The BEST Chili Mac Recipe

Chili Mac and Cheese is a very satisfying combination of your favorite hearty chili and creamy macaroni and cheese! This Chili Mac recipe is filling, delicious comfort food your family will request again and again!

Who doesn’t love something that is simple, easy to make, and tastes delicious? To put it bluntly…one-pot wonderful!

Who loves chili mac (also known as Chili Macaroni or Chili Mac And Cheese)?

I’m a sucker for pasta recipes. When I was a kid I declared my undying love for macaroni and cheese – and it’s never wavered. I love almost any kind of mac and cheese.

I have eaten my weight in it many times over and there are no signs of stopping.

Now that I’m older and my metabolism has slowed down some, I don’t eat it as often. But I still eat it whenever the opportunity arises!

You can put almost anything in a mac and cheese recipe and I love that! In fact, just this past weekend, I tried Jerk Chicken mac and cheese (YUM!) and a 5-cheese mac and cheese with Bleu Cheese in it (INCREDIBLE!).

Nothing beats classic One-Pot White Four-Cheese Mac and Cheese or Hamburger Helper though!

And I’m grateful that my kids all love it too!

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Today I’m sharing our family’s favorite chili mac recipe with you.

Chili mac is a fun twist on the classic mac and cheese and will please even the pickiest eaters! Just think of combining creamy macaroni and cheese with spicy flavorful chili. Yum 😍

If you’re like me and love making this kind of dish for your family, this homemade chili with tender macaroni and creamy cheesy goodness is the one for you.

If you are just as much in love with pasta dishes as I am then make sure you try my Maine Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe, Instant Pot Lasagna Soup, or Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake. 

Ingredients For Chili Mac

• Pasta, cooked & drained – you could use other pasta shapes if you need to, but macaroni pasta works the best in this recipe.
• Yellow onion – diced finely, especially for picky eaters. 
• Bell pepper – diced up to your preference.
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Ground beef or turkey – whichever you prefer, turkey is leaner. 
• Spices – Cumin, red chili powder, and smoked paprika give this chili mac recipe its authentic flavor. Feel free to adjust the amounts according to your preferences.
• Fire-roasted tomatoes – also helps give it a smokey flavor
• Tomato sauce and tomato paste – for added sweetness
• Chicken broth
• Light kidney beans – could substitute pinto beans.
• Black beans
• Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, shredded
• Optional toppings – Jalapeno slices, sour cream, and cilantro work for garnish if desired – or whatever you love to add to your chili once cooked. Go crazy!

NOTE: For the full detailed chili mac recipe, please see the handy printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!

How To Make Chilli Mac

But right now, let’s get back to the Chili Mac recipe that won’t disappoint. 

Step 1

First up you want to cook the pasta. Check the instructions on the pack and once cooked get the pasta drained and set it to one side. 

Step 2

Next, in a large oven-safe pot cook your chosen ground meat with onions, bell pepper, and garlic. As you are cooking you may need to drain some of the excess liquid as you go. 

Step 3

Now let’s add the flavor to your chili mac recipe.

Stir in seasonings, tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, broth, and beans, then give it a good stir to get everything combined. You will notice how divine the aroma is. 

Step 4

Bring the pot to a boil, then lower to simmer and gently cook.

Step 5

Once everything is cooked nicely, you can then add in cooked pasta, stir until well combined. 

Step 6

Now to add some of the cheesy goodness we all love about a mac and cheese recipe. Stir in half of both kinds of cheese and combine it together. 

Step 7

Finally, add the rest of the remaining cheeses along the top.

Step 8

Broil on low until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

That’s it! Garnish your chili mac recipe with jalapeno slices, cilantro, sour cream, or whatever you fancy. Then serve & enjoy! 

Chili Mac Recipe Notes And Tips

This recipe is wonderfully versatile and the flavors are addictively good. Here are a few ideas and tips for making it amazing.

Make it ahead of time. You put it all together and get it to the point of adding the cheese on top and then leave it. Then just broil it before you want to serve. 

Prep before you start. If time is of the essence (and when isn’t it?), prepare your ingredients in advance to make cooking this recipe quick and easy. 

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Variations To Try

Of course, there will always be variations that you can try and I have some incredible suggestions. 

• If you wanted to make this vegetarian you can choose to add other vegetables like Zucchini and yams instead of meat. 

• You can make this as spicy or as mild as you want it to be. Just adjust the chilli according to what you like. 

• Play around with different protein. Maybe add chicken chunks instead or perhaps even seafood such as shrimp to make it a little different. 

Chili Mac Recipe FAQs

If you have any questions about making chili mac and cheese, check below to see if I’ve already answered them. If you don’t see them, please leave them in the comments!

Can this Chili Mac recipe be made ahead of time?

The answer is yes! You can prepare it up to the point of broiling and then leave it in the fridge until you need it. You could even make it a day ahead and give the flavors time to really marry with the pasta. 

Can this chili mac recipe be frozen?

You can freeze this dish after you’ve prepared it. Make sure you put it in an airtight freezer-safe container.

How can I reheat the chill mac and cheese?

I prefer to reheat this dish in the oven until it’s hot. However, it would work pretty well in the microwave if that’s what you prefer.

Is chili mac a Midwest thing?

Well, yes, but this amazing combination dish isn’t limited to the midwest. It may have it’s roots there, though, as both chili and mac and cheese are hearty and affordable recipes.

More Family-Friendly Weeknight Dinners You’ll Love

If you love this chili mac recipe, check out these other family favorites too!

• Honey Garlic & Pineapple Shrimp Skewers
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread
• Easy Pizza Pinwheels Kids Love
• The BEST Homemade Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
• Taco Cups with Cilantro Lime Cream Sauce

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