Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (2024)

You are here:Home / Recipes / Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe)

BY Karina PUBLISHED UPDATED | 18 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Chili Mac and Cheese is the ultimate mash up of TWO favourites — Chili PLUS Mac and Cheese!

Easy Homemade Chili Mac and Cheese loaded with beans is the ultimate casserole, ready and on the table in less than 30 minutes! A pasta recipe with a KICK of spice and incredible flavours that the whole family will go crazy for!Great for using up leftover chili OR make straight from scratch!

Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (1)

How To MakeChili Mac

Two comfort foods combine together in one pan for the best thing you’ll ever eat in your life — well apart from this Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese. This one is on a whole other level of greatness.

With many one pot Mac and cheese recipes on the inter-webs, this recipe is different in that you have the option of using leftover chili (something like this Chili recipe, for example), OR make an incredibly tasty chili from scratch! This Chili Mac is RICH with favour! There’s so much of it in this casserole we found ourselves eating it straight out of the pan! Plates are way overrated with something like this.

Chili Mac Ingredients

First, you’re going to get your pasta boiling while you start on your Chili. Lord help me this Chili is so good! The main ingredients in this recipe is the usual:

  • Ground beef — I use lean beef in this. You can also use ground chicken or turkey.
  • Beans — Both red kidney beans and black beans, but you can substitute with any you like.
  • Tomato based ingredients for the best Chili sauce — crushed tomatoes AND tomato puree (aka Passata in Australia). I also add in tomato paste in this recipe to get the thickness and richness happening faster without having to wait hours!

Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (3)

Seasonings:

  • Ground cumin
  • Smoked paprika (or hot or sweet paprika also taste good in this)
  • Red chili powder (or Cayenne)

The ingredients list may look a little long BUT you can’t have a really good flavoured Chili and skimp out on seasonings!

Cheese

I used a mixture of American cheddar and mozzarella in this recipe just for the flavour and texture of those, but you can use Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend. You could also use Provolone or any other cheese you love!

Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (4)

Once you’ve mixed your cooked pasta together with your chili, broil (or grill) the cheese topping for a couple of minutes to get it bubbly and melted!

Garnish with some jalapeno slices and chopped cilantro, andENJOY!

Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (5)

Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (6)

Chili Mac and Cheese with beans is the ultimate mash up of TWO favourites -- Chili PLUS Mac and Cheese! Using leftover chili OR chili made from scratch, this casserole is ready and on the table in less than 30 minutes! Incredible flavours that the whole family will go crazy for!

PRINT SAVE

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Serves: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 oz (250g) dry weight elbow or macaroni pasta, cooked to al dente and drained
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1/2 green pepper (capsicum), seeded and diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tablespoon minced garlic)
  • 1 pound (500g) lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon each ground cumin and red chili powder or Cayenne (adjust to your tastes)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 7 oz (200g) crushed tomatoes
  • 7 oz (210g) tomato puree (or Passata, condensed tomato soup for Aussies)
  • 1 cup (250 ml) beef or chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 14 oz (400g) red kidney beans, drained
  • 7 oz (200g) black beans, drained
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese (or Monterey Jack)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Notes

*The chili can be made up to 2 days ahead using this recipe(you will only need half of the recipe). After cooking, allow to cool completely, cover and refrigerate.

**If using leftover chili, you will need 4 cups of cooked chili! Mix it through the cooked pasta, top with cheese and ENJOY!

Nutrition

Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 862mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 545IU | Vitamin C: 15.4mg | Calcium: 233mg | Iron: 5.4mg

Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (7)

« Menu Plan Week 15

Pico De Gallo »

Subscribe to Cafe Delites FOR FREE and Receive Recipes Straight Into Your Inbox!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sylvia Stanisa says

    Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (14)
    Absolutely grand! The perfect comfort food that’s easy to make & fills your up! Great spices & flavor!

    Reply

  2. Kristine Mathews says

    Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (15)
    This was absolutely delicious, I will be making it again for sure

    Reply

  3. Felicia Thayer says

    Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (16)
    Really really good! I let my chili simmer for 1 hour though. 10 minutes is never enough time for all of the flavors to meld, in my opinion.
    End result…scrumptious!

