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๐Ÿ Home ยป Recipes ยป Comfort Food Recipes

Chili Mac

Published: Dec 15, 2024 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan ยท 5 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Time: 30 minutes mins

It's time to break the bland mac and cheese habit with Chili Mac, a 1950s Midwest lunchroom classic. This economical and easy homemade comfort food uses pantry ingredients. You can make classic chili macaroni and cheese in one pot with elbow macaroni and cheddar cheese or Velveeta chili mac as a modern version with shells.

๐Ÿง€Ingredients

Ground beefโ€”or ground turkey or chicken
Onion
Dry pasta
Diced tomatoes or RoTel
Spicesโ€”chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, black pepper
Milk
Cheeseโ€”usually mild cheddar or Velveeta

Chili mac on a spoon.
Jump To (scroll for more)
  • ๐Ÿง€Ingredients
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Make Chili Macโ€”Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
  • โœ”๏ธOptions and variations
  • ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸณOther Lunch Lady recipes
  • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธServing
  • โ„๏ธHow to store and reheat leftover chili mac.
  • โ“FAQ
  • ๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

This easy Chili Mac recipe is a one-pot comfort food that can be prepared in 30 minutes with pantry ingredients. It features tender noodles, tasty ground beef chili, and creamy Velveeta or cheddar cheese.

Most chili mac recipes use simple chili and add cooked pasta. However, this recipe simmers the chili ingredients with milk and uncooked pasta to cook both simultaneously. Then, for maximum creaminess, add the cheese at the end.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Make Chili Macโ€”Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

Raw burger with pasta and chili mac ingredientsโ€”labeled.
Chopping onion on a black board.

1. Chop an onion.

Browing burger with chopped onion.

2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown ground meat with chopped onion until brown and onion clearing.

Adding tomato to the sauce.

3. Drain the meat and mix in the spices, milk, and diced tomatoes.

Adding dry pasta to the sauce.

4. Bring to a boil, then add uncooked pastaโ€”shells or elbow macaroni.

Cover and simmer until the pasta is tender.

5. Decrease to simmer and cover. Cook until pasta is tenderโ€”12-15 minutes.

Adding cheese to the cooked chili mac.

6. Remove from heat and add two cups of cheese of your choice. Mix in well and serve.

For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.

โœ”๏ธOptions and variations

Ground Meat: Use standard 80/20 ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken.

Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes are the traditional ingredients. The dish will taste somewhat bland, so you may want to add more chili powder or a touch of cayenne pepper.

Uning RoTel instead of diced tomatoes will solve the bland issue some will have with this classic recipe. Choose the version of Rotel that best suits your heat level.

Cheeseโ€”Velveeta, cheddar, Monterey jack, or Mexican blend

If you want a more baked casserole dish, cover the top with cheese at the end and broil it for a few minutes.

Dry pasta: Use bit-size standard pasta, such as elbow or shells. The cooking time of the pasta will tend to be a little longer than the recommended time on the package but check with each stir.

Optional ingredients: Drained kidney or black beans, frozen corn

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๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸณOther Lunch Lady recipes

You can also try these other cafeteria recipes from the 1950s and 1960s, like Lunch Lady Rolls, Tuna Noodle Casserole, and Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.

You will love these other comfort food casseroles like Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya and Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta.

Cheesy American Goulash

Cheesy American Goulash is a hearty old-fashioned baked casserole that's easy to make with ground beef, spicy tomato sauce, and pasta casserole with lots of cheese. One of my favorite classic cafeteria comfort foods from the 1950s is economical and made with pantry ingredients.

Cheesy goulash on a spoon.

๐Ÿฝ๏ธServing

Serve in a bowl like chiliโ€”top like chili with shredded cheese, diced onion, pickled jalapenos, or sour cream.

It is traditionally served with old-fashioned cornbread, cornbread biscuits, or stand mixer bread. A simple salad, cole slaw, or roasted vegetables will be good side dishes.

โ„๏ธHow to store and reheat leftover chili mac.

Chili mac can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three days. However, as the pasta absorbs fluid from the casserole, it will become softer, so it is best to eat it within the first two days.

Alternatively, you can freeze individual servings for three months.

Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop on medium heat. Thaw before reheating if frozen.

โ“FAQ

What is the difference between chili mac and goulash?

They are very similar, but chili mac strives for a cheese sauce like mac and cheese, while goulash will lack the cheesy sauce and will have more of a paprika spicing true to its mid-European roots.

Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions

Chili mac on a spoon.

