Hearty & Easy Chili Mac Recipe: Your Ultimate Comfort Food Dinner

Prepare to fall in love with this incredible Chili Mac recipe, a cherished favorite that brings warmth and flavor to any table. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal fast, or for sharing with friends during a lively football game. Our recipe highlights the simplicity of combining homemade chili seasoning mix, your preferred elbow macaroni, and robust ground beef (or opt for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter touch) into one delectable dish. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a hearty experience designed to be both delicious and incredibly easy to prepare.

Why Homemade Chili Mac is a Family Favorite

This chili mac recipe holds a special place in my family’s heart, and honestly, in mine too. Its enduring popularity stems from its remarkable ease and speed of preparation. In a world where time is a precious commodity, having a go-to dinner that comes together quickly and satisfies everyone is invaluable. There’s no need to spend hours planning or prepping; with just a few staple ingredients, you can have a flavorful and filling meal on the table in under 30 minutes. This recipe is a lifesaver, consistently delivering a comforting and delicious dinner without the usual stress of figuring out “what’s for dinner?”

A key to the deep, authentic flavor of this Chili Mac is a quality chili seasoning. I always keep a large jar of my homemade chili seasoning mix readily available in the pantry, as chili-based dishes are a regular occurrence in our household. Crafting your own seasoning blend allows for precise control over the flavors and spice levels, ensuring a perfect balance every time. While making a big batch to store is convenient, you can certainly measure out the individual spices each time you prepare this dish. Either approach works wonderfully to achieve that rich, authentic chili taste.

Customizing and Serving Your Delicious Chili Mac

Chili Mac shines as one of our favorite cold-weather meals, bringing warmth and coziness to chilly evenings. To complete this quintessential comfort food experience, I often serve it alongside warm, fluffy cornbread. A thin pat of butter melting into the warm cornbread, perhaps with a drizzle of honey, creates an irresistible pairing that enhances the entire meal. This recipe is so versatile and universally loved that I strongly recommend adding it to your collection of ground beef dinner ideas!

Beyond cornbread, Chili Mac is incredibly flexible when it comes to serving. For an extra touch of color and freshness, especially when entertaining guests, consider sprinkling your finished Chili Mac with vibrant sliced green onions. A generous helping of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses will melt beautifully over the hot chili, adding a creamy, savory layer that takes this dish to the next level. Other fantastic toppings include a dollop of sour cream, a spoonful of salsa, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce for those who enjoy a little extra kick. You can also serve it with a simple side salad to add some fresh greens to your hearty meal.

Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Chili Mac

For the Homemade Chili Seasoning Blend

Creating your own chili seasoning mix is simpler than you might think and makes a significant difference in the final flavor of your Chili Mac. This blend ensures a fresh, aromatic, and perfectly balanced chili base without artificial ingredients often found in store-bought packets. Feel free to adjust the crushed red pepper to suit your preferred spice level.

1 tbsp flour
2 tbsp dried minced onion
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (adjust to taste for more or less heat)
1/2 tsp dried minced garlic
1/2 tsp sugar (helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes)
1/2 tsp ground cumin

For the Chili Mac Base

These core ingredients come together to form the heart of your Chili Mac. Using quality ground beef will ensure a rich flavor, but feel free to experiment with other ground meats. Draining and rinsing the kidney beans helps to reduce excess sodium and can improve texture.

1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean is recommended for flavor, but 90/10 works too)
1 15-oz can dark red kidney beans, thoroughly drained and rinsed
1 15-oz can diced tomatoes (undrained, includes their juices for flavor)
1/4 cup water (or beef broth for added depth)
3/4 cup elbow macaroni (or other small pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells)

Helpful Kitchen Tools for Making Chili Mac

Having the right tools can make preparing Chili Mac even easier and more enjoyable. These are a few essentials that will streamline your cooking process:

Large skillet: Essential for browning the ground beef and simmering the chili. A deep skillet or Dutch oven works best to contain all the ingredients.
Cutting Board: Useful for any prep work, like slicing green onions for garnish.
Measuring spoons and cups: For accurate measurement of all ingredients, especially the spices in your homemade seasoning.
Chef’s Knife: A versatile knife for various kitchen tasks.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Your Perfect Chili Mac

Follow these simple steps to prepare a rich and flavorful Chili Mac that your family will adore. Each step is designed to maximize flavor and ensure a perfectly cooked dish.

