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. 😢
Eating this right now and it’s AMAZING. My fussy 2yo is demolishing it. With a dollop of sour cream it’s the perfect comfort food. Will become a staple in my household. Thanks Nagi!
That’s great Jodie! Love the sour cream (and I also add Guacamole) – N x
Delicious and simple recipe! I made it for dinner tonight and it is definitely going to be a keeper for future dinners!
Thanks so much for letting me know Happy ❤️
The best chili mac (or any recipe with macaroni to include mac n cheese) my wife and I have ever had.
Hi Nagi, I made this for supper tonight. It was delish. Of course, I would love to double the cheese but I’m trying hard to behave myself when it comes to calories. Cheese is totally my achilles heel. I just love it. Anyway, super tasty and definitely a keeper. As always, thank you. Your recipes are always great.
Hi Nagi, just tried your chili Mac. Very good. As with every recipe I vary it to ingredients I have on hand or personal taste. I used chili beans, cut down on the hot pepper because I had fresh jalapeños. I ended up using all your homemade chili powder ( thought it may be too much, but it wasn’t). Love the homemade powder. Put a dash of American chili powder in also. Thank you, this is a great chili Mac.
Sounds great Cheryl!!
Favourite dinner!!
Wahoo!
Loved this! My son went nuts for it, and the leftovers were just as good! I love love love your site! Several of your recipes have become go tos for me. Easy and delicious! Thanks for helping me step out of the box with my cooking.
Wahoo! Winner winner!
This recipe is awesome for a chilly fall afternoon! I cooked the meat in a separate skillet to drain the fat before adding it to the onions & bell pepper. Again, awesome recipe! 😊
Sounds like you nailed it Tahleiya!
Another Nagi Winner!! Never disappointed in any of your recipes. Your notes are so helpful and you use common available ingredients.
Wahoooooo! I’m so glad you loved it Karen!
I’d give this more than 5 stars if I could. Sooooo good! I’ve been using my standard “go to” recipe for Chili Mac for years and, to be honest, wasn’t sure I wanted to mess with that. But, given my success with all of your other dishes, thought I’d give it a mid-week shot. Wow! Much more flavor depth and perfect consistency. My new Go-to. Thank you!
YESSS! That’s great to hear Cheryl!
In your recipe you wrote crushed tomatoes but in the video it is diced tomatoes
Whole family loved this. So easy too. Thanks Nagi! We love your recipes.
That’s great to hear Anita, thanks so much for letting me know!
5 stars for being easy but my family wasn’t crazy about it so 4 stars overall.
Oh sorry to hear Lisa!
Big thumbs up from all the family. I reduced the cayenne (for the kids) and they loved it. I had to promise I would make it again. Great flavours!
That’s awesome to hear Philippa!
Made this tonight so quick and delish. Added a tin of lentils as I didnt have kidney beans. Another great recipe from you, Thank you.
I made this tonight and the only thing I changed was I decreased the amount of cayenne pepper slightly. It was awesome! 😋
Perfect Kandace, always adjust to taste! – N x
So easy and delicious. The favor of chili but with some richness. I subbed penne for macaroni and it worked fine. I will totally make this again!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Karen!
great recipe, enjoyed very much, better after warmed up next day.
Yes it makes great leftovers!
I’m just starting to learn how to cook and this turned out so well. Thank you so much.
Wahoo, that’s awesome Peter!
I kind of cheated and used a canned chicken chili with beans leftover from football Sunday and it worked perfectly for this recipe! Definitely not as health as using the ground beef, but it was an awesome way to use this extra can that was lying around!
Sounds great Michelle! Always great to use up leftovers – N x