    Reply

  4. Jen K says

    My boyfriend has been talking about me making chili Mac for a while. When I saw your re pie I thought I’d give it a try. It was sooo good! A little spicy for me, so I’ll cut that back a little next time. But not so spicy I couldn’t eat it.

    Only one problem. For some reason I decided I should double it??? There are only two of us. Soooooo much leftovers! Good thing we loved it! 🤣🤣🤣

    Reply

  5. Jessica says

    Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (17)
    A great thing to throw together with stuff you have. I omitted the beans; I only had chickpeas and I feel that pasta, meat and cheese is filling enough on its’ own! I can’t believe some of the people on here had room for cornbread with such a heavy meal! I didn’t have any crushed tomatoes, so I used an adobo sauce chili/tomato mix I was using for fish along with more tomato sauce. It gave it a unique complexity.

    Reply

  6. Kiki Plesha says

    Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (18)
    I add some frozen corn to the recipe. My family loves the added crunch and the sweetness of the corn. I also will add some Jalapeno Juice (from the jar of sliced Jalapenos I have in the fridge) to give it added kick. My son likes to crush Doritos over it. There are many variations, but we always have corn kernels in our Chili Mac. I serve Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Cornbread with this.

    Reply

  7. Jenny R says

    Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (19)
    Definitely my new favorite chili mac recipe! I made a couple of changes but only in quantities. I’m in the US and used full 14 oz cans of beans, 14 oz diced tomatoes instead of purée (couldn’t find a small enough can), 14 oz can of crushed tomatoes and extra beef broth because I added the uncooked pasta with the beans to save a bit of time and let it cook in the same pot. Left the other ingredients the same and it was sooo yummy!

    Reply

  8. Lydia says

    Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (20)
    Love love love love it!!!

    Reply

    • Keener says

      Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (21)
      Made this tonight, very good. I used shaved steak, for the cheese used 4 blend Mexican cheese. Use all spices definitely a great kick of flavor. Keeping this one.

      Reply

      • S. Evans says

        Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (22)
        This was very good. I followed it almost exactly. I didn’t have any paprika so I omitted that. I added a little bit of sugar to cut the tartness of the tomatoes. Used sharp cheddar and mozzarella for my cheeses. So good

        Reply

  9. Lydia Rhoads says

    Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (23)
    I’m having it for dinner tonight! So easy to make and it tastes sooo good as you must sample as you go! I made some corn bread to go with!! Thankyou for the delicious recipe!!!❤

    Reply

  10. Clynnf says

    Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (24)
    This was delicious! The whole family scarfed it down lol..made it exact, wouldn’t change a thing! Thanks!

    Reply

  11. Lizze Lynne says

    Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (25)
    I made this tonight for dinner and It’s really good and super easy to make! I’m not sure what I was thinking, but I added an entire tablespoon of cayenne and it was a bit too hot for me. I was able to reduce the heat by adding some more broth and tomato sauce, along with a couple pinches of sugar. I’ll use a combination of chili and cayenne next time.

    This is the first time I’ve been to your website and I subscribed to your RSS feed. Thanks for sharing so many delicious recipes with us! 🙂

    Reply

  12. Brett says

    Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (26)
    Pretty damn good, only thing I would add next time is a small drained can of corn and a diced jalapeno. Give a little something extra.

    Reply

    • Karina says

      That is great to hear! Thank you so much!

      Reply

  13. Alexis says

    Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (27)
    Very easy to make (my chili is super simple). Who knew pasta and lots of cheese would be such a yummy transformation to chili. I’ll be making this again!

    Reply

    • Karina says

      That is great to hear! Thank you so much for sharing! XO

      Reply

  14. Abby says

    Oh my gosh this looks SO delicious! My whole mouth just filled up with saliva! I will definitely have to make this on our next rainy day here! Thanks so much for sharing

    Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Chili Mac (Ground Beef Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between goulash and chili mac? ›

What's the Difference Between Chili Mac and Goulash? Chili mac is very similar to American goulash — a one-pot meal made with ground beef, pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese. American goulash, however, doesn't call for evaporated milk, and also isn't made with beans.