**Prepare Your Seasoning Blend:** In a small bowl, combine the flour, dried minced onion, chili powder, salt, crushed red pepper, dried minced garlic, sugar, and ground cumin. Whisk them together thoroughly until well blended. This homemade mix provides a depth of flavor that really elevates the chili.
**Brown the Ground Beef:** Heat your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it’s fully browned and no longer pink. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
**Drain and Combine:** Once the beef is browned, carefully drain off any excess fat from the skillet. This step is crucial for preventing a greasy chili. Return the drained beef to the pan. Add the prepared seasoning mixture, water (or beef broth), drained and rinsed kidney beans, and the undrained diced tomatoes to the skillet. Stir everything together well, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the beef and bean mixture.

**Simmer for Flavor Development:** Bring the chili mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer gently for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmering allows the flavors to meld and deepen, creating a more robust chili. This is also the point where you can taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar if needed.
**Cook the Macaroni:** While the chili is simmering, prepare your elbow macaroni according to the package directions. Cook until al dente – tender but still firm to the bite. Do not overcook, as it will continue to soften slightly when added to the chili.
**Combine and Serve:** Once the macaroni is cooked, drain it thoroughly. Stir the drained macaroni directly into the simmering chili mixture. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb some of the chili’s delicious flavors. Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings!

Tips, Tricks, and Variations for the Best Chili Mac

While this recipe is fantastic as is, there are many ways to personalize your Chili Mac to suit your taste and dietary preferences:

**Spice Level:** If you love heat, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper. For a milder version, omit the red pepper.
**Meat Alternatives:** Ground turkey or chicken can be used in place of beef for a leaner option. Just ensure to brown it thoroughly.
**Add Vegetables:** Enhance the nutritional value and flavor by adding diced bell peppers, onions (sautéed with the beef), or even a can of corn (drained) during the last 10 minutes of simmering.
**Cheese Please!** Don’t be shy with the cheese! Besides cheddar and mozzarella, try a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or even a smoky Gouda for a unique twist.
**Make it Ahead:** Chili Mac is fantastic for meal prep! Prepare the chili base (steps 1-4) in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cook the macaroni separately just before serving and combine. This prevents the pasta from getting too mushy.
**Freezing Instructions:** The chili base (without pasta) freezes exceptionally well. Let it cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently on the stove, then add freshly cooked macaroni.

I genuinely believe a good comfort food can brighten any day, and this Chili Mac recipe is certainly one of those culinary gems! It’s simple, satisfying, and deeply flavorful, making it a staple in our home. I truly hope you and your loved ones enjoy this delightful dish as much as we do!

If you’re looking to explore more hearty and comforting meals, the rich noodles in this Chili Mac pair wonderfully with a robust 3 Bean Chili, especially when served up with some warm and sweet Sweet Cornbread on the side. For more excellent ground beef dinner ideas, be sure to try my classic Salisbury Steaks. And for another comforting casserole, this version of Hamburger Casserole, often served over egg noodles, makes for another incredibly hearty and satisfying family dinner!

More Delicious Chili Recipes to Try

If you can’t get enough of that warm, spicy goodness, explore these other fantastic chili recipes:

Chili and Cornbread Stuffed Peppers: A creative way to enjoy chili, baked right inside a bell pepper.
Make Your Own Homemade Chili Seasoning: The secret to a perfect chili, allowing you to control the flavor profile.
Chicken Chili with Black Beans & Corn: A lighter, yet equally flavorful alternative to beef chili.
Instant Pot Chili: For those busy days when you need chili fast, the Instant Pot is your best friend.
Crockpot Chili: A set-it-and-forget-it recipe that delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort.

This beloved recipe was originally published on this blog on November 18, 2011, and has been a family favorite ever since.

Chili Mac

A hot, hearty bowl of chili mac is great for dinner or when friends come over to watch the game!

Ingredients

For the Homemade Chili Seasoning

1 tbsp flour
2 tbsp dried minced onion
1 ½ tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp crushed red pepper
½ tsp dried minced garlic
½ tsp sugar
½ tsp ground cumin

For the Chili Mac

1 pound ground beef
15 oz can dark red kidney beans drained and rinsed
15 oz can diced tomatoes
¼ cup water
¾ cup elbow macaroni

Instructions

Mix together flour, dried minced onion, chili powder, salt, crushed red pepper, dried minced garlic, sugar and ground cumin.
Brown ground beef in a skillet. Drain off fat from ground beef and return beef to pan.
Add seasoning mixture, water, beans and tomatoes and stir to combine. At this point you can add in anything else that you want to personalize the recipe. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Prepare elbow macaroni per package directions. Drain and stir into chili.

Nutrition

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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.