Easy Chili Mac
Satisfy your craving for a hearty, comforting meal with this Easy Chili Mac recipe—a delightful fusion of zesty chili and creamy macaroni that comes together in just 35 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pot wonder is packed with bold flavors from chili powder, cumin, and paprika, balanced by the richness of ground beef, tangy tomatoes, and melty cheddar cheese. The addition of kidney beans and tender elbow macaroni makes it a wholesome, family-friendly favorite, while a sprinkle of green onions adds a fresh finishing touch. Quick to prepare and made with pantry staples, this cheesy, crowd-pleasing chili mac is the ultimate dinner solution.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 15 ounces kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
Add the diced onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, and beef or chicken broth. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a simmer and add the elbow macaroni.
Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is tender.
Stir in the kidney beans and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
Remove the pot from the heat and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Let it sit for 2 minutes to melt the cheese.
Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2914 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 128.0 g | 164% | |
| Saturated Fat | 57.6 g | 288% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 442 mg | 147% | |
| Sodium | 7246 mg | 315% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 279.6 g | 102% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 43.2 g | 154% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.8 g | ||
| Protein | 167.0 g | 334% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1146 mg | 88% | |
| Iron | 28.5 mg | 158% | |
| Potassium | 3643 mg | 78% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