What type of meat is best for chili? ›

You can really use any meat for chili, but here are the cuts that are most popular for classic chili:
  • Ground beef (80/20) ...
  • Ground sirloin (90/10) ...
  • Brisket. ...
  • Short ribs. ...
  • Tri-tip sirloin. ...
  • Work with your butcher to get multiple textures. ...
  • Use multiple animals to add depth. ...
  • Go for grass-fed and grass-finished beef.
May 11, 2021

What is chili mac made of? ›

Basic versions may be prepared using chopped meat, tomato, spices, and elbow macaroni. Another basic preparation method incorporates boxed, prepared macaroni and cheese and canned chili. Some recipes incorporate all of the ingredients together, while others are prepared with the ingredients separately layered.

Is ground beef or chuck better for chili? ›

When making chili, former Southern Living Test Kitchen Director, Robby Melvin, recommends using a mix of ground chuck and ground sirloin. "It's the best of both worlds," he says. "You get a balanced lean-to-fat ratio from the chuck and the hearty, beefy leanness from the sirloin."

Which ground beef is better for chili? ›

Use lean beef, but not super lean meat. The best ground beef for chili has some fat, so 85% lean is ideal. Don't be tempted to use extra-lean beef or drain off the fat after browning the meat. The fat bastes the meat during cooking, which adds richness to the sauce and keeps the meat moist.

What is goulash called in the South? ›

What Is American Goulash? American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, American Chop Suey, or even Beef-a-Roni, is an American comfort-food dish popular in the Midwest and South. Besides the name, there is no real connection to Hungarian goulash in terms of the flavor or ingredients.

What kind of meat does Wendy's use in their chili? ›

The Wendy's Chili recipe ingredients are simple at their core, but at Wendy's it's all about blending our signature beef with the perfect mix of hearty vegetables, chili beans and savory spices. The result is a taste that's both satisfying and sentimental, and it's the perfect comfort food anytime of the year.

What makes chili taste the best? ›

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

Which onion is best for chili? ›

Yellow Onions: These are the most versatile and widely available type of onion, and are a good choice for chili con carne. They have a slightly sweet, sharp, and tangy flavor that adds depth and complexity to the dish.

What is another name for a Chili Mac? ›

American Chop Suey (Macaroni, Beef, and Cheese Skillet Casserole) Recipe. Beefaroni, chili mac, Johnny Marzetti: whatever you call it, this stuff is delicious.

What goes good with Chili Mac? ›

Serving Suggestions

This is a hearty meal on its own, but I love serving it with some cornbread. It would also go well with a side salad or even some biscuits! To make The Best One-Pot Chili Mac Recipe, start by browning your ground beef with the onion and garlic.

How do you thicken chili on a Mac? ›

Mix in a scoop of cornstarch, all-purpose flour, or oats.

For 1 tablespoon of flour, use 2 tablespoons of water. No slurry is required for the absorbent oats; simply stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons. In all cases, allow the chili to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes more, and you should notice it thicken up.

Is beef broth or stock better for chili? ›

We like using stock for soups where the liquid is the star, like chicken and dumplings, lemony turkey rice soup and French lentil and carrot soup. Since broth is thinner, it's better suited for dishes where you want other flavors to shine, like tomato soup, chili and slow cooker sweet potato soup.

What's the best cheese for chili? ›

ANSWER: The most popular cheese to serve with a steaming bowl of chili is cheddar cheese, personal preference would dictate whether it be mild, medium or sharp cheddar. Monterey or pepper Jack cheese would be another good choice.

Should you double grind hamburger? ›

The meat will not break down as much as a fine grind, therefore producing a moist, chunky texture. With all sizes of grinds it's best to grind the meat through twice for a consistent product. When buying ground beef, I recommend having your butcher grind something on the spot for you.

What are the two types of goulash? ›

There are two kinds of goulash: Hungarian goulash, which calls for the slow-simmered beef to be served alongside egg noodles, and American goulash, which pulls in ground beef and cooks the noodles in the pot alongside the sauce.

What exactly is goulash? ›

Goulash (Hungarian: gulyás) is a soup or stew of meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika and other spices. Originating in Hungary, goulash is a common meal predominantly eaten in Central Europe but also in other parts of Europe. It is one of the national dishes of Hungary and a symbol of the country.

Why is American goulash so different? ›

American goulash is more of a pasta and ground beef dish

Chunks of beef or pork are replaced by ground meat, drowned in a tomato sauce over macaroni. Owing more influence to Italian-American cuisine than Hungarian, paprika isn't even a consistent addition, per Syracruse.com.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 6012

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.