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!
And some more handy quick-meal one pot recipes for you
Browse the One Pot recipes collection
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. 😢
This is the 3rd time I have made this… the fact that my husband loves it is truly saying a lot. He’s a very picky eater. When my neighbors smell it they know I share and love it.. Will keep this recipe in rotation. It’s simply awesome! So glad I found it. Thanks for sharing 😁
HIGH COMPLIMENT indeed! 😂 So glad you both enjoy this Barbie! N xx
Hi Nai,
This is Niecy from Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania and I just wanna say that every mea that I have made from your recipes has been an absolute hit. I love your recipes and I love the videos. The recipes are easy to follow but I really love watching the videos. Keep up the good work and keep the recipes coming I will continue to follow you and continued to cook wonderful meals for my family to enjoy…
Sorry, it’s supposed to say Nagi…
Just made this for my family. Really good flavor . Warms the guts .and filling. A definite redo in my future.
Warms the guts…. 😂
Easy to make, easy to demolish! Really delicious. So delicious hubby had 3 servings when he’s supposed to be avoiding pasta! Have already forwarded recipe link to my time-poor friends 👍
Ba ha ha! Poor hubby, you making this when he’s supposed to be avoiding pasta! 😂
I made this last night …. I just wanted to say that this is the fastest most amazing meal ever. I am so glad I came across your website <3
The only thing I did differently was add a carton of mushrooms 🙂
That’s so great to hear Tia! Thanks for letting me know – N x ❤️
This is really good! I wanted it to be a bit healthier for me and my guy, so I used ground turkey, low fat shredded cheese and I added 2 small zucchini (diced) to the mix. It’s delicious! We’ll be eating it very happily for the next few days. 🙂
Great dish! Made it for my boys who were heading to the coast for a week as an easy thing to have in the fridge and pull out a serve at a time – breakfast, lunch or dinner. I got a text last night “excellent pasta mum”. Thanks Nagi, another wonderful, easy meal to add to my repertoire.
That’s so terrific to hear Gen!!!! Thanks for taking the time to let me know – N x ❤️
This recipe is the closest I have ever found to my own recipe. I leave out the bell peppers because I cannot digest them. I add a but if sugar to cut the acidity (and because we in the South use sugar in most everything) and just use chili powder since I don’t want it too spicy. Otherwise, spot on. We love it! Serve with some cornbread and you are all set.
That’s so terrific to hear Lori! Thank you for letting me know – N x 💓
Made this last night without the kidney beans because I did not have any in my pantry. Nevertheless, it was a super hit with my family. Thanks Nagi for another one-pot wonder!
Prakriti
That’s great to hear Prakriti! So pleased you enjoyed this! N x
I didn’t want to go shopping so I had to make a couple of minor substitutes. Green not red bell pepper and bowtie pasta. I also used shredded pork butt because it was left over from a spicy Korean pork adventure. This has a very, very nice Tex-Mex chili flavor with the wonderful seasonings and just a hint of beans and tomatoes. I’ll be making this again. Thanks for a delicious spin on a great one pot meal.
That’s terrific to hear Max! So glad you enjoyed this, thank you for letting me know! N x
In the recipe above the chilli mac n cheese you have a recipe for chilli powder.
You don’t have chilli powder in the ingredients.
Is it used and how much?
Thank you
Hi Maria! There’s a step to mix those together and add it in, that’s a homemade chilli powder 🙂 N x
Thanks Nagi, it just seems a lot for 500 g of meat. I might halve it and see how it turns out. I am not very big on heat but I love the flavour of spices.
Thanks again.
Maria
I’ve tried a few of your recipes and this is my favorite (so far!). Easy and so delicious – my fussy 2 year old was all over it. Thanks for keeping it simple and tasty!
That’s terrific Bianca! Thanks for letting me know! N xx ❤️
This is the first recipe of yours I have made and it taste very good. I have actually made this twice in the past two weeks. All your recipes look so good and I can’t wait to try more. Shredded Beef Chili Con Carne is up next.
That’s terrific JohnBoy! Thanks for letting me know! N xx ❤️
My family and I loved this recipe! Thank you! The only thing I added was a T of sugar because my 92year old mother always said when you use canned tomatoes (which she canned herself) always add a bit of sugar. We love the pics and stories about Dozer. We had a golden mix as well,they are the best!
That’s terrific to hear Renee! Thank you for sharing your feedback! N x ❤️
This is fabulous, I wouldn’t change a thing . Thanks for the recipe !
That’s so wonderful to hear!! Thanks for letting me know Jayne – N x ❤️
I made a few adjustments- our cayenne pepper is super spicy so I just added 1/8 tsp. I added fresh chilis as well as powder Chilli seasoning and doubled all amounts of spices. I only had 1/2 cup of cheddar so I threw in a nob of cream cheese and feta cheese as well. Omg- delicious!!! Even my son who accused me of “ruining mac n’ cheese with chili” said it was delish. My elderly parents ate some next day and they said it was delicious and denture friendly. Thank you, Nagi- san!!
That’s wonderful to hear Judy!! Thanks for sharing your feedback! N x ❤️
Tried this recipe tonight for dinner. It was quick and delicious. I used black beans cuz it’s what I had and my husband likes it more saucy so I added a 24oz can of Hunt’s spaghetti sauce just before adding the cheese. I will be making this again for sure.
I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed this Wydalis, thanks for letting me know! N x ❤️
The BF recently commented on my chili that it ‘lacks flavour’ (!! the cheek of him!! – though maybe I need to look for another chilli recipe – I’ll go through your archive in a hope!) so I was sceptical about this. Totally unreasonably. Made it last night in about a half an hour and it was fecking amazing. This is so going onto the list of the want-tasty-comfort-food-but-not-a-takeout-in-less-than-an-hour recipes!!
That cheeky bugger! HA – I doubt it lacked flavour!!! Mine is just a bit different, that’s all! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed this! N xx
I made this night before last. My husband said it was a little spicy-he does NOT like spicy food. I had it again yesterday, and he loved it! He said the spiciness mellowed out. He had it for lunch AND dinner!! Big hit, thank you for another wonderful recipe!!
Terrific to hear Cheryl! So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for taking the time to leave a review! N x ❤️
So so so good! Exactly as you described.
HIGH FIVE! ❤️