Go Back
–+ servings
A forkful of chili mac above a plate with gooey cheese.
Print Recipe

Chili Mac

Comforting, filling, and effortless, chili mac is a family favorite. Made with a drool-worthy combo of spice, cheese, beans, and pasta, you can easily make this exactly how you (and your family) like it. It’ll become a reliable weeknight meal you make over and over again. 
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time28 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 583kcal
Author: Tristin - Home Cooked Harvest

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 5 large garlic cloves minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 3/4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 15 ounce can kidney beans drained & rinsed
  • 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese grated
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chipped

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot (at least 3.5 quarts) over medium heat. Add in the onion and saute for 5 minutes until softened. Add in the garlic, cook for 1 minute.
  • Add in ground beef. Stir the beef and chop it up until cooked through and crumbly. Drain off any extra grease. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and paprika.
  • Add in broth and macaroni noodles. Stir together and bring up to a boil. Cover the pot with a lid and drop the heat down to a simmer. Cook for 12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
  • Remove from the heat. Stir in the cheese and cilantro.

Notes

  • Use the right pot size. Choose a large, heavy-bottomed pot (about 3.5–4 quarts). A wide surface area helps brown the beef evenly and prevents overcrowding, which can cause the meat to steam instead of sear.
  • Store cooked chili mac in an airtight food storage container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
 
 
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

Nutrition

Calories: 583kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 672mg | Potassium: 889mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1035IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 277mg | Iron: 5mg