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. 😢
I made the one pot chili mac and cheese tonight and it is a keeper! Couldn’t find my kidney beans, nor the elbow mac I thought I had … but black beans and orecchiette worked just fine. Thank you for the wonderful recipe Nagi! YUM!!!
Wow! this is amazing. Thank you so much Nagi xx
You’re so welcome Hesala! N x
So utterly easy and so, so delicious. Thank you for (yet another) awe inspiring feed.
This certainly didn’t disappoint we all devoured it kids & hubby back for 2nd’s. A nice change from Spaghetti Bolognese! Will def make again Thanks again Nagi X
Wahoo that’s great Kirsten! N x
I would love to make this in my instant pot! Any suggestions?
Hi Georgina, I’d have to test it – you’d need to fry off the ingredients up to step 4, then IP. N x
I’ve made this twice now. Really really good and so easy. Perfect “portable” food for a shiftworking partner! Thanks Nagi.
That’s great to hear Sue! N x
Made this with Pork mince and this was so delicious I will be making this again definitely
Another winner! So easy to make!
Hi Nagi! Could this be made in a slow cooker?
thanks!
delicious! I used my instant pot- sauté, slow cook and sauté to cook pasta! Followed recipe as written and turned out perfectly!
I’ve made before but does pasta type matter? Like could I use penne or conch shells or fusilli
I’ve made it a couple times and it’s amazing but I want to use what’s in my cupboards
Thanks
I’ve made before but does pasta type matter? Like could I use penne or conch shells or fusilli
I’ve made it a couple times and it’s amazing but I want to use what’s in my cupboards
I’ve been dreaming about this dish since I first made it.
Even though I omitted the beans, coriander (hater here) and cayenne (to make it kid friendly), it was still a-m-a-z-i-n-g.
Making it again soon but will use turkey mince instead and will include the beans, can’t wait 😀
Is there any way I can lower the calories on this? I’ve made this before for the family and loved it but we’re trying to watch our weight but I’ve just got such a craving for this, any tips would be welcome!
Hi, stupid question but can I use macaroni (that’s not curved) instead of elbow macaroni? I couldn’t find it in the store.
No stupid questions here! Yes you can! N x
Nagi, you legend, thanks for another fantastic recipe. I did mine in a pressure cooker for five minutes. I love the chilli mix and will come back to it for other recipes like tacos.
Every recipe I have made of yours has been phenomenal! You’re instructions are always spot on (for the not so great cook)! I got a ton of positive feedback from my family. Please keep it coming and thank you!
I love this recipe. Very well seasoned. I overlooked “except cheese” and dumped remaining ing., but still came out fine. I get hatch chili powder from the Santa Fe cooking school online. It is real, so i used that. I put panko on top to give crunch and put under broiler. Topped with fresh tomato and chopped cilantro. Can’t wait for leftovers!
Since you used ready-made chili powder, can I ask how much you used compared to Nagi’s “homemade chili powder” ingredients?
Amazing! My kids loved this one so much they asked for the leftovers for lunch the next day. The only change I made was I used Textured Plant Protein from Coles. Family didn’t even notice that it wasn’t meat mince. I loved that it was a one pot meal and also that it was a quick meal to prepare. Thank you!
Woah that’s great Elissa!!! N x
Could this be made in a large frying pan with a lid?
Hi Mel, it would need to be quite big! N x
Hi Nagi could I bake this in the oven (want to leave it on a timer) should I cook pasta al dente and the add to base sauce then cover with cheese. Just wondered if it would work baked? I am new to finding your amazing blog. Everything I have made to date has been amazing. Thanks for such fabulous recipes and inspiration. Love reading and looking at photos of Dozer! 🙂
Hi Nina, you would need to cook as per the recipe up until step 4 then transfer to the oven for 10 minutes at 180C/350F. N x
Greetings from a very cold frosty Lockdown UK 😕 3rd lockdown to date… Apologies for the late reply… I did it exactly as you suggested and thank you for replying. Big pats on the head to Dozer…. love that dog!