I love a good one pot meal on a busy day, my family’s favorites include jambalaya, pizza pasta and this cheesy chili mac. It’s the perfect comfort food option that will please any crowd.
Doing dishes is my least favorite part about cooking, which is why I turn to one pot meals whenever possible. My kids request this chili mac constantly, and for good reason – it’s loaded with flavor, texture and of course, plenty of cheese!
How do you make chili mac?
This recipe starts with ground beef, which is browned in a skillet with onions and garlic. The cooked beef is mixed with canned tomatoes, kidney beans, spices, beef broth and macaroni. Everything simmers together until the pasta is tender. The final step is to add a layer of shredded cheese. Let the cheese melt, then add a few toppings and you’ll be ready to eat!
Tips for chili mac
Make sure you use a large enough pan to contain all the ingredients, as the pasta will expand as it cooks. You can use any type of short pasta, just be sure to adjust the cook time accordingly. You can check the cook time on your pasta box for guidance. If you’re using a large shape pasta that will absorb more liquid than traditional macaroni, you can add 1/2 cup more broth if needed. I typically use cheddar cheese in this recipe, but pepper jack is great if you like a little more heat. I recommend grating your own cheese if possible – store bought pre-shredded cheese is often coating with anti-caking agents and the cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly. I use 90% lean ground beef – it’s got plenty of flavor without being overly greasy. Instead of using the spices listed here, you can also make a batch of my chili seasoning recipe to use in your chili mac.
Chili mac variations
There are so many different ways to customize this recipe to your tastes!
Meat: Instead of ground beef, try ground turkey, smoked sausage or even diced cooked chicken. You can also make this a meatless dish by adding a second can of beans. Veggies: You can add more vegetables to this dish such as diced bell peppers or corn. Toppings: I typically keep my toppings simple with a sprinkle of cilantro, diced tomato and red onion. Other great toppings include sour cream, sliced green onions, avocado, diced jalapeno, olives and tortilla strips. Spice: If you’re into spicy food, try adding some hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes to your pasta.
I make this chili mac almost every week – my family happily devours it, the leftovers are fabulous the next day, and it’s just so easy! How can you go wrong?
More great pasta dishes
Penne alla Vodka Cajun Chicken Pasta Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Taco Pasta Cheeseburger Pasta
