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
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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 Nagi
Tried your recipe Chilli Mac and Cheese last night and we all loved it. Full of flavour. My son and his two kids
loved the taste and ate the left overs for breakfast next day and I had some for lunch to take to work too.
Thank you for sharing and taking the time to present it so well for us to follow.
WHOOT!!!! So glad you enjoyed it Lee, thank you for letting me know! N x
Hi Nagi
I love your recipes. Always full of flavour. This week I have made your pumpkin feta salad and last night I made chilli Mac and cheese. Both complete hits with my adult sons partner and girlfriends.
In fact one son has just had the leftovers for breakfast!! Thank you for your inspiration.
Oh another favourite is Thai beef salad. So authentic.
I love hearing that Michelle! Thank you so much for trying my recipes! N xx
Just found your blog yesterday and have already made this and last night a a chicken dish. Thank you- this is fantastic. Made it with ground turkey as that was what I had. So easy and came together quickly which I really appreciate!
That’s so great to hear Letty! I’m so glad you enjoyed it – N x ❤️
I really love one pot dishes and your recipe rocks, Nag! I love the combination of ingredients. Is it possible to use dried cilantro instead of fresh?
Hi Agness! Yep for sure, it’s just a light garnish so even if it’s dried leaves it will be fine!
Hi Nagi, just made this and it’s so tasty my husband and I loved it so much , now I’m waiting for my daughter to come back from school and try it, I know she’ll love it too . Thank you for your wonderful and easy to do recipes.
That’s so great to hear Samar! I’m so glad you enjoyed it – and I hope your daughter does too! N x ❤️
Yum! This is a (much) more sophisticated version of what Don knows as Chaghetti–a can of chili con carne and cooked elbow macaroni, topped with cheese. Comfort food at its best! I will definitely serve him your version when we get back from Oz and NZ. Can’t wait to see you next week! Sending timing info via email.
I can’t WAIT to meet you too!!! N xx
We host our special nephew every Thursday for “Thursday night dinner and movie” and your One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese is right up his and my ally. We’ll be making this for this weeks event.
We big fans of correctly produced aquaculture here in Scandinavia, so your post on Huon Aquaculture will be of greatly anticipated.
Gosh Ron, this trip was an eye opener!!! It was so good to learn about correctly product aquaculture! N xx
Crying tears of deliciousness over here. Or maybe that’s drool. Either way, I’m kind of obsessing over here. NEEEEED to try this recipe ASAP. My kids are going to go bananas over this!!
😂
Can’t wait for your post on the Huon Valley trip as I have used their products forever! Hope you had a great time besides work on what used to be called the Apple Isle when I first arrived in Australia. Kind’of feel sorry for Dozer: no Mummy, no pals even if Grandma does spoil him rotten . . .
Eha, they are truly inspirational….. I can’t wait to share the post! N x
I made this mere hours after it appeared in my inbox. Very easy, very filling and very tasty!! Whats not to love?
YOU ROCK!! 😂
I haven’t had chili mac in ages and yours looks divine, naturally. 😉
Your authenticity is one of the main reasons I love you. Can’t wait to hear about your adventures in Tasmania!
Love you right back Marissa! N x ❤️
Saw this in my in box and changed tonight’s menu to make it instead. Hubby and I both really liked it, so fIve stars from me! We are adding it to the weeknight dinner rotation and not changing a thing. It reminds me of a skillet macaroni my mother used to make, but your seasonings are much tastier. Wishing Dozer a speedy recovery!
I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed this Susan! Thanks for letting me know! N x ❤️ PS Dozer is totally fine now, back to his crazy beach antics!!!
Recipe is awesome!
Hope Dozer feels better! : )
He’s totally fine now!!! N x
Tried this omelette for a quick dinner on Sunday night. Delicious and I will never make an omelette any other way in future whatever filling I use. Thanks Nagi.
So glad you loved the omelette Joan! N xx
OMG! Looks amazing! I’m so making this! Thank you!!!!
Try it try it!! 😁
too bad you cannot get some of our fantastic Chimayo, NM red chili powder. It’s the best and they also have a heritage powder for a bit more. There is nothing like it
BUMMER hey!!! 🙂 N x
Hi Nagi! How did you know that I’ve been looking for a chili mac recipe? This is like hamburger helper (which is NOT good) only this has a great balance of flavors and no weird unpronounceable ingredients. I’m all for one pot wonders which this certainly is! Can’t wait to hear about your latest adventures in Tasmania! PS I’d have to make some corn muffins to go with this.
Well, you know. We’re kinda on the same wave length when it comes to FOOD…. 😁
Hi Nagi, would it be possible to freeze this? Made your beef rendang again, I could eat that dish every day!! Hope Dozer is better soon 😊
I think it will freeze great Helen! I haven’t tried but it will be like any pasta bake! N x
Yum, that looks sooo good! Definitely on the “to try” list!
Hope you do! It is so crazy delicious! N x
Everyday I look forward to your recipes, I’ve made a lot of your dishes and loved them all. Your such a great chef. Just keep them coming. 💖 Ps, love your puppy💖
I’m not a chef!! I’m just an ordinary home cook! 😂