If there’s one dish that feels like a warm, comforting hug on a plate, it’s this amazing Chili Mac Recipe. Imagine cozy, hearty chili mixed with creamy homemade macaroni and cheese, all baked to golden, cheesy perfection. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying across several meals, and every bite bursts with rich flavors and satisfying textures that’ll have you coming back for seconds. Whether you’re making a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this recipe covers all the comfort food cravings in one delicious dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Get ready to gather a handful of pantry and fresh ingredients that each play a crucial role in building the layers of flavor and texture in this Chili Mac Recipe. From the savory ground beef to the creamy cheese sauce, every component is simple yet essential.
- Ground beef (80% lean): Provides the hearty, meaty base with just the right amount of fat for moisture and flavor.
- Small onion, diced: Adds a subtle sweetness and aromatic foundation to the chili.
- Bell pepper, diced: Gives a fresh, slightly crunchy texture and a pop of color.
- Garlic cloves, diced: Infuses the dish with a warm, savory depth that complements the beef perfectly.
- Chili seasoning mix (1.25 oz. packet): Brings all the classic chili spices together for that signature flavor punch.
- Tomato paste (1 tablespoon): Intensifies the tomato flavor and thickens the chili.
- Tomato sauce (8 oz.): Adds smoothness and tang that balance the spices.
- Can of diced tomatoes (14.5 oz.), undrained: Offers chunky texture and slight acidity to brighten the chili.
- Chicken broth (½ cup): Keeps the chili moist and adds subtle savory notes (beef broth works well too).
- Kidney beans (15 oz. can), drained: Provides hearty texture and protein, making the dish more filling.
- Uncooked macaroni (2 cups): The pasta base that soaks up all the saucy goodness.
- Butter (2 tablespoons): Key for creating the roux in the cheese sauce and enriching the flavor.
- Flour (2 tablespoons): Helps thicken the creamy cheese sauce perfectly.
- Heavy cream (½ cup): Adds rich creaminess for that luxurious cheese sauce texture.
- Milk (1 cup): Lightens the sauce slightly while keeping it velvety smooth.
- Mustard powder (½ teaspoon): A subtle tang that enhances the cheese’s sharpness.
- Onion powder (¼ teaspoon): Boosts the savory depth alongside the fresh onion in the chili.
- Salt and pepper (¼ teaspoon each): Balances the entire dish for perfectly seasoned layers.
- Hot sauce (½ teaspoon): Adds a gentle kick to wake up the flavors without overwhelming.
- Cheddar cheese shredded (3 cups total): Melts into gooey, flavorful layers binding it all together.
- Fresh parsley: Garnishes with a fresh, vibrant pop of green and mild herbal flavor.
How to Make Chili Mac Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Chili
Start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet, breaking it up as it cooks so that it’s nicely crumbled. Once it starts to brown, toss in the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic to soften and release their wonderful aromas. Sprinkle in your chili seasoning mix and stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes along with their juices. Pour in the chicken broth and stir everything until combined. Let this simmer gently for about 20 minutes, then stir in the drained kidney beans. This simmering melds the flavors beautifully, creating a rich, hearty chili base.
Step 2: Prepare the Mac and Cheese
While your chili simmers, boil the macaroni in salted water until just al dente, then drain it well. Now comes the fun part: making the creamy cheese sauce. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter and whisk in the flour to form a smooth roux. Slowly add the heavy cream and milk, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. Season with mustard powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and that touch of hot sauce for complexity. Remove from heat and stir in 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese until melted and silky smooth. Gently fold in the cooked macaroni, making sure every piece is coated in rich, cheesy goodness.
Step 3: Combine Chili and Macaroni
Now it’s time to bring it all together. Carefully fold the simmered chili into the macaroni and cheese mixture, blending them gently so both components maintain their delightful textures. This combination is what turns classic chili and mac and cheese into a winning, food-love-in-a-bowl experience. It’s important not to overmix to keep some of the chili’s rugged chunkiness and the macaroni’s tenderness intact.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Transfer the combined chili mac mixture into a baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top generously with the remaining 1 ½ cups of cheddar cheese, covering every inch with that golden promise of melty, bubbly crust. Bake in a preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, with a few browned spots that add just the right amount of texture contrast. Once out of the oven, sprinkle fresh parsley on top—it’s not only pretty but adds a mellow herbal note that brightens the whole dish.
