Chili Mac Recipe - Belly Full (2024)

Published: April 23, 2015Updated: January 3, 2022Author: Amy

Two favorite comfort foods come together in this super easy One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese the whole family will go crazy for!

We like to serve this with homemade garlic bread and a simple side salad for a complete meal.

One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

What’s better than macaroni and cheese and chili? When you combine them! Put them together to make Chili Mac and you have one killer mash-up.

Not only does it taste great, but it only requires one pot and pantry staples. One of my favorite trifectas in cooking! Bonus, it comes together in 30 minutes for a satisfying meal. Leftovers are great the next day, too.

Chili Mac Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this chili mac recipe.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

• Ground beef – Lean ground beef 80/20, so there’s not excess fat.
• Onion and Garlic – For aromatics and flavor.
• Elbow macaroni pasta – Dry macaroni is used for mac n cheese, so that’s what we use here, but Ditalini would work, too.
• Chicken broth – We prefer low-sodium to control the saltiness of the dish.
• Pasta sauce – Use either traditional or marinara
• Rotel – This is canned diced tomatoes with mild green chilis. Choose from mild, medium, or hot depending on your preference.
• Chili beans – Canned chili beans. Do NOT rinse and drain them before adding them.
• Cheddar cheese – Freshly shredded for optimal flavor.
• Seasonings – Chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley
• Olive oil – Used to sauté the vegetables.

What Goes with Chili Mac

With ground beef, pasta, and tomatoes, and beans, this dish is very filling on its own. But we usually enjoy it with a side salad and either homemade garlic bread, 7 Up Biscuits, or Dutch oven bread to round out the meal.

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve got leftovers, allow them to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The noodles will absorb a lot of the liquid and tend to get mushy once defrosted, so freezing leftovers is not our preference, but you can. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.

More One Pot Meals:

• Rice and Beans
• Pasta e Ceci
• Easy Jambalaya
• Minestrone Soup
• Mexican Rice Skillet
• Broccoli and Bacon Pasta

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onTikTok,Facebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!