I make this Chili Mac for dinner often, and it’s also perfect for game day. Using a simple homemade chili seasoning, elbow macaroni, and hearty ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative), this dish becomes a comforting, flavorful meal that’s easy to pull together.
Homemade Chili Mac
This Chili Mac is a family favorite because it’s quick, satisfying, and versatile. It’s the kind of meal that removes the evening dinner decision stress while delivering big flavor. Keep a jar of the chili seasoning on hand for even faster prep, or measure the spices fresh each time — both work well.
How to Serve Chili Mac
This is a cozy winter meal and an excellent dish to serve to guests. I often pair it with warm cornbread topped with a little butter and a drizzle of honey. For extra color and texture, sprinkle sliced green onions and a mix of shredded cheddar and mozzarella over each bowl before serving.
Ingredients for Chili Mac
Homemade Chili Seasoning
- 1 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp dried minced onion
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
For the Chili
- 1 pound ground beef (or substitute turkey, chicken, or a plant-based crumble)
- 1 15-oz can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup elbow macaroni
Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Large skillet
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Chef’s knife
- Combine the flour, dried minced onion, chili powder, salt, crushed red pepper, dried minced garlic, sugar, and ground cumin in a small bowl to make the seasoning blend.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat, then return the beef to the pan.
- Stir in the seasoning mixture, water, kidney beans, and diced tomatoes. Mix well to combine.
- At this point, customize the chili if desired — add diced bell peppers, corn, or a splash of hot sauce for extra heat.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally so flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Meanwhile, cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions. Drain the pasta and stir it into the chili until evenly combined.
This Chili Mac is classic comfort food: filling, flavorful, and simple to prepare. Serve it with cornbread, a green salad, or your favorite toppings. It pairs well with other hearty ground-beef recipes and is easy to scale up for a crowd. Enjoy!
More Chili Recipes
- Chili and Cornbread Stuffed Peppers
- Make Your Own Homemade Chili Seasoning
- Chicken Chili with Black Beans & Corn
- Instant Pot Chili
- Crockpot Chili
This post was originally published on this blog on Nov 18, 2011.
Chili Mac
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp dried minced onion
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 15-oz can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup elbow macaroni
Instructions
- Mix together the flour, dried minced onion, chili powder, salt, crushed red pepper, dried minced garlic, sugar, and ground cumin.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet, drain off excess fat, and return the beef to the pan.
- Add the seasoning mixture, water, drained beans, and diced tomatoes. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare elbow macaroni according to package directions, drain, and stir into the chili until evenly combined.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with conventional ovens and stovetops. Oven and appliance performance can vary; adjust times and temperatures as needed for your equipment.