This chili mac is the ultimate comfort food, a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for gathering with loved ones. Imagine tender pasta enveloped in a rich, savory chili, all baked together until bubbling and golden. It’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out, making every bite feel like a hug.
This dish is a warm hug in a bowl, piled high with your favorite savory toppings.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Savory, hearty, with a mild spice and rich tomato undertones.
- Textures: A delightful mix of tender pasta, hearty beans, and savory ground meat, all bound together in a chunky sauce.
- Total Active Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes baking time)
- Difficulty: Easy, perfect for beginners and busy home cooks alike.
What You’ll Need
This chili mac recipe brings together the best of comforting chili and satisfying pasta. You’ll need ground meat for richness, kidney beans for heartiness, a robust tomato base, and your favorite macaroni pasta. A blend of savory spices ties it all together, creating a dish that’s both familiar and exciting.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef – A pound of 80/20 ground beef provides the perfect balance of flavor and texture for the chili.
- Kidney Beans – Two cans of kidney beans, rinsed and drained, add essential heartiness and a creamy texture.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes – A large 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes creates the savory liquid base for our chili.
- Tomato Sauce – A 15 ounce can of tomato sauce enriches the chili with a smooth, tomato-forward flavor.
- Macaroni Noodles – 1 1/2 cups of dry elbow macaroni provide the perfect pasta shape to hold onto that delicious chili sauce.
- Chili Powder – 2 tablespoons of chili powder is key to achieving that classic chili taste.
- Cumin – 1 teaspoon of ground cumin adds an earthy, aromatic depth to the spice blend.
- Garlic Powder – 1 teaspoon of garlic powder offers a mellow, savory garlic flavor.
- Onion Powder – 1 teaspoon of onion powder provides a sweet, savory onion essence.
- Salt and Black Pepper – To taste, these essential seasonings enhance all the other flavors.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – About 1 1/2 cups, for topping and melting.
Add-ins and Substitutions
This chili mac is wonderfully adaptable. If you prefer a different type of ground meat, feel free to use ground turkey or even ground chicken. For a vegetarian option, omit the meat and add an extra can of beans, like black or pinto beans, or some diced firm tofu. You can also add a can of corn, some diced bell peppers, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a touch more heat.
How to Make The Cozy Tailgate Chili Mac
Get ready for a straightforward process that leads to a truly delicious outcome. You’ll start by browning your ground beef, then simmering it with all those wonderful chili ingredients to let the flavors meld beautifully. Finally, you’ll stir in your cooked macaroni, top it with cheese, and bake until it’s bubbly and irresistible.
- Prepare the Pasta: Cook the macaroni noodles according to package directions until they are just tender. Drain them well and set aside. This is important so the pasta doesn’t get mushy when baked later.
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s nicely browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- Build the Chili Base: Stir in the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder into the browned beef. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
- Simmer the Chili: Pour in the diced tomatoes (undrained) and the tomato sauce. Add the rinsed and drained kidney beans. Season with salt and black pepper to your liking. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows all those wonderful flavors to deepen and combine.
- Combine and Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Stir the cooked macaroni noodles into the chili mixture. Pour the entire mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the chili is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
Pro Tip: Letting the chili simmer for at least 30 minutes before adding the pasta is crucial. This step allows the flavors to marry beautifully, creating a much richer and more satisfying base for your chili mac.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook your macaroni noodles only until they are tender, as they will continue to cook in the oven. Mushy pasta is nobody’s friend!
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Before you add the pasta, give your chili a taste. Does it need more salt? A touch more pepper? This is your chance to make it perfect for you.
- Even Cheese Distribution: For the most appealing melted cheese topping, try to sprinkle it as evenly as possible over the entire surface of the chili mac.
- Baking Dish Choice: While a 9×13 inch baking dish is ideal for even baking, you can also use two smaller oven-safe dishes if needed.
FAQs
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the chili mixture (steps 1-4) up to a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, stir in the cooked pasta, transfer to the baking dish, top with cheese, and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through.
- How do I store leftovers? Leftover chili mac can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Can I freeze this dish? While the texture of the pasta might change slightly upon thawing, you can freeze the baked chili mac. Ensure it’s cooled completely, then wrap it well or store in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This Cozy Tailgate Chili Mac is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette. A side of cornbread or some crusty bread for dipping is also a delightful addition. For extra flair, offer sour cream, chopped green onions, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt on the side for guests to customize their bowls.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can prepare the chili base (steps 1-4) a day ahead. Cook the pasta right before assembling if you’re making it the day of baking, as cooked pasta is best added fresh. Store the chili mixture covered in the refrigerator and the cooked pasta separately. When ready to serve, combine the pasta with the chili, pour into your baking dish, top with cheese, and bake.
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Cozy Tailgate Chili Mac
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Not specified
Description
This chili mac is the ultimate comfort food, a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for gathering with loved ones. Imagine tender pasta enveloped in a rich, savory chili, all baked together until bubbling and golden. It’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out, making every bite feel like a hug. This dish is a warm hug in a bowl, piled high with your favorite savory toppings.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
2 cups beef broth
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 cup elbow macaroni (uncooked)
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
1. Brown the ground beef and diced onion in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess fat.
2. Add the beef broth, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, and cumin. Stir everything together and bring to a boil.
3. Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni.
4. Lower the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. Stir now and then until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened and absorbed most of the liquid.
5. Take the pot off the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until its all melted and wonderfully gooey.
6. Serve immediately while it’s hot.
Notes
Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook your macaroni noodles only until they are tender, as they will continue to cook in the oven. Mushy pasta is nobody’s friend!
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Before you add the pasta, give your chili a taste. Does it need more salt? A touch more pepper? This is your chance to make it perfect for you.
Even Cheese Distribution: For the most appealing melted cheese topping, try to sprinkle it as evenly as possible over the entire surface of the chili mac.
Baking Dish Choice: While a 9×13 inch baking dish is ideal for even baking, you can also use two smaller oven-safe dishes if needed.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Not specified
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: Not specified
- Fat: Not specified
- Carbohydrates: Not specified
- Protein: Not specified
