Chili Mac

Chili Mac

4 servings
This chili mac is my family’s favorite one-pot meal! Tender pasta, homemade beef chili, and ooey-gooey cheese. Add this to your regular dinner rotation!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion

    chopped

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • salt
  • 4 large cloves garlic

    minced

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

    packed

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 can tomato sauce

    15-ounce

  • 8 ounces about 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 1-8 ounce package shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro

    chopped

Directions

  1. 1

     In a 12 inch nonstick skillet, add oil (1 tablespoon) and heat until it's shimmering.  Add onion (1), chili powder (1 tablespoon), cumin (1 tablespoon), and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium heat until onion is soft, stirring often so spices don't burn, about 5-7 minutes.

  2. 2

    Add the garlic (4) and brown sugar (1 tablespoon) and cook, continuing to stir, so garlic doesn't burn, for about 30 seconds. Add the ground beef (1 pound) and brown lightly, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks, until there is no pink in the meat.

  3. 3

    Add the water (2 cups), 3/4 teaspoon salt, and tomato sauce (1 (15-ounce) can) to the skillet and stir to mix. Stir in the pasta (8 ounces) and cover, increasing the heat to medium-high. Cook the mixture, stirring often and adjusting the heat to maintain a vigorous simmer (not a boil). Continue to cook until the pasta is tender, about 9-12 minutes.

  4. 4

    Take the skillet off the heat and add 1 cup of the cheese mixture. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste. Top the skillet with the remaining cheese and rest the mixture off the heat for a few minutes or until cheese melts.  Sprinkle with chopped parsley (2 tablespoons). Serve.

Chili Mac

Chili Mac

45 min4 servings

Similar Recipes

Chili I

Chili I

Here's a chili recipe you'll love, combining ground beef and cubed top sirloin. Other ingredients include beer, strong-brewed coffee, unsweetened cocoa powder and ground cumin.

2.3 hours8 servings532 kcal
Chili Mac and Cheese

Chili Mac and Cheese

Recipe video above. A homemade Chili with the addition of macaroni and cheese = Chili Mac ‘n Cheese! This is terrifically moorish and a fabulous one pot meal. Super quick too! The key with this recipe is to turn the stove off as soon as the pasta is just cooked - it will keep cooking in the residual heat. 

10 minutes10 minutes mins
White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili

White chicken chili is an easy, hearty and creamy twist on the classic, perfect for serving for game day or the easiest weeknight dinner.

15 minutes
White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili

This White Chicken Chili is hearty, warming, creamy and perfectly comforting. It's a great alternative to traditional beef chili and makes a simple, yet completely delicious dinner! Makes about 8 cups.

50 minutes6 servings383 kcal
One Pot Cheesy Vegetarian Chili Mac

One Pot Cheesy Vegetarian Chili Mac

This rich and comforting One Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac and Cheese is the perfect quick and easy weeknight meal. Works great for meal prep! 

35 minutes8 servings400 kcal
Colorado Buffalo Chili

Colorado Buffalo Chili

This spicy chili recipe uses ground buffalo. To step up the heat, use different peppers and experiment with the seasonings. This gets even better if you let it sit overnight. The chili is so good you'll need to find another way to use up your cheese and crackers.

8.7 hours219 kcal
Easy Chili Recipe

Easy Chili Recipe

The best, easy chili recipe starts with just three ingredients!

306 kcal
Chili Relleno Casserole

Chili Relleno Casserole

This chili relleno casserole has all the delicious flavors of stuffed peppers in a simple dish made with canned chiles, cheese, egg, milk, and sauce.

60 minutes6 servings395 kcal

Ratings & Reviews

Be the First to Rate

Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!

About this Recipe

Looking for that ultimate comfort food that brings everyone to the table? This Chili Mac recipe delivers a hearty, cheesy, one-pot meal your family will absolutely adore, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, flavorful dinner.

What sets this Chili Mac apart is its balanced, homemade beef chili foundation, simmered with tender pasta, all finishing with that irresistible melted cheese. It's truly a one-pot wonder, designed to simplify cleanup without sacrificing a bit of authentic, comforting flavor.

You can expect a deeply satisfying dish, where rich, savory beef chili generously coats every piece of tender elbow macaroni. The classic spices—chili powder and cumin—create a nuanced warmth, beautifully complemented by the bright notes of onion and garlic, with a subtle sweetness from brown sugar. Each spoonful offers a delightful combination of textures, crowned with gooey, melted Mexican cheese blend and a fresh sprinkle of parsley or cilantro.

Want to adjust the spice level? Feel free to add a pinch more chili powder for extra warmth, or reduce it for a milder experience. While this recipe uses a specific Mexican cheese blend, you can substitute with your family's favorite cheddar, Monterey Jack, or colby if that's what you have on hand for a similarly melty finish. If you don't have fresh herbs, a smaller amount of dried parsley or cilantro can be stirred in during the last few minutes of cooking.

This Chili Mac makes for a perfect weeknight family dinner or a comforting contribution to any casual gathering. Serve it warm straight from the pot, perhaps with a simple side salad to complete the meal.

Frequently Asked Questions