My 30-minute chili mac recipe is a speedy, satisfying dinner! Tacky, beefy, and a bit of spicy, this Tex-Mex spin on traditional macaroni and cheese comes collectively in a single pot, which makes weeknight cooking straightforward.

As we speak, we’re combining hearty beef chili with selfmade mac and cheese to make this straightforward weeknight chili mac recipe. It’s Tex-Mex consolation meals at its peak! Tender elbow macaroni combined with gooey melted cheese, seasoned floor beef, juicy tomatoes, inexperienced chilies, and black beans. The seasoning jogs my memory plenty of my taco pasta, with chili combine and paprika, and can also be prepared in a single pot in half-hour.
The Finest Issues About This Chili Mac Recipe
- One-pot magic. This chili mac joins the ranks of goulash and my copycat Hamburger Helper recipe as a family-friendly, one-pan surprise with little or no effort.
- Raid the pantry. With easy substances and a ready-made chili combine, this chili mac recipe is the right dinner to throw collectively on a weeknight.
- Daring flavors. The good factor right here is that you would be able to customise this recipe to be as spicy or as gentle as you’d like.
Substances You’ll Have to Make This Recipe


- Olive Oil – For sautéeing. Be happy to make use of any cooking oil you like.
- Onion and Garlic – Freshly chopped and minced. If wanted, substitute ½ teaspoon of garlic powder for every contemporary clove.
- Lean Floor Beef – You may make this chili mac recipe with one other sort of floor meat, similar to hen, turkey, or pork.
- Seasonings – You’ll want a packet of chili combine or taco seasoning, plus further paprika.
- Diced Inexperienced Chilies – One small can. Should you exchange the canned tomatoes with Rotel, you may omit the additional canned chilies.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes – Use fire-roasted tomatoes for a smokier taste. You may also use a can of Rotel, which accommodates diced tomatoes and chilies.
- Broth – I take advantage of a mixture of vegetable broth and vegetable bouillon. Beef broth and bouillon are additionally okay to make use of.
- Tomato Paste – Equal elements tomato sauce works, too, but it surely doesn’t have the identical depth of taste.
- Black Beans – Should you’re utilizing canned black beans, rinse and drain them properly first.
- Elbow Macaroni – The traditional alternative for mac and cheese. You may make this recipe with any quick pasta form, similar to small shells, cavatappi, rotini, or penne.
- Shredded Cheese – My favourite cheese for macaroni and cheese recipes is cheddar. Substitute cheddar with one other melty cheese, like Monterey Jack.
- Lime Juice – A squeeze of contemporary lime juice goes a protracted technique to brighten up the wealthy, beefy flavors.
Optionally available Toppings
- Bitter cream
- Pickled jalapeños
- Further shredded cheddar cheese or crumbled Cotija cheese (feta is an effective swap)
- Chopped cilantro or parsley
Recipe Ideas and Variations
- Use freshly shredded cheese. If potential, grate the cheese on your chili mac and cheese contemporary from the block, because it melts far more easily than the pre-shredded type.
- Modify the consistency. To skinny out chili mac that’s too thick, add a bit of extra broth. For a thicker dish, let it simmer for a further 2-3 minutes after you add the pasta.
- Add corn. Stir in roasted or grilled corn kernels. You may shave the kernels off leftover grilled corn on the cob.


What to Serve With Chili Mac
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Brown the meat. Warmth the olive oil in a Dutch oven or cooking pot over medium-high warmth. Add the onion and cook dinner, stirring for 3-4 minutes, or till comfortable. Add garlic and cook dinner for 15 seconds or till aromatic. Add the meat and cook dinner till browned, breaking down the lumps, about 6 to eight minutes.
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Season the meat. Add the chili seasoning and smoked paprika. Cook dinner, stirring for 1 minute.
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Add the remainder of the substances. Stir within the diced inexperienced chilies, canned diced tomatoes, broth, bouillon powder, and tomato paste.
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Cook dinner. Carry to a boil, then cut back the warmth and proceed to cook dinner for 10 minutes.
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Add the beans and macaroni. Stir within the black beans and macaroni. Give it an excellent stir, then cook dinner till the pasta is tender, about 8 minutes. Stir just a few occasions whereas it cooks so the pasta doesn’t stick with the underside of the pot. Season to style with salt and pepper.
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Add the cheese. Stir within the cheddar cheese and take away the pot from the warmth. As soon as the cheese is melted, stir within the lime juice.
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Serve. Serve your chili mac heat, topped with pickled jalapenos, bitter cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped cilantro.
- Should you really feel your chili mac is simply too thick, add some further broth. If you would like it to be thicker, then cook dinner it for an additional 2-3 minutes as soon as the pasta is cooked.
- You should utilize Monterey Jack as an alternative of cheddar cheese.
- A bouillon substitute might be made with a mixture of your favourite dried herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and a splash of soy sauce.
- For further taste, add roasted corn kernels or serve chili mac with Cotija cheese on prime.
Energy: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 39g | Fats: 15g | Saturated Fats: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 6g | Trans Fats: 0.3g | Ldl cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 568mg | Potassium: 1244mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 640IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 190mg | Iron: 6mg
Dietary data is an estimate and supplied as courtesy. Values could fluctuate based on the substances and instruments used. Please use your most popular dietary calculator for extra detailed data.
The best way to Make Chili Mac and Cheese




- Brown the meat. To begin, sauté the onion in a big pot. After 3-4 minutes, add the garlic, adopted by the bottom beef. Break up the lumps and cook dinner till the meat is evenly browned. Subsequent, stir within the seasoning and paprika.
- Add the remainder of the substances. Stir within the diced inexperienced chilies, canned tomatoes, broth, bouillon, and tomato paste. Carry the pot to a boil, then decrease the warmth and simmer for about 10 minutes.




- Add the beans and macaroni. Now, add the black beans and macaroni to the pot. Stir properly and let the pasta simmer till it’s cooked (examine the package deal instructions for approximate cooking occasions). Lastly, season to style with salt and pepper.
- Soften the cheese. Lastly, add the shredded cheese and stir till it melts. Squeeze in some lime juice, stir once more, and your chili mac is able to serve along with your favourite toppings.


Retailer and Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate. Retailer leftover chili mac in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
- Reheat. Heat up servings within the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Freeze. You may freeze this chili mac for as much as 2 months. As soon as it’s fully cooled, retailer the leftovers in a freezer-safe container to freeze. Thaw the chili mac within the fridge earlier than reheating.
