Chili Mac Recipe - Belly Full (2024)

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5 from 1 Rating

Published: April 23, 2015Updated: January 3, 2022Author: Amy

Two favorite comfort foods come together in this super easy One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese the whole family will go crazy for!

We like to serve this with homemade garlic bread and a simple side salad for a complete meal.

Chili Mac Recipe - Belly Full (1)

One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

What’s better than macaroni and cheese and chili? When you combine them! Put them together to make Chili Mac and you have one killer mash-up.

Not only does it taste great, but it only requires one pot and pantry staples. One of my favorite trifectas in cooking! Bonus, it comes together in 30 minutes for a satisfying meal. Leftovers are great the next day, too.

Chili Mac Recipe - Belly Full (2)

Chili Mac Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this chili mac recipe.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

  • Ground beef – Lean ground beef 80/20, so there’s not excess fat.
  • Onion and Garlic – For aromatics and flavor.
  • Elbow macaroni pasta – Dry macaroni is used for mac n cheese, so that’s what we use here, but Ditalini would work, too.
  • Chicken broth – We prefer low-sodium to control the saltiness of the dish.
  • Pasta sauce – Use either traditional or marinara
  • Rotel – This is canned diced tomatoes with mild green chilis. Choose from mild, medium, or hot depending on your preference.
  • Chili beans – Canned chili beans. Do NOT rinse and drain them before adding them.
  • Cheddar cheese – Freshly shredded for optimal flavor.
  • Seasonings – Chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley
  • Olive oil – Used to sauté the vegetables.
Chili Mac Recipe - Belly Full (3)

What Goes with Chili Mac

With ground beef, pasta, and tomatoes, and beans, this dish is very filling on its own. But we usually enjoy it with a side salad and either homemade garlic bread, 7 Up Biscuits, or Dutch oven bread to round out the meal.

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve got leftovers, allow them to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The noodles will absorb a lot of the liquid and tend to get mushy once defrosted, so freezing leftovers is not our preference, but you can. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.

More One Pot Meals:

  • Rice and Beans
  • Pasta e Ceci
  • Easy Jambalaya
  • Minestrone Soup
  • Mexican Rice Skillet
  • Broccoli and Bacon Pasta

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onTikTok,Facebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!

Chili Mac Recipe - Belly Full (4)

Chili Mac

5 from 1 Rating

Two favorite comfort foods come together in this super easy, one-pot Chili Mac dish that the whole family will go crazy for!

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 medium sweet onion , diced small
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups Traditional or Marinara pasta sauce
  • 10 ounce can mild diced tomatoes with mild green chilis
  • 16 ounce can mild chili beans (do not drain or rinse)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni pasta
  • 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high. Add onion, garlic, and beef; cook until browned, breaking up into crumbles, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drain excess fat.

  • Stir in chicken broth, pasta sauce, diced tomatoes with mild green chilis, beans, chili powder, and cumin. Season with a bit more salt and pepper, to taste.

  • Bring to a boil and stir in pasta; cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until pasta is al dente, about 14 minutes, stirring a couple times near the end to prevent sticking.

  • Remove from heat. Stir in the cheese and parsley.

  • Serve immediately, garnished with additional cheese and parsley, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 415kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 1156mg | Potassium: 1199mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 869IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 186mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

Other Notes

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chili Mac, Chili Mac Recipe

Did you make this recipe?Snap a picture and mention @bellyfullblog!

Chili Mac Recipe - Belly Full (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between goulash and chili mac? ›

What's the Difference Between Chili Mac and Goulash? Chili mac is very similar to American goulash — a one-pot meal made with ground beef, pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese. American goulash, however, doesn't call for evaporated milk, and also isn't made with beans.

How many carbs are in chili mac? ›

Wise Company
Nutrition Facts
% Daily Value *
How much fat is in Chili Mac? Amount of fat in Chili Mac: Total Fat 1g-
How much sodium is in Chili Mac? Amount of sodium in Chili Mac: Sodium 610mg26%
How many carbs are in Chili Mac? Amount of carbs in Chili Mac: Carbohydrates 48g-
13 more rows

What is chili mac made of? ›

Basic versions may be prepared using chopped meat, tomato, spices, and elbow macaroni. Another basic preparation method incorporates boxed, prepared macaroni and cheese and canned chili. Some recipes incorporate all of the ingredients together, while others are prepared with the ingredients separately layered.

Why do Americans call it goulash? ›

Etymology. The name originates from the Hungarian gulyás [ˈɡujaːʃ]. The word gulya means 'herd of cattle' in Hungarian, and gulyás means 'herdsman' or 'cowboy'.

Is Chili Mac discontinued? ›

We're sorry our Chili Mac has been discontinued.

Is chili full of carbs? ›

Chili with beans and meat, homemade (1 cup) contains 23.5g total carbs, 16.3g net carbs, 9.1g fat, 18.2g protein, and 242 calories.

Is chilli sauce high in carbs? ›

Hot sauces are low in carbohydrates and calories, making them a great way to add flavor and variety without compromising the goals of a keto diet. The capsaicin found in hot sauce is known to boost metabolism, suppress appetite, and increase fat burning capabilities, which can help with weight loss on a keto diet.

How many carbs are in chili mac from steak and shake? ›

Steak 'n Shake Chili Mac (1 serving) contains 112g total carbs, 103g net carbs, 61g fat, 46g protein, and 1200 calories.

How do you thicken chili on a Mac? ›

How to Thicken Chili
  1. Simmer down. ...
  2. Stir in some finely ground cornmeal or masa harina. ...
  3. Mix in a scoop of cornstarch, all-purpose flour, or oats. ...
  4. Pile on the vegetables. ...
  5. Try more tomato paste. ...
  6. Mash some beans. ...
  7. Crumble up some corn chips.
Oct 28, 2023

What is another name for a chili mac? ›

American Chop Suey (Macaroni, Beef, and Cheese Skillet Casserole) Recipe. Beefaroni, chili mac, Johnny Marzetti: whatever you call it, this stuff is delicious.

What exactly is goulash? ›

Hungarian goulash is a dish of paprika-spiced stewed beef and vegetables that's typically served with buttered egg noodles (called csipetke, the Hungarian word for spaetzle). The paprika used in Hungarian goulash is a sweet paprika made from sweet peppers; it is often labelled Hungarian paprika.

What's the difference between Hungarian goulash and American Goulash? ›

Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that's heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

What's the difference between goulash and paprikash? ›

Both paprikash and goulash are paprika-based stews, but goulash is made with beef and vegetables, while paprikash is most typically made with chicken. Recipes vary, but goulash is usually not thickened with flour like paprikash is, and goulash typically isn't enriched with cream or sour cream.

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