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Imagine your favorite chili recipe blended with creamy, gooey mac and cheese. Our Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe is perfect for any weeknight!
Today I’ve got a recipe that combines the best of two worlds. It’s a Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe that will knock your socks off!
Yes, this is the ultimate comfort food, and I promise the whole family will love it.
We have a little one in the house. That means, of course, that we cook a lot of mac and cheese around here. Like, A LOT, of mac and cheese, haha!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I like mac and cheese too. It’s just that sometimes I want something that’s a little more… grown up? Haha, maybe that’s just the life of a parent.
So that’s how we’ve come to the chili mac! I was a little skeptical about whether Lily would like it. To my surprise, though, it was a huge hit with her!
Now, the good old mac and cheese is still her favorite and always will be. But now Jeremey and I can add a little variety once in a while with this more hearty version.
It’s an easy recipe that’s perfect for any day, especially when you’re in the mood for a warm and satisfying meal. Let’s dive in to this Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe. Shall we?
Some of our other favorite pasta recipes we have on our site include: Simple Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe with Kielbasa, Tortellini Pasta Salad, and Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Cornbread Crust.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Two Favorites in One: Combining chili and mac and cheese gives you a burst of flavors in every bite. Such an amazing combo!
- Quick and Easy: With a total cook time of just over an hour, it’s an easy meal that’s ready in a jiffy.
- Great for Leftovers: It’s a large pot recipe that keeps you sorted for the next day, too. Maybe the next several days if there is enough, haha!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Ground beef
- Sweet onion
- Green bell pepper
- Garlic cloves
- Chili seasoning packet
- Various spices (garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, etc.)
- Tomato paste
- Crushed tomatoes
- Diced tomatoes with green chiles
- Black beans
- Red kidney beans
- Water
- Elbow noodles
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Monterey Jack cheese
HOW TO MAKE CHILI MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE:
- Place a dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef and break it up into crumbles, browning it until there is no pink left, 8-10 minutes, occasionally stirring.
- Add the onions and bell peppers, stir them in and continue to cook, occasionally stirring until the veggies are softened, 8-10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds.
- Add the chili seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the tomato paste, and stir it in well to combine.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chiles, black beans, kidney beans, and water stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes, occasionally stirring to make sure the bottom doesn’t burn.
- Stir in the cooked elbow noodles. Stir in half of the cheese.
- Add the remaining cheese on top and cover. Take off the heat and let sit for 10 minutes to melt the cheese, and serve immediately.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT TO SERVE THIS WITH?
This dish is yummy with a fresh garden salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables.
WHAT ARE GOOD TOPPINGS?
Some yummy options include sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, salsa, and green onions. If you ask Lily, she’d say “more cheese please!”.
IS THIS THE SAME AS AMERICAN GOULASH?
While both are one-pot meals with macaroni and ground beef, Chili Mac and Cheese is cheesier and spicier than American goulash. So, they’re different but similar.
ANY ADDITIONS?
As you can probably imagine, there are a few things that could be added to this hearty meal!
- Corn or green peas for a veggie boost.
- Ground turkey or chicken for a lighter meat option.
- A dash of hot sauce for extra kick.
- Fresh cilantro or parsley for a fresh touch.
- A tablespoon of chili powder for depth in flavor.
- Yellow onions or red onions for a different aromatic base.
- Pinto beans to mix up the beans.
- A dollop of sour cream on top for creaminess.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
Sure thing! I’ve got you covered, as usual.
- Ground turkey instead of ground beef for a leaner option.
- Vegetable broth in place of water for added flavor.
- A Mexican cheese blend instead of cheddar and Monterey Jack for a different cheesy touch.
- Gluten-free elbow macaroni for those avoiding gluten.
- If you find it too spicy, omit the tomatoes with green chilies (use a can of petite diced tomatoes instead) or reduce the chili powder.
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Lunches for days!
Freezer: Can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove top or microwave.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Use a wooden spoon to break the ground beef into small pieces for even cooking.
- For a cheesier Chili Mac, you can add an extra handful of cheese before serving.
- Always cook pasta al dente, as it will continue to cook when you mix it with the chili.
- For an extra kick, add red chili flakes.
- For the best flavors, let it sit for a couple of minutes before serving, allowing all the ingredients to meld together.
This Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe is the perfect blend of two classic dishes. It’s hearty, flavorful, and incredibly comforting.
Whether you’re serving it for a regular weekday dinner, game night, or family gatherings, this dish is bound to be a huge hit!
It’s a recipe card that you’ll want to keep handy for those times when you’re craving a warm and cheesy bowl of goodness. Enjoy, and do let me know how it turns out the next time you make it!
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If you’ve tried this CHILI MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small sweet onion small diced
- 1 small green bell pepper small diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1.25 ounce chili seasoning packet
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chiles undrained
- 15 ounces black beans drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces red kidney beans drained and rinsed
- ½ cup water
- 8 ounces elbow noodles cooked al dente
- 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Place a dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef and break it up into crumbles, browning it until there is no pink left, 8-10 minutes, occasionally stirring.1 pound ground beef
- Add the onions and bell peppers, stir them in and continue to cook, occasionally stirring until the veggies are softened, 8-10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds.1 small sweet onion, 1 small green bell pepper, 3 cloves garlic
- Add the chili seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.1.25 ounce chili seasoning packet, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Add the tomato paste, and stir it in well to combine.6 ounces tomato paste
- Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chiles, black beans, kidney beans, and water stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes, occasionally stirring to make sure the bottom doesn’t burn.28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chiles, 15 ounces black beans, 15 ounces red kidney beans, ½ cup water
- Stir in the cooked elbow noodles. Stir in half of the cheese.8 ounces elbow noodles, 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 4 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Add the remaining cheese on top and cover. Take off the heat and let sit for 10 minutes to melt the cheese, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a wooden spoon to break the ground beef into small pieces for even cooking.
- For a cheesier Chili Mac, you can add an extra handful of cheese before serving.
- Always cook pasta al dente, as it will continue to cook when you mix it with the chili.
- For an extra kick, add red chili flakes.
- For the best flavors, let it sit for a couple of minutes before serving, allowing all the ingredients to meld together.
Nutrition
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