flavour but yes you can replace with chicken broth.
Hi Nagi – I love all of your recipes. Every single one I’ve tried has been spot on, delicious and your directions make them so easy, too (including this one!) I am wondering if your chili Mac and/or home made hamburger helper can be frozen? Sometimes you put in special instructions for freezing in your notes but didn’t see that on either of these recipes.
Thanks for your help!
T.
Hi Tama! I’ll pop freezer directions in now 🙂 N x
Apparently, I make Nagi’s chili mac once a year… My first turn was 11/8/2017 (I try to add notes to a recipe…). I just made it again yesterday (11/17/2018). Just as great as we remembered! 🙂
This was so yummy! My family loved it! So much better than the boxed kind we usually have but never again! Thank you so much for your recipes!
Made this last night for dinner– YUM. and easy to make…and only one pot! I made this as written using a beef/lamb combo for the protein .. for me the “key” part of this recipe is the home made chili powder– it added just the right amount of flavor/spiciness for us.
This looks like a great quick recipe. When I get home from working 8 hours and commuting on the train for 1 our each way, I don’t feel like creating time-consuming meals. If so, err body gone lose weight LOL I’ll let you know how it goes.
I hear you Dana! Commuting in Sydney is a killer 😩
Hey there, tried this recipe and loved it so much! Definitely a comfort food. A question though, if I’m unable to find canned crushed tomatoes, what would be a substitute?
Any sort of canned tomatoes will do; if they are whole, you can break them up with your spoon in the pot, and diced will also work. Alternatively, empty them into a bowl and use a potato masher on them, or even a fork, to crush them a bit before adding, or even just crush them in your hand before you add them to the pot.
Made this tonight. Omg- soooo good for little effort. I buy dried chili’s from the grocery store Ethnic aisle and toast them then powderize in our spice grinder for fresh chili powder. I used 1 tbs. added 1/8 tsp of cayenne for spicy kick. Our cayenne is super hot so there’s no way we could eat 1 tsp! Thx for a great recipe, Nagi!!!!
SO GLAD you enjoyed this Judy!!! Thanks for letting me know! N xx
My son yelling at me, “Dad please make some chili-mac!” So I figured I’d find a recipe. Smack yo mamma! That’s a spot on recipe for authentic chilli-mac. When you stated that chili powder has other stuff in it you’re correct. You’ll want chile powder (with an E) that’s the unmolested stuff. Try your local hispanic or Mexican market if you can’t find it in your grocery store.
Anyway, thanks for the tasty dish.
Location: Show Me State
You’re so welcome SoylentArmy! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂 N x
I was wondering when I made this recipe ( which by the way is very good) you mention that American chili powder has other ingredients in it. I looked and I currently have 3 brands of chili powder on my spice shelf. None of them have anything but chili in them. I think you must be talking about a chili mix. The chili powder I used did have silicon dioxide a anti caking agent.
Hi Michael! Glad you enjoyed this 🙂 Every Chili Powder I have checked out in the states has other things in it, like this one https://www.mccormick.com/spices-and-flavors/herbs-and-spices/spices/chili-powder. It’s labelled “Chili Powder” but the ingredients has other things in it. That’s why I always talk about using pure spices, to avoid confusion. “Chili powder” means VERY different things depending on which country you are in!! N x
This was AMAZING!! both my kids loved it, even though I added extra chilli lol – even better the next day!
🙌🏻 🙌🏻 LOVE hearing that! Thanks for letting me know Shannan! N x
So good! Thank you for an easy tasty recipe. Ju@st like some of the others I added in a bit of sugar to cut the acidity. This is standard for me when making tomato based dishes especially pasta. Big fan from Vancouver, Canada here. 😊
Never had ‘chili Mac’ before tonigh. Definitely found the perfect recipe for it too. Only thing I did was take out at 1/2 a cup of the tomatoes and add that much roetels to make it a little more spicy. Turned out amazing for my first time.
So great to hear Kelsey!! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed this – N x
My husband said this was his favorite thing Ive ever made him! We don’t have any kids so this made enough for us to eat for 2 dinners and lunch which he was happy about 😁 super easy and delicious! I had some precooked noodles in the freezer that I used to make the recipe even quicker and I added some red pesto. Absolutely delicious and simple! Thanks for the great recipe 😁
That’s wonderful to hear Amanda! Thanks for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed this! N xx
I saw this recipe/video on line and had to try it. We love it! I’ve become addicted to online recipes. Thank you very much for sharing.
Love hearing that Yvonne! So pleased you enjoyed this so much! N xx