By Becky Hardin
Updated Jun 12, 2025
Chili Mac is a hearty, delicious dish filled with ground beef, noodles, cheese, beans, and so much more. I make this on chilly nights, and my family absolutely devours it, kids included. I love being able to take weeknight meals to another level with this one-pot chili mac recipe. It’s easy to prepare and ready to serve in 30 minutes.
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5-Star Review
“Such an easy weeknight meal! My picky toddler even loves it!” -Kelly
Chili Mac Recipe
This easy, cheesy dinner is so hearty and comforting. I’ve filled it with beans, ground beef, cheese, macaroni, and lots of other good stuff. This has quickly become a family favorite in our house.
Though this one-pot chili mac is delicious exactly as it is, when we are in the mood for a change, I sometimes skip the beans, add more spice, use Mexican seasonings, or add more veggies. Anyway I modify this recipe, it always turns out delicious.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢ 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- ▢ 1 onion diced
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- ▢ 1 pound lean ground beef or try ground chicken or turkey
- ▢ 32 ounces low-sodium chicken broth beef or veggie also work
- ▢ 14.5 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes (1 can)
- ▢ 1 cup cooked pinto beans black beans or any bean will work
- ▢ 1 cup cooked chili beans
- ▢ 10 ounces dry macaroni noodles (⅝ box), or any short shaped pasta
- ▢ 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese Monterey Jack or cheddar Jack are good alternatives
- ▢ Fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Video
Instructions
- In a medium pot, add the olive oil, garlic, and diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes. 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 onion, 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- Add seasonings and ground beef and cook until brown, about 4-5 minutes. 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground white pepper, 1 pound lean ground beef
- Stir in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, pinto beans and chili beans. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently. 32 ounces low-sodium chicken broth, 14.5 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes, 1 cup cooked pinto beans, 1 cup cooked chili beans
- Once the mixture is simmering, add in the macaroni noodles and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, reduce back to a simmer and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until noodles are fully cooked. 10 ounces dry macaroni noodles
- Remove from heat, top with cheese, and let it rest (do not stir) until the cheese is melted. About 3 minutes. 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- Scoop into bowls and sprinkle with extra cheese if desired and garnish with fresh parsley. Fresh parsley
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Becky’s Tips
- Make this chili mac in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pan. It will distribute the heat more evenly.
- I absolutely love the simple seasoning blend in this recipe, but if you’re looking for a little more spice, try adding chili seasoning !
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Chili Mac Step by Step
Sauté the onion and garlic: In a medium pot, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of minced garlic, and 1 diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes.
Cook the beef: Add 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground white pepper, and 1 pound of lean ground beef and cook until brown, about 4-5 minutes.
Simmer the broth: Stir in the 32 ounces of chicken broth, 14.5 ounces (1 can) of fire roasted diced tomatoes, 1 cup of cooked pinto beans, and 1 cup of cooked chili beans. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently.
Cook the noodles: Once the mixture is simmering, add in 10 ounces of macaroni noodles and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, reduce back to a simmer and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until noodles are fully cooked.
Add cheese: Remove from heat, top with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and let it rest (do not stir) until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.
Garnish and serve : Scoop into bowls and sprinkle with extra cheese if desired, and garnish with fresh parsley.
How to Store
Store leftover chili mac in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through or in a pot set over medium-low heat.
Freeze chili mac in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
I find this chili mac and cheese is a hearty meal all by itself. It’s a one-pot meal and a one-dish dinner! But a few extra toppings never hurt anyone. I always add a handful of corn or tortilla chips, sprinkle on more cheese, or add a dollop of sour cream. For a little heat, I’ll add sliced jalapeños or top with guacamole for a refreshing twist. I like to serve the chili mac with cornbread muffins to help scoop up any lingering bits.
more hearty dinners we love
Cowboy Stew
Beefaroni
Cheesy Mexican Stuffed Shells
Hamburger Casserole Recipe
One Pot Chili Mac Recipe
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 onion diced
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 pound lean ground beef or try ground chicken or turkey
- 32 ounces low-sodium chicken broth beef or veggie also work
- 14.5 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes (1 can)
- 1 cup cooked pinto beans black beans or any bean will work
- 1 cup cooked chili beans
- 10 ounces dry macaroni noodles (⅝ box), or any short shaped pasta
- 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese Monterey Jack or cheddar Jack are good alternatives
- Fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium pot, add the olive oil, garlic, and diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes. 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 onion, 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- Add seasonings and ground beef and cook until brown, about 4-5 minutes. 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground white pepper, 1 pound lean ground beef
- Stir in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, pinto beans and chili beans. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently. 32 ounces low-sodium chicken broth, 14.5 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes, 1 cup cooked pinto beans, 1 cup cooked chili beans
- Once the mixture is simmering, add in the macaroni noodles and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, reduce back to a simmer and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until noodles are fully cooked. 10 ounces dry macaroni noodles
- Remove from heat, top with cheese, and let it rest (do not stir) until the cheese is melted. About 3 minutes. 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- Scoop into bowls and sprinkle with extra cheese if desired and garnish with fresh parsley. Fresh parsley
Video
Notes
- Make this chili mac in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pan. It will distribute the heat more evenly.
- I absolutely love the simple seasoning blend in this recipe, but if you’re looking for a little more spice, try adding chili seasoning !
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