How to Serve Chili Mac Recipe
Garnishes
Some simple garnishes can elevate your Chili Mac Recipe from delicious to downright extraordinary. Freshly chopped parsley adds a touch of color and freshness that cuts through the richness. You could also sprinkle some diced green onions or a dollop of sour cream for creaminess and tang. If you like heat, a few slices of jalapeño or a drizzle of extra hot sauce keeps the spice alive until the last bite.
Side Dishes
This Chili Mac Recipe is a filling meal on its own, but adding some fresh or crunchy sides really rounds out the experience. Consider serving it alongside a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette to balance the richness. Garlic bread or cornbread are also fantastic companions, perfect for scooping up every last bite of cheesy chili goodness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving your chili mac in individual ramekins topped with a sprinkle of crushed tortilla chips for unexpected crunch. You could even stuff the mixture into bell peppers or hollowed-out baked potatoes, turning the dish into a creative main course that’s sure to impress guests. No matter how you present it, this Chili Mac Recipe shines as the ultimate comfort food star.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chili Mac Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This makes for a fantastic next-day meal that tastes just as good, if not better, as the flavors have had time to meld even more.
Freezing
Want to save some for a rainy day? This dish freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and it will keep well for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the fridge for best results before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat your leftovers gently in the oven or microwave to keep the cheese sauce creamy and the chili warm without drying out. If it seems a little thick after refrigeration, a splash of milk or broth stirred in during reheating brings back that perfect silky texture.
FAQs
Can I make this Chili Mac Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the ground beef for plant-based meat alternatives or extra beans and veggies. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and it’ll still be just as delicious and hearty.
What’s the best type of cheese to use?
Sharp cheddar is the classic choice because it melts well and has great flavor, but feel free to mix in some Monterey Jack or even pepper jack if you want a little spice.
Can I prepare this dish without baking it?
Yes! You can skip the baking step and simply mix everything together, then serve it stovetop style. Baking creates a nice crust and melds the flavors, but it’s still tasty without it.
Is it okay to use canned beans whole or should I mash them?
Drain and rinse canned beans but keep them whole to add texture and pops of creaminess in each bite. Mashing them would create more of a paste and lose that bean bite.
How spicy is this Chili Mac Recipe?
This recipe has a moderate heat level thanks to the chili seasoning and a touch of hot sauce, but you can always adjust the spice up or down depending on your preference by adding less or more hot sauce and chili seasoning.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something that wraps you up in cozy flavors with every forkful, this Chili Mac Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a perfect blend of meaty chili and creamy mac and cheese goodness, easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for guests. Give it a try and watch it become one of your favorite go-to comfort food recipes!
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Description
This hearty and comforting Chili Mac Recipe combines flavorful chili with creamy macaroni and cheese for a delicious one-dish meal. Ground beef simmers with spices, tomato sauce, and kidney beans, then is mixed into cheesy macaroni and baked to perfection with a melted cheddar topping. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this recipe yields 18 generous servings and takes about an hour to prepare and bake.
Ingredients
Chili
- 1 lbs. ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ cup bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, diced
- 1.25 oz. packet chili seasoning mix (or homemade chili seasoning)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 8 oz. tomato sauce
- 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
- ½ cup chicken broth (can substitute beef broth)
- 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained
Mac and Cheese
- 2 cups macaroni, uncooked
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded (plus extra for topping)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Make the Chili: In a large skillet, cook and crumble the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the chili seasoning mix, tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, and chicken broth. Add the drained kidney beans, mix well, and simmer the mixture for about 15-20 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Make the Mac and Cheese: While the chili is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream and milk, cooking until the sauce thickens. Stir in mustard powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, hot sauce, and 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Add the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- Combine the Chili & Macaroni: Gently fold the simmered chili mixture into the macaroni and cheese until evenly combined, being careful not to break up the beans.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the combined chili mac mixture into a large baking dish. Sprinkle additional shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese topping is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can make your own chili seasoning using chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper if preferred.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of hot sauce or add chopped jalapeños to the chili.
- Be sure to not overcook the macaroni during boiling since it will cook further during baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
