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.
Servings 8
Calories 360kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 oz each) chunky chili with beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes do not drain
- 2½ cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons mild chili seasoning mix
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni noodles
- 4 ounces Velveeta cheese diced
- 1½ cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
Instructions
- In a large saucepan or pot, over medium-high heat, stir together the canned chili, petite diced tomatoes, beef broth, and chili seasoning.
- Bring to a boil, while stirring frequently. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, and stir in the uncooked macaroni noodles.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer for 11-14 minutes or until the pasta is cooked to your liking. * Stir the mixture several times during the simmer time to avoid it from burning and sticking to the pan.
- Stir in the Velveeta cheese and 1 cup of the shredded cheese until it's melted and combined with the chili.
- Remove the pan from the heat and top with the remaining shredded cheese and then cover with the lid and let it sit for 2 minutes.
- Serve hot! We love this topped with sour cream and Fritos. My kids love to use Fritos Scoops to eat their chili Mac.
Notes
Velveeta Cheese : You need 4 ounces of this which is half of an 8 ounce package OR buy the 'fresh packs' and each of the small squares are 4 ounces. So use one small fresh pack square.
Chili Seasoning Mix : This is from 1 packet of chili seasoning. You only need 2 tablespoons of it for this recipe. Which is *almost* the full packet but not quite.
Recipe Tips -
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 9x13 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. 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.
Nutrition
Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 1266mg | Potassium: 738mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1678IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 312mg | Iron: 5mg