Chili Mac

4.35 from 20 votes
From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
It's time to break the bland mac and cheese habit with Chili Mac, a 1950s Midwest lunchroom classic. This economical and easy homemade comfort food uses pantry ingredients. You can make classic chili macaroni and cheese in one pot with elbow macaroni and cheddar cheese or Velveeta chili mac as a modern version with shells.
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings #/Adjustable :6 servings
Print | Pin | Email share | Like and save for later Saved!

Video Slideshow

Ingredients

US Customary - Convert to Metric
  • 1 pound ground beef - ground turkey or chicken will work
  • 1 onion - small
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon cumin
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon pepper
  • 14 oz diced tomatoes - drained or substitute 1 can of RoTelโ„ข
  • 2 ยฝ cups milk
  • 2 cups smaller dry pasta - elbow macaroni or shells
  • 2 cups cheese of your choice - usually mild cheddar

Step-by-Step Instructions
 

  • Chop one small onion.
    Chopping onion on a black board.
  • Brown meat over medium-high heat in a large pan or Dutch ovenโ€”non-stick preferred. After the meat is browned and the onion translucent, drain the fat.
    Browing burger with chopped onion.
  • Add 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ยฝ teaspoon ground cumin, ยฝ teaspoon salt, and ยฝ teaspoon pepper. Mix in drained diced tomatoes or Rotel.
    Adding tomato to the sauce.
  • Stir in 2 ยฝ cups milk, bring to a boil, and add two cups of uncooked dry pasta.
    Adding dry pasta to the sauce.
  • Lower to simmer and cover. Cook until pasta is tender. This will vary by pasta type but will generally be 12-15 minutes.
    Cover and simmer until the pasta is tender.
  • Remove from heat and add 2 cups of cheddar or Velveeta cheese. Mix well and serve.
    Adding cheese to the cooked chili mac.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips

  1. You can use ground turkey or chicken if you want.
  2. If you want a chili-like flavor, add some drained kidney beans to the uncooked pasta. Other options are in the post.
  3. The RoTel will kick up the heat, but it is optional. The dish with drained diced tomatoes is a bit bland, so consider adding one teaspoon more chili powder.
  4. If you want a more baked casserole dish, cover the top with cheese at the end and broil it for a few minutes.
  5. Good refrigerated for 3 days and frozen for 3 months.

Your Own Private Notes

Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.

To adjust the recipe size:

You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.

Nutrition Estimate (may vary)

Calories : 459 kcal (23%)Carbohydrates : 26 g (9%)Protein : 35 g (70%)Fat : 24 g (37%)Saturated Fat : 12 g (60%)Cholesterol : 107 mg (36%)Sodium : 550 mg (23%)Potassium : 675 mg (19%)Fiber : 2 g (8%)Sugar : 8 g (9%)Vitamin A : 861 IU (17%)Vitamin C : 8 mg (10%)Calcium : 442 mg (44%)Iron : 3 mg (17%)

Editor's Note: Originally Published September 28, 2015. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

Molly on kitchen rug.

More Comfort Food Recipes

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    Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
  • slice of meatloaf with ketchup.
    Small Meatloaf for 2 or More
  • Mac and cheese on a white plate.
    Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese for Two
  • Pasta and sausage bake on a white plate.
    Baked Pasta and Sausage

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  1. Leslie says

    January 27, 2023 at 2:54 pm

    2 stars
    Personally, this was too bland for my taste. I added more cheese and other spices to jazz it up, otherwise we would not have eaten it.

    Reply
  2. Sandra Beathard says

    July 09, 2017 at 11:12 am

    Have you tried this recipe using Velveeta vs shredded cheese?

    If so, what was the difference (good or bad) in taste -- your Chili Mac recipe reads delicious.

    Thanks.

    Sandra B

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      July 09, 2017 at 3:17 pm

      I have not been repeating this recipe since it reminds my wife of school lunches. The recipe is written for shredded cheese of any type. I personally like velvet and it would be fine. Do about 2 cups shredded or 8 oz by wt.

  3. Jane Arkell says

    March 02, 2016 at 4:40 pm

    5 stars
    This looks like a really excellent "comfort food "go-to"....the recipe itself lends itself to so many changes, add-ons, etc. I LOVE the pictures of your Goldens...we have two boys (womb) mates and have just turned 5 - They all seem to have that same look. Thanks for all of the good recipes. I just discovered your page...I definitely will be back.

    Reply
  4. Chris says

    October 06, 2015 at 8:38 pm

    Maybe this is just dude food, because I think I'd love this.

    Reply

DrDan imageHi, I'm DrDan.
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