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Creamy chili mac with homemade chili and macaroni cheese in a bowl.
Michonne Zendaya

Recipe for Chili Mac

Easy Recipe for Chili Mac is the ultimate comfort food mashup — a hearty blend of seasoned ground beef, tender macaroni, savory spices, and melted cheese. One-pot magic for quick weeknight meals!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 560
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Equipment

  • large pot
  • wooden spoon
  • cutting board
  • knife
  • measuring cups

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  2. Add ground beef. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
  3. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
  4. Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and kidney beans. Stir well.
  5. Add elbow macaroni. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
  6. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Notes

This recipe is perfect for meal prep and can be reheated throughout the week. Add a splash of broth or water when reheating to loosen up the sauce.