Easy Chili Mac

This quick and Easy Chili Mac is a 30 minute meal that’s cheesy, a little spicy, and guaranteed to be a sure fire dinner winner! Convenient canned ingredients make this simple to prepare for any skill level. Loaded with two types of cheese, chunky chili, and elbow macaroni noodles that all cooks in just one pot.

For another one pot wonder dinner recipe be sure and also make my One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper. 

Easy Chili Mac Recipe

If you’re looking for a quick & easy dinner recipe that requires NO prep work, then you’ve found it with this Easy Chili Mac! This one pot dinner recipe uses convenient canned ingredients like chili, diced tomatoes, and chili seasoning for maximum flavor but still easy to make. 

Everything cooks in one pot including the macaroni noodles. The best part are the two kinds of cheese that really make this chili mac creamy and cheesy. Your family is going to love this simple dinner that is ready for the dinner table in under 30 minutes. 

Ingredients Needed

• Chunky Chili with Beans – This is the canned chili that has both meat and beans in it. I use the classic chili with beans but I know there are lots of varieties at the store, so choose your favorite. Make sure it’s the correct sized can. 
• Petite Diced Tomatoes – I want my kids to eat this so I stick with the classic tomatoes. Any diced tomato can be used like Rotel, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili ready diced tomatoes. 
• Beef Broth – Regular salted broth will work or reduced-sodium broth also works. If wanted, you can also use water but I would not recommend that as I don’t think the chili mac will be flavorful enough. 
• Mild Chili Seasoning – You won’t need the whole packet, just 2 tablespoons. But again for extra flavor try using the entire packet and see how you like it. 
• Elbow Macaroni Noodles – These are uncooked and they will cook inside the pot along with everything else. You can also use small shell pasta if you need to substitute the elbow macaroni. 
• Velveeta Cheese – This melts so smoothly and really makes this chili mac delicious. I highly recommend not skipping this. 
• Shredded Colby Jack Cheese or Cheddar Cheese – For best results shred a block of cheese on a cheese grater rather than buying the bag of pre-shredded cheese. 

How to Make Chili Mac in One Pot

The great thing about this easy recipe is that there is no prep needed! Nothing to chop, no ground beef to precook, just dump & stir. Learn how to make it with the easy steps below. Be sure and read to the bottom of the post where there is a printable recipe card option and a pin it button so you can save this recipe for later. 

• Stove Top : In a large pot or saucepan, stir together the chili, diced tomatoes, beef broth and chili seasoning until everything is combined. 
• Boil : Bring to a boil while stirring frequently. 
• Noodles : Once boiling, reduce heat to medium or medium-low, and stir in the uncooked noodles. 
• Simmer : Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer for about 11-14 minutes or until the noodles are cooked to your liking. Stir the mixture often so it does not burn or stick to the sides of the pan. 
• Cheese : Stir in the velveeta and shredded cheese. Take the pot off the stove and top with the remaining shredded cheese and cover with the lid to let it melt. 

Quick & Easy Chili Mac FAQ’s

• How To Store Leftovers

  • Allow the easy chili mac to cool down to room temperature and then store it in an airtight container. If refrigerated, it will last 3-4 days. 
  • Leftover reheat well in the microwave. You may want to add just a touch of water to moisten everything back up while reheating. 

• Can I Freeze Chili Mac?

  • If you wish to freeze it, you can place individual servings inside airtight container and place a piece of plastic wrap on top of the food before putting the lid on. 
  • This can be frozen for 2-3 months.
  • Reheat leftovers directly on the stove top (you may need to add some water if necessary) or you can let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave. 

• Serving Suggestions

  • There are so many fun and delicious ways to serve this one pot easy chili mac. Here are some ideas and things that we have tried. 
    • Classic : This one pot dinner is so delicious served as is. No need to do anything fancy with it. 
    • Chili Hot Dogs : One of our favorite ways to eat this is as chili for chili hot dogs. I like to prepare the hot dogs inside buns (make sure the hot dogs are already cooked) and place them all in a 9×13 baking dish. Top each one with some of the chili mac, shredded cheese, and finely chopped white onion. Bake at 350 degrees F just until heated through and the cheese is melted. About 8-10 minutes. 
    • Chili Cheese Fries/Tater Tots/Baked Potatoes : Serve this chili Mac over top of some fries or tater tots, or even inside baked potatoes for a cheesy chili baked potato dinner. We love these Air Fryer Baked Potatoes. Some topping ideas are sour cream, additional shredded cheese, and green onions.
    • Cheesy Chili Nachos : Place tortilla chips on a rimmed baking sheet and top with the chili mac mixture. Add more shredded cheese and bake it in the oven (350 degrees F) until heated through, chips are crispy, and the cheese is melted. Add all your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, green onions, extra cheese, etc. 
    • Bread Bowls : For a really hearty meal serve it inside bread bowls. Use the extra bread to soak up all that thick & rich chili. 
    • Dip + Fritos Scoops : This is also really good served with Fritos Scoops as a dip! My kids love to garnish their serving of it with Fritos, or use Fritos to scoop it up and eat it at dinner. 

• Substitution & Variation Ideas

  • Make It Spicy! : Instead of mild chili seasoning use regular chili seasoning or spicy chili seasoning. Use a can of Rotel instead of regular diced tomatoes. Use a can of hot & spicy chunky chili. Add some chili powder, cayenne red pepper, red chili flakes, or try topping the servings with sliced jalapeños. 
  • Cheese : I love using Velveeta cheese in this recipe because it melts so smoothly and I’ll be honest, I think it tastes good too! With that said, feel free to omit the Velveeta cheese and instead use additional shredded cheese. 
  • Noodles : Small shells can be used insane of elbow macaroni if wanted. 

Recipe Tips

Here are a few of my helpful tips so that you can have success recreating this recipe in your own kitchen ♥

• Stir Frequently : It’s important that you stir it frequently while it’s coming to a boil and while the noodles are cooking. You do need to cover the pot with a lid, but simply take it off and stir everything together several times through out the simmer time. This will prevent anything from burning to the bottom of the pan or sticking to the sides of the pan and not cooking. 
• Use Velveeta : I know some don’t like using this ingredient but if you want that really smooth and creamy cheese flavor, then Velveeta is the only way to go. I highly recommend not replacing it with more shredded cheese. The dish will turn out different, still tasty, but it will look slightly different and not be as creamy and thick. 
• Beef Broth : I like to use regular salted beef broth when I make this dinner. The only seasoning is that chili seasoning so I like the flavor that the beef broth adds to this dish. Salt is good when cooking. You can use reduced-sodium beef broth if wanted or replace it with chicken broth as well. 

More Chili Recipes You’ll Love

• Baked Bean Chili – So easy to make with only 5 ingredients! A sweet chili made with baked beans and even kids will love this one. 
• One Pot Turkey Chili Mac and Cheese – Everything cooks in one pot with ground turkey, and a homemade cheesy chili mac. 
• BBQ Beef Pasta Skillet – Such a unique flavor! Everyone is skeptical until they try one bite. Trust me, this will be on repeat. 
• Crockpot Chili – Set it and forget chili with three different kinds of beans. 
• Taco Chili – Just like a taco but in a rich, and thick chili with lots of veggies. 
• Easy Slow Cooker Chili Coney Dogs – If you’ve never made chili coney dogs in the slow cooker then you’re missing out. These are delicious loaded with cheese and onion, and then baked in the oven to melt everything together.