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. 😢
I’m planning to make this using vegetarian fake meat. Any reason not to do so or to make changes?
(I’m also going to double it for a group of 10 adults.)
If you are using a plant based meat sub then my only advice is not to break it up until after it has cooked as it gets very pasty if you try to chop it up while cooking like normal mince. I haven’t cooked with them much and never with this recipe so I can’t speak to flavour/texture. Let me know how it turns out! N x
Fantastic! I made the Chili Mac and Cheese Dish from scratch and it is not to saucy” perfect
Absolutely delicious
Wow, so tasty, quick and easy. Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes.
You are very welcome Carrie! N x
Whoa too much cayenne powder it’s like chicken wings with hot sauce that’s all I taste next time half of the recipe other than that it’s delicious.
You’ve got to add that stuff to suit your taste Seth! Next time try it a bit lighter like you said! 🔥☄️❤️🔥 N x
Could I leave the red bell pepper out? I originally had bought one for this recipe but unfortunately it went bad so now that’s the only thing i’m missing.
Yes…. i hate green peppers…this is yummy with out peppers
5 stars for recipe, 1 star for covid. Had this dinner planned and of course my sense of taste goes away the same day. So upsetting I can’t taste one of my favorite meals. It’s so good!
I like simple recipes that produce good results. This is one such recipe. I will be putting it into my rotation of meals.
Thanks!
I have 3 school aged kids. I’ve lost count of how many meals have been prepared and tossed! Fussy eaters! Until….I came across this website. I’ve cooked countless meals now and not one time have there been scraps left! The kids take it in turns now to pick a recipe each day for dinner. You have absolutely changed our meal times. As a single mum, this means so much to me, as we all look so forward to eating a delicious meal together as a family – Thank you xx
Never gives the amount for the chili pepper. All of it that you make? What if you use store bought??
Hi Kenneth – in step 3 of the recipe it says add all other ingredients so yes, you use the entire amount made. The amount of store bought would depend on the brand you chose. N x
So good. Great spin on Mac and cheese. My family loved it. Thanks for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed it, Nancy! N x
Just a comment about chili powder availability in Oz. Amazon.AU has tons of it!
Thanks for that tip! N x
Just made this tonight! It was delicious! Such a quick dish to prepare.
I used 1/2 lb ground pork and 1/2 lb beef because that’s all I had. My 92 yo mother loved it!
Thank you so much!
You are welcome! N x
love your website! wanted to know if there was any bread off of this site or others that went well with the chili-mac–i’m making this mostly for my husband. TIA
Yes! https://discountspot.info/cornbread-muffins/%3C/a%3E Thanks! N x
Ok to double?
Can I use fresh tomato 🍅
Love this Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe.
Friends offer to pay me to make and freeze in individual portions. They are seniors like me so I only charge for ingredients and ask them to return my containers for next time.
That’s so nice of you Paulette, what a lovely thing to do! N x
Thank you. I am just fortunate to be able to still stand at stove and cook . So many seniors eat TV dinners and other frozen foods because they can’t do the prep or stand long enough.
Sometime’s I find it difficult with severe degenerative arthritis but I do it a little at a time and make large batches so I can freeze it and just reheat.
Made this with ground turkey, chicken broth, and added a diced Jalapeno for a little extra kick. DELICIOUS. Husband had no clue it was turkey instead of beef until I told him. Winner recipe, thanks!
This was great, thanks! I actually made it vegan by using meatless crumbles and dairy-free cheddar. I also finely grated 1.5 zucchini and sauteed that with the red pepper. Finally, I used Banza (chickpea noodles). We all loved it and I will be making this again!
I’m so glad you were able to convert it Lindsey, I love hearing this!! N x
This was sensational! Saucy, cheesy and warming on a cold night. Spicing was perfect. Everyone loved it. Thanks Nagi!
I left a comment earlier about adding all of spice mixture, I went ahead and added it all…It was delicious!! This will be my chili mac recipe from here on out. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Wahoo – I’m so glad you enjoyed it Jill!! N x